Reminders

 Some days there are reminders during those moments of routine that even though it seems like Lia has been in our family forever, it has really only been 15 months.  Such a short time, but I can hardly imagine our life without her and the joy she brings.  She has adapted better than I would have ever dreamed and we have our new routine with a young one around again.  Sometimes those reminders are funny and others times they bring tears to my eyes.

There are moments like tonight when she wanted to draw with the sidewalk chalk outside and not remembering the correct word, in her precious little voice she said, "I want to porkchop." Huh? You want to what?  I guess, porkchop and sidewalk chalk have about the same ring to them.  Pretty cute porkchop I must admit!

Then there are the gentle reminders of the tough days with very little that she experienced.  I occasionally ask her if she remembers something from her time in China simply so I can record it for her for later.  Tonight, after bath time, while she was carrying her clothes to the laundry room I asked her what she did with her clothes in the orphanage.  She said we just put them in a box so someone else could wear them the next day.  She said, "we had to share clothes."Sometimes they didn't smell good cause we all wear them."  Now, one of her most exciting things to do, is pick out her clothes for the next day.  Can you blame her?

Then, there was the short moment tonight that was a gentle reminder that she has experienced more abandonment than most of us will ever know.  While I was outside she was a bit stressed when she couldn't find me and I was only around the corner.  Once again, I promised her I would NEVER leave her and we went to prepare for bed. I snapped this photo with my phone the other night, but it is the same cherished scene most nights.  She wants to make sure we are VERY close before falling asleep and then I can quietly sneak out of the bed.

As we snuggled into bed and read a book, she decided tonight that she didn't want her pillow.  It was yet another reminder that she slept on a hard metal bed for a few years and sometimes she just reverts back.

Just like a couple of mornings ago I saw this sunrise and was reminded of God's faithful new mercies every morning.   I am so thankful for the new life He has given each of us who believe and that He promises never to leave us or forsake us. 

And then we have little reminders like really cool t-shirts matching big sister to remind 

us to think on the good things.

 

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Phil 4:8