Mandy's Surprise

SURPRISE!!! BEST FRIENDS...

A GIFT FOR HER FRIEND... ICE CREAM and BROWNIE treat... GIRL TALK...

BEAUTIFUL PRINCESSES.... Wow! What a weekend... Mandy's surprise had been in the works for a few weeks, but before I get to describing it, I must share a little background. Mandy joined our family almost 2 years ago this month(we celebrate her 2nd Forever family day at the end of this month). Before joining our family she lived in Guilin Social Welfare Institute,Guangxi ,China. It would be several years before God's plan would come to fruition, and she would join our family. While living in the SWI, Mandy would make several friends,each one dear to her heart. On our trip to China 2007, we would get to meet a few of these friends,visit with them(via interpreter), and even hug a few of them. Fast forward to February/March of this year, via a website group, we learned of a little girl that would be coming to join her family soon. Mandy and this little girl shared a sur name,which often indicates that they were born in the same year. This little girl was also the same age as our Mandy. I contacted this family (thank you Jesus for email)and soon learned that this little girl was indeed a friend of Mandy's. I showed Mandy her picture, and Mandy gave a shout of pure joy that this was her friend (Mandy had been telling me for months that she had a close friend in China that "had the same like her "mei-mei".....refering to Mia's cleft lip and palate). Amazingly, this young girl was her friend, and we had met her while in China. We had given her hugs(Brad and I would have brought her home with us, if we could). Fast forward a little more, Mandy and I followed faithfully this family's journey to bring their daughter home. Mandy was craving a connection with her friend and would watch everyday for updates and pictures. A few weeks after she was home in the states, we got a call from J and her mom. The girls stayed on the phone together for a good hour and a half, only letting go when we made them end the call.

NOW...to the surprise, C-(the little girls mom) and I had for several weeks been trying to work on a day that we could get the girls together. She thought they might take a family vacation up to their home state;however, it just wasn't working out. So,C- contacted me and we found a weekend that worked. C- and J- drove from their home(practically across 3 states,on a very boring interstate highway...been on it) and spent the weekend with us. Brad and I, in spite of our excitement, managed to keep it all a secret from Mandy. When they arrived at our house, Mandy was downstairs. We called her up, and the look on her face was priceless...pure joy! She was stuned at first almost as if trying to decide if J- was real. In a few short minutes, the girls renewed their close relationship, and we hardly saw them all weekend. I really enjoyed getting to visit with C- , and I pray that we have forged a lifelong friendship. We promised the girls that we would try our best to get them together as often as we possibly can arrange it. Thank You C- for going out of your way to bring J- and for your willingness for them to meet again. After they left, Mandy spent several hours opening a window to her heart sharing about her time in China, and we brought out pictures again. What a blessing it was for our sweet Mandy and for us to get to know you and to see J- happy with her forever family.

Often I reflect on the amazing blessings and journey God has lead us on through adoption. It continues to blow me away the abundance and depth of His Love. I know that God is more than amazing..He is all powerful after all, but I continue to be almost overwhelmed sometimes by the blessings, gifts and plans that He has for those that love him. It brings joy to my heart and tears to my eyes when I witness a child joining their forever family and to see the LOVE that shines through them. ...and then God gives us so much more. As God molds and leads us through this time, more and more blessings unfold. Of course, there are the beautiful children we are gifted for a time,His children,but there is so much more. We are abundantly blessed by the beautiful families that we get to meet along the way, by the plans that he unfolds as each year passes, by the growth and joy and love that these blessings give. Wow! What a Journey...