I Thought

I thought it would be a while before we started our next adoption.

I thought our next child would be from Ethiopia.

I thought we would use our previous and familiar agency.

I thought we would adopt a child with a correctable or at least manageable special need like HIV.

I thought I was prepared to say yes to almost anything.

I thought an addition of another child would not significantly alter our comfortable lives.

I thought we would end up joining my sister’s family in Ethiopia someday.

I thought my child would have to fit in that box.

I know that our lives will never be the same.

I know that is a good thing.

I know that my life is not my own.

I know that our little girl is an incredible gift and we are amazingly blessed!

I know that I cannot wait to bring our daughter home and to give her the opportunity to become all that God has created her to be.

I know that God continually amazes me by giving hope at the right times, alleviating fears, and connecting us to people.

I know that even though my plans have all come crashing down, I can rejoice in the new direction our life has taken because God is writing this story and His plans are infinitely better than I could ever imagine.

Many are the plans in a man’s heart,

but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

Proverbs 19:21

Poor Deprived Child

After visiting a friend and driving home-

Liya: I want to see Jenny!
Mama: She has to go home and feed her puppy.
Liya: Hey, I have an idea! We can get a puppy too! I want a puppy too!

Take a Closer Look

Click on the photo to get the full effect.

So Long Family Of Three

I've procrastinated writing this post for some time because I've been at a loss for words (and time).  Since I can't seem to get my thoughts together I've decided to let everybody in on the abbreviated, simple version of what we've been up to these last few months. As you have  probably guessed if you saw the post a few weeks ago, we have been busily working on our second adoption. Liya is excited to become a little sister! Big sister is five years old and from China. She is described as active, independent, smart, stubborn, and silly. Sounds quite a bit like a certain two year old we know!  She enjoys learning to play the piano and loves showing others how to play. 

We are adopting through China's special needs program. Our little girl was one child of almost 2000 children on China's waiting child list. I will write about our daughter's special need at a later date. We are so thankful to know that she is living in an amazing medical foster home that looks out for her needs.  

I'm sure everybody would love to see a photo and I am sorry to say you are just going to have to wait! Although it is not an official rule, we have been advised to wait on posting any public photos. The pictures we have seen of her are so sweet. She's always smiling for the camera and she has a dimple on her right cheek just like Liya!