Two years ago.

Two years ago this morning I was waking up in Beijing, China.

Marc and I hopped on a plane and took a short 3 hour plane ride to the Shaanxi Province.

Two years ago around 7pm in the evening I met Miss. Mei, my daughter.

One of the best things that I have read recently from an adult adoptee is her explanation of the difference between saying that "one was adopted" and "one is adopted".  She said that there is a very important difference between the two statements.  One explains an event and one explains an identity.  She compared it to the rest of us who say "I was born on...." .  You know, we don't say, "I am born...."  Because being born was a one time thing.  It happened once and then we moved on in life with the family with which God had placed us.  This makes SO much sense to me.  Such a subtle difference in those statements yet so important.

Two years ago Meili was adopted into our family.

Today she IS a Skipper kid.....in every single way.  I have NO DOUBT that God designed her in every way to be a part of our family.

Indeed, two years ago a VERY special and important event took place in our lives:  Meili's adoption.  But today, on this two year anniversary of putting my arms around my youngest daughter, I am celebrating our family.  Our family that God made.  We are all equal now, all the same.  God brought each of us to this crazy Skipper family in His own special way and for one reason:  His glory.

God is soo sooo sooo GOOD!

Happy Gotcha Day, Miss. Mei.

I praise Jesus for you every single day!

Two Blogs.

Well, it has almost been two years exactly since I have followed any blogs of people adopting from China.  Prior to our adoption of Mei, I followed them faithfully as they were a sort of life line for me.  Then, once we got our Mei Mei, I didn't need that life line any more.  I never looked back.

And then as of yesterday I have started following 2 blogs that I wanted to share with all of you!  Whoever "you" is???  :)

There is a man named David Platt who is a pastor in Alabama.  He wrote the book, Radical, and the Lord has used this man in very profound ways in me and Marc's lives.  He is a man of God and we have the highest respect for him.  Anyways, the first blog I am glued to (thanks Malia!), since yesterday, is his.  He is in China right now adopting their daughter and he is documenting it all on their church's blog.  It's so awesome.

http://bhglobalblog.org/

The second blog I am following is my friend, Sondra.  The Lord uniquely and powerfully brought her into my life a few years ago.  Then, we ended up (by God's amazing plan) being in China together 2 years ago when we were both getting our kids to bring home.

And where is she TODAY?  She is back in China adopting their 6th child (3rd adoption).  Now, I would be following Sondra's blog no matter who or where she was adopting because she is my friend!  However, this adoption is AMAZING to me because she is this time adopting an almost 10 year old girl.  This girl is Jorie's age!  Sondra loves the Lord and has followed Him boldly, faithfully, and passionately to this point of getting their daughter, Alea, from China.  I am in awe.  They just got her yesterday and guess how Alea greeted her new mom and dad????  I stole this pic from her blog to show you!  She greeted them with a HUGE bear hug!  Oh, praise Jesus.

here is their blog address if you want to follow along......
http://www.followingourheartsagain.blogspot.com/

So, no need to wonder what I'm going to be looking at on the computer the next couple weeks......these two blogs are on my mind!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Psalm 68:6  

God sets the lonely in families.

Referral

November 1, 2011

It was late in the evening and the call came.

It was our social worker and she said those famous words, "I have a kid for you to look at."

My mind, in one of those rare moments, went absolutely clear and it was as if there was nothing else in the world to think about except soaking in every word, every tone of her voice, and every breath Kathie had to share with me.

After our phone conversation she immediately sent us, via email, a bunch of paperwork  (medical reports, development reports, labs, behavior habits, etc.), about 12 pictures, and 3 short (3 minutes) videos of a very cute little two year old Chinese BOY!

The following days were filled with a mix of emotions.  We spent much time looking up the various medical issues he has, discussing at length his conditions with my sister (who is a Pediatrician), asking our friends to pray for our decision, and crying out to the Lord to give us clear direction about what He wanted us to do.

On Friday morning, Nov. 4th, we notified our agency that we desired to accept this referral and this precious little boy as our son.

We still have a long road ahead of us.  We are VERY early in the paperwork stage and still have many months to wait till we get to go get the little peanut.  Best estimates put us in China between August and October of 2012.

As I have been processing this long wait ahead of us and thinking of MY SON and how long it will be till we meet, God has been soooooooooo good to comfort me and redirect my eyes and heart to Him.  He has spoken to me through Isaiah 26:

You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.  Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD,the LORD, is the Rock eternal....Yes, LORD, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you;  your name and renown are the desire of our hearts.

God has told me over and over in scripture to wait for Him!  Trust in Him!  He will never disappoint.  He is in control.  He has the best plan.  Even more than I want to go get my sweet precious little son, do I want for God to be glorified, for Him to be known, for Him to be praised, for Him and His name to be renown! 

No doubt about it, it's going to be a long hard wait.

But God is so faithful.

I cling to Him.