I was lost, but now….

Of all the items on our itinerary for this trip to China, this day was the one I was least looking forward. Today we were to travel to Ava’s home district to file for her passport. This is a very new procedure here in China. It’s newness has detained some families and I am sure caused agencies great logistic issues as drivers and translators must be arranged to all different areas of the province. We were also told to prepare for an interrogation of sorts by the local authorities regarding our adoption. Brian and I both felt it could not be as hard or grueling as the adoption courtroom in Kazakhstan, but in many ways this process has already been hard; I am ready for easy.

We drove for 2.5 hours seeing more of this beautiful country and its environs. We left in rain, the first we have seen on this trip but arrived to the office with sun and warmth. We exited our van and greeted the two ladies who brought us Ava on Monday; the director and officer of her orphanage. Ava saw them and quickly grabbed my neck. I think it was to assure me even more than to assure her, she reminded me that her claim had been staked. I love this girl!

We entered a very modern office, turned over our paperwork and sat and waited. Our children were in rare form. They laughed and even Ava joined in dropping all her goodies out of her little purse so she could watch her brothers pick them up. All this silliness helped to make the wait palatable. Finally, Brian, me and Ava were called to the front and I was told to sit as they took the baby’s picture. All the women chattered simultaneously to the baby which I didn’t understand and she began to cry. I shooshed her and she obeyed. Amazing that the voice of a mother stretches beyond language. We sat back in the waiting area and within minutes our coordinator told us it was time to leave. Yes, ladies and gents, no questions, no interrogation. That is the hand of God once again standing in the face of my fears and proving himself faithful.

We left feeling on top of the world and asked if we could have an authentic Chinese meal. Our guide stayed with us and we so enjoyed learning more about the culture, food, customs and traditions. We had a delightful time until Lily encountered her first squatty potty. Let’s just say, Fancy Nancy type girls and squatty potties do not mix well. We left, all of our "business" conducted, and went to Ava’s finding place. We had been told it was at the northside of a busy road in the district where we registered. We drove and Brian and I immediately noticed almost a grove of trees. I was sure the driver would stop, but he went on. We drove from a very pleasant retail and market spaces to a very dirty, old shopping district. The local children had been left out of school and they were every where – walking and riding on the backs of their parents scooters with their backpacks in the baskets. I studied every nearby face and realized my daughter could have been one of these school children one day, but the Lord had something else in mind.

I was lost, but now…. (continued)

Finally we stopped. Brian exited the van to take a photo. There were sparce trees, something didn’t seem right, although the guide had said they didn’t know the exact spot. Finally I saw the guide and Brian motion to the driver. We were on the south end of the street and Ava’s documents definitely said north. We turned around and headed north. At the north end, stood the tree grove, where my little bird was left to be found. It was quiet, almost serene, a stark contrast to the hustle and bustle of retail just blocks away. It is a 4- lane road with a wide walk for scooters and walkers. She would not be missed there, her mother knew. It pained me to think and to wonder how long did she wait for her finder. "Two years," the Holy Spirit reminded me. It is 2 years this April 23rd, my Ava Joy was found. I held her tight as if to apologize for how long it took.
She looked at me with the same contentment I found Monday. She is home in our arms, and the arms of her Savior.

Belly laughs and bonding

This is the most extraordinary journey and I feel woefully incapable of capturing it on paper. I laid in bed just now with this little bitty girl with moony eyes sleeping next to me, knowing with all my heart, that she depends on us now for everything. Just yesterday, we were strangers, and now we are intimate, life long cherished members of the same family and the body of Christ. I looked at her and thought of the words of a song, the "Fingerprints of God". It is only through those "fingerprints" that the Father places on our hearts that children know they need a momma and a daddy. And it is more of those fingerprints that allow us to seek and know that we need a Savior.

Little Miss Ava has imprinted on me. It is a process where an orphan will pick one person on which they fiercely bond in the early days. They depend on that person to comfort them, and seek them at all times with their eyes and ears. It is nothing short of extraordinary, especially considering it happens within seconds. Today, Ava played with Lily and Beau as if she has always known them. Her daddy got the biggest belly laughs out of a silly little game they created and Bailey watches over this little gal as if his very life is dedicated to her joy. It is a beautiful thing to watch.

Ava is serene, wonderfully content, watchful and as we are learning has a sweet silliness. We went to a store today near the hotel to purchase a dress for her church dedication. She saw a wee play area and soon was squealing in joy at building a tower with her siblings. At the same moment just yesterday, she didn’t know Lily and Beau, but now through the fingerprints of God, they are meshed together like so many peas in a pod.

Ava was loved, as she knows how to love. Ava was safe, as she looks to us knowing we are now her security. I saw the director of her care room weep yesterday, not in sorrow but in joy, seeing her go to our family and knowing we would love her to the moon and back. My heart grieves for the 147 Million orphans that are still waiting, that bear the same fingerprints as my Ava, but have not yet found that one person to call Momma or Daddy.
Tomorrow we travel to Ava’s finding place. The road where she was left, for us to find her. It is there, her finding district, where we will file for her passport and begin the final stage of this process.

I look at her and wonder what God has in store. How he knew 2 years ago April 23, that His fingerprints would point us to her. We are so humbled to be her parents; to be able to see joy, true joy, come in the morning, in her precious little eyes and sweet little crooked smile. We are privileged to be along as the Spirit leads this child and all of our children to His purpose and His calling. I pray they never miss even one tiny step, as His ways are profoundly good.

Thank you ever so much for your prayers. We feel them and treasure each one.

Joy

Our Joy now is complete!

She had me at… ni hao (hello)

I had come into that government office yesterday with no expectations. Our family as well as the 3 families with whom we are traveling were told the children could scream, cry or shut down. Essentially as we were to greet 2, 2-year olds, 1, 3-year old, and a 4-year old, we were told to expect the worse. I told the Lord I would accept whatever He gave.


With Lily, those 6 years ago in Kazakhstan we met and began to love her in little teaspoonfuls, 2 hours a day for 4 weeks.
Ava, came as one big cupful of joy, although she didn’t know in the first few seconds what to think. But then, the Holy Spirit met her there. She seemed to instantly know as we spoke to her in Chinese and introduced ourselves, Wa shee mama, Wa shee baba, "I am mom", "I am daddy", Booka………don’t cry She stopped crying. She held tight, He had prepared her for this day. These long two years would end yesterday, for her and for us.

She radiates contentment.

I understand happiness in a child. Happiness is the face you get with an ice cream cone or a balloon. Contentment comes from deep within from a well the Spirit fills with a joy that only he authors. My Beloved is content and for that we are eternally grateful.

Thank you ALL for your prayers. Please continue to surround us with them, we covet them so.

Expected and Unexpected

I expected to meet my little girl today, and I did.

I expected to cry,  a lot,  and …. I did.

I expected to love her with all my heart,  and I do.

I expected to see my husband adore her, and he does with everything with him.

I did not expect to see my older three children suddenly become caregivers, cheerleaders and comforters, but I did.

I did not expect to see both my sons weep uncontrollably with joy, but I did.

I did not expect my little girl to pick a bouquet of yellow flowers to draw the second smile of the day from her baby sister, but I did.

I did not expect peace to reign from the moment she was placed in my arms, but it did.  Ava has carefully held us close as peacefully as a lamb.  She has rested comfortably in our arms as we had  prayed.  The Holy Spirit has prepared her for this day as much as he prepared us for this moment. She has a sweet, gentle spirit.  She looks to Lily as her hero, to Beau who drew her first smile, and to Bailey as a gentle giant keeping watch over her.  

God is faithful to bring to completion that which He starts.  We are humbled by His faithfulness and ever so grateful to all who have prayed for this day.  We could feel the loving arms of Jesus as His Spirit embraced us all.  

Sweet dreams little bird, you are home.

Cathy

Our China Bird

Ava Joy-Violette Hill

I think we spent almost as much time thinking about this little gal’s name as we did looking at her picture and dreaming about her. From the beginning the Lord gave me the image of a little bird returning to her nest. A different nest from which she was born, but her nest all the same. Thus, she became our "little, precious bird."

I opened a name book, began with A’s and loved the shortness and simplicity of Ava. I said it a hundred or so times, texted it to Brian and then looked up the meaning. Yes, "little bird" it meant, how gracious God is. The Persian definition is even more stunning, "the sound of music". Brian was hooked.

Lily begged for months for us to call her sister "Lily". A bit complicated and confusing I would explain, but then about 2 months ago, Lily asked if her sis could "share her joy"?

There was the obvious meaning of sharing the middle name, "JOY" but the spiritual meaning as well. We will indeed share the joy of her salvation with this little charming girl.

 

Finally, Violette. I knew I was adding to my garden and I wanted a flower that meant something to my mom. Every May Day from little on, mother received violets from her neighbor and in many ways her "first daughter" Judy. I continued the tradition until the last May Day we spent with Mom, 8 years ago. Violets and Lily’s of the valleys - my garden is beautifully full.