Love Is Patient

 It’s late…and I have an early morning with a busy day ahead of me… but look where I am. I have needed to write for a long time, but haven’t. But,  I need to write this, now.

 

Over two months ago, I wrote a story in my journal on June 21, entitled, “Love Is Patient.” It was day four with Sophia, and I wrote these words during her nap, by the window in our hotel in Zhengzhou:

  

“Love Is Patient

I haven’t said it to anyone but my parents, but, Sophie isn’t as close to me as she was a year ago.

 Several of people have asked if I think she remembers me. My answer is always no, and I believe what I say. For many reasons, I think, she wouldn’t remember me: 1.) she’s young, 2.) I was only with her for a week, 3.) it’s been a year, 4.) a lot of people go through MBHOH and she was a favorite, and 5.) she’s been through a lot of change since I saw her. So, no. She doesn’t remember me at all. But that’s okay, because I never, for one minute, forgot about her.

 Today is the fourth day that we’ve had our Sophia. Yesterday was a good day…the latter part was... after we prayed over her. We walked to McDonalds and took in a lot of the beauty of Zhengzhou. We got good exercise and Sophia LOVES riding in her stroller! Which is great because we do a lot of walking on this trip. But anyway, yesterday was good.

 They told us before that the children will normally choose one family member and maybe refuse one. She hasn’t exactly refused anybody but she has definitely chosen Mom. Which is okay. I’m very happy for that! I’m so happy that she has chosen Mom for her security feelings…Mom loves that Sophia loves her. And I truly wouldn’t want it any other way.

 I would be telling a lie, though, if I said that I’m completely okay with Sophia not wanting me. It isn’t easy for me to see her changed from last year. It isn’t easy for me to watch her run away from all of the love I have to give her.

 Even though, she has greatly changed from when I first met her, something that has not changed is my love for her.

 My love for Sophia has never changed from last year. I never stopped loving her, in fact, I have grown more in love with her with each day that I have waited for her.

 The Lord says in the Bible that love is patient. So, I must be patient for her to love me back. I will wait for her.

 

 This morning, in Zhengzhou, China (6-21-12), Sophia came to me for the first time on her own free will. She let me hold her for just a while and laid her head on my shoulder.

  

 Love is patient.”

 

 I read the exact words that I wrote seven thousand miles away from where I am now, and two months ago. And I realize how far God has brought her in just those two months… It is truly incredible. It is incredible because I look at pictures from our “Gotcha Day” and I see a very different girl. I see a scared little girl meeting her family for the first time and not knowing how to react to the great change. Today, I see joy beaming out of her slanted eyes and she shoots giant smiles to everyone…Today, I see a happy little girl covered in peace given only by her heavenly Father. I see a princess who is no longer an orphan. And every morning, I wake up to Sophia’s shining face as she makes eye contact with me…waves “hello”…and runs to her big sister with the biggest smile…I pick her up and receive the biggest hug, with her legs wrapped around my waist and her arms completely around my neck…the tightest, sweetest embrace. And I stand in peace….in hope…that the Lord is good, the Lord is right, the Lord is on my side and fighting for our family… that we are where we belong, together.

 We are doing well. As much as I tempt to believe that my whole world is falling apart and that we’re fighting a losing battle in some areas…I know that we are truly doing well. Especially for two months. We’ve seen huge improvements in Sophia’s development, she started seeing Occupational, Physical, and Speech Therapy last week, and I’ve already learned a LOT about her. We expect great things. Her first appointment at Riley Hospital is in a couple of weeks. Please keep praying for her little body. Remember, the God that is in our hearts is a healing God, a loving God, and a miracle-working God.
 Also, please remember Samuel and Isaac, Sam started Kindergarten two weeks ago, and Isaac in preschool. It is rough starting a new routine and everything that follows with that, but we are working on improvements. We need prayers, but we are doing well. I truly believe that God has big plans for our little guys.
 With Caleb in college, me a Junior in high school and beginning to drive, Mom and Dad working with everything mentioned above, life gets a little crazy. Just a little bit…
 Please remember my parents in prayer…they play big, important roles….literally 24/7. It never ends for them…through the night and all. They are heroes to their children, all of us. The Isaacs said it best, “…they keep on giving, to make life worth living. They might go unnoticed, but they’re heroes just the same…”

 Thank you for the continuous love to our family. God bless.
 Love is patient....1 Corinthians 13:4.



Sophia loves bath time!

 

 

-Emily

Goodbye, Summer!

 I know, I know, I know. I am fully aware that I haven't written in such a long time. And I know that you all want to hear more from us now that we're all home! Haha, I am aware.
 Now that everyone is starting school and settling back down from a crazy summer, I hope to blog more and share more pictures with the blog world. Please forgive me.

 Sophia has been home for a month and a half now, she's in our arms for two months. We have seen GREAT changes in her! We look back at pictures from our "Gotcha Day" and see such a changed little girl - we believe that she's changed so much on the inside that she looks different on the outside. She's a very happy little girl now and I think that is just a precious gift and miracle from God. How far He's brought her in two months gives me hope for her beautiful future.


 On another note, today is MY last day of summer! Boooo. But, surprisingly, I'm very excited to start a new school year. Starting tomorrow, I will begin my Junior year of High school.
 This summer has had so many adventures, so-happy-you-cry moments along with the very difficult, so-frustrated-you-cry moments. As any adoptive family could relate, the transitions and settling in hasn't been all rainbows and butterflies... We've come very far, though, and still, we have a long road ahead of us, we will get through with time, patience, love, and mostly our faithful Father.
 Last week was Isaac's first week of Preschool, Samuel's first week of Kindergarten, and Caleb's first week of college in KY. So, you can imagine the crazy week we had!

 But, anyway. I had a very nice last day of summer. We had church, I taught my 1st-3rd graders, had lunch at Mamaw and Papaw's, had some friends over and played ping-pong, had piano time, a short nap time, Sophie and I came home to help Caleb pack more stuff as he left for KY, made a snack for the road, blew goodbye kisses to Caleb, cleaned the backyard, played on the swing set, painted our toenails, and had messy indoor s'mores!
 This evening, it was a Sophie and Emily time, and we made the best of it. I don't know if I've ever smiled and laughed that much with someone I can't actually have a conversation with! Kisses, laughter, bare feet, slides, tickles, wagons, Sunday dresses, cool weather, swings, piggy back rides, joyful screaming, pretty hair bows, m&ms, and such a big smile from that princess that I couldn't even see her eyes!



 Sophia's new thing is climbing up the slide and sliding down all by herself. She loves it...she's definitely a climber! As we were playing on the slide, I was climbing right behind her to catch her if she fell. She was doing really well, but almost to the top, she stumbled and fell into my arms, I paused to see if she was scared or hurt but she just giggled and smiled and got right back up again. And once we she made it to the top, she shot me a giant grin and clapped her hands as loud as she could! It was the sweetest thing in the world.
 From a girl that can speak about 4 or 5 words, I can sure learn a lot from her. Many times when I am trying something new or something hard, I get really mad if I fail..and I'm not very quick to start again. I am a perfectionist and I always have been. But, I learned something awesome from Sophia tonight: I don't have to be a perfectionist. I don't have to try to be perfect because I am human and I make mistakes. It's sometimes hard for me to accept that I'm allowed to make mistakes, I'm sure everyone reading this can relate.
 But, we took our sandals off, got dirty even in my favorite white skirt, painted toenails even though she was right behind me, touching them...we ate s'mores and and it WAS messy!
 I had a wonderful time this evening and I think Sophia did as well.

 It's okay to get dirty and make a complete mess. It's okay! It's alright to make a few mistakes and to laugh along the way, as long as you try again. It's actually very fun. So? Go and get dirty. Go and have fun and make a mess. Just do it. Have a good time. Make memories.

Happy week, bloggers!

-Emily