Long Road to China - Our Adoption Story


Trustmark National Bank account set up:

Donations can be made nation wide at any Trustmark National Bank through the account:
Phillip Smith or Niki J. Smith's Adoption Account

If you would like to mail a donation, please mail it to
Phil or Niki Smith
P.O. Box 332
Rienzi, MS 38865




Thursday, February 28, 2013

In Silence.......

Psalm 46:10
Be still and Know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.

"I'm finding myself at a loss for words

And the funny thing is it's okay

The last thing I need is to be heard
But to hear what You would say"
(Lyrics from MercyMe - Word of God Speak)

full lyrics follow post

I got up yesterday hearing a whisper repeated in my ears
"Be Still & Know" 
I felt it was my day to just listen. 


I did not forget anyone yesterday!  
At times it actually drove me crazy.  
I'm not addicted to social media but
 I wanted to share with you that we were cabled yesterday.  
I wanted to share with you that we booked our flights & we leave Sat morning.  
I wanted to share with you my heart that is bursting with love for all you have done for us! 
I wanted to shout thanks from the mountains for the blessings you have brought in our lives!

I'll be honest with you in saying I am absolutely lost for words what to say to you all to show our extreme gratitude for every person following our story, praying for us, sharing our story, giving of time, money, & other items.  
What do you say when Thank you just doesn't seem appropriate?
Honestly, I don't know because that is where I'm at now!  I'm humbled for all you have done to get our daughter to home!

I am so excited that I can barely contain myself!  I feel like I'm pregnant and going to have my baby in  4 days.  I know I keep saying it and I'm a proud mamma but YaYa is just precious!!!  I have to share her email:
No, I have never been shopping.  You do not need to bring me anything.  I do not know the things I like.  I guess  I like chocolate. 
Have you come to China yet?
I will not be afraid.  I am very happy.
I love you!
I mean really..........who could not love this beautiful soul?  There is a good reason why she has touched hearts all over the US & beyond.

Back to my original thought...
I was in silence for several reasons yesterday on social media.
Mark 6:31
Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them,“Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

Yesterday, my silence was a way to praise my Lord!  I felt He wanted all my attention so I spent my complete day with Him!
I know God does not tire as I do but do you remember what He did after the first 6 miraculous days in the Bible?  (Genesis 1)  
 Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast arrayBy the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.
(Genesis 2:1-3) 


Yes, I realize yesterday was Not Sunday, but I felt God has moved so many mountains to bring our mission this far that I should honor Him and fast and rest and praise and worship in Him alone.  Yesterday I wanted to ask nothing from my Father but give praise to Him for all of the miracles He performed for one orphan aging out child (Orphan NOT FOR LONG!!!!). 

As I was quiet, I was able to absorb some of the greatness that is soon coming full circle with Guan Ya.  I used the time to reflect on how faithful our Father is when we trust!  I stood back & looked at the last 6 months in absolute "WOW" with No words. 
It is too vast & too beautiful to put words on this great journey!
 I was in silence in honor of our Lord!

I was in silence in honor of our precious daughter Guan Ya that God has trusted us with.  I do not mean that to say she does not communicate but she is mute/silent in voice.  Yes, she communicates and yes she can type but this was just my way to honor her & the great honor I have of being her mother & to honor our Maker for picking us for this path!

Yesterday morning as I continued to hear whispers of "Be Still and Know" I also remembered it was BlackOut via K-Love.

"Tomorrow, Feb 27, we're disappearing on social media in honor of the 27 million men, women and children who've disappeared. Trapped in slavery. In brothels. In factories. In quarries. Working as slaves. In 161 countries, including the U.S. "


If you read my post



You will understand how much of a realization this 

could have been for our beautiful daughter!

We are praising God for all the mountains He has

 moved to get Guan Ya home to our forever family.

We pray for all the ones in child trafficking and all 

"slaves"!  


Now you know why I was silent yesterday!


Today, I found out we got our Article 5 & TA over night!  We had been told we would not have TA until after we had traveled because of the time constraints.  We will get our Consultant appointment when we are in China. YEAH LORD!!!!  If He hasn't moved mountains, then I'm not sure what moving a mountain would look like!  God has done so many miraculous things though this journey that it's hard to wrap my mind around it!  He has used you to ensure His will was done & you trusted and obeyed!  Thank you for listening, following, & loving Him and an orphan child enough to give from your heart!  You have not only forever changed Guan Ya's heart & life but you have also changed my heart & life!

We will be very busy today & tomorrow preparing to leave & get our girl!  Please continue to pray for Guan Ya & us!  I know she is a strong & brave girl but she has to be scared of leaving everything she knows.  I'm sure she will morn which is a normal process.  Please pray for her & that we will know how to handle situations we may be faced with.  Pray for bonding and Pray for safe travels without delays!  Our girl still ages next week (China time) so our goal is not complete.

I leave you with some wonderful news about the mountains God moved Tuesday in the adoption community.  We were able to get our minimal amount needed to be able to travel & 2 other families that will be traveling soon also were funded that day!  How awesome is that???  I'm proud to be a part of a community that understands the true heart of God.

  
I think I posted enough already to make up for my missed day 

yesterday! :0)  I want you all to know we read every message that 

comes through and each is very special to us & encourage us.  I try 

to respond to each message but if you have not gotten a response 

please know we are grateful for them!

Please continue to pray that our works will glorify the Lord!

Please continue to pray for our union with our daughter in a few days!

May He get ALL the Glory!



Lyrics from MercyMe - Word of God Speak

I'm finding myself at a loss for words
And the funny thing is it's okay
The last thing I need is to be heard



But to hear what You would say

[Chorus:]
Word of God speak
Would you pour down like rain
Washing my eyes to see
Your majesty
To be still and know
That you're in this place
Please let me stay and rest
In your holiness 
Word of God speak

I'm finding myself in the midst of You
Beyond the music, beyond the noise
All that I need is to be with You
And in the quiet hear Your voice

[Chorus: Repeat 2X]
I'm finding myself at a loss for words
And the funny thing is it's okay





5 comments:

  1. Congratulations! I can not wait to see the photos of the moment you are united. Please please please post!

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  2. Yay God for providing! And for all three families! (It was so fun to read about that whole thing on the blogs of one of the others!)

    And what a precious girl Guan Ya seems to be! Those notes are just priceless - and what a treasure to have been able to get those and have that communication with her through this process!

    Praying that all the final details fall into place smoothly and that you continue to see God's hand paving the way before you as you head to go get your sweet girl!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Praising God for this great news! I can't wait to keep checking back on here and see how He is working even more in these next weeks! God's blessings on your travels and I am praying for your new daughter as well!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I donated. I shared. I Pled! And, I Prayed. And, Prayed some more. I am so, so happy for you all! Go Gather your Daughter. And, give her a hug from another person who values her sweet life.
    With Much Love in Our Lord Jesus ~ Jo Moseley

    ReplyDelete
  5. Love this. It exactly how I felt when we were funded. It's just so overwhelming how much He provides and loves us:) Can't wait to see you with your new teen treasure.

    ReplyDelete