Whispers of Hope

11/11
One year ago today, we were JUMPING FOR JOY as we received Travel Approval from China.
(this post)

It was Friday, and we were home from school for Veterans Day.
11/11 was the deadline to make the next travel group to China.
If we received our approval by that day, we could travel the day before Thanksgiving.  Otherwise we would have to wait until the middle of December.
We wanted so badly to travel as soon as possible, and to top it off, the Thanksgiving trip would put us with Sofi the day after her birthday.
It all seemed like the best scenario, but Travel Approval is unpredictable.  Lots of things can happen in receiving that type of paperwork.

That whole week was intense.  We were preparing to leave in 2 weeks, just in case, but praying it would all really happen.
That Friday morning, we were all home, and we could feel time tick, as we waited for this last chance.
The phone rang - our adoption agency! - the excitement was awesome - God had provided!

We had 12 days left to prep our whole family and life for a 2-week trip to China.
But, that's not all.  We still had visas and other crucial details that still hung in the balance.
Our agency said that we had met the deadline for November travel, but she couldn't guarantee our visas would return in time with recent trends.  She said we could plan for December travel, if we wanted.
NO WAY!
We were all in.  God was working out all things, and I was confident.

Let me expound further on my confidence.
God's whispers and guidance through this entire process for our family was amazing.
I mean amazing.
He had led us here, and had spoken, and was still speaking so many confirmations.
With each step in faith, God was so present and so real.  Most of it is very hard to describe, but as I have learned to listen better and more consistently, I have realized, even more, how constantly and clearly God speaks.
We had been in the process of adopting for almost 4 years at that point.
But, for at least 6 years God had been whispering 11/11 to me.
Over and over at random for all those years, He spoke that something would be fulfilled at that time.  I had a very private expectancy every November, thinking what dream or calling might God bring about?
Then, at this November, as the deadline for travel was announced - 11/11 - I felt the whispers -
I felt His presence and faithfulness in a personal way.
I was still anxious and praying so hard during that week - and honestly, would have preferred a call earlier than the deadline :) - but I could feel Him repeat again:
You can make many plans, but the Lord's purpose will prevail.
Proverbs 19:21
That 11/11 promise did help me in that week, but it was much more than that.

God not only knows our concern and prayer in the moment, He goes before us.
He had prepared this path and had provided all the way down to the whispers I needed.
He had spoken things to me, just for this one day, for years.

Our God of great Love is not a mystery, as we tend to think.
He loves to reveal things to us.
He does amazing work over spans of time.  He reveals and connects scriptures for us over time, He can bring revelation, hope, and comfort over time.
Our faithfulness - as broken as it is - becomes joined with His - and we are transformed by Him.
 I have learned to listen with even more hope and expectation in prayer and study.

Not only did that whisper of 11/11 bring me a special hope in those days of waiting, but it solidified even further God's hand in our family and in Sofi's life.
That truth extends into all our lives.
May we all continue to listen and hear His whispers.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Romans 15:13


(This year our day is beginning with jammies and boots.)

Flashbacks and Miracles

Flashback to last October 2016 -
We were scrambling to get approved for travel to China, trying to get to Sofi ASAP.
We sent a care package to Sofi that had a "fruit party" to share.  About a month later, we were excited to receive some photos of Sofi with her banana.

We only had bits of information about Sofi at that point.  Sending this package through a service actually helped us learn some important things about where she was living.
We thought she was living at the orphanage, but she was actually staying at a care center in a completely different province.
(more on that later)
Her paperwork had listed some very vague info about her diet and habits, so we assumed some things based on that and her age.

Fast forward - Nov. 28, 2016 - Gotcha Day - We finally had Sofi in our arms.  Her caregiver explained (through a translator) that Sofi could not feed herself; she could not chew; and we later discovered that she drank from a dropper.

All of that puts a different perspective on those sweet banana photos.

Fast forward to today.
Because of the kindness and care of the facility where Sofi lived, we have a collection of routine reports that they kept on Sofi during the three years she lived there.  Each one contains basic medical info and also some comments at the bottom.  Thankfully, a Chinese exchange student is translating these for us.  I just received part of them back, and I have discovered something really special.- - -
Various things are mentioned throughout the notes, but eating habits are often included.  In her last report, at the end of October 2016, her note includes:
"She's improved a lot on eating. She eats a lot of fruits now."
So, God used that banana - from her Mommy and Daddy - in a special way.
It's hard to truly describe the significance of it all, but it's just beautiful
- another miracle.
It's amazing how God has worked, but also how He has allowed us to see these things.

------
As I mentioned, Sofi was living in a place other than the orphanage who had custody of her.  This is a huge part of her story, and I can say with confidence - it is one of the most important reasons God intended for us to pray for Sofi during those years.
Because of the timing of our adoption process, we have prayed for Sofi since her conception.  We have specifically prayed for her and for the people who would care for her. God has been answering prayers and protecting Sofi her entire life.  He keeps revealing the evidence.

We have more info and details now because of an amazing woman named Elana.  She was the director of Sofi's care facility.  She had a very special connection with Sofi and requested we email her after the adoption.  I have been able to learn a little bit more about Sofi's life from this precious lady:

Sofi was found at 2 weeks old, stayed at a hospital, and then went to an orphanage.
We now know that the orphanage director arranged for her to go to a foster family because of how sick she was.  This in itself is a blessing.  There are hundreds of children just at that one orphanage, and an extra effort like this is not always possible or even considered.
Elana is the director of a Christian non-profit in China, and she travels to find orphans who need more medical care.  When Elana visited Sofi's orphanage, the director of the orphanage told her about Sofi.  He said the foster family was scared she would die. 
Elana went to her and arranged for Sofi to go to one of her care centers.
GOD WAS ANSWERING PRAYERS.
Elana also explained to me how she will never forget seeing Sofi for the first time and how beautiful her eyes were.  She was very sick, but she saw something special.
Sofi remained special to her.
The fact that Sofi was able to live at this care center is outrageous Providence. With fewer children and some better resources, the care center was a better scenario than the orphanage.  She was able to get strong enough for surgery.  Even greater than that, this center is run by a Christian non-profit that seeks to care for orphans and help them find families.
I can't even explain how very specific these answers are to my prayers.  I had no idea what kind of circumstances Sofi would face before her adoption, but I knew that God could work through the people around her.  I prayed so specifically for Sofi and those who would care for her.
God answered and answered and answered.

Prayer is such a huge gift and huge responsibility.  I don't think we will truly understand until we see it from a spiritual vantage point, but I know that prayer plays a role in bringing the Kingdom of God to earth. 
 
God continues to work in Sofi's life.  She still has many things to overcome, but God is so faithful.

Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to Your name goes all the glory for your unfailing love and faithfulness.  Psalm 115:1