Peace in Every Moment

(written for adopting families)

God's Peace through the adoption Journey:

It begins differently for each person, for each family, but it is all rooted in Love.

It’s the Love of our Father that goes so deep, and is so abundant, that it cannot be contained.

He sets the lonely in families. - Psalm 68:6

And we see the lonely.

We are the action of God, and He calls us. He instructs us.

Pure and lasting religion in the sight of God our Father means that we must care for orphans and widows in their troubles, and refuse to let the world corrupt us. - James 1:27

But be sure to fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things He has done for you. - 1 Samuel 12:24

We respond. 

We respond with faith to add to the love.  We know the power of our God, and we follow knowing He will bring it “to completion”. (Philippians 1:6)

This love and this faith ignite and fuel our obedience, but the peace –

the peace of God is promised with our faith.  The peace comes as we give our control and our fear to Almighty God.

The LORD gives strength to His people; the LORD blesses His people with peace.  Psalm 29:11

When this love we feel turns into an act of faith, the gift of peace covers every moment.

The very presence of God becomes more tangible, and every day becomes a new revelation of His promises.

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The journey begins. 

You work and scheme every loophole you can to gain even one day in completing your dossier.

You hope, stress, and travel for documents and approvals.

But in it all, here is the peace:

Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.  -Hebrews 10:23

As you reel a series of what-if’s

and plan your family and life for the unknown,

Peace says:

You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail. – Proverbs 19:21

Then, in that moment

when all the hope collides with your child – real facts, real pictures…

A Letter of Intent – the intent that has built in your heart for years

The peace leads you to:

Give thanks to Him who alone does mighty miracles. His faithful love endures forever. – Psalm 136:4

As you lie awake, a world away from holding her –

too far to dry a tear

too far to tuck her in.

The peace is knowing:

For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole world to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.  - 2 Chronicles 16:9

When you finally hold her - but first as a stranger

And pray that God speeds a miracle of bonding.

Find peace in the truth:

For nothing will be impossible with God.  Luke 1:37
Perfect Love casts out fear.  1 John 4:18

When the change is slow

And loves only goes one way.

You feel alone.

But you have peace because:

You are the God who sees me.  – Genesis 16:13

Then the barriers start to fade

The smiles take over

And the snuggles sink deeper

Oh, the peace:

Not to us, O Lord, but to You goes all the glory for your unfailing love and faithfulness. - Psalm 115:1

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Our stories are different. Our timelines are different,

But the same Love brought us here, and the same Peace sustains us.

God streaks His promises across the sky, and He always keeps them.

May we always be ready to Love.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And may the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  – Philippians 4:6-7

Thankful for His peace,

Jonna Yarbrough

     

and God Bless Sofi.

All tucked in at home for 10 months. . .

It's been almost a year now since our trip around the world.
Our sweet Sofi Shu has grown and bloomed so beautifully in such a short time. 
Most of the time it's hard to remember she spent days years without us.
God has redeemed and healed - and will continue to do so.
I can't praise Him enough for the grace and love He has poured out.  There are still struggles and still scars, but Love has proven to be more powerful.

This week we celebrated the Chinese Moon Festival (Tennessee-style) with some glow-stick lanterns, Chinese dinner, and MoonPies.🙂
Last year, we celebrated for the first time and were exploding with anticipation for our trip to Sofi.
The moon festival seemed particularly special last fall, because the moon was one of the few things we shared.  We looked at the beautiful moon God had given, knowing Sofi saw that same moon. 

The world feels smaller when you love across oceans.

God holds us all in His grasp, and He is so much bigger and so able.
We can give all things to Him, and I continue to give my fears and worries to Him.

The Moon Festival is a Chinese tradition, but for us it's a special blend.
A blend of cultures 
A blend of family
A blend of blessings from a Great God.

Last year we began this familiar rhyme, and we continued it this year, remembering God's faithfulness:

I see the moon
and the moon sees me. 
God bless the moon
and God bless Sofi.

"... every promise coming true."

One year ago today.
We received the phone call about Sofi 9/9/16.

I was wearing our family's adoption shirt and spilling over with the most outrageous level of expectation.  There was no logical reason to expect a phone call for several months, but I could feel God preparing me.

I love remembering all of those moments.

"I walked and felt every promise coming true."
Here's the replay of what happened that day.

God's love is beyond comprehension.  He withholds nothing to show us His love and redeem our lives.  His miracles are right before us if we choose to walk with Him.

Love inside of family is a very deep, foundational part of God's plan and work in our lives.  We must commit fervently to our families and work to restore children into families. The very heart of God is focused on these things. I pray He continues to work in and through our family.

(So I wrote this on 9/9, but forgot to hit "publish" until 9/10. Ha! #reallife) 
 

I love to tell the story!

I LOVE TO TELL THE STORY!!!

I LOVE telling this story of God's Love.
God's love has redeemed and restored and flooded our lives in the most miraculous ways as Sofi came home to us.

I know most of you have heard these stories and memories, but today marks the beginning of a beautiful, and intense, time in our lives.
God's provision was so thorough that He literally gave me breath in some moments.

I will forever tell this story of God's love in the gift of Sofi.

Just like the hymn:
"I love to tell the story
of unseen things above,
of Jesus and His glory,
of Jesus and His love"

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A year ago today, we were officially "logged-in" with China.
That was the last step we could complete in preparing for our adoption.
Then, we waited for a referral.
The reality was that we would likely wait another 6-12 months for a referral.

My spirit knew differently.

This expectant mother could feel the gap closing.
I knew my daughter was close.
I have never felt my faith revealed so physically before these weeks.

Every piece of me was overcome by an intensity that was so real.
I was waiting for that call to come at any moment.

A couple of weeks later  - this post - that includes a video.
I'm so thankful for the words I have saved and images I can go back to.
That video takes me right back to so many times and emotions.
Most of you are also familiar with some of these - fundraisers and family nights, rainbows and keepsakes.
Sofi has been real in our hearts and home since the very beginning.

Exactly one month after our "log-in" on 8/9/16 -
We received the call with the referral for our amazing daughter on
9/9/16.
(Here is the story of that day.)

We had "logged-in" JUST IN TIME for Sofi's referral,
and there are other details within the agency's process that confirm God's control in the matching of our family.

It's just so beautiful.

A year ago - it could have been another year -
but yesterday marked 8 months home.

I am overwhelmed as I think about how I felt a year ago.
Even after finding Sofi, the intensity built in a whole new way with the stress of the paperwork and wanting so desperately to get her home.

Even now, my emotions run really deep as we continue in these beginning phases,
but she is in my arms.

The depth of God's love has gripped me in a new way.

I love my God, and I will forever tell every story He writes.

"I love to tell the story
of unseen things above,
of Jesus and his glory,
of Jesus and his love"

Love and Faithfulness

A year ago today, the most amazing set of events was set in motion.
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:

 On the morning of July 13, 2016, the kids and I went to the post office to mail this important package.  We had completed all we could do in the process.  We mailed off those papers and completely trusted God to take over.
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

The Color We Waited for. . .

So four years ago,
after starting the adoption process,
I helped Drew and Kate make a special art project for Kevin's
Father's Day present.
The project began that day - and finally we were able to complete it this weekend.

There is a story behind it all that you can read from this blog post:  Beyond Emotions.
It makes more sense if you read the backstory.

It really was a blessing to complete this for Kevin yesterday.
We like to make the art and pieces that go around our house, because they tell a story and remind us of a moment or a piece of a journey.  The unpainted pieces have been our story for a long time, but now God has fulfilled His promises with color to prove it.

This project began because of our Faith.  We were confident because of our Hope.  Love has been the reason and purpose.  Joy has truly been our strength.
Completion of this work solidifies it all and brings Glory to our God for His Truth.
Those four simple words have grown in me in special ways over the last four years. 
Kevin helps to establish them and live them for our children.

God has used each of our kids to teach us and bless us in the most amazing ways.  Their lives have given so much into ours.
These words are a representation of that.

I will forever be thankful that I share my life with Kevin and the outrageous blessing of our children.
May God continue to help us as parents and reveal His great Love to Drew, Kate, Sofi, and Luke!

Happy Father's Day to my Kevin!

He Still Holds Her

I just can't miss a night.
Every night I get the snuggles and kisses.  It changes over time - as they grow - but I love to tuck them in.
Lots of squeezes and snuggles for the babies as they fall asleep, then on to blowing kisses as I slip out the door for the big kids - at least as long as that lasts.

Right or wrong, I never let them fret in the night or "cry it out".  Touch and presence speak love, and I never wanted my love to be silent or absent.

That's what made Luke's week in NICU so excruciating.
I was supposed to hold him, snuggle him close, and hug away the fears of a big world.
Wrapped and swaddled tightly to your mom - that's how it should be.
So - there I lived in the NICU.
I would cup those chubby cheeks in my hand and pray over those little lungs.

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In February 2013, God led us to begin the adoption process.
We immediately began praying for the child God was bringing into our family.
We prayed very specific prayers.  We had no idea where she was or the circumstances of her life, but there were things we did know to pray.
We prayed for her health and care.
We prayed specifically for the people around her: the other children and her caregivers.
We prayed that God would bring people into her life to care for her and love her in a special way.
Although we didn't know anything about her story at that point, we know adoption begins with loss.
Tragedy
Abandonment
No parents
Alone
Orphan

Who would hold her?
What would happen in the transitions?
 
Life in an orphanage . . .

Who would swaddle?
Who would cup her cheeks?

I prayed for someone to hold her.
I prayed for God Himself to hold her.

I prayed God would provide special people and special care.
I prayed she would feel loved.

I prayed these things every day for those 3 1/2 years.
We prayed these things as a family every Sunday night.

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November 28, 2016
Finally.
Finally our beautiful daughter was in our arms.
We held her.
We protected her.
So many answered prayers - more than we even knew.

As Sofi was given into our arms, we were given a note.
The note was a polite request for us to email an update on Sofi - if we didn't mind.
Even in the chaos of those moments, I was struck by the thought of that concern and desire.
Obviously I didn't mind.

After we came home and settled about a week, I sent an update with a few photos to the email address given.  I wasn't even exactly sure who the recipient was, but was thrilled to show how wonderful and healthy Sofi was.

A reply came.
The director of the care center where Sofi had lived replied, speaking some of the sweetest words about our Sofi.  She and her daughter had a special love for Sofi.  Sofi went to this care center almost immediately after going to the orphanage.  The director spoke of Sofi's smile, even as an infant.  She was tiny, weak, and malnourished - but had an unmistakable smile.  The director's daughter had especially loved Sofi. She said her daughter always went to Sofi when they visited the center and wanted her mom to adopt Sofi.
I can't even explain the depth of all this as I think on all those prayers.
Sofi was loved in special ways and special people came into her life - JUST AS I HAD PRAYED.

And it gets better -

I sent another update last week since we have now been home 6 months. (hooray for 6 months!)
The reply from the director included:
"One of our home's mission is to prepare the children to a family that God has planned for them. Praise God that He is truly a faithful God!"

Tears poured as I read these words.  Sofi was in CHRISTIAN care in China.
God is truly so faithful!
I can't explain the blessing of knowing how God was answering prayers and caring for Sofi in such amazing ways.
We have seen evidence of this love and God's presence in the way she has transitioned.
And, I was able to tell the director that she was an answer to prayer and thank her for loving and caring for Sofi - and so many others.  (Such an important and burdened job.)

It's really all beyond description, but I can't contain these miracles of God's love.
There are just so many examples in Sofi's story of God's love.  He has moved and worked in big and small ways. 

I know - without a doubt - that God called us at that time (9 months before she was born), because He wanted us to pray over Sofi from the beginning of her life.

And, I can assure you that the praying continues.
I still pray every day for Sofi (- and Drew - and Kate - and Luke.)
Even though she is in our arms now,
He still holds her.

She belongs to God.  All of my children are His.
We are thankful for them and thankful He has entrusted us with their care,
but we pray He holds them.
Always.

"For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him."  2 Chronicles 16:9