Anyone involved in our lives in any way comes to know very quickly that adding to our family through the adoption of AvaGrace Yizhen has blessed us in immeasurable ways. She adds so much to our family dynamics, makes us all laugh, tells her brothers what to do, whispers, "I love you" in our ears and then just grins ear to ear .... We thought God had truly "completed" our family by bringing us this little angel, but He was and is not done. As parents, Joey and I worried that our biological boys were lacking some sort of attention or time with us, but after many conversations, they assure us they are so happy about AvaGrace as their sister, and told us she also deserves a sister. Wow .... what? Yes, Jace (10 yrs) and Collin (8 yrs) told us last Christmas that they would love to adopt again. We could even "cut back on their presents", LOL.
When we were in China last Fall, Joey and I knew during those two, long, wonderful, emotional weeks, that we would adopt again. We didn't know when, but we knew. So this past Spring, probably April-May, we decided, why keep waiting? Somewhere in China there is a little girl who is meant to come into our lives and be a little sister to Jace, Collin, and AvaGrace, and that we can love, hug, kiss, and of course, one who can play dress up with her big sis!! We are directed as Christians to take care of orphans and people who cannot take care of themselves, and we feel Jesus is very clear with this commandment. So did I ever think I would have FOUR children? Are you all crazy?? NO! But again, adoption has so blessed us, that we know God will provide for us and guide ME with much patience and perseverance so I know I CAN do this with HIS help. With my own strength, no, but with God, all things are possible.
All of that being said, we are so excited to have been matched already with a lovely girl from JiangXi Province that we will name Mia Carol Lijie. She has a similar story of being abandoned at about 1 month of age as our AvaGrace, and she has had open heart surgery to repair Tetralogy of Fallot (and other minor medical issues). She is considered a "waiting child" just like AvaGrace due to her medical history. side note: (If you want a perfectly healthy infant from China the wait is now 5-6 yrs!! But we know we are never promised healthy kids when we are pregnant, or don't know what's in our children's future, so why wait when these lovely girls need homes now!!) She is said to be a happy girl, very smart, and gets along well with others (good seeing as she'll have 3 sibs).
We ask for your prayers for our Mia while she waits for us in China. She is currently in a foster home, but we don't know if its a "good" home or "bad" home (just like in America, it could go either way). And pray for her heart and for our hearts to be prepared for each other.
Without further ado ... Here is our first glimpse of our Mia!
