It has been almost a year since I have written in any of our blogs, and for the last two years, we have experienced two incredible loses and our new found realities. We look forward to our new normal... our newest beginnings as we prepare to bring home two unrelated baby girls from China very soon.
In the meantime, I am remembering a most incredible moment that happened late June 21, 2011. I will never forget that moment as long as I live. A vision at that time that was 18 years in the making, was about to be realized as the Lord supernaturally and quite miraculously led us to our second adopted daughter. I have heard the Lord's still small voice, recognized and acknowledged it, many, many times in my life. This was one of those times it was absolutely, positively only a God moment; a huge, gigantic God Wink in our life. You can read about the 4 posts starting here: http://sweetprincessamaris.blogspot.com/2011/06/i-found-our-promised-baby-but-first.html
Finding Amaris, our little one that "God has promised" (the meaning of her name) has been one of the highlights of my life. Surprisingly, the next three days would be full of peace amidst the adoption frenzy. You see, EVERYONE wanted our baby girl. Family after family inquired about her. Within waking hours of the post going viral, it had to be removed because the inquiries on her were overwhelming and non-stop. All the while, I KNEW that I KNEW that I KNEW with 1000% assuridty that this was our daughter we had waited for. This was the one that I had prayed thousands of prayers for and cried gallons of tears for over the years. I knew the Lord had ordained all the miracles He unveiled. This is that story... http://sweetprincessamaris.blogspot.com/2011/06/holy-spirit-goosebumps-and-sweaty-hands.html
There is also a purple video to the right of this blog that shares a bit about it as well.
Two days later, we were chosen as Amaris' family. It was a very special date for our family because just a year earlier, we received a phone call that my mom was on her way to Heaven. Though sad, we knew that this was the beginning of her forever and it is what she had longed for, for many years. So, we said goodbye to one that we loved with all our heart and added another one that we also would love with all our heart.
Through this journey, I have made a very special friend these last three years with Kathy Junk. She devotes her time and energy to placing orphans in the arms of loving families through Wasatch International Adoptions. They took great care of our family over that year as they helped us prepare our paperwork to bring home Amaris. Since then, I have had the privilege to help her find families for these kiddos... and, that has been yet another blessing.
We were chosen as Amaris' family on June 23, 2011 and got her on Father's Day a year later, June 18, 2012. She didn't know what an orphan was, she didn't know what a mama and baba or jie jie were. She didn't know that God had planned a special day for her, 16 years before she was ever born. She didn't know much... but, her life was about to change forever.
Two years later, Amaris is exceptionally smart. She is 4 years old, but the size of a 2 year old. She is healthy and happy. She is the star of our show. She can read, she can count AND identify every number up to 99. She can add. She can count money. She can give you the amount of money (under a $1) for an item, such as at a garage sale. She is exceptionally dramatic. She loves to sing, dance. and help. She LOVES mischief. She LOVES to do things differently than you. She would rather pick up her pencil with her toes, do her homework sitting in the "full splits" with her feet on the table, color on the outside of the newly painted house, jump on and off furniture (well... maybe we all would like to do that if no one was looking), and ride her bike with no hands and while looking backwards to see if you are watching. She is a handful... a delightful handful. I wouldn't change her for the world. She is full of life and animation. She makes our hearts smile. If your heart has never smiled... it may be because you haven't met Amaris. We love her to China and back and are so very grateful that the Lord has brought her into our family. The Chinese say that "She is lucky!" While that may be true... we are by far the luckier ones.
A twinkle in the eye means joy in the heart,
and good news makes you feel fit as a fiddle.
Proverbs 15:30 The Message Bible
