So our time in China is drawing
to a close. This trip is full of
wonderful memories just like every other adoption trip. Patrick Yun Qi (pronounced Chi) or as we have
named him “Yun Cheetoh” has really started loving us despite our different food
and language. He passes out kisses
regularly puckering up any chance he gets.
Janie has learned to barter like her mother. With a face like hers who wouldn’t give her
the price she wants!! Lauren and I
discuss how confident she is in this country.
It’s amazing how international travel brings out her bravery. And Maggie got her hair cut here at a local
salon. It looked great when she got
back. I guess China brings out her confidence
as well. It’s funny how we don’t let the
language or cultural differences stop us from enjoying ourselves shopping,
eating, or playing at a park. I almost
jumped into a game of badminton today.
Too bad I didn’t bring my knee brace!! I thought at least I would have a
fighting chance unlike ping pong!!! Talk about serious table tennis!!
Despite all of the fun we had the
real reason we came to China was to welcome a precious child into our
family. Patrick Shepherd Ayres
officially became our child on December 26, 2014 and will become a US citizen
on January 10, 2015 the moment the wheels of our plane touch down in Atlanta. Lauren and I could not have received a better
Christmas present. I can’t wait until he
is old enough to understand how our entire family worked together to bring him
home, and how God orchestrated every moment. We are anxious about his future, but we know
God has that orchestrated already too.
God has prepared every doctor, nurse, scrub tech, pharmacist, support worker,
and janitor so that Patrick will be taken care of exactly as He has
planned. I don’t know even what city we
will be in, but God does. Isn’t that
completely and totally overwhelming? 3
years ago God knew that a child would be born with huge medical needs, that
this child’s family would abandon him 7 months into life, that he would be
cared for by an amazing group of doctors in China, and that he would eventually
be called “son” by two people living half way around the world. The same two people who 2 ½ years ago said we
aren’t even talking about adopting a heart baby. Yep.
You guessed it. God had a
different plan. I’m thrilled and
overwhelmed to be part of it.
So how are you going to let God
change your plan? I often hear people
say, “Adoption isn’t for everyone.” My question, “Why not?” If finances are in question we can show you plenty
of grants that are available to assist with adoption expenses. Maybe God is calling you to reallocate money
that you already have, but are using in a different way. Maybe He is calling you to change your lifestyle. Maybe He is calling you to step out in faith
so that He can prove to you that He won’t call you to do something without
providing the means. I can’t tell you
how many fellow adoptive families have told me that they didn’t know where
money for the next fee was going to come from, but it always came. If “God’s
guidance or calling” is in question spend a little time in his word. Look at James 1:27. What better way to look after an orphan than
to offer them your heart and your home?
Look at Psalm 82 and Isaiah 1.
How better to defend the fatherless than to offer them a home and a
future. Read John 14:18. Jesus tells us that He will not leave us as
orphans. Isn’t our goal to be more like Jesus? Jesus adopted us into His holy family. What better way to be like Jesus, than to
adopt one who He considers precious and worthy into your family. I’ve said this before and I’ll probably say
it again, but I have never felt so close to God as when I am walking with Him through
adoption. It has changed my outlook on pretty much everything. It has drawn me into a real relationship with
Him. So not only did a child get ‘”rescued”
from life as an orphan, but I also got rescued from a life of lukewarm religion. There are millions of orphans worldwide who
need a loving home. There are also
millions of people who long for a closer relationship with the Father. Maybe adoption is the tie that binds these
together for you. Maybe…
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