So apparently things have become quite technical since our last adoption back in 2007, and this NEW MAMA couldn't be happier about that. 

I was told that if we download an app on our phone that we could have contact with Yuan's(Matthew) Orphanage. We could send pictures, videos and little sticker pictures to help him get to know us before we see him in person for the first time.  Anything we can do to help our first meeting be less stressful for him, I am all over it.

I sent the request to the director of his orphanage, it kind of works like FB. You request to be their friend and then you wait for them to accept. I sent the request thinking it would be days before I got a response. I was also told that we would not be able to ask questions or anything like that because they don't speak any English. No problem.

Well I sent the request and within 5 minutes they had accepted it. WOW! So I sent a picture of Mike and I with a message telling them that this was Shan Bao Yuan's Mama and Baba. I was hoping that they would understand what I wrote and who the message was for. The butterflies and excitement were almost too much.  Within in just a few minutes I received a message in Chinese with a small icon below that read TRANSLATE. So I clicked on it and the message read...How do you do?  Oh. My. Goodness ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

I told them that we are good and couldn't  wait to meet Yuan. I wasn't sure at this point if he had been told that he has a family.  They asked if I could send more pictures so that they could let him know about his new family.  So of course I did just that. I sent them pictures of his sisters and brother and then I waited...

Two days later I sent more pictures.  Random pictures of the kids playing out in the field, the front yard and beautiful flowers, pictures of Mike and I with the kids and a picture of Tally(our dog).  After sending the pictures I told them that we would love to see some pictures of Yuan if it would be possible and then I headed to bed.

This morning when I woke up this is what was on my phone...

 

I honestly thought my heart was going to burst open.........HE IS SO PRECIOUS!!!! He has grown since his first pictures and he looks healthy and pink and beautiful. Feeling blessed and thankful! All I can say is MORE, MORE, MORE.

I have been here before

I open my email to see the face of a little boy who is wearing a red sweater and holding up the peace sign. His eyes are soft and gentle and they draw me in right away. I glance over the bits and pieces of information given about him and then I close the page.

Over the next few days I couldn't  get this sweet little man off my mind. I kept going back to examine his face, his eyes, his precious little ears. I read and reread his information. It talked about how much his Nannies at the orphanage love him. That he is sweet and kind and is compassionate toward others. They told a story about a time when he was at the hospital. There was an older man there waiting to have surgery and seemed concerned. This little boy walked up to him, patted him on the shoulder and told him not to worry. He told him that he had surgery also and that it wasn't that bad and he would be ok. Oh...be still my heart!

I decided it was time to show Mike his picture. I told him everything I had read about him, including the fact that he loves cars. I  told him that his paperwork stated that he had been born with a heart condition and that it was serious and he had just undergone his second surgery to make repairs to his heart. His paperwork used a lot of medical terms that my mind just didn't understand. The only thing I knew for sure, was that this little boy needed a Mom and Dad.  He needed someone to step out in faith, knowing that there would be many uncertainties and unanswered questions and say YES we will love you.

So without further ado, Mike and I would like to introduce you to OUR little boy.  His name is Matthew Yuan Bao. He will be 8 yrs. old on July 26th and he is from Harbin China and he is not an orphan anymore.

John 14:18
I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.

Philippians 4:6

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your request to God.

 

Today I woke up feeling anxious, sick in my stomach, worry

and fear had taken over and I realized that I have no control

over the outcome of this day. 

However the One that I love and trust with my heart and soul does have control. Therefore I will turn over all of my fears and my anxious heart to Him.

 

 

 

 



THEN AND NOW....

Doing a small test post. Haven't blogged in quite sometime. These are my Sweet kids about 7 years ago.

And here they are now...

A lot has happened from the time the first photo was taken and the last. There have been graduations, college, babies, change of location. It has been quite the ride. So glad I get to share it with these four lovelys.