Monday Miracle

Last week we were told was our “last chance” to travel in July. Things have changed in our agency… Not least of which is the number of trips leaving per month… down to ONE. So it doesn’t take much to be thrown off an entire month!

We had been praying to travel in June. God did not choose it. So, we began praying for July. And I wouldn’t even consider praying for August. In my mind, it just wasn’t an option. Which, honestly, I believe was a huge part of our (or, my) problem. I had to let it go. I had to let HER go. I had to trust God… completely. I knew it all last week... and I still wouldn’t yield. So, Friday came and went. And apparently, so did our chance for travel in July. It was time to start praying for August.

However, God had a different plan. Our weekend was spent at 2 very emotional, endearing, beautiful weddings. Our family was honored and blessed to be at each one. And God used those special moments to change my heart – to focus on what’s truly important. We are in a period of waiting. Our family is well… and Lily is in a loving orphanage with wonderful care. We are simply waiting. This is one of the “easiest” challenges God gives us. Sure, we may still want things to move quicker, but He gives us a chance to simply sit back and rest in Him. And I finally did. I was ready to be ready when He was ready!!

However, I felt we should begin praying for a “Monday Miracle” – the last day (in my mind) where we could possibly make it in July’s group. I spent many hours in prayer this weekend… begging God that if He would will it, we could meet our daughter soon… but if not, that He would give us (me) the strength to be joyful and look forward to whatever His plans may be.  And I meant every word.

Well, today is Monday … and God gave us a miracle!

The house was quiet all morning. Ok, so just the phone was quiet :)  It was the opposite of Friday.  The phone had been ringing off the hook that day and it was keeping me on my toes with my hopes repeatedly being dashed.  But back to today...  I took the kids to swimming lessons. Just after noon, Andy hears the phone ring… “could this be THE call?” – he wonders. He picks it up, “Is this Andy or Erin? This is Sue with BCS” …(shivers)… “I have some good news”. It just happens that I didn’t have my cell phone on me, so Andy jumped in the car. Back at the pool, Sammy points behind me – Andy is coming up the walkway. Why? What’s going on? Wait… could it be? He nods his head… I immediately well up with tears and cannot contain the huge smile that’s just been planted on my face!!  Then he tells me - we leave in NINE days!!!!

As we walk toward the car, Sammy asks, “So, mom, when we get in the car – can we all scream?!??” She knew my answer without me saying a word :)  As soon as the kids started piling in the van, they started screaming. Funny thing was that I don’t think Charlie knew why we were screaming. So, I asked him. His reply? Another scream. We did this a few more times until I finally cracked up laughing :) Then we sang “Rejoice in the Lord always” at the top of our lungs… with the windows down :) 

What an awesome day!!!

We're on our way Lily Liu!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Half-way around the World...

...a little angel is looking at us.  That's right!  Our package has finally arrived!!

On April 11th, we found out from Adele that Liuliu's orphanage had received our package on April 9th.  On that same day, her caretakers took new pictures & videos and wrote an update for us!!  We received all this information from our agency on April 14th... and are completely thrilled :)  Well, we still have not received the videos (they're coming via snail mail), but we are loving the new pics and information we learned from the update!

My favorite portion:

"We read the letter to Liuliu and told her that her parents sent to her package

and photos.  We also told her that she will have baba, mama, and two big sisters

and two big brothers.  She did not understand all, but we can tell she is happy.

We showed her the photos one by one.  We will let her see the photos everyday 

and teach her to know you from the photos."

What a huge answer to prayer!  They truly love her so much (and told us this again!) and are doing their very best for her.  I often ask myself if I could love someone with that kind of selfless love... being willing to really love and care for these children... knowing that they are not your own, and never will be... I cannot imagine it.  My heart just breaks to think about it.  But I praise God for them!  I praise Him that they are willing!  I praise Him that they are giving her the nurturing she needs in order to grow... and to give her the stepping stones she needs to step out into the love of a family... our family. Oh, how I thank God for her special Ayi (auntie)!  Dear Lord, please bless her.

Wow.  I wasn't expecting to go there tonight.  I was just going to write a simple post and show some fun new pictures.  But nothing's simple when it comes to adoption... is it?!?? 

Onto lighter things...
Here are the newest pics of our little pumpkin at 25 months :)

If you look carefully, you should see someone else you recognize in this picture!
Hint:  she's holding onto our photo book :)

Then, I had a little fun playing with her pics in "color effects" & "photoshop express" (oh, how I love free apps!).  This last picture wasn't a close-up and was decidedly my least favorite of the 4 new pics.  But with a little cropping and tweaking... it's competing for the position of "all-time favorite Lily pic" :)

Isn't she a little heart-breaker?  

So then I decided to play with 2 of my other favorites and I have to say they're stinkin' cute :)  Maybe a little over-the-top artsy-fartsy... but, what can I say?  I completely enjoyed every minute of it :)  The subject is just way too adorable!!!

I can hardly contain myself.  Positively pre-cious. 

Before I get too carried away with myself... too late, you say?  hmmm... well, moving on!  There's one more important thing we learned about Lily I want to share with you all.  Our baby is moving!  In May, she (and everyone else with her in the orphanage) is moving to a new facility which is huge (four stories high and nearly 54,000 sq. ft!), very nice and has new therapy equipment.  I am glad for her, but I'm apprehensive about it at the same time.  That's a big change.  Right before we get her.  Which will be a huge change!  It's just an awful lot for her to deal with in such a short amount of time. 

I pray for her heart all the time... and this is just one more reason to continue persevering for her.  But on the bright side, this may mean we have a better chance at visiting her orphanage... though now that I write that out, it won't mean as much anymore either.  Obviously, I have mixed emotions on the whole thing.  But I know God is working and He will be preparing each of us for the changes to come.  I trust Him.