As we sit here on our last night in China, it seems bittersweet. Certainly we are ready to get back to the other kids, family and friends, the comforts of home, clean water, our personal bus, and our very own washer and dryer. But our time here is special too. We have gotten so close to the families in our travel group. Adoption brings families together in more ways than one. We have also been able to explore the country in which three of our children were born. We have been here four times in the last 18 months, and everytime when we left we knew that we would be back. This time is different. We don't have an expected return date, and in some ways it feels like the end. We now have 7 kids, and we haven't quite figured out how to manage all of them yet. Although we never will rule out another adoption, right now it doesn't seem realistic. (Not that 7 kids is very a normal either). We also might have the opportunity to serve in an orphanage here, but getting out of the country for a couple of weeks isn't going to come easily in a house of 9. Adopting, working in orphanages, following the adoption stories of many families and children, and walking alongside the people of China changes you. It changes your heart. It makes you want to do more. It makes you want to pray for the hearts of the people, and for the lives of the orphan. It makes you want to wrap every orphan in your arms, and bring them to a loving home. It makes you want to encourage others to adopt. It makes you want to support organizations like New Hope, Love Without Boundaries, Show Hope, CCAI, Lifeline, and New Day. It makes you want to lift up workers like Joyce and Robin Hill, Steve and Laura Martin, Amy Eldridge, Joshua Zhong, and countless others who have given their lives for "the least of these." My heart longs to do more. I guess that's why tonight I am glad to be going home, but sad to be leaving at the same time.
I'm thankful tonight that God has entrusted 7 of His precious children to Lauren and me. I am glad that he provided 3 of those children through adoption. It allows me to feel a glimpse of how He felt when he adopted me into His family, and as I have said before that feeling is pretty great. The journey that we have been on has been wonderful despite all of the ups and downs. If God is closing a chapter in our lives, I know he will soon open another one. 2 years ago I had no idea the road that we would travel. 2 years from now I will probably be saying the same thing. That's the wonderful part of following a living, breathing God. You never know what tomorrow holds, but you always know that He holds you in His hand.
Early tomorrow morning we begin our 24 hour trip home. We ask that you continue to pray for us as we travel. There are so many of you who have supported us every step of the way and to all of you we are eternally grateful. I don't have any pictures to post tonight, but for those of you who want to catch the live show, we will land in Birmingham at 4:45 pm Friday. We would love to have Jian Xiang welcomed home by a crowd of family and friends.
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