Ni Hao Y'all

when east meets south

on my heart

November is National Adoption Month.

And yesterday was Orphan Sunday.

So the subject of adoption has been occupying a lot of my brain matter lately. As a momma to seven beloved children that were once considered orphans, adoption is often on my mind. But I’ve been reminded that I want my passion for adoption to be more than something that is on my heart and in my head… I want my life to be affected as well. I want to be changed.

I want my life to look different because of all that God has revealed to me about His heart for the orphan.

I had hoped to write a post yesterday about adoption, but that post will have to wait. The words would not come. For now I have some simple pictures. And I’ve linked all of our adoption journeys below as well, in case you have a few spare minutes. Or hours…


journey to Isabelle – 2005


journey to Sophie – 2006


journey to Jude – 2007


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journey to Shepherd – 2008


journey to Vivienne -2010


journey to Poppy – 2011


journey to Tallula – 2012

Will share more about ways to become involved in caring for the orphan and supporting adoptive families as the month goes on. A reminder to adopting and fundraising families, ads here are free and 1/2 priced in honor of National Adoption Month.

Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans.Fight for the rights of widows. — Isaiah 1:17
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.. — James 1:27
The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ — Matthew 25:45


Comments

  1. In a long story sort of way, I stumbled upon your blog months ago. And I read every.single.post. Your life and the choices you’ve made have really impacted me and my desire to adopt. I’ve always thought that I would, but reading about your family has made that all the more clear. You’ve done so much wonderful, Godly work, not only in changing your children’s lives but also in the influence you’ve had on strangers. So thank you for that. I’m in my 20s, soon to be engaged (I hope!) and I look forward to building my family both biologically and through adoption. You are one amazing mama!

    Reply

    • Wow, Allison. I am so humbled that God would use our story in that way! Thank you for your incredibly sweet words, they are truly a blessing to my heart!

      Reply

  2. Funny you should mention “a few spare hours”… I’ve spent a few spare hours perusing your blog and reading about all your sweet children. Can I just tell you, it makes my heart skip a beat to think of the child(ren) that God will build my family with through adoption. Thank you for letting us have a glimpse into your life and thank you for sharing so openly!!

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  4. I started following your blog just before you adopted Poppy. So I followed your last two adoptions “live”. I just finished reading about your first two adoptions. My sons are from Jiangsu and Guangxi (Guilin) our guide was David. I recognized the decor of the Mandarin Garden in Nanjing from your pictures. Hope to find the time to read about your boys adoptions in the near future. Thanks for sharing your family, your heart, and faith with all of us.
    Hope to meet you some time in person at Created for Care or other adoption event. I love my “So Loved” shirt and love to share Esther’s when people complement me on it. God Bless you!!

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  6. I’ve loved following your blog for a very long time. I followed your journey to Sophie (and all your trips since then). I just didn’t really stop to think that it has been more than six years. I still stop by just about everyday. Thanks for sharing your heart!

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  8. Before and after pictures always take me breath away. What a transformation God’s love through His people can make!

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  10. I just love the before and after pictures, your kids are all so beautiful and blessed.

    I´ve followed your blog since your journey to Poppy. That trip was really memorable for me because the way she reacted was so similar to the way our second daughter reacted in 2009, she was in total shock for many days ! And also, Poppy looks sooooo much like my friends daughter 🙂

    Kristín

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  11. You two are amazingly wonderful people! And so blessed to have been chosen to walk this road! I love loved seeing all these pictures, they just brought tears to my eyes!!! can’t wait til I too can share my little ones, before and after photos! Thank you for sharing your life with us. 😉

    Reply

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