The Lord has once again has led us back to China to adopt a daughter. He did it by way of a sweet little girl named Cheryl. God allowed us to meet Cheryl when we were in China adopting Libi. We have spent the last nine months advocating for her. In that process of advocating for one He was leading us to another. How I love the ways of God! God's move was specific and we were sure in our steps to begin paperwork on November 12th, exactly 6 months after being home with Libi Faith.
This last Friday we found out that sweet Cheryl had been matched with her forever family. We rejoiced for her and her family, but wondered what the Lord had next for us in this journey. We did not imagine that He would reveal it so quickly.
Just 3 days later, on Monday, Joel was asking me if we knew who his sister was yet. I began to explain since Cheryl had been matched with a family it may be awhile. No sooner were the words out of my mouth and the phone rang. Joel looked at the caller ID and told me it was our adoption agency, both of our jaws dropped. As I answered the phone I was greeted by the excited voice of our coordinator. She said, “Amy, we have a little princess for you to look at”. She then explained that when she saw this little girl’s file she knew the perfect family for her, and it was us. US! She was familiar with us, only because of our advocating for Cheryl. Of course, I began to tremble. How crazy the timing of that call. She then told me that this little girl was 6 and began to describe her special needs. She has a repaired cleft lip and palette. She has also tested positive for Hepatitis B.
Over this last week God has graciously helped us to “switch gears”. The last nine months we never imagined a little 6 year old! It really caught us off guard. We also consider her special needs quite minor. I must say though, God recently reminded me that, in China and shortly after coming home, I felt that our next little girl would have a repaired cleft lip and palette. That is just one of the great confirmations that He has set before us over the last week. He has spoken through His Word, through people, through songs, through billboards…His specific signs have left us in awe. It is undeniable that He has chosen this little princess for our family and we feel so overwhelmed and blessed!
Ephesians 3:20
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us”
NOW…on to what is important….this little honey! How crazy we are about her already. She was born on January 10th, 2003. She is described as being very sweet and desires very much to be adopted. We cannot wait to bring her HOME!!
As for her name…
HOPE is definitely her middle name. Our HOPE has been in the Lord in ways like never before in this process. Every time we have turned around we found the Lord encouraging us to HOPE.
JIE will also be a part of her middle name...by itself it means "good looking" BUT, Jie Jie, means big sister in Chinese!
Her first name is HADASSAH (hah DAH sah), we plan to call her Haddie. I am currently doing a study of the book of Esther. Hadassah was Esther’s Hebrew name. Esther was orphaned at a young age. She became the Queen of Persia by the leading of God’s sovereign hand over her life. The book of Esther is all about how God is in the details of raising us up for specific times and purposes to fulfill His plan. The very first picture that we saw of our sweet little Haddie was her adorning a crown atop her precious little head. It is so fitting to name this little girl after a Queen, for such a time as this…
“and who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this.” Esther 4:14b
Oh sweet Haddie, our hopes for you are many and our love for you is great! Thank You Great and marvelous King Jesus, who has blessed us to know You and be a part of Your incredible story, especially the story of one little Hadassah Hope Jie Arnold!!!
