So many miracles were revealed and promises fulfilled in the months that followed.
I have been overwhelmed by the memories this week as we go through Vacation Bible School.
Last year, we were also in the middle of VBS, and we were trying to finalize the very last step in our paperwork for China.
I posted this on July 12, 2016 so we could pray over the paperwork:
I can't even describe the expectant feeling that built and built - exponentially - in the following days and weeks. I could literally feel us getting closer to our daughter. My spirit felt like it was outside of my skin.
We were in the car at the post office that day, and I texted Kevin to tell him we had mailed the package. Then, I happened to see a posting from our agency on my phone. Sometimes the agency receives photos of children before they have the full file. They share the photos with families, excited about soon matching them with a family.
That morning my heart stopped.
All of the shared pictures break my heart and stir emotions, but this precious face took my breath away.
I knew I was emotional and anxious, but this was more than an emotional response.
It was highly unlikely that we could receive a referral fast enough for this to be our daughter, but hope and faith transcend reason.
There she was:
So, the story continued like the splitting of the Red Sea.
Miracle after miracle. The path opening before us - straight to Sofi.
We received a phone call about Sofi only ONE MONTH after our paperwork was logged-in in China.
OUTRAGEOUS.
And the phone call was all about that beautiful girl I saved in my phone that day.
My tears ran like a faucet!
It's just more joy than I can stand to see Sofi dancing and singing at VBS this year.
My heart was so weary, but bursting with hope, a year ago.
I was able to give testimony to my VBS class on Tuesday.
The lesson was about Simeon and Anna. - Luke 2:21-38
Simeon and Anna had both devoted their lives to God and truly knew His voice. God had promised both of them that they would see the Messiah.
When Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple, they knew it was Him.
There was no sign, or glowing light, or angel pointing; they just knew.
God revealed to them that this baby was the promised Savior.
God continues to speak to us when we are listening - when our lives are devoted to listening.
I saw Sofi that day, and I knew.
I showed the kids the picture in my phone from a year before and said "She's right across the hall playing in that room. And she is amazing."
For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Psalm 57:10
