* A Special Day *

I had planned to do a large post today for Orphans Sunday... as there is no question it is very near and dear to my heart.  And I will get to that in just a bit. 

But first, I will explain why I was so distracted.  My baby sister Kami, had her first born baby today (Sunday!)  Can I tell you, I was on pins and needles in anticipation for 'the call' announcing my newest nephew's arrival.  I'm undecided on whether or not it's a good thing to know when your sister is at the hospital in labor.  I wanted a play-by-play, as IF my dear brother-in-law wasn't busy or anything!?!  ;)  There is something just so special about seeing the baby of your family having her first baby.  When we finally got the big news just after 4:00 this afternoon, we had shed some pretty big crocodile tears ...tears of sheer JOY of course!  We are off to plant some kisses on the cheeks of our newest family member in the morning, and I can't wait to give my lil' sister a big hug!  Mommy and baby are both doing great, and hopefully will get a good night's sleep tonight. 

Now onto Orphan's Sunday... 

I'm not going to go off on the big post I had originally planned now.  There are many amazing posts out there by fellow AP's and those in the process that I have already read and appreciated to the core.  But I couldn't let the day slip by without my own acknowledgement of something that is so dear to my heart.

This Orphan's Sunday means even more to me for the very obvious reason:  Our precious Khloe Mei!!  It's hard to believe that she has been home with us for over 5 mos now!

With November being National Adoption Month, I have been doing much reflecting on our own journey and all that God has done to bless our family through the miracle of adoption.  Our Khloe is "one less" because of it, and we cannot imagine our lives without her.  She is our girl in every sense of the word, and we will be forever grateful to the country that entrusted and allowed us to give her a new home. 

When I look into her big, beautiful eyes, I do not see an orphan.  I see my daughter.  I do not see a SN child.  I see our daughter.  And I thank God for knowing all along that she was our girl.  For opening my eyes to the miracle of adoption... for changing my own ideals to line up with His, and for leading me to the country where our daughter was waiting. 

To think that at one time  SN (special needs) adoption was not even a consideration of my heart, makes me so uneasy now.  What if I had not opened my eyes to see where He was leading me?  What if I had chosen a different path because this one made me squirm a little?  Oh how I praise Him for lighting up the path less taken.  For giving us the courage to take those first steps and educate ourselves more. 

I'm not saying that SN adoption is for everyone; just as I know that adoption itself, is not for everyone.  Adopting any child is not a journey for the weak of heart.  But I do believe everyone considering adoption, should pray about it and at least check into it some.  If I had not strayed away from my own ideals and had stayed within the little protective shell I had created,  I would've missed out on the one of the greatest blessings of our life!  Oh how I quiver at the very thought of it!!  IF God leads you in that direction, He will equip you for the journey!  Do you trust Him?!

Please take a moment to check out my friend Stefanie's blog post today.  It is SO well-written and speaks volumes about the call God has placed on our lives.  You will be blessed, I assure you. 

 "A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation. "

~ Psalm 68:5 

If this is the first time you have heard about Orphans Sunday, please check out this sight to learn more about how you and your church can get involved next year.  But don't wait, there is much that can be done NOW.  What can YOU do to help the Orphans today?  Did you know that there are over 147 million orphans worldwide?!  That number is staggering!  We may not all be called to adopt, but we ARE all called to do SOMETHING!! 

Oh Father, help me always to recognize Your voice.  Let my heart break for the things that break Your's, so that I will never grow weary in doing good for the least of these. 

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."   ~James 1:27