To Love Ellianna: Looking Back And "Springing" Forward

Conception Of The Heart

Conception Of The Heart

"For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." - Matthew 6:21

It is amazing how God does not limit conception only to the womb. I am a perfect example of this unconventional, yet equally profound miracle. It was approximately 22 years ago when a little girl from China was placed in my heart. It is there that she has grown until God said it would be time for delivery in the near future. That message came on January 18, 2011 to be exact. The mysterious thing is that even as long as I have carried her there, the news meant she would surprisingly yet pleasantly come early to us. What we thought could possibly be another 5 years, suddenly turned into 5 months. Another perfect illustration of our little thoughts, plans, and ways compared to our Great God's! He never ceases to amaze us! And for those who might wonder, yes there are excruciating emotional labor pains!!! So here we are, and although this is by no means the beginning, and certainly not the end, we welcome you to join us on our mission...... to love Ellianna!

We will keep you posted, as our journey continues to China on May 24th, 2011!

Sunday, June 9, 2013

Looking Back And "Springing" Forward

Every year, the Spring season always brings a time of sweet reflection for our family. Specifically, it always takes us back to China, as we peruse through pictures and videos, and tell our daughter about how God placed her in our hearts, and then eventually into our lives. Each year comes with more questions about her own story, and to the best of our ability along with God's help, we try to help her discern her identity and make sense of her world.

A woman approached me the other day as Elli and I were shopping and asked where my daughter was from. She went on to tell of someone she knew who had also adopted from China. Sometimes the mother heart in me has to reprocess my daughter's story in those unguarded moments. Never mind the fact that we are clearly and visibly of two different races, and that this alone should be a constant self-reminder of our inherent distinctness. To me however, she's just my daughter, who God miraculously "birthed" into my life by way of this particular birth canal called Adoption. Our bloodline is connected by the only bloodline that matters.....the blood of Jesus Christ. Oh yes, and just before we finished our brief conversation, the woman looked at Elli and said, "You are a such a lucky little girl!" After my daughter responded with a polite and perky "thank you", I proudly added, "Actually, her parents are the blessed ones!" And indeed we are.

Easter 2013