I'm back, and I already need you, please!

 

 

Is that not the sweetest, little face?


 

If you're not sure who this is, and trust me I'd love to claim her if I could, this is my beautiful soon-to-be niece, Isabella Yong Mei.

Isabella is coming to us from Guangxi province and she was a complete and total surprise!

You see, my sister and her hubby started out on the NSN's route shortly after our Kai and AJ joined the family.  If you're familiar at all with the Chinese NSN adoption program, you know that the approximate wait now is six years....not months....YEARS!

Last year, after so much uncertainty and the fact that they weren't getting any *ahem* younger, they decided that they would not proceed with adopting another child.  They let all their paperwork expire, called the agency and told them they'd be putting off their adoption plans and soon began the process of proceeding with their lives.

Well, someone forgot to tell God about their plans. 

This past June, my sister received a phone call that would turn their lives around, in a good....no, in an awesome, kinda way.   Her agency called and told her, "We have your referral!"   Sort of like when you go to the doctor for a stomach virus, and find out that reason you've been tossin' your cookies is because there's a baby wiggling around in there!  :)

No worries, a few paragraphs down, I'll let ya get the whole scoop from her directly...but for now, please just bear with me.  I've got somethin' important here to say!  ;)

I digress.

Of course, they told their agency to send the info because they just had to take a peek and read all about this little miracle.  Once they did, they were taken in...hook, line and sinker.

Now, I know that those of you who've adopted know darn well all that it entails and the fact that it's a complete leap of faith, especially when it comes to finances.  Most people I know just don't have a spare $25,000. sitting around.

But, they prayed about it.  They prayed hard.  And they knew in their heart of hearts that God had brought this child to them, and he would somehow work it out that he'd send whatever was needed to bring her home. 

My sister beat records getting all of her paperwork together again, including updating homestudies, getting new fingerprints, and cutting through all the red tape that comes with completing an adoption.  Their faith is strong.  But, that doesn't deter the enemy from trying everything possible to stop this little one from coming into a home where God is worshipped and adored.

Just last week, they finally received their I800 approval!  We all snoopy danced with joy.  Then, reality hit that TA (travel approval) follows very shortly.  Yes, six weeks is a short time when you have to make those funds appear.

Now, this is where I need you prayer warriors, adoptive families and friends to step in.  They are still approximately $10,000. short for the rest of their expenses, which include the orphanage donation and travel funds.  Bless her heart, she's been fundraising, is planning garage sales, has applied for grants and is doing whatever is possible to make up the difference.  My brother-in-law is working double time to bring money in, also.

Can I plead ask you to please do one, or all, of the following, if your heart feels led to?


1)  Will you prayerfully consider making a donation on her BLOG, by clicking on the "Chip-In" button at the top right side?  No contribution is too small.

2)  Will you consider purchasing a beautiful custom made necklace, bearing the words, When Love Takes You In, as a contribution?

3)  Will you consider purchasing a gift (the holidays are coming!) from one of the great stuff on the Thirty-One for Isabella site?

4)  Will you please share this post on your own blog and/or FaceBook account? (Please feel free to link to this one, if you wish.)

and lastly,

5)  Will you please pray that God be merciful and have these funds appear, either through grants, people's hearts being touched or by some other miraculous way.  He is capable and I know He answers prayers. 

"For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." - Matthew 18:20
 

I have complete faith that God will provide.  I also have faith in the amazing adoption community that stands behind these beautiful children of God.

 

I'm posting on here, because I've been in my sister's shoes.  I know what it's like to be down to the wire and not knowing where the funds will come from.  I also know that I've seen God perform miracles in many orphans' lives, to unite them with their forever families.  Nothing is impossible for God.

Jesus answering said to them, "Have faith in God. For most assuredly I tell you, whoever may tell this mountain, 'Be taken up and cast into the sea,' and doesn't doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is happening; he shall have whatever he says. Therefore I tell you, all things whatever you pray and ask for, believe that you receive them, and you shall have them. -- Mark 11:22-24 

Thank you, friends, for listening to my heart, that already loves this little girl who will be such a big part of our family.  I know times are tough, but if you feel tugged to help in any manner, God will reward your obedience.  I promise you.  He is faithful. 

Can you please help my family be a testimony to what God's children and the adoption community can do when their hearts are invested in uniting a child with their forever family?

 

May God bless you abundantly for opening your hearts.