On the paper work note, Hope told the lady (notary), that she was getting a 'mei mei' and the lady looked puzzled and we explained it meant 'little sister' in Chinese. I think she thought we were strange;) HA! Hope doesn't miss a beat really, she knows how to say things at certain moments that cracks us up! She does have this really annoying habit now, of sucking her thumb but because we're on her about it, she decided to just suck her bottom lip instead. Her bottom lip always has this red irritated line on it these days and it drives me crazy, because she picked this up in California.
And the application and home study papers are finally in the mail! Phew. In the state of Florida you need five references aghhh. That wasn't the hard part, the hard part was who would be a good reference for us? We're very tight knit with the family, but what if we couldn't include the fam? So I had neighbors and friends write one just in case. It's always nice to read what some had to say about our family, sometimes we don't stop and encourage each other enough...so this was very encouraging to us. Uhmmm, what else? I am addicted to blogs again...especially LadyBug ones...and of course I am looking at special/needs China adoptions...which are numerous/diverse enough...I don't think that makes sense? Anyway, did mention how important it is to consider adopting a boy? If a boy is in an orphanage in China it is because he has special needs-9/10 times. But this label of 'special need' is foolish and can trick you into being scared-it did us....special needs in China can be a heart murmur, a cleft lip/palate, spina bifida, a missing finger/arm, clubbed feet...you get it I am sure. If a boy is born with a deformity his parents cannot afford to correct it and/or he will be a shame to the community and/or considered unemployable, so the boy is given up. Orphans in China are out on the street at 14 years of age, and there are many orphans who are aging out fast. Sponsoring a child to receive foster care can be such a blessing, think about it this Christmas and please pray for these children.
The Bible mentions caring for orphans a minimum of 350 times. I don't know why I remember that but I do..it hit me once like a sling shot. Wow, God really cares about the poor and fatherless. He's always including them in His words and instruction to us. If we can be sure of anything its that there are many orphans out there...that even means foster care work here at home...we can't be sure about the politics, stock market, job market...but we can be sure that there will always be orphans in need and it easy to ignore them because we think I can't make a difference? Really? Even today, America is still among the richest of nations. We are all rich compared to the way others live around the world...our freedom in itself is a luxury. I can look around my house and see all the garbage I don't need and can sell to help an orphan at least get a meal/education/foster care/water etc. Please extend yourself to another in some way this Christmas-even the homeless...Christmas means nothing if its just about ourselves and more stuff...is it only me or is that even getting old these days? Do we really need more stuff? If we just really prayed this Christmas, it would make a difference to our world.
To really celebrate the birth of Jesus is to think of Him as not just a baby, but a God man that came to rescue us because we were all going to fail otherwise. He came to warn us and help us understand His plans-to do His work before we leave this life...if things were to get really bad, there is nothing else I'd rather do than what I am doing right now...His work. To be a part of that...is beyond words..no degree/career or status, can compare.
Ha! I think I got into this, because my husband made a funny comment yesterday. He said that after this adoption, he will definitely lose all of his friends. I am not sure if he meant that because of the five kids or because of another adoption...maybe he is right, maybe we we will lose more friends, maybe we will gain new ones...it may not just be friends we lose...even family have their strong opinions/views. I told him that I'll take the risks.
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