Saturday, November 24, 2007

"China Beauties"

"Christy and I are extremely excited. Its a funny thing - when I hear people are adopting, my heart immediately flows with joy for the incredible, unforgettable journey they are about to begin. Something you can't explain, you just have to experience. But that joy is overshadowed once I see the little girls picture, knowing that in the blink of an eye, this little lost face, with no worldly possessions, no future, knowing no family - will have all of that erased! And she doesn't even know it is coming! She doesn't know there are people carefully preparing for her arrival and the celebration that will soon follow. My heart jumps for joy thinking of it. I'm so glad she'll be a part of your family. She'll certainly have plenty of brothers looking out for her." - Josh

"....I'm just trying to say that I think these kids adopted from China come with a painfully learned ability to survive, to overcome, to make the best of any horrible situation. They have a different perspective on life and their weakness is their strength. Amy, survive the wait by knowing your daughter has survived a lot and will continue to be just fine until you get there. She's waiting just for you. She's a fighter and has skills you'll never believe existed until you meet her. In fact, she'll teach you more and grow you in ways that you didn't believe as I'm sure she already has. More importantly, she'll bring you a depth of joy, a God given joy, as I'm sure you experienced with your sons. I will be praying for Libi and for you all. I'm just so excited for you!!! - Christy

God continues to bless us on this incredible journey to our sweet Libi Faith. My dear friend from high school, Josh, and his wife Christy and their little "china beauties" (Mia 3, & Ava 2) came to visit us over Thanksgiving. God has used them, and I know will continue, to encourage us on this journey. I am amazed at God's Providential Hand! He knew when He connected our hearts back in the "80's" :) that this was part of His purpose for our relationship. I think that is so incredible!Josh and Christy are PASSIONATE about the orphans of our world. They gave a statistic that if 1% of believers would adopt it would wipe out the need!

So my question to you...what are you doing about the orphans? You don't have to adopt to help. There are many ways to help meet the needs. (Just look at the New Day Creations website where Libi Faith is.) You will find opportunity if you look. Sometimes I think we just don't want to look. The problem is TOO big. I must remind you our God is "GINORMOUS"!! He will call and He will use but our hearts must be ready. They must be ready to surrender. That surrender may be dangerous...would you risk your heart? risk your plans? risk your comfort? for a God who gave you everything!!!

"When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required." Luke 12:48

"Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you." James 1:2

"Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows" Isaiah 1:17

So consider that a challenge...in love....

2 comments:

Molly said...

Hey Mrs. Arnold

I have loved watching your blog grow! Your little Libi is so precious!

This post resonated with me so strongly. I will never forget standing outside of the orphanage in Guatemala and hearing the helpless cries of 70 babies. It broke my heart and I wanted to hold them and be a "mother" to all of them. We as Christians have neglected the role we have as advocates for the orphans. I pray that one family at a time the Church as a whole will acquire a heart for them. I so desire to have MANY children from different countries and I pray that God will grow that desire among many Christians in the coming years.

Thank you!!
Molly

Anonymous said...

Amy, I could not agree with you more. Thanks for being an advocate for the fatherless. I've heard it said that we as Christians are pro-life which is good and right, but we should also be pro-adoption and helping the birth mothers as much as possible. When we do these things in the name of Christ, His love is shown and others (the adopted child, the birth mom) are drawn to Him. Adoption is evangalism at it's core (as is raising our bio kids in the fear of the Lord).

Keep blogging! I really enjoy reading it!

His, Jill Lehman

Libi's song