Providence... continued

This is a story of two families and two precious children... This is the story of my Peep...

This is a story of God's sweet providence...

We kept in touch with the family. They always wanted to know how Nicholas was. He had been home with us for about two and a half years when they sent an email asking about Nicholas and if we ever thought about adopting another child. I replied and told them I think about my little girl in Russia or China all the time. But it would take an absolute miracle because we didn't have the money to adopt again. We were still trying to pay the debt from Nicholas' adoption. A few months later Jeremy walked into the bank where I was working. With trebling hands and tears in his eyes he held a Christmas card the family had sent us. He began to read a letter that had been enclosed. They told of how they knew that the burden on their hearts for the children, had been put there by God. How it had been a long healing process trying to understand God's plan in all of this with Nicholas and themselves. They went on to share that they finally understood. Seeing Nicholas with us... his Mommy and Daddy was why God had sent them on the journey to Russia. They were not meant to add to their family but to help others bring their children home who couldn't afford to do it on their own...

If we were ready... they would like to pay for our adoption to bring our daughter home...

There wasn't a dry eye in the bank. My co-workers were all crying and I was sobbing. I walked outside with my husband and was so afraid he wouldn't be ready but praise the Lord he was.

I knew my son was in Russia. With Hannah I didn't know if she was in Russia or in China but my husband said China. So our quest to find our daughter began... It was one of the most difficult year and half of my life. The emotional roller coaster of adoption can be overwhelming at times. Constantly I reminded myself that... This too shall pass. Weeping may endure for a night but joy cometh in the morning. Stay the coarse. It became more difficult when I knew in my heart that my daughter had been born. When I knew that she was a tiny, helpless baby in an orphanage somewhere in China without her Mommy. When my heart broke and my arms ached to hold her, comfort her, love her and tell her what a miracle she was and how special she was. To care for her, nurture her, comfort her and make her giggle.

When we received her referral it was so incredible as her Daddy, big brother and I gathered around the computer to open the email that contained our baby girl's sweet face... She was so beautiful... we cried...

I remember calling my family. Telling my cousin who is more like my sister that she looks just like me. After I emailed the picture to her I called her back. "Doesn't she look just like me when I was a baby?" She sounded like she thought I had lost my mind... "DD, she looks like a little Chinese baby." I laughed and said, yes, but look at her hair. It's black but it looks just like mine did. Look at her facial expressions... she is moody like her Mama.

My Peep... she fit her nick name I had given her months ago... my little blue bird of happiness was my little baby bird.

My heart didn't recognize her like it did with Nicholas but I knew she was mine, and oh, how I loved her.

Waiting for the Travel Approval was almost as difficult as waiting for her referral. Finally the day came... we were off to China. I cannot begin to express the bond I feel with this enchanting land. It is the birthplace of my daughter. I love the people and the country. My heart aches for the adversities that so many of them face. I still grieve over not being able to experience more the two weeks we were there. I became quite sick with a sinus infection and my heart was torn between two continents as my son was in the U.S.. I pray someday I will return... I pray somehow, someway it will be to bring my other daughter home that I harbor only in my heart for now. But I feel her, and Jesus has blessed me with two miracles... He is able to bless me with three if it is His will... I long to take my daughter to walk on the ground of her birth place once again... to share with her it's beauty in it's people, it's culture, it's landscape... all of which is a part of her.

On September 5Th, 2006 one year ago today I held my daughter in my arms for the first time...

I saw her face as we walked into the room... There she was, in front of me... my daughter, the baby I had yearned to hold in my arms since I was a small girl... She was so tiny, she was so beautiful, she was so precious. There are no words to describe that moment in my life... As deeply as I loved her before that moment... when my eyes beheld her in person my heart must have grown 10 times trying to consume the love I felt for my daughter. It was overflowing... The love of a Mother for her child goes beyond human ability... it is a glimpse of God's agape love for His children...

A few moments later she was in my arms...

She was crying at first, it broke my heart because I didn't want her to be frightened. But she was holding on to me as I was holding on to her. We haven't let go... Our bond was immediate. She knew I was her Mama and that she is my heart.... my miracle... my daughter...

On our way flying to get my son I had asked the Lord why He chose to provide the means for us to adopt our son this way... why we weren't going to Russia to get him...
On September 5, 2006 I held His answer in my arms...

God's Sweet Providence...

I will spend eternity thanking this family for the gift of my children... without there kindness, and selflessness, their generosity we would not have our children home... They would not be with their Mommy and Daddy. One time during our adoption process I was talking to her on the phone... she said, "At the end of my life, what more could I have done with this money? There is nothing more important than the life of a child. It's only money."

Thank You Jesus for this loving family. Please bless them Lord... Please bless them...