Our Journey to Wren-Part III

 

 

This mornings Facebook feed was filled with people's opinions and concerns about last nights Federal Election.  As with most elections, the majority of people are not happy about the outcome. Some are very concerned.  Some are downright afraid.  And I can't say I blame them! 

 

 It would be very easy to sit here and worry, but that is NOT what we will do!  You see, that part of our belief that God works all things for His glory, and for good, is still so very, very true!  My post today shows just how incredibly good God is!  And perhaps, instead of worrying about our countries future, you can rejoice with us at this miraculous journey to Wren, and see that He has everything in the palm of His hands!

 

 This past weekend was a very emotional one for us.  So many things happened that left us with hearts so full that the tears kept coming.  (I still have big, puffy circles under my eyes.) 

 

One of the biggest challenges for this mama's heart is to grieve all that we have missed with each of our adopted kids.  We have missed that first smile, their first words, sometimes their first steps...the list goes on.  And it's hard not to get stuck in mourning all that we have missed; not to mention all that our kids have missed.  We consciously make the effort to focus on all that we do get to be a part of...that first "I love you" said confidently because he/she knows they belong here forever; the privilege of holding our kids each and every day, showering them with our love; being their for them when they have surgeries, or struggle with the normal life issues.

 

It's so very hard to wonder whether our child is being cared for by loving care givers.  It's hard not knowing how they were cared for during those crucial developmental years.  It's hard not knowing if they have been lonely, sad, or afraid.

 

My prayer of late has been that God would restore all the years that the locusts took. 

 

And unknown to us, that was already happening even before we knew Wren existed!

 

Thanks to the big world of social media, we have come in contact with some incredible, God loving people.  The first connection quickly snowballed into more incredible connections.

 

I'd like you guys to meet Tara and Stephan, and their amazing family! 

 

 

 

 This family has spent time in China, fostering China's orphans and working with orphanages.  Not just any orphanage, but the orphanage where Wren is!!  Can you believe that?!?! How amazing to have this connection!  But the story doesn't end there.

 Not only did this family meet Wren back in 2013, but they saw her potential, saw that spark in her eyes and knew they had to be her voice.  They worked hard to convince the staff that Wren would be wanted by a family.  They prayed for Wren...and her forever family! 

But the story doesn't end there. For about six months, this family became Wren's family.  They brought her into their home, loved her, tucked her into bed at night, told her how much they loved her, gave her the opportunity to see what a family looks like, and most importantly...they taught her about Jesus and how very much she is valued!

Folks, this family has oodles of pictures and even videos of Wren!  How cool is that?!?

Every time I think about all of this, the tears well up.  How very, very good our God is!!

And we have the comfort of knowing that if we can't travel before Christmas, this family will once again welcome Wren into their home until we arrive. 

To all you who read my blog... I know many of you are incredible prayer warriors... would you prayer for Tara and Stephan and family?  Pray for them as their hearts ache for their foster kids.  Many of you are seasoned foster parents and you know it never gets easier.  You know that loving with abandonment causes your heart to hurt. 

Tara, Stephan and family...we will FOREVER be grateful for ALL you have done for our daughter, Wren!  And for us!

BUT...

That's not where the story ends!

As you all know, social media is great in making connections.  And that's exactly what has been happening! 

We have also connected with Katie, who also worked in China and met Wren!  Katie has helped Wren with her physical therapy.  She has graciously sent us pictures and shared the details of Wren's life, during her time in China...from spring of 2012 till the later part of 2013.  We have pictures of Wren missing her two front teeth, doing therapy...my cup runneth over!

But that's not where the story ends!

We've connected with Megan, who has worked hard to advocate for Wren. She has been instrumental in helping Wren find her forever family

We have also connected with Karissa, who has spent time with Wren over the past three years!


.  All of these people confirm that Wren is a sweet girl, and such a very special little girl!


And we've connected with Mary, who is also adopting a child that was in the same orphanage and foster home as Wren.

With all of these connections, we have learnt there have been many, many, many people praying for Wren, praying for her forever family.  To all of you who have prayed for Wren, and for us...we thank you from the bottom of our hearts! 

We ask that you continue to pray for Wren, and our entire family as this journey has just begun.


So when we thought we would be missing out on even more than with any of our other adoptions, even before we knew about Wren, God was placing amazing people in her life, and God in His goodness was beginning to restore all that the locusts took!

And then last, but not least...friends of ours blessed us in a way that knocked our socks off!  You know who you are!  You literally made us cry!  Thank you so very much!!


No wonder the song, "My God is so Big, So Strong, and so Mighty" keeps running through my mind!