In Chicago!

Just landed in Chicago! Next flight to Phoenix and then finally home to Sacramento. Looking forward to finally being able to flush the toilet paper as opposed to throwing it away in the trash can! Also looking forward to brushing my teeth straight from the sink instead of always using bottled water. It's the little things we take so for granted in America.

As I sit here in the airport waiting for my flight, the faces of different children I have met these past 2 weeks keeps flashing through my mind. Little faces, tiny hands, loving hearts, big smiles, hands reached upward. Just wanting to be loved, hoping for a forever family to take them home. As much as I may have wanted to take them all home, that's not the solution to the problem or the issue. Ultimately what these children need is Jesus. God knows their beginning and their end and His love for them far surpasses mine. It's so hard to let go. I don't want to. I just want to hold them in my arms and love them.

It was really cool, in the Beijing airport I saw this Caucasian couple with 2 Asian little girls. Probably around 7 or 8. One of the little girls was in a stroller and appeared to have some special needs, cerebral palsy perhaps. I went over to talk to them and one of the little girls, Hannah, who was 8, they had adopted 7 years ago. They were returning to adopt their second little girl named Olivia who was 7 and a special needs child. The one thought in my mind was hope. There is always hope. God's plans and ways are so much higher and greater than our own. I assume they were Christians because when I told them I had just returned from Maria's Big House of Hope, they were very familiar with Steven Curtis Chapman.

It was just such a neat witness of God's grace and faithfulness. Despite what we as humans may view as the impossible, so many children that need homes and families, God knows each child and their individual story and their personal needs. He is the God who loves them and will provide for each one of them.




This is my friend Stacey from Shepherd's Field. She is also 21. She's been an orphan since she was 4. She has a beautiful voice and likes to dance!





This is my home boy Eli at Maria's. He's two and about the most precious little boy ever! He's a bit mischievous but so sweet and happy!





This cutie is Samuel. He has the most beautiful smile. Whenever I came into his room, he'd crawl up to me smiling and holding his arms up to me.




This is Joey. He's the toughest and most determined little guy I have ever met! He doesn't let anything ever get in his way or stop him.


I should stop now, before I get all teary eyed and whatnot. I just keep reminding myself that God knows and He holds each of these precious little children in his hands.



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone