Press On

Adoption is not for sissies.

That has been my catch phrase for a long time. Unless you have been there, no one really knows just how hard it really is. Take a look at some of the time of my posts and emails. It's hard. It tends to cause a lot of sleepless nights.

When families go into the adoption process, no matter how many times you are told this, you never know until you actually get into the thick of things just how hard it really is. I've labored for hours (many hours), only to end up with a c-section and I've experienced the labor pains of my heart, and I will openly and honestly tell you that the pains of adoption are far greater than the pains of labor.

There is so much uncertainty in the world of adoption, both domestic and international. I know so many families who have struggled in both areas. They have had failed placements where birth mothers have changed their minds, families who's children have died in an orphanage before they could get to them, families who wait and wait and wait for a miracle with a foreign government to happen. And still we press on.

"I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Phil 3:14

That's exactly what we do, we press on toward the goal. Sometimes that goal seems just within our reach and then it seems as though the goal is moved. Sometimes, we only have a faint glimmer of the goal ahead, we know in our hearts it's there and therefore we just trust. If you are reading this and you are in the midst of pressing on toward the goal of adoption, then you already know that it takes more faith that you ever dreamed you had. You are more dependent on God than ever before. And, you, for the first time in some cases, realize that you really aren't in control of anything. I am so grateful to serve a God that is in control, complete control. Knowing this gives me a great peace as I press on.

As we are waiting for that coveted I171H to send our dossier to Ethiopia, all of those "why" questions roll around in our minds. We do this because this is what we are called to do. Having been through this once before, I know first hand that it's not an easy process. But, oh how sweet the end results are. We have a precious little soul waiting on us in Ethiopia. We will press on and bring her home. We will love her as our own. We will give thanks for her life and pray every day that God will use her in a mighty way and call her to serve Him. For all of this, we will press on.

Sweet Peace for a Mother...

Somewhere in China, a woman that I have never known is thinking of a beautiful baby girl that she gave birth to two years ago today.  I know nothing of her, except that she is beautiful and that she loved her daughter.  I know that she is beautiful by simply looking into the face of her beautiful daughter.  She loved this baby girl that she had just carried 9 months and given birth to so very much.  How do I know, because she chose to give this baby girl a life.  Did she place her baby girl at the gate of the Fuling SWI herself, or was it to painful so she allowed someone else to lovingly place her there?   My heart breaks for her today, as I am sure that it will for the many April 13's to come.  What is she feeling today?  What is she thinking?  Is she able to concentrate?  My prayer for her today, as well as most days, is that she has the peace that only a loving God can give her.  I pray that she knows in her spirit that her beautiful baby girl is exactly where God meant for her to be.  That she is loved, adored, and cared for.  That she is the light of our lives and has brought us more joy than we could ever describe.  I pray that when she places her head down on her pillow tonight, that Jadyn's China Mommy will rest, that somehow her load will be lightened, and that when she whispers the name that she gave her that we will never know, that she will know that she is loved.  Thank you, my dear woman, for choosing life for your daughter, my daughter...I pray that you know the gratitude that I have in my heart for you.  Praying for you sweet peace. 

Sleepless in Smyrna

You Know You're An Adoptive Parent When . . .
1. The fact that there are 143 million children without a parent to kiss them goodnight has made you lose sleep.
2. You realize DNA has nothing to do with love and family.
3. You can't watch Adoption Stories on TLC without sobbing.
4. The fact that, if 7% of Christians adopted 1 child there would be no orphans in the world, is convicting to you.
5. You spend free time surfing blogs about families who have experienced the blessing of adoption.
6. It drives you crazy when people ask you about adopted child's 'real' parents.
7. You have ever been 'pregnant' with your adoptive child longer than it takes an elephant to give birth. (2 years!)
8. You had no idea how you would afford to adopt but stepped out in faith anyway, knowing where God calls you He will provide.
9. You have ever taken an airplane ride half-way around the world with a child you just met.
10. You believe God's heart is for adoption.
11. You realize that welcoming a child into your heart and family is one of the most important legacies you could ever leave on this earth.
12. You know what the word 'Dossier' means, and you can actually pronounce it!
13. You have welcomed a social worker into the most private parts of your life.
14. You shudder when people say your child is so lucky that you adopted them, knowing full well you are the blessed one to have him or her in your life.

-Author unknown

I found this on another website and perhaps this is why it is 4:06 a.m. and I have only slept about an hour and a half. Okay, God, let me in on it. I know it's You keeping me awake and I have prayed for the orphans of this world throughout the night, what next? As you can see, I already have my photo post done for the day also. And that was hours ago!

A

To Share One Moon

Happy Mid Autumn Moon Festival Day. And to think, you didn't even know it was a holiday!

September 25, 2007 marks the celebration of the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival and is the second most important holiday in the Chinese culture. The Chinese Moon Festival is very much like Thanksgiving in North America. Families join together and admire the bright, full moon, while eating sweet moon cakes and enjoying one anothers company.

Under this full moon friendships are renewed, families are reunited, and long lost lovers find their way back to each other. Under the bright moonlight, the families toast each other, family togetherness and wish peace for everyone. Familes also reflect on those family members that cannot be with them on this special night. If only for a brief time, they can be joined together by looking at the same moon. It's a time for reflection on the bounty of the harvest, loved ones, and to wish our families and friends well. This holiday is celebrated by nearly everyone in China, both young and old, rich and poor.

There are many legends and myths from thousands of years ago, but as time has passed, families celebrate much like we celebrate Thanksgiving, with food, family and friends and thankfulness. Chances are, tomorrow, Jadyn's birth mother and father will celebrate this very special Chinese holiday. Teaching Jadyn the Chinese culture is important to us, while teaching her from a Christian perspective. Quite likely, her parents will gaze at the moon and reflect on family members both near and far. Something in my heart tells me that her birthmother will long to know if she is okay. She will think of that very small bundle that she carefully placed at the gate of the orphanage and wonder where she is, is she safe, is she cared for? Having a mother's heart myself, tears fill my eyes as I reflect on the uncertainty she must have in her heart.

So, tomorrow night, I will go out onto my back patio, with the daughter that God blessed us with, and I will hold her close and pray this prayer.

"Father, you are the Creator of all things. The earth, the sun, and the moon are Yours. Thank you for the blessing of this child. As I look at the moon that You placed in the heavens, I ask you to bless Jadyn's birth family. But especially Father, wrap her mother in Your arms tonight. Lord, I pray that if tears fell from her eyes as she looked at the moon, that You dry them. Father, I pray that she will find comfort in You and You alone. As it is only from You that we find perfect peace. Help her to know in her heart that Jadyn is cared for and loved so very much. Give her that peace that passes all understanding. Father, you allowed her to give us the most perfect gift - the gift of Fu Bao Jun - Jadyn Grace BaoJun Hood, and for this gift we will be eternally grateful. Thank you for this gift."

I will reflect on my family, both far and near, on a family in China that we will be forever linked to, and on God's blessings. So, if you happen to notice that beautiful full moon, say a prayer of peace and thanksgiving.

With a very grateful heart,

Amy