JOHN 14:18

Did you read my blog post yesterday?  It's ok, if not.  I realize when you are an inconsistent blogger like me, your followers fall away.  

BUT 

JUST IN CASE YOU READ IT....OR WANT TO READ IT NOW(GO AHEAD) AND 

THEN....

You need to carefully read the following words:

"we are submitting our paperwork to start the approval process with Ch*na."  

Yes, these words are in regards to the little girl I prayed so hard for while in China.  

The one I described on my blog THE VERY NIGHT BEFORE who has the serious heart condition and needs a family ASAP!

 Her future family(NOT OUR FAMILY in case you are wondering)contacted me yesterday morning!  

I was beside myself excited and know it is only GOD who can orchestrate this beautiful process!  PLEASE KEEP THEM IN PRAYER!

This would be a great time to leave me a comment or click on the "follow" tab to the right and hopefully soon I will be able to show you pictures of this wonderful family I am lifting up in prayer in the days ahead!  

Oh, and this morning these were the words in my Journey devotion, 

I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you." John 14:18  

I love His promises, don't you? 

Blessings

Sorting through all of my emotions after returning from our trip has been more challenging than I ever dreamed, along with the added jet lag. Did I really think I could go love on babies for a week and not be changed? Who was I kidding when I thought I was going to help the orphans on the other side of the world? Is it possible that I made half as much of an impact on them as they did on me? They rocked my world in a way I never expected and I will never be the same.

Since we are not allowed to post photos of the children, I hope my words can help you visualize just a small part of what we experienced.  Visiting places like The Great Wall of China, The Forbidden City, Tiannamen  Square and the Terracotta Warriors were all amazing sites that I feel so privileged to have had the chance to see.  However, the more impressive sites, though,  that will leave more of an impact on me came from the faces of little children who just wanted to be loved.

 The one most difficult site will be those of a little girl toddling to me with arms open wide and a smile plastered on her face calling me Mamma. Then that same little girl standing with tears streaming down her face as I walked out the door for the last time.  I will remember her little hands caressing my face and those sweet baby lips that kissed me a million times.  I bought her this precious dress when we went shopping and loved to watch her little bottom shake as she danced around showing if off to everyone.

Then, I will remember another little girl who sat silently as she watched the other children play, so weak from her heart condition that the slightest smile took too much effort for her.  Her sweet baby lips were so dry and cracked and her little chest struggled for each breath.  I held her and cried, and begged my Lord to spare her little life until a family came for her.  She listened carefully as I softly sang, "Jesus Loves Me" and whispered in her ear how I loved her. I wonder if a family will come quickly enough for her as I pray for God to continue to hold her in the palm of His healing hand.

 Each little foot that wore these socks and shoes just longing for attention and love.

 These sweet Nannies carefully folding each cloth diaper, 4 thick, so they could

 try to keep little bottoms dry.

I will always remember this sweet Nannie who LOVED with all of heart and had the most gentle spirit with the babies.  She hugged me and told me in her very broken English, "I Love You," with tears clouding her eyes. 

I learned what it means to give until it hurts and for that I am thankful. I gave away part of my heart and tears flow a little easier now.  That, however, is nothing compared to what my Savior gave for me, when He gave His ALL! 

My birthday boy

August 7 

On this day in 1991, I gave birth to my third beautiful baby boy who has forever changed my life.  On that same day, God gave me the second chance at life after a near death experience during childbirth.  It was a very difficult journey after I suffered with HELLP syndrome and then an even longer journey as Brandon suffered with sleep apnea.  For eight months he wore a breathing monitor and there were many nights we slept with the lights on so we would be ready when he stopped breathing.  Yes, every gray hair on my head was earned through many nights of little sleep!  This story is so much longer, but for now, I want to highlight my third, and last born son,  on his birthday today.

The past two weeks have been such a remarkable time to share with Brandon as we went on this trip to China and spent almost 24/7 together as we roomed and worked alongside each other.  I often asked him as we were ready to go, "Are you ready?" to which he always answered, "I was born ready!" Then my comment would typically be, "You were NOT born ready!" Of all of my kids, he was the one born the least ready! But, praise the Lord, he grew and has become and incredible man of God who today celebrates 22 years!

Enjoying a little(big) deep dish pizza in Chicago on our long layover to Beijing

Soaking in a little art in Chicago

Always ready for a little fun!

Accomplished climbing The Great Wall with his new friends

Brandon loving on  Corrie at Morning Star

Loving on a sweet heart baby, Noah

Never have to ask him to clean his plate twice!
Happy Birthday, Son, 
YOU MAKE US PROUD!

Internet troubles

If you were attempting to follow my blog you may have noticed that I stopped posting on day two of our mission trip.   It seems that although I paid for a VPN before leaving it would not work once we got to Baoji so I was not able to blog at that point.  We have finally arrived back in Xian and this hotel is wonderful!  We actually have working internet and air conditioning again!  Fortunately, one of our other team members was able to email her blog post to her husband, since things like blogger and facebook are blocked here and he posted our information to her blog.   David wasn't too sure about posting to my blog.  I can't wait to post some of my pictures and thoughts from our trip, but for now, I want to make sure you have the blog address where she has been posting.  Her blog can be found at:

                      http://www.4uruthie.blogspot.com/

I hope you enjoy her blog posts and I will post more later.  For now, God is good and we have definitely seen HIM at work this past week.