Last week we hit our two month home mark and I often find myself marveling at the miracle that took place over the last year and a half. Last night while watching a movie together, the kids in their pj's all laying on the floor around us, it hit me once again how monumental this whole thing has been. We traveled to the other side of the planet, plucked two girls out of impoverished circumstances - and gave them a family. I say "gave them" when the reality is actually that they always had a family - we were always their family. For whatever reason the Lord has a mission for them to do and it has to be accomplished by the both of them starting off in China. I know they are my daughters. There is no longer any question in my mind or my heart. They are mine and I am theirs. It was always so. It was only a matter of time before we remembered one another and found our way together again. I am once again reminded of the Chinese proverb:
An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place, or circumstances. The thread may stretch or tangle but will never break.
And so we continue to get to know one another again. Esther continues to speed along with her English while Pearl is taking a little longer. They are both going to school and love it immensely. We feel like a family although not speaking the same language takes it's toll on me sometimes. A couple of weeks ago we met with a woman at the school who is originally from China and speaks Mandarin. It slightly broke my heart to see how much Pearl lit up and started jabbering away. She is still not as talkative with me though more and more we see little glimpses of her light.
It is getting so warm here and since our sweet little house doesn't have air conditioning we are spending a lot of evenings our in the yard eating dinner. Last night was lovely as we picnicked under the cherry tree and were surrounded by the sweetness of the lilacs and other fragrant flowers. I love it here in spring and for the first time in the girl's life they get to experience the beauty of the seasons. Something that was so hard to do in the big cities they came from.
I am so grateful to be a mother to my six children- even though the car is like a traveling circus and my days are jam packed. The joy I find in my sweet ones is immeasurable. I am so grateful that the Lord helped me to remember that I had more than the four I bore. Our lives would have been so incomplete without Pearl and Esther.
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| Picnic time. |
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| Homemade go-cart by Elijah - it doesn't look like much...and it isn't. But the kids love it. |
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| Here is one of those glimpses into Pearl's adorableness. |
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| I am sure that Esther had no idea how beautiful she is before she came here. She is still so surprised to hear us tell her about it but boy is she ever. |
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| The Cherry tree. |
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| Our view. |
