Two sweet Chinese girls got their ears pierced Thursday after our appointment to get their social security cards:) Abby went first. Sweet, unsuspecting Abby sat in my lap eating a lollipop with two ladies hovering over her ears. I was so afraid she would cry. Would you believe she didn't even flinch?! Not a tear, not a grimmace. So Ashlyn decided she'd get hers done too. She wasn't quite as happy. She flinched and then fanned her ears for about 30 seconds or so. But 10 minutes later we were happily eating lunch at F*ve Guys and she seems very pleased with her decision.
This little cutie-patootie gets cuter every day. I so wish I could show you the video of her cheering at Alex's play-off basketball game on Saturday. It was the most hilarious thing I've ever seen. This girl keeps us in stitches constantly. Here's what happened... The game was packed. We drove a half an hour just to get there late to the first game and we sat on the front row of the bleachers with all 5 of our other kiddos and my dad. Next to us sat a family from the opposing team who happened to have an extra pom-pom that they handed to Abby. She watches everything. She mimics everything. She watched the cheerleders get out and perform during the first game and so at half-time of the second game when no-one else was out on the gym floor, Abby jumped off my lap with her pom-pom and gave the cutest performance I've ever seen. Everyone started clapping and cheering for her. She came back to me when she was done and then she ran back out for another round. Cheers and laughter again and this time they were calling her name... She did this for the other 2 quarters of the game and got loud cheers each time. I think she's destined to be on stage:) She loves to entertain! When I get around to posting it on Yout*be I'll upload it here.
This is one of our most favorite places together... The kitchen. My kids ALL like helping in the kitchen, but especially the girls. (please ignore the feet on the counter top. It never happened.) Here the girls are helping me prepare a meal for my cousin and his wife who just had their first baby. Taking meals to people is one of my favorite things to do. We do it almost weekly for various people in our church. When we got home from China, we had meals brought to us for a whole month. I really wanted for Ashlyn to understand this simple act of love and how much it means to people... and how enjoyable it is to give back. She is learning so fast. She is a doer... Always looking for ways to be of help. What a sweet treasure she is...
I feel bad that my boys aren't in any of these photos! I swear they still live here:) This picture is from our super fun time with fellow adoptive friends (who have adopted 3 girls from China), celebrating Chinese New Year last night. We made rice and dumplings and sweet & sour chicken and the dads set off the left-over fireworks from our new years eve party... The kids had a great time and so did the parents. Seeing this picture of Ashlyn and Olivia (16 yrs old) especially warms my heart. Matt prayed for our meal and then I asked Olivia (who has spent quite a bit of time with our family this past year) to pray in Chinese so that Ashlyn could understand. She was hesitant and shy about it at first, but she did it, and she did a great job. Olivia comes to our youth group and I get the biggest goose bumps when I see her raising her hands in worship when we sing. God has great plans for these precious ones and I can not wait to see how their stories unfold.
If you are looking into adoption, my best advice to you would be to wait very faithfully and patiently in prayer for the Lord to direct you. He will do it. If your husband isn't on board yet, wait for him and pray. Don't push or prod... PRAY. If the finances aren't there, PRAY. ASK FOR HELP. Talk to people. Apply for grants... as many as you can find. Don't stop tithing. If you're not tithing already, TITHE! God will provide. He is in control and He has a plan.
BTW, Ashlyn told me she loved me at bedtime this week:)
Blessings,
Rebecca
Hi Rebecca- I just wanted to tell you that you have been an encouragement to me. I just happened upon your blog but I have so enjoyed it. My husband and I are in the process of our first adoption. We are looking at a child whose needs we are unsure of. What we can handle, etc. So much prayer but still so uncertain. Thank you for words to be patient and wait upon the Lord. We are also praying (me more than him) about adopting 2. I'm appreciative of your real-ness and encouragement. I will pray for your family as well! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteYour posts are such a joy to read!!! I look forward to each and every one!!!
ReplyDeleteMorning Rebecca - great stuff here - in particular the need to pray - and the I love you that you got...makes a heart sing doesn't it?
ReplyDeleteOh and that thing in the kitchen you mentioned - what never happened? ;)
hugs to all - aus and co.
ahhh! Just love your posts so much, Rebecca, so happy to see that all is so well.
ReplyDeleteI really want to adopt again. Honestly, I'd like to adopt three or four or even five more. I think it would be best for our kids to be from a larger family than a smaller one, and that this larger family will be important to them when they are adults. I just don't know how it would be possible for us with our various issues at our house and after a difficult experience with older adoption and in such a frightening economy and crazy world situation. So I am praying that God will know what is right for this family and lead us to it, whether it is stopping with just three or whether He would lead us to adopt again multiple times. Your posts make me so happy, so happy to see an older adoption, TWO older adoptions, going so well.
Blessings,
shawnee