Emme Jade!
When we first started this journey to Emme Jade, we prayed that God would give us confirmation that this was His plan for our family. Sometimes it's hard to discern between what our heart wants and God's will for us. Could we love another was never a question. We already know that we can do that. But the things that we describe "of this world" kept popping up. Things that we all think about such as raising 4 girls in this crazy world, expense, time, our age, college, weddings, etc. would creep in and get in the way. Then one Sunday we heard a sermon on making decisions that have eternal value. Clearly God doesn't care about the price of college.. We believe He will provide what we can't in that way. Wouldn't He rather have us focus on teaching out kids about the things that really matter. Matters of the heart, that challenge our children to make great decisions in life. Lessons that teach them about love, respect and serving others. Ultimately, teaching them that the Father who created them, loves them more than we ever could. These are the things that motivate us to go back...
Without writing a novel today, I will say that God quickly showed us that He did call us back to China one more time. This time for a precious little girl named Yang YuQuio. He used my blog to introduce me to a very special woman named Sue with a daughter from Yangzhou. Sue, without me asking reached out to the orphanage for me and got us the first amazing set of photos we got of Emme. Photos that were truly like a road map pointing to Jiangsu, China. In the way they came, and on the day they came, it was such a blatant answer to prayer that this was His plan for us. We will always be grateful to Sue for her boldness that day!
Next came a connection to Emme's orphanage through two Yahoo groups. One that the SWI actually reads and responds too. This led to not only an email to me from the nannies, but it connected me to two more special Mom's that would be traveling to Yangzhou soon.
The first Yangzhou Mom, Patti, was with her girls visiting Yangzhou for a very special reunion a few days ago. Patti is American, but she lives in China.. I reached out asking if she could check on our daughter. Not only did she do that, she blessed us with an email while she was with Emme! She talked to the nannies and the doctor on staff, and she took amazing photos of our girl! In her words she said, "She is just a perfect little girl. I talked as much as I could to the nanny and she said she is happy, cute and her health is good!..She went on to say, I talked to Emme and gave her a kiss for you." A priceless email from a mom who knows what it is like to wait.
In April, a special family is traveling with their Yangzhou daughter for a heritage trip. They will spend part of their day on April 13th at the orphanage. In her suitcase she is carrying a gift from us for Emme Jade. Another blessing in this wait.
I have stated this before, but Jeff and I believe that when God reveals His plan, and we respond, that He blesses... We could have never prayed for the way God has responded to our need for confirmation. He has taken any fears we may have had and turned them into a love for a little girl that has a smile that lights up our computer screens.. A world away is a precious child, who we know will complete this family in a very special way! The confidence in knowing she is being loved gives us the confidence to wait a little longer to bring her home!
On April 1st our last document will be sent to China. The prayer is for a "Letter of Approval" from China to arrive within thirty days.. If it does, our hope of being in China before school begins is very possible! Blessings from this thankful Mom today!
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25 comments:
She is beautiful! What an amazing journey of your heart to your sweet little girl. I love seeing God's plan unfold in these sweet little ones lives. If you get a chance could you email me ... julie@mcdonaldafam.com ... I have a couple questions for you.
Julie
www.themcdonaldgangsjourney.blogspot.com
What a beautiful post documenting the fingerprints of God. Blessings always follow obedience.
The photos are priceless. Emme Jade is radiant.
Praying God will use your testimony to soften my husband's heart (again).
Love & Blessings from Hong Kong,
Kim
Oh my word, how is she even cuter than the last pics??? Such a precious child. So thankful that God is showing you confirmation. As Hank and I were praying about God's call, it got really funny: for the next 2 weeks Hank could NOT get away from being convicted about things of eternity and not of this world. He even asked me during a sermon if I had called our pastor to speak to him haha. Yes the worries of education, college ect really hung Hank up for a short time but God spoke to him in a big way to confirm what He wants us to do also. So very thankful! Thank you for this sweet post, just affirms that as Christian we do need God's affirmation for our lives and He will show it to us! Praying that you all get to travel before school starts!! Are you all taking everyone this time??:)
She is beautiful! You must be over the moon :)
Beautiful. She's so beautiful. She's God's perfect plan for your family.
It's true, we think of everything temporal when we should be thinking eternal!
Saw Geoff Moore live last night, and I can totally see how he encouraged your family to start this adoption process. He is a man of God. God is doing mighty things through him.
Jill
She is so beautiful, and we are praying that you can bring her home very soon.
Beautiful. God's plan for our lives is absolutely beautiful! Beautiful is your Emme Jade!
I will join you in prayer that the last piece of paperwork goes through quickly, knowing that she will come home in His time.
In the meantime, God is using little Emme Jade, through your blog, to show how God provides, blesses, connects us and to advocate for others who need a family!
Goodness gracious. It doesn't get any more beautiful than that Emme Jade!!!
Praise God for those precious mommies who have gotten pictures for you - nothing like seeing her baby girl to make a momma smile, is there?!?
Diana.
Love the update! I'm getting so excited for you to travel. Thank you for the blog mention, I'm so happy I was able to help and know how much happiness it has brought to you and your family. She is a beauty!!
Hugs
Sue
Emme is just beautiful!!! We are sooo happy for you all that God is allowing everything to fall into place to bring your baby girl to her forever family!!!
I love it when God isn't subtle!
I love how you stepped out in Faith BEFORE God confirmed His plan for you with Emme Jade! What a leap!!
EJ is precious and so, so happy - she is going to LOVE all the attention at her house of sisters!
Thanks for sharing these precious pieces of Emme so soon :)
She is beautiful !!!!!
Bises Laure ( en attente de sa petite étoile)
http://suivre-mon-etoile.blogspot.com/
You have truly been blessed!!!
God is SO GOOD...listen, and He will ALWAYS give you the answers you seek!
Emme Jade will be coming home to the family God planned and provided for long before they ever knew she existed...oh the blessings that are in store!...for precious Emme Jade and for her equally precious Forever Family!
With Love and Prayers and Great Joy as His plan unfolds!
Amy
I cannot believe all the amazing pictures you have received of your beautiful girl....WOW!! I know you are in LOVE and with each photo you lay your eyes on, that love grows stronger. Praying that all goes smoothly and that you are on your way to China in NO TIME~
xoxo,
Lisa
What an amazing post. What an amazing sweetie pie!! I could just eat her with a spoon!!! I pray every day that I will be able to meet Miss Emme Jade in China!
Love you all!
Jen
Wow. Emme is simply precious. Can't wait until you meet her and are together for good.
XO
Diana, she actually is NOT smiling in every single picture. Were these all taken after her best friend left? I am thinking of you, praying for bureaucracy to move quickly, and sending love to Emme Jade.
Oh Diane...she is beautiful!! I wish I had known you were going to be in Nashville. We live in Knoxville and would love to have met you in person finally. Ann
Precious little Emme Jade~ LOVE how God has shown you to way and continues to bless in only a way that HE can!!! He is SO good!!! Bless you all!
XO
I feel overwhelmingly blessed to be a part of such a beautiful journey.
SUCH priceless gifts...and why we live our iives "In the light of eternity!!"...nothing is better!
Wow! I've been following your blog since you brought home Ruby and it's so amazing to see what God has done in the life of your family :-) So excited to see you bring Emme home!
~Kimberly
Di,
She is so sweet. What a blessing to get these lovely photos and even more information on Sweet Emme Jade. I know God has blessed you richly.
She is beautiful! You have an amazing story and faith! Thanks so much for sharing!