Pieces of our Hearts

Sweet Annie is probably home in the US again

and you have to go read her last post while waiting to leave China.

My favorite part was...

They have uncovered new, deep places of my heart that I never knew were there, changing me for today and years to come. They are 100% "my" kids, as loved by me as if I gave birth to each one and raised them to adulthood. And so saying goodbye feels like ripping out most of my heart and having to bury it here thousands of miles away from home.

 I thank Him even for my hurting heart now, because it means that He's done a work in there through His Spirit, enabling me to love and miss these kids that so much of the world overlooks. I would never, ever trade all these tears for the time that I've gotten to spend here.

Thanks, G0d, for the beauty and treasure of loving until it hurts, because it is a tiny, earthly reflection of Your own love for us. Watch over these pieces of my heart and bring me back to see them again soon...

Scott and I identify SO much with how Annie is feeling.

We always struggle to leave China

and truly ache to be there after we leave.

Pieces of our hearts are there and always will be~

it's where three of our children were given life

and this may seem WAY out there for some to understand

but we are connected to three families there~

ones that will never know about the love and life 

they allowed our three precious babies to have.

Pieces of our hearts are at the orphanages where our children

lived the first part of their lives...

for the people that cared for them AND for the orphans still waiting.

Pieces of our hearts are with the many faces we stared into

while there as they wondered what we were doing

and we wondered at the simple and peaceful life they lived.

SO Annie, we get how your heart is in pieces sprinkled in China~

our's are too and we look SO forward to going back to get

this precious boy sitting in your lap!!!

(taken right before she left)

(cute haircut for sure!)

I know you kissed and hugged him tightly before you left

for me but mostly for Jesus.

He chose Will to be your sponsor child and our son.

He LOVES us so and you have certainly shown your love for Him

while at Shepherd's Field.

You will always be in our hearts too~

SO I guess a Piece of our Heart is way across the US with you too!

LOVE that and we LOVE you forever!!!

Jing and Ming cont...

Yesterday started our pretty smooth for us~

completely different story for Allison...

she had to travel about two and a half hours

in which time...

Got a late start

Ming Jiao threw up a little

Allison got pulled over (warning) and

Ming Jiao threw up a lot right before they got there.

It didn't phase them though...

they came right in, ate lunch,

and we enjoyed our day together. :)

While we waited for them,

the girls enjoyed playing on an interactive floor.

It was priceless to see the girls play and enjoy each other~

It is sweet to see the rich bond that is forming

and the precious love blooming in them.

And what do you do when they both want to ride and there is no double stroller?

Double decker. :) Probably looked ridiculous to all the people around us~

to me, it was two precious girls continuing their bond to sisterhood. :)

Yesterday was a monumental day for two moms

who didn't even know each other existed until

we were matched with two babies from

Putian City, Fujian, China.

It's amazing how we were instantly connected

and knew we wanted to be friends...

the red thread connection. :)

Yesterday was mysterious for two little girls

who once lived together far away in China

and haven't seen each other for 3 months

and all of a sudden are together again in a strange place

with completely new people.

I SO wish I could have read all the thoughts going through

Jing's mind as she looked at Ming Jiao (Collins).

The rest of the day was just plain FUN!

We enjoyed a ride on the Pink Pig

and everyone chose a souvineerfrom the gift shop.

Jing chose a pig backpack and LOVES it~

she actually went to sleep hugging it last night

and was quick to put it on this morning.

Allison and I had this preconceived notion

that we would have the four girls' pictures made with Santa.

Hmmm... only ONE wanted to see him~

Guess Who? Jing!

She loves him!!! She backed right up

and sat in his lap~ nodding her head to all his questions.

Then it was time to head home

before major traffic hit.

We walked them out to their car

and Allison gave the girls cute gifts which they loved.

But the sweetest gift was one brought

all the way home from China for JingJing~

by Allison from the doctor @ the orphanage...

Jing's finding clothes.

They had forgotten to give them to me~ very emotional!

They were tiny, very worn,

and will be a treasured part of Jing's story.

I handed the box to Jing

and she just looked at it.

I told her it came all the way from China

and we took the clothes out.

I told her they were the clothes

she wore when she was a baby... she had the biggest smile!

She is all about a baby~ especially when talking about her.

It was bittersweet for us to part~

me and Allison still having a million things to talk about,

the two big girls just getting warmed up

and lots more playing to do,

and the littles just plain tired and ready for a nap.

Everyone made it home safe

and look forward to next time together!!!

Philippians 1:3

I thank my God every time I remember you.

Jing and Ming (Collins) Reunited!

Today was one of those surreal days

when you stand back and watch something happen

that words just can't describe.

Here is the photo that froze the moment

Jing saw Ming for the first time in 3 months.

She remembered her no doubt

and I am so thankful Allison and I will be able

to make sure they grow up knowing each other

more and more.

Lots more photos coming tomorrow. :)

God has blessed our families with these precious miracles

from Putian City, Fujian, China!!!

Connected with Red

On Saturday,

we met 4 other families with children adopted

from Putian City orphanage in China @ zoo in Greenville.

Our sweet friend and mom to Linden

was the one to make this get together happen.

Right after we accepted Jing's referral,

I found a Putian City yahoo group and connected with Linden's mom.

She actually talked to me about two hours one day

like it wasn't a big deal at all.

I got off the phone being completely at peace

and having a new friend.

She was very kind to email me lots, send pics,

and have her precious Chinese friend get new pics of Jing

when she went home to visit her family in none other than... Putian City.

Probably pretty crazy for most people when I say

I had never met any of these families

and knew them only from email, blogs, and talks on the phone

but felt an incredible connection~ by a red thread.

It is said...

"An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place, or circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle, but will never break."
--An ancient Chinese belief"

I had butterflies when we drove up

and even worried that we might not know each other.

That was all silly~

we walked up to the sweetest group of people ever

and enjoyed our time celebrating the children

we love and now have forever families.

We shot photos of all the families and whole group.

Our family, the whole group, the Spitlers (Isaac),

the Reeders (Linden), the Morrises (Isabella),

and the Redingtons (Zion).

Isabella's mom was the first person I ever talked to once we had Jing's referral.

She moderates our yahoo group and actually got me updated photos too!

God really blessed me big when He made me part of this amazing family!!!

I guess this get together was mostly so us moms could connect

but when we walked up, we were immediately

greeted by Sandy, Isaac's mom.

She has been home with him since May

and was so sweet to take a photo album

to Jing plus got us updated pictures!!!

She introduced Isaac to Jing right away

and showed her pictures of them together.

Here they are still living @ orphanage in China.

JingJing on the left and Isaac on the right.

Then Jing looks around at Isaac

and we could tell she remembered him~

she had a teeny smile on her face.

They definitely had a connection right away.

The kids had SO much fun playing

and eating a picnic lunch.

Then we were off to the zoo~

Jing's first visit and this pic shows her

the minute she saw an elephant for the first time.

LOVE the sparkle in her eyes!

Had many opportunities for photos~

just like Jing and Isaac had a connection...

so did EK and Abby.

They hit it off and had a ball playing!

November is National Adoption Month

and I haven't really posted anything about it

but this day was definitely a celebration

of 5 precious children who didn't choose to be orphans

OR to live a while @ Putian City SWI

OR be adopted by their forever families

BUT I do believe they have been blessed to have a future.

A future full of love, security, and family.

I can't really explain it

but the red thread really does exist.

There is always a connection when you meet

another adoptive family and begin sharing stories.

Scott and I have made some of the best friends

in the world through adoption.

I pray if there is anyone out there wondering

if this journey might by for you,

I would tell you...

"there is a precious child somewhere sure hoping

you choose to grab the red thread

and be connected with him/her."

Our family can't imagine our life without

these two precious miracles!

"I am only one, but still I am one.

I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything,

I will not refuse to do the something that I can do."

~ Edward Everett Hale

"Adopting a child won't change the world,

but for that child the world will change."

~ unknown

SJ's Re-Adoption Day... B&W Wed

The Long Road to China & Back

Today was a 'sweet' day for SJ~

Re-Adoption Day...

Re-Adoption is not a requirement when both parents

travel to China for adoption

but is helpful for a few reasons:

~ Enables you to specify your child's name exactly

~ Allows the child to have a birth certificate in English

because if the foreign BC was ever misplaced,

it would be very hard to replace

~ Allows you to receive a final decree of adoption from the US

~ US documents are easily replaced... not so with foreign ones.

The beauty of the whole thing...

you can file the petition "pro se"~

(without legal counsel)

and that is just what we did today for SJ.

We were scheduled for court @ 9:30

and were led into Judge Bailey's chambers.

He looked over the documents since we were "pro se"

and approved everything signing our petition.

The whole very formal and legal meeting

took about 5 minutes...

and we were on to my favorite part~

the photos.

We thanked Judge Bailey and he so graciously said,

"It was my pleasure.

This is one of the only happy things I ever get to do in court."

Aunt Susan and Uncle Tony (Chief Magistrate Judge)

were able to be there...

and so was my mom. :)

The only part missing from this shot was our sweet Nana.

If Scott and I have said it once,

we have said 1000 times~

We don't know what we would do

if we didn't have the littles...

the bigs are gone so much our nest would be empty

WAY too soon!!!

Here is the guest of honor~

SJ herself... Judge Bailey gave her a little treat

for doing so well and smiling for the pics.

After filing everything with the Clerk of Court,

the girls were excited to get outside...

then head for home. :)

Now...

for a little blast from the past~

Here are the girls on the day we Re-Adopted EK.

EK and Judge Jackson

Our family photo way back on Oct 24, 2006.

WOW... seems so long ago and yet just yesterday. :)

SJ Skyped Tonight...

Our friends The Sinclairs are in Fuzhou

and have precious Collins (MingJiao).

When Allison showed Collins SJ's picture,

she called SJ Jie Jie (big sister).

That is just the sweetest thought~

SJ the Jie Jie and Collins the Mei Mei...

forever connected by Putian City, China.

Anyway, I got a message tonight from Allison

saying she wanted to let the girls Skype.

We didn't think ahead and video

BUT we will next time...

I did get a couple of pics of both ends.

SJ just stared at Collins as if she knew her...

and Collins definitely acted excited to see JingJing.

Collins LOVES Hello Kitty stickers

and has one stuck to her forehead. :)

Allison, Jerod, and Collins were able to travel with Isabell

to Putian City to the orphanage yesterday.

She talked about it briefly

but did say she shot lots of video and pics.

She was also able to find SJ's finding place

and took pics of that for us.

(For those not familiar with adoption in China~

the children are abandoned and left in a finding place...

the place they are found and taken to local officials.)

When Allison got Collins on Sunday,

she noticed the orphanage staff explaining in detail

to Isabell about a little red box they had for Collins.

It was actually a box that held the finding clothes

Collins had on when she was found and brought to the O.

AND

They also said they had something for JingJing's family~

YES!

A little red box with HER finding clothes too!!!

and the inscription on the box read

"Sweet Heart Forever"...

that being the perfect words for this treasure

because this whole journey has been completely about the

HEART!!!

'A joyful HEART is good medicine'~ Psalm 17:22

'Every good and perfect gift is from above,

coming down from the Father of heavenly lights,

who does not change like shifting shadows.'~ James 1:17

The Sinclairs are China Bound

Words from my friend Allison Sinclair...

"Why are we always SO surprised by God?"

That's such a great question...

one that we all could take some time to ponder.

After all HE IS GOD!!!

She asked this question when she found me

through a yahoo group for our orphanage

and learned that our daughters were actually friends

in China and I was soon to travel for JingJing.

I had been blessed by other families traveling before me

and I wanted to pay forward this blessing.

I offered to take something to Allison's daughter

MingJiao (Collins)

but she just wanted me to take a picture

and ask the doctor to give her a hug.

We were able to do way better than that~

our guide was able to get an update for them

AND

when I developed a camera I sent for Jing's birthday,

there were pictures of Jing and MingJiao (Collins)

TOGETHER!

I could NOT wait to send them to Allison.

Our sweet daughters together!!!

When I asked Jing who this was

she mumbled her name in Chinese...

now that I know Allison and MingMing

(as I have decided to call her~

JingJing and MingMing)

I know she was saying Ming something...

These pics were taken on the day of Jing's bd party

and you can tell she was still upset.

So sweet that they took them outside for pics...

And the location very symbolic~

Outside the orphanage gates

and both very soon leaving the only home

they have ever know into a forever family.

Allison and I will always cherish these first photos

of our daughters together in Putian City, Fujian.

Allison and Jerod boarded a plane

in Birmingham, AL this morning on their way to China.

They need our prayers as they travel

and meet MingMing Sunday morning.

They are traveling our very same trip...

Hong Kong,

Fuzhou,

and Guangzhou.

They will be traveling to the orphanage on Tuesday

and hoping to get more pics for the girls~

including Jing's finding place.

Now that's major!!!

Here are their kids they are leaving home

with very sweet grandparents!

Please pray for them all!!!

And now when you think about that first question...

"Why are we always SO surprised by God?"~

seems silly really...

God orchestrated the whole thing from the beginning

and has His Plan down pat~

so thankful He chose us to go along beside Him!!!

PSSSSS...

Did I tell you the Sinclairs have our same guide Isabell in Fuzhou?

We are SO excited and have sent a very special gift

to her~ praying it will change her life!!!

Their blog:

The Sinclair Chronicles

One Less

Several of my bloggy friends have posted

this amazing video today

and since my little "One Less"

is sitting here right beside me... I had to post it...

One Less by Matthew West (The Story Behind The Song) from emicmg on Vimeo.

Now what are you going to do with that???

God knows. :)

Jet Lag!!!

What do you do when jet lag

wakes you up @ midnight and you can't sleep...

get up @ 4, feed the girls, make coffee, and blog.

One of the treasures JingJing received from her orphanage

was a photo album of pics taken while there.

Some were ones I had requested while waiting but

some were completely new.

Every morning, one of the first things JJ

does is pick up that book and look through it.

Some pages she looks at with no real expression~

but some make her smile SO big...

ones with her precious friends still there waiting

for their forever families.

I wouldn't take a million dollars for the memories

this book is helping her to remember.

At one point yesterday I looked at Scott

and asked him to just look at the two miracles

God blessed us with by stepping out in faith in His will.

What IF we hadn't listened???

There is a precious child somewhere on this earth

that needs a family too~

I ask you to pray how God would use you in their lives.

* adopt

* sponsor a child

*give monetarily to a family adopting

*foster

*donate to an auction or donate flyer miles

Praying that He speaks to you BIG!!!

Adjusting to a New Home

Yesterday was a very big day

with family all around.

Jing was in awe of Max~

watching every move he made.

I know they will be the best of friends!!!

The oldest and youngest Ankerich girls.

The little girls went to sleep around 9:30 last night

and other than a little bathroom run,

slept until 6 this morning.

Good moods at breakfast!!!

Later in the morning,

EK wanted to get dressed and asked that they match.

They were in their room playing

and when I peeked in, EK was reading to Jing.

Then it was time for a puppet show.

EK was the puppeteer and Jing and I watched the show.

Jing was curious to what was going on behind the curtain

and took a peek.

Then she wanted in on the action.

One of the things EK missed most in China was...

BBQ chips.

And guess who likes them just as much???

Um hmm... JingJing.

JingJing is doing amazingly well.

She did start running a low grade fever today

so we are headed to the ped tomorrow.

Our ped cardiologist appt is scheduled for next Tues.

Not looking forward to either appt

since JJ is obviously has dr trauma.

Praying big for her!!!