***SPOILER ALERT*** SERIOUS POST
Tonight is Josie's last night in the only home she's ever
known for her whole (almost) 6 years. She's going to bed tonight on a
familiar mattress with her head on a pillow that smells like her.
Her friends there, her "family", the sounds and
sights that she's used to, this is it. As far as she knows, this is how
life is. This is how all children live. In a big building with lots
of other kids. You are watched over by different people who come and
go. There is food and toys, a roof over your head, maybe a good buddy
to pal around with. She probably doesn't know that there's something
different, another way (dare we even say a better way?) to live, out
there. Is she prepared for what's about to happen? This we
get asked a lot. And we ask too. Is there really a way to prepare for the
ultimate upheaval in this child's llife? We have embarked on this
journey with great hope and joy but also with great sadness and awareness of
the gravity of the situation. God never intended Zuzhou Josie to be an
orphan. Orphans was never part of the plan. Family. God created
us to live together in a family. That is why we do this adoption
thing. Not just because we love being parents (which we do) and not
because we want more kids in the house (which we do--most days), not because we
have some crazy notion of "saving the world" (which we know is not
possible) or because we think 4 kids is the number to have. None of that.
We adopt because God wants Josie, and all orphans, all of US, to be in a
family. And an earthly family is GREAT and desirable and the best way to
live here on earth. But even GREATER is that God wants Josie,
all orphans, all of us to be adopted into HIS family. The Bible tells us
that when we believe in God we become joint heirs with Jesus Christ. That
means we're in the same family as Jesus and are treated just like a
daughter or son. We are adopted out of a life that may not seem so bad to
us, we may even think this is the way everyone lives. David Platt,
author and pastor, said it well in a recent blog post when he was in China adopting,
"It's important to realize, then, that we adopt not because we are
rescuers. No, we adopt because we are the rescued. And in this way,
the gospel uniquely portrays, compels, and ultimately sustains adoption."
It is with great anticipation, as well as a bit of trepidation,
that we go to bed tonight knowing that tomorrow is a big day for us but a HUGE
day for little Josie.
(more pictures will be posted this afternoon)
Praising God for the way He puts our families together, that he does indeed Place the Lonely in Families! We love you and pray for you and can't wait to see photos of you with Josie.
ReplyDeletePraying as you sleep, as she sleeps, that last time in the orpahange.
Praying a lot for little Josie as you meet her today. I pray that she will be able to do the grieving her heart needs to do. And we are praying for you two as well -that God will give you wisdom and deep love and commitment to her especially when it gets tough. We too can't wait to see pictures!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post! Praying for you all!
ReplyDeleteDying to see pictures!
Hi David and Julie,
ReplyDeleteI just found out about your blog and have enjoyed catching up on what’s been going on in your lives. I had heard that you left, but great to see the pictures and hear about what you guys have been doing. Wow, sounds like it’s been really challenging and I will be interested someday to hear the details after you get home and settle Josie in.
We have our first meeting with Sunny Ridge Monday, Dec 19th to start the home study interview process. It’s exciting to see you guys in China right now and think in a year or 2 that could be us. I appreciate all that you have written and your vulnerability. Little Josie is a very fortunate little girl to get to be apart of your family. I’m glad things are getting a little better than the first 4 days with josie.
I look forward to hearing how things continue to go.
Love, Brooke