First a Pearl, then Three Rubies!!: Sienna Day Anniversary

2:01 PM |

I will be honest.. I almost forgot that yesterday was the Anniversary of "Sienna Day" in China two years ago! Thanks to a call from her Daddy, I was able to make up for it when she got home from school!!! At first I wanted to beat myself up about almost missing this special date.. But, then a wise friend reminded me that maybe to just give myself a break and take it as a positive sign of just how much a part of my world she is now... Since I am all about giving grace, I will go with that! I used to pride myself on not ever forgetting things, having birthday cards in the mail, going the extra mile.. But, I guess I had to let go of that Type-A perfection 2 kids ago!

So, back to Sienna... Today is actually her official adoption day. I will never forget how anxious I felt walking back into that Civil Affairs office with the child who had lit it up the day before.. But, who showed up with us that morning was a happy, silly four year old... It was our first glimpse of this side of her. That day, the Civil Affairs Officer told Jeff how lucky he was... What would she say now seeing this amazing little girl.. The word blessed comes to mind!

I feel like I can breathe a great big sigh out loud when I write about Sienna Grace now. She by far has stretched me more than any other child I have raised. Perhaps that is one of the reasons God chose her for me. He knew I was the one that needed to grow!

I read a poster once.. "Lord, please grant me the patience to deal with my blessings today!" There were days when I prayed that prayer. Ok, who am I kidding.. I still do some days. But overall, I am in awe of Sienna Grace. She has come so far in just two years! Spiritually and physically, she is our little miracle!

I will always describe our Hunan girl as tough and tender. But, she is also smart and beautiful. Funny and happy. Extroverted and Introverted. Compassionate and strong. She can be sweet, she can be spicy. She is girly!! My money is still on her being a doctor one day. She would be fabulous!

Just the other day, out of no where, Sienna said to me... "Mama, thank you for adopting me!" The magnitude of that single statement from our 6 year old is hard to put into words. I think it put all of the frustrating days and nights into perspective. God has used Sienna Grace to refine me... He has taught me what love can do. He has shown me that I can do hard. He has shown me I can make mistakes and be forgiven. He has shown me that sometimes the greatest rewards are small victories. He has given me a priceless gift.. A little girl that just last night squeezed me tight when I told her "Thank you for trusting me Sienna. I will forever be your Mama and I am so blessed!"

It's only fitting that she chose to watch Mulan on her special day.. I had to choke back the tears during the scene when her father points to the plum blossom bud that is late to bloom..

And, he says.. "My My.. what beautiful blossoms we have this year. But, look.. this one is late. But, I'll bet when it blooms, it will be the most beautiful of all!"

Sienna Grace, Happy Forever Day! You are beautiful... Inside and out!

And we are blessed because you are ours... forever!

My Answer to Why? One Year Later!...

12:01 AM |

First Glance at the Civil Affairs and Sienna Grace Now...

March 1, 2010

Changsha, Hunan China

One year ago I wrote in our travel journal on Sienna Grace Day the following words, "Our new daughter arrived into our family on an elevator. She walked off with a grace and quiet confidence about her, munching on an apple! She was dressed in almost all of care package #1 that we sent, and her ruby red slippers. Four layers on the bottom, three layers on the top plus coat. First impression, breathtakingly beautiful!"

While that trip was not storybook, it was laced with blessings. We were given a very special little girl that day in Hunan. One who would show to us again and again the gifts that God has given her. She has an inner strength and braveness about her that has impressed us all. She is beautiful and strong.. But no longer does she go it alone. The layers have been peeled back, and Sienna is more vulnerable now. Her tender side is so amazing. What I see now is a little girl who is willing to let go, willing to ask for help, willing to love, willing to surrender it all. Don't be mistaken though... Sienna will always be strong.. She will always be her own person. That spicy characteristic is part of who she is.. A characteristic I admire greatly about her.

She and I are a constant work in progress. I understand why God gave her to me when He did... Sienna has taught me a lot about myself in the past year. She has taught me that I have patience beyond what I ever thought possible. She has showed me my weaknesses and my strengths. I will humbly admit, some not too flattering. She has reminded me that when you are called, that anything is possible. She has showed me milestone by milestone what love can truly do. This precious child has had me on my knees a lot. Mostly about how to be a better mother to her and to all of my girls. I have been humbled by how far she has come. And when I make mistakes along the way, she has learned to forgive me. We have both had to do that! We have had our share of "I'm sorry's" that have bonded us together forever. Sound familiar? Perhaps this is how God feels everyday with us... I have learned that to forgive and forget is the greatest gift you can give anyone!

Recently, I heard the song I have playing on my blog, "Why Wouldn't I" by Peter Eide. I couldn't get the chorus to stop playing in my head.. "Why wouldn't I travel so far, to where you are, to call you my own?" The song goes on to say, "When I saw your face, when I heard your cry, when I held you in my arms, I said to myself, why wouldn't I?" Every time I really stop to listen to the words they make me tear up... It summarizes my life with Sienna Grace in the last year.... Honestly, I can't think of one reason, why I would not take the time and the opportunity to love this child that God so clearly chose to be our daughter! Has it been hard? Somedays that answer is yes. God never promised it would be easy. But, He has loved us and encouraged us through the challenges and the blessings!

I love you Sienna Grace... Thank you for opening your heart up to us. It has been a blessing to watch the way you have learned to trust and to love in the last year. You have touched so many people with your story, and with your strength. You are so beautifully and wonderfully made, and Daddy and I are so incredibly proud of you!

"The one who calls you is faithful, and He will do it!"

1 Thessalonians 5:24

Two Years of Forever with Sienna Grace!

My Answer to Why? One Year Later!...

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