tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86302133657157864342024-03-19T08:22:09.833-04:00Journey to MeilíAshley Gosnellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01549347958635202821noreply@blogger.comBlogger62125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8630213365715786434.post-265069413334346752018-03-16T12:41:00.002-04:002018-03-16T13:10:06.110-04:00She Did What She Could<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"While He [Jesus] was in Bethany, ...a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on His head. Some of those present...rebuked her harshly. 'Leave her alone,' said Jesus. 'Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to Me.... She did what she could.'"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Mary of Bethany. She did what she could. She poured out everything she had because of her love for Jesus. And Jesus called it "beautiful."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">People around her questioned her actions. They said she could have done it a better way. Said she could have been more effective. Maybe even accused her of doing "more harm than good."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But Jesus saw her heart. He saw the motive behind her offering. And He was pleased.</span></div>
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<i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>He calls us to do what we can.</b></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Six months ago, I came face to face with suffering like I have never seen. I walked into a room with babies who were so very tiny and malnourished. Babies lined up, three to a crib, in row after row of cribs.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As I left that place, I was completely overwhelmed. I was angry. I cried out to God, asking Him why He had shown this terrible suffering to me. "God, I cannot fix this," I told Him. "It's too big. There are too many babies. There are too few resources and not enough time." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But God, in His gracious, loving way, took me back to His Word. He reminded me of my calling:</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited Me in, I needed clothes and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you visited Me." </span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Matt. 25:35-36</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And, I was able breathe deeply again. I was able to lay down this crushing burden on my heart at His feet, remembering He was the </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Savior, not me. He didn't call me to </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>fix</b></i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> anything. He called me to feed the hungry ones in front of me and to give them something to drink. To visit the ones in bondage and look after them when they are sick. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><i>He called me to do what I could.</i></b> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And His call is the same to you.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Maybe it won't seem like much. Maybe others will tell you there's a better way, a more effective way. Maybe they will rebuke you and tell you what you are doing is a waste. That you shouldn't go. That you shouldn't do. That you are doing more harm than good....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But the only voice you need to listen to is His. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Because when we go, out of love for Him, pouring out our life at His feet on behalf of the least of the least, the vulnerable, the forgotten, He says, <span style="color: blue;">"Whatever you did for one of the least of these..., you did it for Me."</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So, give Him your "Yes." Give Him you all. Pour it out at His feet. Whatever you have, whether it's a jar of perfume, </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">a stick, </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">a loaf and a fish, or maybe just a couple of pennies, God can use it, just as He did for Mary and Moses, the young boy and the old widow. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And, who knows, maybe God will use you like He did Mary of Bethany-</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"She would be the one who told others about Him. Who served. Who gave. But on that night, her service began with waste for God alone. And I like to think that in pouring herself out at His feet, she changed the world." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Unseen</i> by Sara Hagerty</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><b>So, go. Be a Mary. Do what you can. And change the world.</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"He [God] needs no one,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">but when faith is present, </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">He works through anyone."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">-A W Tozer</span></div>
Ashley Gosnellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01549347958635202821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8630213365715786434.post-54071919847026874932017-09-04T15:14:00.000-04:002017-09-04T15:42:00.531-04:00Bread From Heaven<span style="text-align: center;">"He let you be hungry which helped you to not have pride. </span><span style="text-align: center;">Then He fed you with bread from heaven...." Deut. 8:3a</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">To say these last four weeks have been tough would be an understatement. There have been few things in my life that have been more stressful that taking on a full time job in the midst of getting six kids back in school and trying to prepare for my trip to Ethiopia.</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">But...I asked for it.</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">Several months ago, God began stirring my heart. He began showing me that I was getting comfortable. That I was beginning to rely on my own strength. My family finally felt like it wasn't in complete chaos 24/7. I was planning to lead a team to China, which after eight trips felt very familiar. And because I really am just like a dumb sheep, I began feeling like life was manageable. Like I had things under control. </span><span style="text-align: center;">I realized pride was creeping back in. Again.</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">And this scared me. </span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">See, at the beginning of 2015, God took me to Philippians 2. He showed me the unbelievable humility of my Savior, who laid down His life for me. Who did not hold on to His rights as God, but in humility, took my place on the cross. The Lord opened my eyes to the ugly pride in my life. He gently asked if He could do a work in my heart and in my life to remove my pride. I said "yes." </span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">And He did.</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">That year was one of the hardest, darkest years of my life. He took me to the bottom. He shook me to my core. He opened my eyes to who I really was, weak, needy and completely inadequate to do my life in my own strength. I saw my brokenness, and my desperate need for the Lord in every area of my life. And without the strength of two dear friends who walked through the fire with me, I'm not sure I would have made it. </span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">God ripped my pride out by the roots, or so I thought.</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">But pride is really sneaky. It can disguise itself really well. It can slip in completely unnoticed. </span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">So, when God began to reveal the sneaky pride that was trying to slip back in, I desperately prayed for His help. I had been to the bottom and did not care to go back there again. Ever. </span><span style="text-align: center;">I came to Him in honesty, confessing my feelings of self-sufficiency. I asked Him to force me from the comfortable place I was heading...to a place where I had to rely totally on Him. </span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">And He did. </span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">Within a month, He turned my world upside down. </span><span style="text-align: center;">He changed everything that was comfortable in my life. He redirected me from the country that holds my heart to country that is completely unknown to me. A place that is so utterly different from China that I hardly even knew how to find it on the map. Where is Ethiopia anyway?? And then He threw me into a place I said I would never ever go again...the classroom. </span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">It's not that I don't love teaching. Or children (obviously I do because I have a lot of them!). But, my time in the classroom many years ago was so very hard. I always felt so inadequate. I walked away from the profession to start our family feeling burnt out and defeating. And I vowed I'd never go back. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">But, as it began dawning on me that my life was about to be very different....</span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;">... that, for the first time in 14 years, I would not have a baby at home,</span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;">... that at all six of my kiddos would be in school...</span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;">...I realized that I had no idea what I was going to do with myself. </span><br />
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So, I began making some plans. Small plans. Ones I thought I could handle.</div>
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I would go back to teaching. As a sub. Just a few days here or there. I could say yes or no. I'd be in control. This was a good plan. Except I had asked God not to let me be comfortable. </div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"> So, He didn't let me hold not my small plans. He blew the doors right off my comfortable, safe place. And He threw me right into the place I said I would never go...full time teaching. I began to question my sanity. Why in the world had I prayed such a prayer? I realized I liked comfortable because it is so...comfortable and that I really handle "comfortable" much better than "impossible." </span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;"><i>But, isn't that what faith is really about? Allowing God to put us in places where we will be in trouble if He doesn't come through (F. Chan)? </i></span></div>
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span><span style="text-align: center;">When we allow God to lead us into places that reveal our inadequacies, we learn just how adequate He truly is. We learn that He is completely faithful to be with us and hold us up with His righteous right hand. He gives us strength enough for each day as He Himself feeds us with "bread from heaven."</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">"Wait for the Lord; be strong and courageous; wait for the Lord! (Ps 27:14)</span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;">"...for they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength." (Isa. 40:31a)</span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;">"So, fear not, for I am with you; </span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;">Be not dismayed, for I am your God;</span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;">I will strengthen you, I will help you, </span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;">I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." (Isa. 41:10)</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;"> </span>Ashley Gosnellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01549347958635202821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8630213365715786434.post-31880756272888943792017-03-28T14:02:00.000-04:002017-05-02T19:58:04.950-04:00Brokenness: the heart of advocacy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves;</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Ensure justice for those being crushed.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, a</span><span style="color: blue; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">nd see that they get justice."</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Prov. 31:8-9</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Being broken for the cause of the orphan is not new to me. My journey began many years ago with a beautiful girl named Anne. Since then, I have adopted. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I have served in orphanages. I have looked into the faces of children in desperate need and have suffered the crushing loss of precious ones gone too soon. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But my trip last October was different. Hope Journey</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> was different. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It was a completely new level of hard. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We had </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">33 beautiful children in our Hope Journey Camp. Our sole purpose in being there was to advocate for these children and find families for them. Most of them had</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> been waiting their whole life to be chosen. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Because they are older, </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">because their needs are perceived as greater, </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">because they had fallen through the cracks, </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">they had been passed over, forgotten, time and time again. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And these children </span><i style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><b>knew</b></i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> why we had come.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> To them, we represented hope of what they so desperately wanted. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A family. A mom and dad. A place to belong.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My heart was not prepared...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">To have children stand before me and </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">plead with me, </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"> "<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Please </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">find </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">me a </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">family..." </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For children to feel like they had to smile and string beads </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJqygc_CitjwtgqrV8FI3jzgvC-BcFUtindAOi6QfZh7FAnn9WRVPScSNBpvRT_oj8liwCR73IIWmvrojqc_njcdSz77Nz5T2xCveCZsBA_1NgKxy7Py15r1j4sdwtKi4Nr71vOvN9b1I/s1600/30532584452_21855f561d_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJqygc_CitjwtgqrV8FI3jzgvC-BcFUtindAOi6QfZh7FAnn9WRVPScSNBpvRT_oj8liwCR73IIWmvrojqc_njcdSz77Nz5T2xCveCZsBA_1NgKxy7Py15r1j4sdwtKi4Nr71vOvN9b1I/s320/30532584452_21855f561d_k.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">and do the song and dance to be worthy...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">To have a child with CP get up out of his wheelchair and run </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja8OuGY08YHGWoZcIqdILpVLutlhcI8WExZPPm1fymkmxXuXpVYPCrzIB7YUjvrt83K2sFZZV33b-D1Hp-eHun790zAKXgEgNxRBZa9uk8QTT_1f1-wCQ9BX-9lR06fG8rLhmih8T1hSE/s320/Flint+Smiling.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="249" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flint</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLzadFq-Axl_hGtdKjicvaBPZ12cnATa2z5oEzElqshE6Y4Otus5Fb9Cx5oLnd5pqe6i_m7a6xmrExf1rTpbkh2LVReVc5RR1hmdHuY-bEftbE74E3I1kQziZ7VrHH3v91-iD8usBKHmE/s1600/Flint+Walking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLzadFq-Axl_hGtdKjicvaBPZ12cnATa2z5oEzElqshE6Y4Otus5Fb9Cx5oLnd5pqe6i_m7a6xmrExf1rTpbkh2LVReVc5RR1hmdHuY-bEftbE74E3I1kQziZ7VrHH3v91-iD8usBKHmE/s320/Flint+Walking.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flint</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">to show that he was capable...</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">To have a precious boy give me his name tag, look into my eyes,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTltZ8ozgLP4-b-QM9dM3CU-OiSOir4TOhsOx2DQu3WB3tycxmjV7-zonCrYD9UwlmQa94iveyk4YlRX-dImNf9adHsUQXDQy7HBf55PngIV7CQYA-ucU3s-M-zOAHdOSrDabuGICVpsQ/s1600/32379232995_d523e22151_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTltZ8ozgLP4-b-QM9dM3CU-OiSOir4TOhsOx2DQu3WB3tycxmjV7-zonCrYD9UwlmQa94iveyk4YlRX-dImNf9adHsUQXDQy7HBf55PngIV7CQYA-ucU3s-M-zOAHdOSrDabuGICVpsQ/s320/32379232995_d523e22151_k.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wesson</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFMr0GaX1OQZvI7WhBZu2IDYCj1UFxHchIERhz8d19sxwnFCtPvHOqA5oNZVU1QnE7p26NxdQ7U4YilKHH3QsISkY9toy7UdmuGRGI-G3cyt_L6vBu-YCjcQJwLUo1O5X2T8UYWjNQx9E/s1600/30596120614_fa03a6560e_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFMr0GaX1OQZvI7WhBZu2IDYCj1UFxHchIERhz8d19sxwnFCtPvHOqA5oNZVU1QnE7p26NxdQ7U4YilKHH3QsISkY9toy7UdmuGRGI-G3cyt_L6vBu-YCjcQJwLUo1O5X2T8UYWjNQx9E/s320/30596120614_fa03a6560e_k.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wesson</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">and plead with me not to forget him...</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">To have a beautiful baby boy sit on my lap, to wipe away his tears,</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinxBmvisOMLJYO2ty7UB2j0Y1cG6QZSpC6AhjA0QBHpczeHl-vkZLnAoP49XeoOEFnN-oHVU5jGFfIryWPLlX7bhKhMs1tUACD2E0Wk3f2cw3jqme49W02ZVlGSuGzwTU8NOJ6MCTeTsk/s1600/Benz+Eating+Cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinxBmvisOMLJYO2ty7UB2j0Y1cG6QZSpC6AhjA0QBHpczeHl-vkZLnAoP49XeoOEFnN-oHVU5jGFfIryWPLlX7bhKhMs1tUACD2E0Wk3f2cw3jqme49W02ZVlGSuGzwTU8NOJ6MCTeTsk/s320/Benz+Eating+Cake.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Benz</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">and feed him my cake because I was desperate to do something...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It was heartbreaking. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It was </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">absolutely</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">gut-wrenching. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It was one of the most emotionally painful experiences I have ever had.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>No child should have to beg for a family.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiefDtFaNfGdFYjpfSkWbqUPWAybC1I_dbh3TahUCQlpUs4vl_-K4rCwNFViut2DcUfmRo6AmDiB-ArokWYkVjD4eR0nnIK5K3rq4x2VkjuA89-88uRofZ4JBGw7-vOJ5q_oyZlLlebnbY/s1600/Scottie+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiefDtFaNfGdFYjpfSkWbqUPWAybC1I_dbh3TahUCQlpUs4vl_-K4rCwNFViut2DcUfmRo6AmDiB-ArokWYkVjD4eR0nnIK5K3rq4x2VkjuA89-88uRofZ4JBGw7-vOJ5q_oyZlLlebnbY/s320/Scottie+1.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scottie</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV0E3jHIIgCALKdq5YqupfKHjFmHGv42LLy1nN5k8uhwUVPJLYfsrDAS_SmRl7HiQgcfOXW-zIn6dXssXH1Xo7gmFZNJQyDDdYNBDh0bBVV6WIT-Nirjn8ZMUs15tdopQa2ZL85EF1aAQ/s1600/Scottie+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV0E3jHIIgCALKdq5YqupfKHjFmHGv42LLy1nN5k8uhwUVPJLYfsrDAS_SmRl7HiQgcfOXW-zIn6dXssXH1Xo7gmFZNJQyDDdYNBDh0bBVV6WIT-Nirjn8ZMUs15tdopQa2ZL85EF1aAQ/s320/Scottie+2.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scottie</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I have cried a million tears for these children. My heart is literally crushed for them. I cannot think about them or talk about them without weeping. My heart cries out, "Where is the church? Where are God's people? Is there no one, NO ONE, to say 'yes' to these precious babies??" </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Some days, I just want to be numb. To forget their pleas. To escape this heavy place of brokenness. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But I cannot. <i>I will not</i>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I know it is my <i>brokenness</i> that fuels my fight. And fighting for this holy cause is one of the greatest privileges of my life. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So, I will continue. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I will keep posting their pictures and telling their stories. I will keep praying and crying out for them, asking God to wake up His people to the needs of orphans like Peter and Laurel, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Flint and Benz, Wesson and Scottie. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Because they matter. Because they are valuable and precious. Because they deserve a family. Because Christ laid down His life for me, and He has called me to do the same for others.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">1 John 3:16-18 says this:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"By this we know love, that He laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, <i>how does God's love abide in him</i>? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Church, we have the world's goods. There are so many precious ones in need. Will we close our eyes? Will we close our hearts? </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">or</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Will we love with reckless abandonment? Will we hear their desperate cry and say "yes" to these treasures, knowing that when we say "yes" to them, we say "yes" to Him. When we get them, we get Him.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for the least of these brothers and sisters of Mine, you did it for Me.'"</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Matt 25:40 </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A final thought...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Timothy Keller, founding pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York, says this: "Many who are evidently genuine Christians do not demonstrate much concern for the poor. How do we account for that? I would like to believe that a heart for the poor 'sleeps' down in the Christian's soul until it is awakened." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Oh, friends, may these precious faces awaken our souls, break our hearts, compel us to step out of our comfort zone and send us running to the least of these...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYW2JM9LFfwQ8BBNgmRattsdrf7h2ieqEz0vddp070XqULeFU7sCg-HiXNLgTIibyoQAGkm_lQ1OHq6kliBRUvPcYHbfH_ALKoDyC6v-SDS1PsD93f6Wd9iLL2ZVd_DjbjlYLM5urvugU/s1600/1David+Platt+Orphan+Quote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYW2JM9LFfwQ8BBNgmRattsdrf7h2ieqEz0vddp070XqULeFU7sCg-HiXNLgTIibyoQAGkm_lQ1OHq6kliBRUvPcYHbfH_ALKoDyC6v-SDS1PsD93f6Wd9iLL2ZVd_DjbjlYLM5urvugU/s400/1David+Platt+Orphan+Quote.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We are rejoicing that <b><i>nine</i></b> of our Hope Journey children have been chosen!! And, we continue praying hard for families for the rest of our precious ones. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Here are links to learn more about these children:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Peter: <a href="http://adoptedbydesign.typepad.com/blog/2017/02/peter-needs-a-forever-family.html">http://adoptedbydesign.typepad.com/blog/2017/02/peter-needs-a-forever-family.html</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Laurel: <a href="http://adoptedbydesign.typepad.com/blog/2016/12/stories-of-hope-advocate-for-laurel-.html">http://adoptedbydesign.typepad.com/blog/2016/12/stories-of-hope-advocate-for-laurel-.html</a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Flint: <a href="http://adoptedbydesign.typepad.com/blog/2017/03/meet-flint-he-is-waiting-for-his-forever-family.html">http://adoptedbydesign.typepad.com/blog/2017/03/meet-flint-he-is-waiting-for-his-forever-family.html</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Wesson: <a href="http://adoptedbydesign.typepad.com/blog/2017/01/meet-wonderful-wesson.html">http://adoptedbydesign.typepad.com/blog/2017/01/meet-wonderful-wesson.html</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Benz: </span><a href="http://adoptedbydesign.typepad.com/blog/2017/01/meet-benz-and-help-us-share-his-story.html" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">http://adoptedbydesign.typepad.com/blog/2017/01/meet-benz-and-help-us-share-his-story.html</a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Scottie: <a href="http://adoptedbydesign.typepad.com/blog/2017/03/7-year-old-scottie-needs-a-forever-family.html">http://adoptedbydesign.typepad.com/blog/2017/03/7-year-old-scottie-needs-a-forever-family.html</a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Or you can contact <a href="http://www.awaa.org/">America World Adoption</a> by email at china@awaa.org or by phone at 800.429.3369.</span></div>
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Ashley Gosnellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01549347958635202821noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8630213365715786434.post-41177434962170406592016-07-13T11:30:00.001-04:002016-07-13T11:30:46.223-04:00...and if not, He is still good.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJQzFEyBApD80lf5Zbkn7xQNy_pfo-fZfEezu3wXpZ36sO5T-t0sgU0a5hUlT5TDM_2TNGPH-IDFbJOb0DUrAHqv4KnwUx2_zeVMY1Mh_Z_8T4lZ1MrY6qAq3h82azfTcI_CQN4e0iCkw/s1600/22752879906_2803cec7a7_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJQzFEyBApD80lf5Zbkn7xQNy_pfo-fZfEezu3wXpZ36sO5T-t0sgU0a5hUlT5TDM_2TNGPH-IDFbJOb0DUrAHqv4KnwUx2_zeVMY1Mh_Z_8T4lZ1MrY6qAq3h82azfTcI_CQN4e0iCkw/s400/22752879906_2803cec7a7_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;">"For it was You who created my inward parts; </span><span style="color: blue;">You knit me together </span></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">in my mother's womb.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I praise You because I have been remarkably and wonderfully made....</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All my days were written in Your book </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And planned before a single one of them began."</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ps. 139:13-16</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sometimes life doesn't happen the way we think or hope. Sometimes God's plans are vastly different than we were expecting. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But it doesn't change who He is.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He is still good, and His promise are still true. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Even in the midst of sorrow.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's been almost three months since my sweet Seth went to be with Jesus. My heart still aches for him. I miss him deeply. I want to hold him again, to tell him that he is a treasure and that I love him. I grieve that fact that he will not come home to his family and that I will not see him again here.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This was not what I wanted.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This was not how I thought it would be.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But God knew. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He had all of Seth's days planned before a single one of them began.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This did not catch Him by surprise. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This was His good and perfect plan for Seth. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYFG6CI6f6SCuM_4sq3n275-eMFqwMKprs_YcMpoVZe759WWfszkvy4-y-1oRXYYuDpEo_fS71zINWlTuCO3xhJORW3mLuWJzte5adBtW7LNWU9VL_DhUCjnuhKKn5lOMwgdYwX6thnvw/s1600/12227080_1080766448610016_4269574406773930457_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYFG6CI6f6SCuM_4sq3n275-eMFqwMKprs_YcMpoVZe759WWfszkvy4-y-1oRXYYuDpEo_fS71zINWlTuCO3xhJORW3mLuWJzte5adBtW7LNWU9VL_DhUCjnuhKKn5lOMwgdYwX6thnvw/s400/12227080_1080766448610016_4269574406773930457_n.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And so, I choose to be thankful, even in the midst of sadness.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thankful that God is good and strong and perfect.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thankful that He is El Elyon, Most High God, sovereign over all things.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That He allowed me to know and love Seth.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And that I will see him again.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, as much as I miss Seth, I cannot wish him back.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> He is whole and healed now. He can see and run and play. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He is loved perfectly and completely.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He is with Jesus.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had the great and hard privilege of speaking at Seth's memorial service, and I love this beautiful <a href="http://youtu.be/-0O4aCSj10o">Memorial video</a> that we shared of him. I love his precious family and count them as some of my dearest friends. They are grieving deeply as well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxASzaa5sh3M2AyHnNrsb2iElUk3O3h9H-PcySF5Cuh3cXSJr_6bgAfBS0H71UG_0EKcPFZblfzlybanahlIlKZXBsEUlYUSKhpMUZURlxarLIAAnatCaWbF1Ki55ansUAxCb6-diATAw/s1600/13130854_1186589234694403_8652989730369510599_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxASzaa5sh3M2AyHnNrsb2iElUk3O3h9H-PcySF5Cuh3cXSJr_6bgAfBS0H71UG_0EKcPFZblfzlybanahlIlKZXBsEUlYUSKhpMUZURlxarLIAAnatCaWbF1Ki55ansUAxCb6-diATAw/s400/13130854_1186589234694403_8652989730369510599_o.jpg" width="400" /></a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sweet baby boy, you captured my heart from the moment I saw you. My love for you was instant and overwhelming. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCchSkBljjRHaxxaEwZKDheslr9WVRHwh-o70HAg4EVZtTOiAPSYnap6iQ2-2C0F2ZeT5geMzeZfgIQrqu_SiPVdkaFNK1gixqU4q886BEoDQ2CUU5X2R80YG2I5pq0OXtGUt3ELyV4xo/s1600/12189285_1076428739043787_7084136069967395844_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCchSkBljjRHaxxaEwZKDheslr9WVRHwh-o70HAg4EVZtTOiAPSYnap6iQ2-2C0F2ZeT5geMzeZfgIQrqu_SiPVdkaFNK1gixqU4q886BEoDQ2CUU5X2R80YG2I5pq0OXtGUt3ELyV4xo/s320/12189285_1076428739043787_7084136069967395844_o.jpg" width="320" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I fought hard for you and prayed desperately for you, and God honored those prayers. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He gave you a family. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He moved you to a place filled with hope and love.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And he healed you, completely.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You will always be in my heart and never far from my thoughts. I am so thankful for time I had with you and for the privilege of loving you. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You were a treasure, hidden in the darkness, and I am so thankful that God let me find you. I'll see you again soon.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All my love.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMZxxE-2rmDU4lzmZxyIDoWebxVXArDUsUFeXQzlv8Fbr9CqJ5RiXzY4PGnbpkBAFD7iF-HSS2prxKJy9hzTXHmc0QiC9Y_TSf4IXHhOApngzgKMa8FzsTacUIpr8Qn-t3cGWAAGZ1LuI/s1600/13063108_1178254805527846_2111268489687429101_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMZxxE-2rmDU4lzmZxyIDoWebxVXArDUsUFeXQzlv8Fbr9CqJ5RiXzY4PGnbpkBAFD7iF-HSS2prxKJy9hzTXHmc0QiC9Y_TSf4IXHhOApngzgKMa8FzsTacUIpr8Qn-t3cGWAAGZ1LuI/s320/13063108_1178254805527846_2111268489687429101_o.jpg" width="229" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwFjO51VCpulQZ6e3XI7sPYwh0m_dGu2RpVYdiEanHSkKkn09JjeS0YO_5nYflvSnCFn4Yhqqwd65ZK7OpY1nF9FZ5gM5APTKga5B4yb3bN6_wizLo9k3F9kgwA2KqAo04c1xuHP8hVrc/s1600/13029627_1178254828861177_5496513218755603538_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwFjO51VCpulQZ6e3XI7sPYwh0m_dGu2RpVYdiEanHSkKkn09JjeS0YO_5nYflvSnCFn4Yhqqwd65ZK7OpY1nF9FZ5gM5APTKga5B4yb3bN6_wizLo9k3F9kgwA2KqAo04c1xuHP8hVrc/s320/13029627_1178254828861177_5496513218755603538_o.jpg" width="213" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"For as the heaven are higher than the earth,</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So are My ways higher than you ways </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And My thoughts than yours."</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Isa. 55:9 </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc-EXhoQYUF1cY2DXcA_op2hOe7qtj1TCOftDvC-R__xDWjw8BGnfkXIqyK0Uo4w0sPAZXxgCsAesYym6y7yPCx1Yg9oopYetRQwS5qQSyAWscjWz5lRJc36q0X0TN0tQag1889sX6cSo/s1600/12742716_10205555638359044_5017804888112110043_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc-EXhoQYUF1cY2DXcA_op2hOe7qtj1TCOftDvC-R__xDWjw8BGnfkXIqyK0Uo4w0sPAZXxgCsAesYym6y7yPCx1Yg9oopYetRQwS5qQSyAWscjWz5lRJc36q0X0TN0tQag1889sX6cSo/s400/12742716_10205555638359044_5017804888112110043_n.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...and He is still good.</span></div>
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Ashley Gosnellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01549347958635202821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8630213365715786434.post-62681179218556999742016-01-15T08:48:00.000-05:002016-01-15T08:49:15.897-05:00Bringing Seth Home!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5adk0MnsfW1DQ6jdYcuUZIcn4_vE-KgfbJwky_WO7jh_RqIG8x5cLThGdRyViDvfBs6twR_YhDDHgQdWuiYJaAZ2RLzB_3vA6NnQ-sn-YWCSK92XUHp6Swkmwn1GVK7-VAqBzQYjd_fA/s1600/22375013477_0f0929e5dc_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5adk0MnsfW1DQ6jdYcuUZIcn4_vE-KgfbJwky_WO7jh_RqIG8x5cLThGdRyViDvfBs6twR_YhDDHgQdWuiYJaAZ2RLzB_3vA6NnQ-sn-YWCSK92XUHp6Swkmwn1GVK7-VAqBzQYjd_fA/s400/22375013477_0f0929e5dc_o.jpg" width="227" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;">"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> than
all we ask or imagine,</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> according to his power that is at work within us, </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">to him
be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">throughout all generations, for ever
and ever! Amen." </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Eph. 3:20-21</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We serve a mighty God who hears our cries. I am rejoicing
today to be able to share the wonderful news that this precious boy that we
have prayed so hard for has a family. God has raised up a family that is
immeasurably more than I could have asked or imagine for Seth. To God be the
glory! Great things He has done. Here are Seth's mama's words about this
incredible journey. Be blessed!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“In a crib, in an orphanage, halfway around the world, sits
a boy. He’s easy to miss, as he sits there quietly with his head bowed. You
might even pass him by, unless you took the time to look into his face, pick
him up, hold him in your arms. At that moment, he becomes unforgettable.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was mid-December when I first read these words. They were
written by a woman, Ashley, who had visited an orphanage in China. She wrote a
blog post about a little boy she called Seth and it appeared in my facebook
timeline when a friend shared it. I see a lot of these posts about children
waiting for families, many every day. I often do not read them because it’s
just so hard on my heart.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But for some reason that day, I opened the link. I read the
blog. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Her words broke me. I read about Seth, a 6-year-old boy who
could not see, or talk, or walk, who spent his days sitting in a crib. I looked
at his pictures and watched a video of him. His smile was so beautiful and my
heart was shattered to think of him all alone, without a family to care for him
or love him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I couldn’t get him out of my head. I laid awake at night for
hours and hours with tears streaming down my face in the dark. I know there are
children all over the world living like this, but to see this child and his
smile and sweet spirit…it broke me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Lord, who will touch him? Who will hold him? Who will sing
to him and tell him that he is loved?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ashley’s words echoes in my own heart until I could not bear
it any longer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With my heart beating so fast I thought it might burst, I
took his picture and story to Brad. It’s happened a few times over the last few
years. Sometimes he says yes (Nathan and Olivia!) and other times he says no,
this is not where the Lord is taking us. I am so thankful to know that I can
share my heart with him and trust that he will seek God and lead our family so
well. I fully expected him to say no but to pray with me for a family for Seth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Seth’s picture went on our fridge, and we did pray. We
prayed earnestly with tears for this little boy. We talked and talked and
prayed and prayed. And then one day we were standing in the kitchen and Brad
looked at me and said, “We can’t leave him there.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And that was that. We won’t leave him there. We have our
answer to who will touch him, who will hold him and sing to him and tell him
that he’s loved. We will. We will do it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So with GREAT JOY I am ready to share that we have received
Pre-Approval from China to move forward in adopting Seth! There are many
challenges ahead and lots for us to learn, but we know this: we will not be
going alone. The Lord is Mighty and He will provide all we need. We trust in
Him completely and are so thankful for the gift He is giving us in Seth. He is
a treasure and we have nothing but excitement to add him to our family. We do
this not because we feel we should, but because we can and because we want to!
God is weaving an extraordinary story for our family, one that we never could
have imagined, but He has changed us along the way in ways we never expected
and we can’t wait to see what else He is going to do!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We certainly would appreciate your prayers in the days
ahead. Pray for Seth, that he will receive the care and attention he needs.
Pray for our family as we look to move house very soon to make room for our
ever-expanding family! Pray that we keep the Lord always before us and remember
that with God, all things are possible!</span><o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You can continue to be part of Seth's journey. Click <a href="https://www.youcaring.com/brad-and-rachel-hunt-489868">HERE</a> to contribute to Seth's adoption fund. If everyone who has read his story would give $10, his adoption would be fully funded! Thank you for helping Seth come HOME!!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkSRhUv6quooExzpLhbQCPvTBX51YXOUpPPiWFjjFSk8aFKLvDBUgLSMepV-sA-ilfaHz8RmsRIgLU8jmkDK7Ble8E7vuLvjaLGiv-SOumrPPJ04UzfpbdF9eeml_jcNz9XWy8l737E8U/s1600/IMG_6039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkSRhUv6quooExzpLhbQCPvTBX51YXOUpPPiWFjjFSk8aFKLvDBUgLSMepV-sA-ilfaHz8RmsRIgLU8jmkDK7Ble8E7vuLvjaLGiv-SOumrPPJ04UzfpbdF9eeml_jcNz9XWy8l737E8U/s320/IMG_6039.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Because of the devastation of the afflicted, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">because of the groaning of the needy,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now I will arise,” says the Lord; <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“I will set him in the safety for which he longs.”</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ps. 12:5</span></div>
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Ashley Gosnellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01549347958635202821noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8630213365715786434.post-8553139282549145442015-11-20T14:36:00.000-05:002015-11-21T19:52:10.290-05:00Appointed One<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_uGAYUuMksbVHIf74b8Vp8r4V_B6vWO2QbqdxffQwrRXKST2xDtU688tFTzhEL_sBvzfwDakQ8v6Sxdo-IkPKmiWrOcCblJoNF9rBE_0coSor8d-Arg6D0vz6tBkJclGHD0aDAU22jx0/s1600/12189285_1076428739043787_7084136069967395844_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_uGAYUuMksbVHIf74b8Vp8r4V_B6vWO2QbqdxffQwrRXKST2xDtU688tFTzhEL_sBvzfwDakQ8v6Sxdo-IkPKmiWrOcCblJoNF9rBE_0coSor8d-Arg6D0vz6tBkJclGHD0aDAU22jx0/s400/12189285_1076428739043787_7084136069967395844_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"I will give you treasures hidden in the darkness - secret riches. </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I will do this so you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">the one who calls you by name."</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Isa. 45:3</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In a crib, in an orphanage, halfway around the world, sits a boy. He's easy to miss, as he sits there quietly with his head bowed. You might even pass him by, unless you took the time to look into his face, pick him up, hold him in your arms. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">At that moment, he </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">becomes unforgettable.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMbYO0YOUyrVEI85hURnRtDipTCoohtbvYDQNQEhZfNG1N3nUloK8m_z9MPOrKQV3mhxKTFPHG4VQH3SRhBMqK73uCHrM5Y5ypuqrQPqZQu4bP4oyH7y9JG24tmPrVEYt-jh-J8A8T9AE/s1600/IMG_6039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMbYO0YOUyrVEI85hURnRtDipTCoohtbvYDQNQEhZfNG1N3nUloK8m_z9MPOrKQV3mhxKTFPHG4VQH3SRhBMqK73uCHrM5Y5ypuqrQPqZQu4bP4oyH7y9JG24tmPrVEYt-jh-J8A8T9AE/s320/IMG_6039.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This is what happened to me on Monday, October 19, 2015. I walked into his room, going from crib to crib to speak to each child, to touch each child, to tell them that I saw them, that they mattered. His was the last crib on the back row. He sat so still, not making a sound. All I could see was the back of his head, as he had it bowed down. I reached out to stoke his head, never dreaming that I was about to lose my heart. When I touched him, he raised his head up, and I saw his face for the first time, a face that radiated with joy and light. I felt the presence of the Lord. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I was the only one on our team in this room. The nannies spoke no English. I spoke no Chinese. There was no way for me to find out anything about him, not even whether he was a boy or a girl. All I knew was that I had never been affected by anyone like I was at that moment by him. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlb7I-lZfFdH2X5RdseGLotTZMqHBkUVtmHo_PK6hqrVWLcHQ85OroiFNJMJnRFChWyS4txk4xK6w-xFz2BXJMoSPGkak51QSJrf8Wqf24b62y3AjUA-ATyYZlLIgqIKdyT45ntIltWw4/s1600/22401208679_1a6ef4028a_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlb7I-lZfFdH2X5RdseGLotTZMqHBkUVtmHo_PK6hqrVWLcHQ85OroiFNJMJnRFChWyS4txk4xK6w-xFz2BXJMoSPGkak51QSJrf8Wqf24b62y3AjUA-ATyYZlLIgqIKdyT45ntIltWw4/s320/22401208679_1a6ef4028a_o.jpg" width="190" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As the week went on, I spent every second I could with him. He could not walk or talk or see, but to be with him was enough. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">To hear the precious laughter (<a href="https://youtu.be/CLmt1mm4Gv4">video</a>) flow from his beautiful lips when I tickled him. To see his pure joy t</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">he first time I put his hand to my face, his delicate little fingers gently touching my eyes, my nose, my mouth, my hair, the fuzzy softness of my shirt. It was like I was watching him "see" for the first time. To let him run his hand down the wall as I carried him around the orphanage with me. To experience his wonder as I carried him outside and he felt the crisp air on his cheeks. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">These were holy moments.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I was continually crying out to the Lord for this precious baby boy. My heart was torn to shreds, knowing that I would leave in a few short days. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"Lord, who will touch him? Who will hold him? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Who will sing to him and tell him that he is loved?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"God, You have to give me some hope. Show me, Lord, that You have a plan for him beyond his life in that small, dark crib."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And He did. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib69Nsq64nzCd1IUz6A7k2uaI4erIQq13VIgZL-P2uIrZBebaXPa9LksDOJEiNFjQN_y9TZ7FJ__2r2diMsaf36dpFfRHR7iE3hzam3C3bry1ZVEdw7qxOy3Ajb9cRa5Buwr9rH03q4C8/s1600/Qing+Bai+Ping+Photo+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib69Nsq64nzCd1IUz6A7k2uaI4erIQq13VIgZL-P2uIrZBebaXPa9LksDOJEiNFjQN_y9TZ7FJ__2r2diMsaf36dpFfRHR7iE3hzam3C3bry1ZVEdw7qxOy3Ajb9cRa5Buwr9rH03q4C8/s320/Qing+Bai+Ping+Photo+2.jpg" width="224" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Up to this point, I had held little hope that the orphanage would allow him to be registered for adoption, because of his age and special needs. But God had a plan for this precious one long before I arrived. Through a set of circumstances, I discovered, much to my surprise, that he was actually already registered and available for adoption and had been for some time. The orphanage told me that they were going to pull his adoption paperwork because he had been available for so long and no one had chosen him. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The orphanage staff agreed that if I could find him a family, they would reinstate his paperwork. I requested that they allow him to be in the physical therapy program so that he could get stronger in the meantime, and they agreed to this as well.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As I held him on my lap one morning, I prayed that that the Lord would give me an English name for him to use when I shared his story. In that very moment, the Lord whisper, "Seth," but I wasn't sure it was from Him. Not until I looked up the meaning of this name. Seth means "appointed one." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This whole time I had been asking God, </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"Why him? Why this little boy out of so many beautiful precious children in this place?" </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Now I knew. He was the appointed one for me. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I was supposed to tell Seth's story.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So, I am telling it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This </span><a href="https://youtu.be/ET4vc685xvc" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">video</a> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">of Seth on one of our last days together is such a treasure for me. Words cannot adequately describe this amazing boy, but this video catches a glimpse of what I experienced with him. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbanrmCiB82tTb1yuYXYqQLh4SofnEhyphenhyphentUBJt_baqZPNALujQxjWtJYVC6YLmwN0AxlIOcM0y2eAva-l3crX1UVQjBAkhj9xKjRKMSj5en2bhEFj47mPZkAYykUJ5J3Cme9SmjyUYWVH4/s1600/22401180919_a6770b8cea_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbanrmCiB82tTb1yuYXYqQLh4SofnEhyphenhyphentUBJt_baqZPNALujQxjWtJYVC6YLmwN0AxlIOcM0y2eAva-l3crX1UVQjBAkhj9xKjRKMSj5en2bhEFj47mPZkAYykUJ5J3Cme9SmjyUYWVH4/s320/22401180919_a6770b8cea_o.jpg" width="188" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbcfhFr5WDa_E43UTgU-9U5E14Wos4lfRWOykk-0lEUob1E6R0IW0P03pLI54HdRDc5a66LHTu0pcNHuaC1dkHfuvZt_D3olFPZNLoMR_fugWgydjQHVReVtJCr-F77YYswmSSALzxu6E/s1600/12045481_10153029396296537_1724595173410236351_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbcfhFr5WDa_E43UTgU-9U5E14Wos4lfRWOykk-0lEUob1E6R0IW0P03pLI54HdRDc5a66LHTu0pcNHuaC1dkHfuvZt_D3olFPZNLoMR_fugWgydjQHVReVtJCr-F77YYswmSSALzxu6E/s320/12045481_10153029396296537_1724595173410236351_o.jpg" width="212" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This beautiful six-year-old boy needs a family. This boy who has waited 5 years for someone to choose him needs to be chosen. Seth, so full of life and light, whose laugh lights up the room, is the "treasure hidden in the darkness," and he is waiting to be a son. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxzNCr1WomKvFsfqtsWkhHkm-orzbkPVa_jgotB-Bj-jhkKfVaVzI0nXyoTRMN3kPfsyFzDLiEGmn5tL5yW60gcUW6qwdLBw-FTFeArKEDlAixCIkZfAEZhZ4Wu7EpQTOzPA0Kynkf4FU/s1600/22375013477_0f0929e5dc_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxzNCr1WomKvFsfqtsWkhHkm-orzbkPVa_jgotB-Bj-jhkKfVaVzI0nXyoTRMN3kPfsyFzDLiEGmn5tL5yW60gcUW6qwdLBw-FTFeArKEDlAixCIkZfAEZhZ4Wu7EpQTOzPA0Kynkf4FU/s400/22375013477_0f0929e5dc_o.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">1 John 5:14-15 says:</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"And this is the confidence we have towards Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of Him."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Would you join me in crying out for Seth to the Lord, who is the </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"Father to the fatherless?" To the One who delights to set the lonely into families, that He may place Seth into a family soon? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I believe He will hear and answer.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj31PPxRSNMVPSQqOkYj1rqyVguH0UyeyLwyc34heavkltMDdYIvaNKo6KLzj1kcm-v5TOJWNDEk6QWIuZIIVOPRx8kaz0O1DdLJ6J-PEfeUhyphenhyphenH6cuuJRMTbzxKgj7gO7Nvd7hD-3JFHmw/s1600/22752879906_2803cec7a7_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj31PPxRSNMVPSQqOkYj1rqyVguH0UyeyLwyc34heavkltMDdYIvaNKo6KLzj1kcm-v5TOJWNDEk6QWIuZIIVOPRx8kaz0O1DdLJ6J-PEfeUhyphenhyphenH6cuuJRMTbzxKgj7gO7Nvd7hD-3JFHmw/s320/22752879906_2803cec7a7_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"O Lord, You hear the desire of the afflicted; </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">You will strengthen their heart; </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">You will incline Your ear </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">to do justice </span><span style="color: blue; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">to the fatherless and the oppressed, </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more."</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Ps. 10:17-18</span></div>
Ashley Gosnellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01549347958635202821noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8630213365715786434.post-62198175200974759542015-02-02T14:14:00.000-05:002015-02-02T14:14:12.494-05:00In the Arms of Jesus Now<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvKaY_vMeRlUhdgfELSBPKdh7YdxTIlKQdxSNjpTcMxvzei4jjiWULDkWRNkBFuZqFTSxF7YUqZukhWTiaRNWUrhcb5td_gu-DODUcOI48qYV9E8i7OJCRWQGOBWuDUp_u7ezXfgNpF-4/s1600/Hope+Qing+Xiao+Yao.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvKaY_vMeRlUhdgfELSBPKdh7YdxTIlKQdxSNjpTcMxvzei4jjiWULDkWRNkBFuZqFTSxF7YUqZukhWTiaRNWUrhcb5td_gu-DODUcOI48qYV9E8i7OJCRWQGOBWuDUp_u7ezXfgNpF-4/s1600/Hope+Qing+Xiao+Yao.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"For it was You who created my inward parts<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You knit me together in my mother’s womb.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I will praise You because I have been remarkably and
wonderfully made.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Your works are wonderful, and I know this very well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My bones were not hidden from You when I was made in secret,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">when I was formed in the depths of the earth.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Your eyes saw me when I was formless; </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">all my days were written in Your book and
planned before a single one of them began."</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Psalms 139: 13-16</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My heart is grieving. Our team is grieving. Our Baby Hope has passed away. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our Baby Hope who we love so dearly, who captured our hearts with her hard-earned smile. This one whose giggle was like the sweetest music ever. This one who we have prayed for, longed for, fought for...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...is in the arms of Jesus now.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She no longer lies in her crib the corner, halfway around the world, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">seemingly forgotten.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Her legs are no longer lifeless and limp.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She no longer cries when touched or held.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, through our tears, we rejoice.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Knowing that she is healed and home.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Knowing that her body is now whole.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Knowing we will see her again one day soon.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have such a deep, profound gratitude that the Lord allowed me to be part of her life, even for such a brief time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She is loved, she is valued, she is remembered.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am thankful that she is known and that she will be mourned.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If ever I would doubt whether it is worth "going"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">all I have to do is remember my Baby Hope.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She was worth it all.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I will never forget you, my sweet Baby Girl. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So so glad you are with your Daddy now. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'll see you soon.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even
though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show
that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies
gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith
remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and
honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. You love him
even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him;
and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy."</span></div>
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Ashley Gosnellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01549347958635202821noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8630213365715786434.post-390388783556162552014-11-05T19:36:00.001-05:002014-11-19T22:27:05.808-05:00Won't You Be My Love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglGFff3aRH4gX2wMvqjklN7bTnCkx4vO8WNXS3576QoMEfxpSWUhAsupXbFUj0Y5NkUyuLGzRu9heh2u9RXZuqdsrNP7DnRf2CwR6O_VUiX16AuHBtoFFNP1kxVWMLjZYi1RfkVuk0QPg/s1600/IMG_0940.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglGFff3aRH4gX2wMvqjklN7bTnCkx4vO8WNXS3576QoMEfxpSWUhAsupXbFUj0Y5NkUyuLGzRu9heh2u9RXZuqdsrNP7DnRf2CwR6O_VUiX16AuHBtoFFNP1kxVWMLjZYi1RfkVuk0QPg/s1600/IMG_0940.JPG" height="297" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Psalm 82:3</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My heart is filled to the brim and broken and bleeding, all at the same time. I have looked into the face of Jesus, and I will never be the same. I am so grateful for the high and holy privilege of serving precious orphans in China, the least of the least. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They also happened to be in the same place where my daughter spent the first 17 months of her life. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was an experience that brought tears, and joy, laughter and deep grief. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So much of the time in the adoption world, children are known by their label, their special need. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But in the six days that we were at the orphanage, I saw past their special need. I saw these children in all of their preciousness, and I fell in love with each one. My time there seemed too short, and my heart longs to be back among them. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They are in my thoughts constantly. I wonder how they are. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Did anyone get them out of their crib today? Did someone touch them, speak to them, love them today? Are they hungry now? Did someone change their diaper enough today?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These precious babies will forever be buried deep in my heart. I feel so honored to have cared for them, even if it was just for a few short days. They have done for me more than I could ever do for them. They have changed me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now when I read Jesus' words in Matt. 25:35-36,</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"'For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me',"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I will forever think of </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8a7xc7Ku9i4yPIUW2UFA8Bxy0AkJxAO6dhtfd3zy3U78gkD6ZrM5prp4XnhqPpQPRcmVeJAGnaWSvT1JPNbVX2gVbDZTKZuGlGzpmlDqk9jlESsY70adt8K2MZRsSAOYTvyIg1gVMKw4/s1600/IMG_0996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8a7xc7Ku9i4yPIUW2UFA8Bxy0AkJxAO6dhtfd3zy3U78gkD6ZrM5prp4XnhqPpQPRcmVeJAGnaWSvT1JPNbVX2gVbDZTKZuGlGzpmlDqk9jlESsY70adt8K2MZRsSAOYTvyIg1gVMKw4/s1600/IMG_0996.JPG" height="259" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...Little Nancy who was so tiny and my battle to get her more milk,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...of little man who was snatching up all the stray noodles that had fallen from the spoon of another child. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBNPcCepsksGeNtgqxLPTaQinDj7JuDCnlogZKzFjvQmaKzmoMKKnKNiBSTVL9fs5rqIYSEf8hEgnDoMJKZrELIIpg00-g9Bb1Bm_kASrl326xAOJiR90DtM0bFkYmNkcY5D4ki661Mzw/s1600/IMG_0997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBNPcCepsksGeNtgqxLPTaQinDj7JuDCnlogZKzFjvQmaKzmoMKKnKNiBSTVL9fs5rqIYSEf8hEgnDoMJKZrELIIpg00-g9Bb1Bm_kASrl326xAOJiR90DtM0bFkYmNkcY5D4ki661Mzw/s1600/IMG_0997.JPG" height="320" width="238" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> ...of Baby Hope whose body and crib hold her prisoner, whose clothes were so wet and who was desperate for touch even though she cried when being held and how she surprised us all, even the nannies, when she finally settled down and let out the most beautiful giggle over a crinkle blanket. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...of the one who was crying in seeming agony in his crib be</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">cause his body could not function the way it should, but quieted when I sang "Jesus Loves You," and stroked his precious head. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0K7fA1_S8e7uQUMCJ13tpLywHXwFcxSNEAfAWzyHM6F2qopt0VRooE1Fn2VKmy3nyO9DPIX9yM4nmZ98KQC5yTlN4AGJRx_S3EUjSB4hbnNAtBZr3fLTxBBuNRKHxaRO9Xv9nHr49HTU/s1600/IMG_1112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0K7fA1_S8e7uQUMCJ13tpLywHXwFcxSNEAfAWzyHM6F2qopt0VRooE1Fn2VKmy3nyO9DPIX9yM4nmZ98KQC5yTlN4AGJRx_S3EUjSB4hbnNAtBZr3fLTxBBuNRKHxaRO9Xv9nHr49HTU/s1600/IMG_1112.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...of sweet baby girl whose head was so large from hydrocephalus, who cried quietly so much the time, but was soothed when held so gently by our team members.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTRE2Kg1yx_DLQqSLCgPU9qmfYBdYw5O4svghK8QFmf4BV5jwPKDNUPGBVmiN7fV3zwMIqQ-mrgdB9T2B0kUGXaUcdQ3FIMtY9EY-onPEGME5YXUpJTrY-n3URim3zV2ycDgBUEsVQ0Wo/s1600/IMG_1107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTRE2Kg1yx_DLQqSLCgPU9qmfYBdYw5O4svghK8QFmf4BV5jwPKDNUPGBVmiN7fV3zwMIqQ-mrgdB9T2B0kUGXaUcdQ3FIMtY9EY-onPEGME5YXUpJTrY-n3URim3zV2ycDgBUEsVQ0Wo/s1600/IMG_1107.JPG" height="320" width="238" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I will think of little Cindy whose mind was so bright but whose body was so weak and how we were able to shed light on her condition in hopes of setting her free from her crib.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWreEYB0HTomwMNQUWtOmwaRW2VdFuqu0hfcV9CrwbQkKSe2WiTX4JK7lxtyeaYy94yfTPFfBx7pgj6zw3GPUyXs-ESWnDk5Z6SekToxCB2mTBS-eTpK4d3cCbl60CtJ_amALMbPVcbIY/s1600/IMG_1115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWreEYB0HTomwMNQUWtOmwaRW2VdFuqu0hfcV9CrwbQkKSe2WiTX4JK7lxtyeaYy94yfTPFfBx7pgj6zw3GPUyXs-ESWnDk5Z6SekToxCB2mTBS-eTpK4d3cCbl60CtJ_amALMbPVcbIY/s1600/IMG_1115.JPG" height="320" width="216" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and Roo, whose eyes would light </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">up at the sight of her special American friend who adopted her for the week and who was so proud of herself when she counted in Chinese.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNFSrABEB4KpO4UxaYl8bXNaEzwCeWQ8ZreiUOL2DUCSaRWG_aOGta_u6rowPlV4j_t7oG8taw0K_R1RCPQIDMRtjucB6PyVQ-jll0nR1lzzGx6Ihw4bjBIXpfQhlpnr-VfM6CTYSdVco/s1600/IMG_0981.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNFSrABEB4KpO4UxaYl8bXNaEzwCeWQ8ZreiUOL2DUCSaRWG_aOGta_u6rowPlV4j_t7oG8taw0K_R1RCPQIDMRtjucB6PyVQ-jll0nR1lzzGx6Ihw4bjBIXpfQhlpnr-VfM6CTYSdVco/s1600/IMG_0981.JPG" height="236" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I will think of Smiley, who always had a smile on his face even though his arms and legs didn't move the way they needed to and left him a bystander much of the time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...of adorable David who loved to be cuddled and Kasen who picked up toys for the babies whose toys had fallen out of their crib. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">And so, now, when I think of orphans, I don't think of the huge group of 147 million. I think of these precious ones, the ones we held, the ones we kissed and snuggled, and changed and prayed </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">over </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">desperately. I cry tears for these precious ones who deserve so much but whom the world has seemingly forgotten. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But even though my heart breaks for them, they are not without HOPE. Although we had to leave, He is still there. He is with them, He is singing over them, He SEES them because </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He is El Roi, the God who sees, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He is the Father to the fatherless,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He is the Defender of orphans and widows</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He is the the God of Justice and </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">the One who executes justice for them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And, so, I have hope. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hope that He is fighting for them and </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hope because He allows me to fight for them too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Orphancare is not just another cause. It's not just someone's agenda. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">IT'S GOD'S HEART.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is His everlasting mission. It's the reason He came. It's the reason He died. It's the reason He rose again.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If we claim to be His followers, we MUST be about defending the fatherless, the poor, the oppressed because HE IS.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"A Father to the Fatherless, a Defender of widows, </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">is God in His holy dwelling."</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ps 68:5</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">James 1:27 says that pure and genuine religion is to care for orphans and </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">widows in their distress and to refuse to the let the world corrupt us. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And that's the key.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When we care for orphans and widows in their distress, we are the ones changed. It opens our eyes to the unimportant things in life that try to consume us each day. It helps us to focus on what truly matters in this life rather than continuously focusing on ourselves. And that's why we must all be involved in caring for them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There are many ways to do that. Here are a few ideas:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1. Adoption. It's an amazing experience. <a href="http://www.awaa.org/default.aspx">Here</a> is a link where you can go for more information about the process.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2. Help another family adopt. <a href="https://vimeo.com/110832928">Here</a> is a link to page where you can donate to my good friend Beth York and her family who are bringing another little one home from China.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3. GO. <a href="http://www.awaa.org/ACT/trips.aspx">Here</a> is a link to a list of trips planned for next year. I would love for you to join my team next October going to China.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4. Support the Love Without Boundaries Believe in Me School that will be up and running in this orphanage hopefully by the end of December of THIS year (2014)! <a href="https://www.lovewithoutboundaries.com/programs/education/sponsor-a-child/believe-in-me-qingyang-school/">Here</a> is a link to sponsor a child who is enrolled in this school.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Please listen to the following song as you look through the pictures:</span></div>
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<a href="http://youtu.be/v8YsxvD2PPQ">Won't You Be My Love by Mercy Me</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And to my precious team: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers." Eph 1:16</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You guys are 17 of the very best people on the face of the earth. I love each of you dearly. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">May the Lord bless you and keep you, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">make His face shine upon you,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and give you peace.</span></div>
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Ashley Gosnellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01549347958635202821noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8630213365715786434.post-51406291789859924722014-10-15T14:15:00.001-04:002014-10-15T14:20:31.478-04:00Loving the Least in China<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"And the King will answer them,</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> ‘Truly, I say
to you, </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">as you did it to one of the least of these </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">my brothers, </span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">you
did it to me.’"</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Matthew 25:40</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Tomorrow we go. After months and months of planning,
preparing, praying, we are finally going to <st1:country-region w:st="on">China</st1:country-region>. It hardly seems
possible. We will finally see these little face that we have prayed for.
We will finally hold and love and pray over these little ones who are the
least of the least. The ones that the world has forgotten, but that the
Lord calls "hidden treasures."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We go with humble hearts, hoping to make a difference, but
knowing that it will be us most changed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And that is our prayer.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Lord, break our hearts. May we never be the
same. May we experience You in such a way that we long for You more and
more. May we come back and be a voice for those who have no voice.
May we be willing to give up our comforts to provide for the least."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We are so very grateful for this high and holy privilege of
loving the least, of being His hands and feet, of ministering to Jesus Himself
in caring for these hidden treasures.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Please pray for our team. The enemy is fighting so
hard against us and our families, but he will not defeat us. We go in the
name of Jesus, who already has the victory! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here are some specific things you can pray for:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">*Traveling mercies</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">*Safe arrival of our luggage!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">*Good health</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">*Our husbands/family back home</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">*Team unity</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">*Servant's hearts</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">*Opportunities to share Christ</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">*Strength physically. spiritually, emotionally</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">*Christ's love to radiate from us</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">*Lasting heart changes for our team</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">*Many children to be cared for and adopted because of this
trip!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">You can follow our team blog for this trip here: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.actchinamission1014.com/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">www.ACTChinaMission1014.com</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I also hope to update this personal blog as well during the
trip!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It truly has taken a multitude of people to get us to </span><st1:country-region style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" w:st="on">China</st1:country-region><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">, and we
are so very grateful to each one of you who has given, prayed and supported us.
May the Lord return the blessing to you a hundred fold!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Trip Details</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Dates: Oct 16-26</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Team in <st1:city w:st="on">Beijing</st1:city>
until the 19th</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Team in host city from the 19th-25th</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Team returns to <st1:city w:st="on">Beijing</st1:city>
on 25th</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Team flies home on the 26th</span></div>
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<br />Ashley Gosnellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01549347958635202821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8630213365715786434.post-92007954729659510472014-07-10T12:11:00.000-04:002014-07-10T12:11:17.554-04:00Entering In<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and
when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned; </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">the flames will not set you ablaze.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Isaiah 43:2</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We have made it one year post-placement in our adoption. (AKA we have had our babies home one year.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am still breathing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My children are still alive.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is success.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We were not naive going in to this, knowing a family with six children would be impossibly hard. (At least, I thought we weren't!) But knowing it and living it are two completely different things, and "impossibly hard" doesn't seem to be an adequate description of life on this side of the journey. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For the last year, my house has not been clean, the clothes (if they got washed) were always piled on the couches, dinner consisted of something out of a box, little fingernails were always too long and had dirt under them, my standard of personal hygiene went down considerably, and I almost forgot the wonderful man I am married to. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And that was the good part.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Trials have also come from the outside as well. Sickness (months and months of pukes, dukes, and the absolutely horrible flu), a broken bone, broken relationships, stress infinitum, and even the loss of animals to wild dogs (seriously). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We have been hard pressed on every side. We have walked through deep waters and through fire. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But, God...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don't you love that. It is always, "But, God..." He is our Rescuer. He is our Sustainer. He is our Provider. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is by His mercy that we are not crushed, and by His grace we are not destroyed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He has allowed us to be brought low, to walk through fire, to be broken. HE HAS ALLOWED IT in His great wisdom and mercy, so that we can be refined and made into an acceptable vessel that He can use. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But refining is such. a. messy. process. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All kinds of gunk comes to the surface. Selfishness, impatience, lack of thankfulness, pity-parties, negative attitudes, etc., etc. -- it has all come to light. Pure Yuck. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But when God allows us to see our sin the way He sees it, pride goes out the window. Humbleness is left in its place.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And I am thankful.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am thankful because God tells us that He gives grace to the humble, that He considers the lowly and gives ear to their cry. Psalms 25:9 says, "He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble His way."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, do I regret it? Do I regret entering in to the pain of another? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No, it is just the opposite. It is my greatest joy because it has been my rescuing. He is rescuing me from my sin and my self. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And isn't that what He did for us on the cross? He entered in to our world, our lives, our mess, to rescue us from an eternity without Him. He was broken and brought low on our behalf. He suffered and died so that we might live.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So we must enter in. If we are truly following Him, we must.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There is an orphan crisis. 147 million around the world, waiting for someone to enter in their world. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But there are also neighbors, friends, family right beside us, who are in hard places. Who need us to enter in. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Even if it's messy. Even if it uncomfortable. Even if it costs us dearly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jesus says to love Him with all of our heart and love our neighbor as ourselves. He tells the story of the Good Samaritan and asks at the end, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to
the man who was attacked by bandits?” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.”</span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">God doesn't call us to a life of comfort. He calls us to enter in to the lives of others, to be His hands and feet, to be the salt and light of the world.</span></o:p></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's messy business. It's hard and causes great discomfort sometimes. It forces us to be vulnerable and makes our lives feel out of control. It might mean our house is a disaster and our clothes aren't as clean as we would like.</span></o:p></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But, in the end, we get Him.</span></o:p></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And HE IS WORTH IT.</span></o:p></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So...</span></o:p></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Enter in.</span></o:p></div>
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<br />Ashley Gosnellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01549347958635202821noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8630213365715786434.post-64679761220144926362014-01-17T18:11:00.000-05:002014-01-19T19:26:11.640-05:00He Redeems Our Losses<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqT7T59QWoJ55pj0w2sEL9aBTtvYQqA0urvXb_6BeO92u2JXVaC0XqEWNaMJ-8ssQWGZ-XOH-Yt-5cJpPLLBskdFeSLbSsC_CknHgnS4CqP981v9Cvtr7UmPFyYC76tK7zIGYfUcofqrk/s1600/DSCN4106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqT7T59QWoJ55pj0w2sEL9aBTtvYQqA0urvXb_6BeO92u2JXVaC0XqEWNaMJ-8ssQWGZ-XOH-Yt-5cJpPLLBskdFeSLbSsC_CknHgnS4CqP981v9Cvtr7UmPFyYC76tK7zIGYfUcofqrk/s1600/DSCN4106.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"I will meditate on all Your work and muse on Your deeds.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Your way, O God, is holy; what god is great like our God?</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You are the God who works wonders;</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You have made known Your strength among the peoples."</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ps. 77:12-14</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was one year ago today, January 17, 2013, that the Lord revealed His breathtakingly beautiful plan for us. A plan of redemption that He had been working for so long. A plan that began with mourning and ashes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It all began in February 2004, when we were 7 weeks into our second pregnancy. I had had some spotting and went in for check up. Our fears were confirmed. Our doctor could find no heartbeat. We had lost our baby. So, on Friday, Feb. 13, we went to the hospital to have a procedure to remove our baby. We were heartbroken. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was a day of ashes. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But God's grace is sufficient, and six months later, we were expecting our third baby. God has healed our hearts, and we were so excited about this precious one growing inside. So much so, that, when the due date for our second baby rolled around, I didn't even realize it. It never crossed our minds. But God knew because He doesn't forget our tears. And He wanted me to know that. So, on that day, He set the most beautiful rainbow you can imagine, right over our house. Literally. It was so amazing in fact, that I went out and took pictures, still not realizing the significance of THIS rainbow on THIS day. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAja_s3QEZUD_OjKi0D1iXyz8ixghdgpHr7ZPo8nZ4TAsZbjlJL_hIWyARIU-uenhsgBMGJ6Kzi8uCyPK46jHkVAL-VN8tJEPnE6sSDuRLVeb2Popnb2fXLskR5UgXSnp6GVNAIWOYulA/s1600/DSC00013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAja_s3QEZUD_OjKi0D1iXyz8ixghdgpHr7ZPo8nZ4TAsZbjlJL_hIWyARIU-uenhsgBMGJ6Kzi8uCyPK46jHkVAL-VN8tJEPnE6sSDuRLVeb2Popnb2fXLskR5UgXSnp6GVNAIWOYulA/s1600/DSC00013.JPG" height="267" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was not until a year later, when the picture of this rainbow popped up on our screen saver, with the date it was taken on the bottom of the screen, did I get it. In that moment, God opened my eyes, and I saw. I saw this amazing God. On the day that my second baby should have arrived, God put His sign in the sky to remind me that He had not forgotten.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fast-forward 5 years. God had given us Gabriel, Carter and Cason, and now Hudson was on his way. My due date was mid-February, and all I could pray was, "Lord, don't let him come on the 13th. Don't let him come on the 13th." I did not want his birth to come on the anniversary of the day that had been filled with such sorrow. So when my doctor planned an induction on Thursday, February 12th, I was greatly relieved. I still didn't see what God was doing. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It didn't hit me until the next day as I sat waiting for the nurse to release us to go home, holding Hudson in my arms. In that moment, God again opened my heart to see His hand. Five years before, on Friday, February 13th, I left the hospital without my baby. But on this day, this Friday, February 13th, I would indeed leave with my beautiful baby boy in my arms. He had redeemed our loss. He had given beauty for ashes. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And as beautiful as this was, it was not the end. Because God always does more that we can ask or imagine. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In November of 2010, God open the doors for us to adopt, and we began paperwork immediately with an local adoption agency. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Four months later, our adoption took a u-turn. God was leading us to another adoption agency. Because of a much shorter waiting time and policies that would not restrict us from a second adoption in the future, we felt this was where we needed to be. And, although it was a very very hard decision to walk away from all the time and money we had spent, on April 15, 2011, we submitted our China Special Needs application to America World Adoption Agency.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For the next 5 months, we completed paperwork for our homestudy and dossier. We sent off documents to be verified, stamped and approved. Finally, our paperwork was complete, and we dropped our dossier off to be sent to China via our adoption agency. They reviewed and approved everything, and our dossier was finally on its way to China. As God would have it, China verified that they had received it...on September 13th, 2011 -- seven years to the day that our second baby was supposed to be born. Seven years to the day that God set His beautiful rainbow over our house to demonstrate His great love and compassion for us. He was continuing to work His plan.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRGwXN_umw0g3lxqxCX_41fNPFiITgEUJ3FiWlk8K-SWzTOtwf55FkAzG3I0yOXKmeJM4siClw-itTXQR9LRwMQI1Lh8UwCosOh7CQZeunFIKhUroCkui8VSFgsIA2tBpMkmEMp9r8RGY/s1600/Dossier+to+China.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRGwXN_umw0g3lxqxCX_41fNPFiITgEUJ3FiWlk8K-SWzTOtwf55FkAzG3I0yOXKmeJM4siClw-itTXQR9LRwMQI1Lh8UwCosOh7CQZeunFIKhUroCkui8VSFgsIA2tBpMkmEMp9r8RGY/s1600/Dossier+to+China.jpg" height="238" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A few days later, we began our Hope Blanket fundraiser. Many, many people from all over the country sponsored, loved on and prayed over these Hope Blankets and for the babies that would receive them. We then gathered them back together and got them ready to send to China via our adoption agency. On Friday, November 4, on my way home from dropping the blankets off at Fed Ex, God did it again. He put an incredible rainbow in the sky, right over our house. He was continuing to work His plan.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicZsdPRsxMe1Yrs97EtugPeefxCdU14F9gsJInO_8F18RQwVvXhk34eQ70tBVVLdxMSBR_DffGoCHkh0T2bGZfduGr3HnPWGhILOHFeU6CN8jjsvlS_urT8wK613M-B0WrYa6wGsf-OE0/s1600/Hope+Blanket+Rainbow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicZsdPRsxMe1Yrs97EtugPeefxCdU14F9gsJInO_8F18RQwVvXhk34eQ70tBVVLdxMSBR_DffGoCHkh0T2bGZfduGr3HnPWGhILOHFeU6CN8jjsvlS_urT8wK613M-B0WrYa6wGsf-OE0/s1600/Hope+Blanket+Rainbow.jpg" height="238" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSLuLpDBRhrjEROpmPAwC1WM23qzJ-a_sUJxuhaMEIdOXGB0eBYf684p6C5lJsZWo-JfCyUsLBLvhgyAmwLxf0Q8x7wTaPKTLjB9RtY6QOvW3U52SiXaUsmG8UErseu6Qo1X0XjsYxBHY/s1600/Hope_Blankets_Packed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSLuLpDBRhrjEROpmPAwC1WM23qzJ-a_sUJxuhaMEIdOXGB0eBYf684p6C5lJsZWo-JfCyUsLBLvhgyAmwLxf0Q8x7wTaPKTLjB9RtY6QOvW3U52SiXaUsmG8UErseu6Qo1X0XjsYxBHY/s1600/Hope_Blankets_Packed.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The blankets headed off to China two months later with another adoptive family who had agreed to deliver them for us. About that same time, on January 20, 2012, we received an e-mail from our family adoption coordinator about a new adoption program in China that allowed families to adopt two babies at one time. God grabbed our hearts with such a desperate desire to do this, even though we could not imagine how in the world it could happen. There were a million obstacles and reasons why we should not pursue two babies at once, and we knew that God would have to do a million miracles, but after weeks of prayer, we began taking small steps of obedience. And God kept opening the doors. Our prayer the whole time was, "Lord, just make it clear. Make Your path clear." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">5 months later, on May 9th, we received a wonderful surprise e-mail from our adoption agency. One of the three orphanages that received Hope Blankets had taken pictures of some of the babies with the blankets! Oh what a treasure! We received 9 pictures and six of them had the same adorable smiling baby that we affectionately began calling the "Hope Blanket Baby." We were able to share these pictures with our church family the next Sunday, May 13, which happened to be Mother's Day. God was continue to work His plan and answer our prayers. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGvv0EN5hq0e2S69Ct93FB_7xQtiMnl0fNWVnKN7nf_UFp5-YC6EkFp9f-pqlNsCe1j_IfE8BRC1HHhO3rofHWelgfbu_iiyt-zpypPc7AkGO16xLqRf17im84bOBrGAq7wqi9aJEoHrU/s1600/Aaron+HB2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGvv0EN5hq0e2S69Ct93FB_7xQtiMnl0fNWVnKN7nf_UFp5-YC6EkFp9f-pqlNsCe1j_IfE8BRC1HHhO3rofHWelgfbu_iiyt-zpypPc7AkGO16xLqRf17im84bOBrGAq7wqi9aJEoHrU/s1600/Aaron+HB2.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We continued to wait and pray, some days thinking "the call" from our agency would never come. But on Decemeber 17, 2012, it came. They had found our baby girl. She was the most beautiful, teensy-tiny little precious baby girl I could have imagined. 9 days later, we submitted our Letter of Acceptance to adopt her as our own. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now we only had a 3-week window to be matched with baby #2. I began frantically searching, begging God and begging others to pray. 1 week passed. Nothing. Two weeks passed. Nothing. Two weeks and five days passed. Still no word. On Wednesday, January 16th, I had all but given up hope for a second baby in this adoption. I spent the day fasting and praying, asking God for a miracle. A miracle that I didn't think was going to happen. Not until He spoke to me through His word that night. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He took me to Psalms 12:5-</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Because of the devastation of the afflicted, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">because of the groaning of the needy,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">'Now I will arise,' says the Lord; </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">'I will set him in the safety for which He longs.'"</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqFnz653MzY-2WfkEEoen3da1cGfc4-U1GRVFMYcvYQHTBteQTeDq7Jzcd5jbjy2rqUFe2AdwWywjfvG0P5F6Toq2XRUDH9z1vUBo9TsfgkS5rFChriA5aBXvRb7jn0LC1fM64AsiQQhU/s1600/IMG_20140117_131829_118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqFnz653MzY-2WfkEEoen3da1cGfc4-U1GRVFMYcvYQHTBteQTeDq7Jzcd5jbjy2rqUFe2AdwWywjfvG0P5F6Toq2XRUDH9z1vUBo9TsfgkS5rFChriA5aBXvRb7jn0LC1fM64AsiQQhU/s1600/IMG_20140117_131829_118.jpg" height="198" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I begged Him to do this. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then He spoke again through His word.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"O Lord, You have heard the desire of the humble;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You will strengthen their heart, You will incline Your ear</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To vindicate the orphan and the oppressed,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So that man who is of earth will no longer cause terror." </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ps 10:17-18</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIOG4IfMhP4BF2O_k6p8YNuRVMT3VsLmTiGPPx29aR3jELXeKiV6elZTv2eE5XcVzLBTJ8U7dqPw_3BjlONDkjspScoow-oClGsAgFxu3KaB8vKrGw_iZkMk5maEWgsKczyF6ajwwPKUs/s1600/IMG_20140117_131642_923.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIOG4IfMhP4BF2O_k6p8YNuRVMT3VsLmTiGPPx29aR3jELXeKiV6elZTv2eE5XcVzLBTJ8U7dqPw_3BjlONDkjspScoow-oClGsAgFxu3KaB8vKrGw_iZkMk5maEWgsKczyF6ajwwPKUs/s1600/IMG_20140117_131642_923.jpg" height="213" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I believed with all of my heart that He had heard our cry and that He would indeed answer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And He did. The very next day. Two weeks and six days into our 3-week window of opportunity.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I woke up on Thursday, January 17, 2013, with the face of a darling baby boy on my heart and mind. I had seen his picture on our agency website a week or so before but was not familiar with his special need, so had not requested to look at his file. But after talking with my husband Tollie, I called our agency to request his file. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIo3Pqb-EGaFD1usoeR0Qp9vqLlmtIOl0cjJipemnV_0kCEY7AIKTs1wxHTWIADdRORfKiIfIIvF9bFzDfNzIwoX3W8CSUDHZLH5nvHBVIKNHBclVMZz1Rf2k85D2sYRayc76HMBXHMAQ/s1600/Li_Xin_Yao_Photo_7+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIo3Pqb-EGaFD1usoeR0Qp9vqLlmtIOl0cjJipemnV_0kCEY7AIKTs1wxHTWIADdRORfKiIfIIvF9bFzDfNzIwoX3W8CSUDHZLH5nvHBVIKNHBclVMZz1Rf2k85D2sYRayc76HMBXHMAQ/s1600/Li_Xin_Yao_Photo_7+(2).jpg" height="320" width="224" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">5 hours later, I received it via e-mail and began looking over the medical information. But then, I started opening the attached pictures. There really are not words to describe what happened to me when I opened picture number five. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Maybe my heart stopped. I definitely stopped breathing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Because the little face smiling out at me was one I recognized. There, right before my eyes, was our Hope Blanket baby. HE WAS THE HOPE BLANKET BABY. The baby that I had already posted pictures of in our Hope Blanket blog, eight months before. It was the same baby.</span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh69xuPn4ae3B_IUC40PkiSop2fNjTJKP7FKmUVJXn0aN4hjxDBmbzBMOKZBBc6zPPLEy1h5qLFn9QS7Y4judi4rjGjOh2niDzg322XospM15p5oFQyLOLLNOVYleH2nWabaassmNep_h4/s1600/Li_Xin_Yao_Photo_3+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="display: inline !important; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh69xuPn4ae3B_IUC40PkiSop2fNjTJKP7FKmUVJXn0aN4hjxDBmbzBMOKZBBc6zPPLEy1h5qLFn9QS7Y4judi4rjGjOh2niDzg322XospM15p5oFQyLOLLNOVYleH2nWabaassmNep_h4/s1600/Li_Xin_Yao_Photo_3+(2).jpg" height="320" width="232" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Picture from Aaron Li's Medical File</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZawcwZFoFiKhrlii60WSZGtjHPRlGfGo4_NP9m2I4zGLd4_nm35sWg3CtgO2xOlTS-jLpJm_zbq3pYqDqug8i9rDm8RO3z9_90TYadit3R2zchdz92rtgY2P-yKOtuKKHdKGWNYuTM_I/s1600/Aaron+HB6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZawcwZFoFiKhrlii60WSZGtjHPRlGfGo4_NP9m2I4zGLd4_nm35sWg3CtgO2xOlTS-jLpJm_zbq3pYqDqug8i9rDm8RO3z9_90TYadit3R2zchdz92rtgY2P-yKOtuKKHdKGWNYuTM_I/s1600/Aaron+HB6.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hope Blanket Picture</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The next eight hours went by in a blur. God lined up the exact doctors we needed (love you, Jenny LaBahn) that were willing to look at his file that very night, and by 1AM, we knew he was ours. God has answered our prayer to make His will clear. He wrapped our baby in a Hope Blanket.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And as we read his file, we began to connect the dots of what God had been doing when He led us to a different adoption agency. Aaron Li's file was agency specific, meaning he could only be adopted by a family working with America World, the agency we were now with. We also realized how perfect God's timing was. The day Aaron Li became an orphan in China, April 15, 2011, was the VERY day we submitted our application to America World. So technically, our baby boy has never been an orphan, because God put us in the place to adopt him the very moment he needed us.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj3DSSBwR2VNJf0xLhvKnOKsK2xowILA9mVMohyg5KEJSFPAj81AFDV9HxeCOU01gv5B6YW0T4AQ-ZXY8TsM82S2aV_QR69Ih6cd2quipg-Gsgwe1-urRky0KZggmc7QXvz9KlasGXDDo/s1600/IMG_20131021_150554_745-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj3DSSBwR2VNJf0xLhvKnOKsK2xowILA9mVMohyg5KEJSFPAj81AFDV9HxeCOU01gv5B6YW0T4AQ-ZXY8TsM82S2aV_QR69Ih6cd2quipg-Gsgwe1-urRky0KZggmc7QXvz9KlasGXDDo/s1600/IMG_20131021_150554_745-1.jpg" height="200" width="152" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But even more than that, He showed us that this baby boy was part of the redemption story He continued to write. This baby boy, our Aaron Li, was also born on February 12. Our Hudson was born on February 12, 2009, and he was born on February 12, 2010. And God wanted to be sure we saw His hand in this as well. In China, when abandoned babies are found, rarely is there ever any kind of note or identifying information. But there was a note pinned to Aaron Li's clothes. Guess what it said..."He was born on February 12, 2010." God had not redeemed our loss with one baby, but two.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That is the beauty of our Lord. He is the Redeemer. God used adoption to redeem a family who had lost a baby and a baby who had lost a family. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That's what He does. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"He gives beauty for ashes, strength for fear,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">gladness for morning, peace for despair."</span></div>
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<a href="http://youtu.be/DDhlTzbyFRo"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Beauty For Ashes" by Crystal Lewis</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He redeems our losses in ways that we could never ask or imagine. He never promised that storms wouldn't come, but He did say that He will never leave us. He promised that He plans for us are not to harm us but to give us a hope and future. He promised that He will work all things out for our good. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And He keeps His promises every time. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So on the one year anniversary of this glorious revealing, I continue to be humbled and amazed by this great God who lavishes His love on us. Who redeems us and allows us to be part of His redemption story. He is more precious to me now than ever before. Praise His wonderful name.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"The Lord is near to the brokenhearted </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and saves those who are crushed in spirit.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Many are the afflictions of the righteous, </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">but the Lord delivers him out of them all."</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ps. 34:18-19</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But now, thus says the Lord...</span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">,</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have called you by name; you are Mine! </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">nor will the flame burn you."</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Isaiah 43:1-2</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana;">We have recently celebrated our six-month home milestone. WOW! Time is flying by. It is hard to believe we have be together as a family of 8 for half a year, and yet, China seems like such a distant memory at the same time. Some days, I think the dust is settling a little bit, and other days, we still seem to be in the whirlwind, but through it all, God is with us. We see Him working in us and in our children in ways we never could have imagined. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Life is hard and it is good. God is refining me by the "fire" of life with 6 kids. Lots of stuff, yucky stuff, has come to the surface in the day-to-day busyness of it all, and I am constantly reminded of my weaknesses, but also of His grace and strength and mercy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">As I think back over this journey, I am reminded of God's promise in Isaiah 43:1-2. I think of the times when following Him meant stepping out into unsure waters and how, many times, the difficulties and uncertainty of adoption seemed like they would sweep us away, but God was there, just as He promised. He kept reminding us of His sovereignty and His perfect timing and His complete provision. He did miracle after miracle after miracle to bring us all together. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">And as we have been home, many days, we have walked through His refining fire of adjusting and learning how to love and care for our children. These last six months have been challenging in so many ways, physically, emotionally, spiritually. We have put life on hold to focus on attachment and bonding, and this has been hard for some to understand. But we are so thankful that we have made so much progress in these areas and that we are now able to slowly regain some sense of normalcy, although we are certain that our lives will never be normal! And that is quite alright with us!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">We are loving getting to know our babies and discovering their amazing personalities, their likes and dislikes, and watching them interact and bond with their awesome big brothers. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Aaron Li (affectionately known as "Yao-Yao") is a joy. He has such a compassionate heart and loves people. He has an amazing grasp of the English language and is very very aware of everything that goes on around him. He doesn't miss a thing! He loves to laugh and play, loves to ride bikes, and loves to be Daddy's helper. The thing he loves most, though, is to ride the 4-wheeler! He can hear it crank up, even in his sleep, and he moves at lightning speed to make sure he has a seat for the ride!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Meili is a wild and wonderful mess! She loves to discover new things and is curious about everything, especailly the things that she's not supposed to touch! She has the unique ability to get into mischief the very instant I turn my head! </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Her laugh is infectious and quite often has her giggle box turned over.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> She adores her brothers and always welcomes them with great big hugs. And when Daddy gets home, watch out, 'cause she will run right over you to be first to get to him, hollering "Daddy" at the top of her lungs the whole way there. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Both babies are amazingly healthy. Meili has no health issues that we know of at this point, and Aaron Li goes every 2-3 months to have his platelets check. Right now, his platelets are maintaining a safe level, even though they are still a little low. His doctors are content to simply watch him for now and think that it is possible that he will outgrow his ITP without any medical intervention.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">We are so proud of our older boys and how they have loved and cared for their babies. They have learned what it means to not only look out for their own needs, but also for the needs of others. They have learned so much about who God is and how He keeps His promises. They have seen first-hand how He leads and provides and how really good His plans are for us. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">As we have celebrated Thanksgiving and are looking forward to Christmas, it is hard to put into words how wonderfully content and thankful we are. For the last three holidays seasons, we have longed for our babies and have been torn because they were so far away. Our hearts were heavy because we could not hold them and love on them. And, now, here they are, in our arms and in our home, and there is no greater feeling. Our hearts overflow with thankfulness at the wonderful things He has done to make this all possible. He is Jehovah-jireh, the Lord who Provides, and we are living proof.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">We are so grateful for where we are in our adoption journey and so excited about where He is leading us next. For us, this journey has changed us so completely that we will never be the same. Our eyes have</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> been opened to the great need right in front of us to care for orphans and to the amazing opportunity to experience our great God and Savior as we follow Him into the fields of the needy. Our heart's cry has been for Him to continue to use us to care for these precious babies that so desperately need love, and He has opened a door for us to do that. We are anxious to share more details as we know them and can't wait to begin this next chapter in following Him. There is NOTHING better than being right where He wants us to be, serving Him with our lives. He is the only one who can satisfy the longings of our hearts.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Through this journey, we have passed through the waters, and He has been with us. We have walked through the fire, but have been refined and not scorched. We have learned that the more we die to ourselves, the more we get of Him. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">David Platt says in his book, </span><i style="font-family: Verdana;">Follow Me</i><span style="font-family: Verdana;">, </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">"As we die to ourselves, we live for others, and everything Christ does in us begins to affect everyone Christ puts around us." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">This is the reason we share our journey, to bring glory and honor to His name, and as a way to invite others to follow Him wherever He leads. He is an amazing, trust-worthy, wonderful Savior and Lord, and in following Him, we get to experience His presence in amazing ways.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">If you would like to hear the 7 minute testimony we shared with our church, click <a href="http://www.firstlyman.org/index.php?option=com_sermonspeaker&task=singlesermon&id=10301&Itemid=90">here.</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here are some pictures from the last few months!</span><br />
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Ashley Gosnellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01549347958635202821noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8630213365715786434.post-50106619271991568092013-08-21T16:51:00.000-04:002013-08-21T20:59:31.469-04:00How Are You?<div class="heading" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 10px;">
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my
power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly
about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2 Corinthians 12:9</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In these days of craziness, of a life full and zooming by, in the midst of adjusting to life with six kids and meeting the needs of each one, inevitably I get the question, "So, how are you?". And I am so thankful to be asked! But it isn't an easy question to answer on the fly. The quick (and I guess the easiest) answer is to say that we are doing surprisingly, amazingly well... considering!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Considering we have six kids, five of them boys and the oldest only 10,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Considering that two of those children have only recently joined our family and have a history in a place that makes me want to cry when I think of them there.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Considering that the enemy is roaring lion, seeking to devour those who seek to serve the King of Kings.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Considering that there is ALWAYS tons of laundry to fold, bathrooms to clean, floors to mop, lunches to pack, suppers to cook, dishes to wash, homework to do, etc., etc....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Considering that is there is always SO MUCH more that needs to be done than there is time or energy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">BUT, regardless of our sometimes-difficult circumstances, we can say with joy and humility that we are standing firm because we know the One who makes it all possible. We know the One who turns impossible situations around. We know the One who is always enough, who hears us when we cry out to Him and answers EVERY time we call. The One who allows us to be weak at His feet so that He can be strong for us and through us. The One who can turn ashes into beauty, mourning into dancing, and who binds up the broken-hearted. He is El Elyon, sovereign over the details of our lives and has given us exactly what we need to enable us to cling to Him. He is Jehovah-jireh, the Lord who provides for our every need when we ask Him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, forgive me if I give the easy answer to the question, "How are you?". It is certainly not because I have it all together. I am weak and frail in my own strength. I fail so many times and have to confess my attitudes of self-pity, grumpiness, impatience and selfishness more times than I care to admit. I get overwhelmed at this life that is humanly impossible so much of the time. I am brought to tears often over needs I can't seem to meet. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But God is good and faithful. He is carrying me. He has given me the exact circumstances that I need to cause me to cling desperately to Him. I have joy because He promises never to leave me or forsake me. I am full of thankfulness because I am experiencing His grace and mercy, His provision and HIS power moment by moment. He is teaching me about meekness and how to be thankful in every circumstance because I know that whatever He allows in my life has been filtered through His loving hands for my good and for His glory. I am growing closer to Him and there is nothing I want more.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So am I okay? Are we okay? Despite every crazy reason that we shouldn't be okay, because of Him, YES, we really are doing surprisingly, amazingly well!!</span><br />
<br />Ashley Gosnellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01549347958635202821noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8630213365715786434.post-24890631832640737742013-07-28T17:36:00.000-04:002013-07-28T20:46:39.339-04:00Blessed Beyond Measure<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi85WwAWMvbM9rJN4wtgopowbhcnq3_9ZzDPTn-v2fxklg-XL4bW0Vi1SKY5jLRIXlaF2vBg8YfQBTmVYcROfJkfqt9zoR4Oi9TMsg_KpCRsybXjAbbzsVVHXXTBb6k_RewJgRiLqFCXYc/s1600/IMG_0796+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi85WwAWMvbM9rJN4wtgopowbhcnq3_9ZzDPTn-v2fxklg-XL4bW0Vi1SKY5jLRIXlaF2vBg8YfQBTmVYcROfJkfqt9zoR4Oi9TMsg_KpCRsybXjAbbzsVVHXXTBb6k_RewJgRiLqFCXYc/s400/IMG_0796+(2).jpg" width="278" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">"<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord gives grace and glory.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">O Lord of hosts (Jehovah-sabaoth), </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">how </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">blessed</i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> is the man who trusts in You."</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ps 84:11-12</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is hard to believe that we have been home from China for two months. Our lives have been a complete whirlwind as we adjust to being a family of eight. From doctors' appointments to trips to the beach and Carowinds to Daddy going back to work, we have been on the move. Our life is not easy right now, and some days are really, really hard, but we see God's hand of mercy and provision for us at every turn. He is teaching me to cling to Him moment by moment. He is revealing how far I have to go in His command to die to myself daily. I struggle with patience and some days just want to head for the hills!! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And yet, I would not change ONE thing about my life. I feel so blessed that I can hardly hold back the tears at God's goodness and His precious gifts. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the last few weeks, I have seen such a huge shift in how I view my "big" boys. I have seen them grow up right before my eyes. I have come to depend on them so very much and my love for them has deepen in ways I could not have imagined.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am so proud of the way my oldest son Gabriel (10) has stepped up since his daddy is now back at work. He does so many of the things that Tollie would do if he were here. I think I was most proud of him the day we went to Carowinds for the first time without Daddy. Gabriel carried Aaron Li around in Snoopyland, taking him to ride after ride, saying he didn't care if he rode any rides or not, he just wanted his little brother to have a good time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am amazed, humbled, and many times convicted when I see how patient and kind my Carter (8) is, especially with Aaron Li. He never gets ruffled when tantrums are thrown, but just patiently tries to help everyone to be happy. He is quick to sacrifice his own things in order to bless others.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRENdP3udKr_wVwoDAjA8G6uGwKpTsc-Rsahd-xIUnQv2vgErFLgKF1BYT9tkiGg-xMQFBlG4FsEF6iVRBFwdUYbct_NSib73iJro3vv1HUEF6SDrx3QB_GLA7Kck6VsbVZsjLMOrlR4Y/s1600/DSCN3726+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRENdP3udKr_wVwoDAjA8G6uGwKpTsc-Rsahd-xIUnQv2vgErFLgKF1BYT9tkiGg-xMQFBlG4FsEF6iVRBFwdUYbct_NSib73iJro3vv1HUEF6SDrx3QB_GLA7Kck6VsbVZsjLMOrlR4Y/s200/DSCN3726+-+Copy.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I can't help but laugh at Cason's (almost 7) crazy antics as he tries to make Aaron Li and Meili laugh! He loves to play with them and can keep them entertained so Mommy can actually go to the bathroom! He is a joy and helps me to laugh when the stress of the day is almost too much.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have watched my sweet Hudson make the transition from baby of the family to big brother with much grace. It was a little bit of a struggle for him to find his place at first, but now he loves to help out with his younger brother and sister, asking to feed Meili her bottle and playing with Aaron Li. He has such a sweet spirit and is such an encouragement to me throughout the day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I see over and over again how God prepared our family for our new babies, how He has gifted each of my boys with what we would need to love and care for our precious new additions. The Lord is good and faithful. He can be trusted to do more than we could ever imagine. I am so thankful for how He has put me in a place that I have NO CHOICE but to cling to Him. He knows that as soon as I feel my life is under control and I get comfortable, I stop depending on Him. I pray that He never lets me do that again. (With six kids, I don't think I have to worry!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And these precious babies, oh how I love them (even when I am ready to pull my hair out!). </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmsiQRjwqS7-7VyfOPMRu1UNYbZV-F5A6E0VOIGfzGX4TTmf-Bc1qRhc6r7mTsPekZFif0jUS_ENNs3K_NSGczO9C4lRIS4IlEg-nzsCcpeGbmLwpsCIIslkLeCZix_d_2ysj8NctDy90/s1600/DSCN3532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmsiQRjwqS7-7VyfOPMRu1UNYbZV-F5A6E0VOIGfzGX4TTmf-Bc1qRhc6r7mTsPekZFif0jUS_ENNs3K_NSGczO9C4lRIS4IlEg-nzsCcpeGbmLwpsCIIslkLeCZix_d_2ysj8NctDy90/s320/DSCN3532.JPG" width="272" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Aaron Li, who we are still calling Yao-Yao (YOW-YOW), is simply an amazing child. He is SO smart. He has picked up English at an amazing rate. He LOVES to laugh and play. He is FEARLESS (which really isn't a great combination with his low blood platelets!). He adores his BaBa (daddy) and asks constantly for his brothers when they are not here. His favorite food is hard boiled eggs and he always reminds me to put salt and pepper on them. He loves to sing and some of his favorite songs are "Jesus Loves Me," "Deep and Wide" and "You Are My Sunshine." He is very very aware of everything that is going on around him and it is impossible to sneak anything by him! He is VERY strong-willed and when he says NO, he is very very sure about it. He loves to be loved and it breaks his heart if we are displeased with him. He is my sweet (most of the time) little boy, and I love him with all of my heart.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHQ3JFZ3nl6_qWLiE2KeyZu0AVAp4DHdek0vOMapY9SGQqYAbW9D2qakBQbKPmb5ye66HaYDQ0BsD-38Z0eI99kLwqbptMEdtj0npj327vcjQTQHrXLy6dglqioHgxum9RFUn6Wb7FPWY/s1600/IMG_0754+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHQ3JFZ3nl6_qWLiE2KeyZu0AVAp4DHdek0vOMapY9SGQqYAbW9D2qakBQbKPmb5ye66HaYDQ0BsD-38Z0eI99kLwqbptMEdtj0npj327vcjQTQHrXLy6dglqioHgxum9RFUn6Wb7FPWY/s320/IMG_0754+-+Copy.JPG" width="222" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My baby girl, Meili, is my joy. She lifts my heart. She is a Mama's girl and won't go willing from my arms very often. I can't stand to be away from her any more than she can stand to be away from me. She melts me with her smile, and I adore the way her eyes look like little crescent moons when she laughs. She has come so far in the time we have had her. She has gained SIX pounds and gone from only sitting up to now walking <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=634708146549184&l=8348216584652987838">(video)</a> across the room. She has also picked up many English words. She is terrified of our dog and says, when she sees him, "Bolt, GET" with her little finger pointing him away. She loves music, and her favorite song right now is "Deep and Wide." As soon as we start singing it, she starts waving her arms around, doing the deep and wide motion and chimes in "IIIIDE" when we get to the word "wide." She is very very smart and imitates everything she sees (for better or worse!). She is the sweet gift I have had in my heart for so many years and is everything I prayed for and more.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, I am thankful. For the good days and the bad days, the happy and the sad days (isn't that a song?), I am so very thankful. I am thankful to my Lord for blessing me beyond all I could have hoped for. I am thankful that as unworthy as I am, He still blesses me. I am thankful for the amazing husband I have, who has such a gift of love and patience, who rarely gets ruffled, and who is always willing to stop what he is doing to care for others. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Although I pretty sure when I was younger, I probably never imagined my family looking exactly like it does, I am SO glad that God didn't let my small dreams get in the way of His amazing plans. He is worthy of our praise. He is worthy of all honor. He is worthy of our very lives. Praise His wonderful name for He has done great things!</span></div>
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This song, "Sovereign" by Chris Tomlin, speaks what is in my heart so perfectly. The Lord God Most High (El Elyon) is sovereign over every detail of our lives, and He is teaching me to trust Him, no matter the circumstances. (Click <a href="http://youtu.be/Gk_HBla7C28">here</a> to listen.)</div>
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Ashley Gosnellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01549347958635202821noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8630213365715786434.post-6821030218992317802013-06-05T12:32:00.002-04:002013-06-05T21:27:21.174-04:00For I Know That the Lord is Great<br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For I know that the Lord is great, </span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and that our Lord is above all gods.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">in heaven and on earth, </span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">in the seas and all deeps.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Psalm 135:5-6</span></div>
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<span class="indent-1" style="background-color: white;"><span class="text Ps-135-6" style="position: relative;">Our God is amazing. He is El Elyon, the Most High God, sovereign over every detail of our lives. He has precious plans for us, and we can trust Him with our lives.</span></span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-135-6" style="position: relative;">For the last two weeks, we have finally been able to experience this wonderful plan that He has been working out in our lives. We finally have our babies all under one roof, and it has been simply amazing to see how perfectly we all fit together. Is it always easy? No, rarely ever. Are we exhausted? Completely. But are we grateful and humbled at the mighty work of our Lord? Absolutely!</span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-135-6" style="position: relative;">All we can do is stand in awe of these two amazing babies that God had for us on the other side of the world and how He moved heaven and earth, did miracle after miracle, answered prayer after prayer, and provided every single thing we needed to make them our own. </span></div>
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Oh how wonderful they are! And, when think of how close we came to missing them, it shakes me to the core. If we had given into our doubts and fears, if we would have continued to look at the mountain in our way, instead of the Mountain-mover, we would have missed this great treasure He had for us. </div>
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There was a time when, as we were wrestling with God about adopting two babies, that we were ready to say no. We were ready to say, "God, it is too hard. It's impossible." And at that very moment, He answered with these words:</div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: mediumblue; font-size: small;">What priceless treasure are you in danger of throwing out, simply because of the way it is packaged? Could it be the treasure of seeing Him? Sometimes God wraps His glory in hard circumstances or ugly obstacles or painful difficulties, and it just never occurs to us that within those life-shaking events is a fresh revelation of Him...</span><strong style="color: mediumblue; font-size: medium;">Are you so focused on the outer wrappings</strong><span style="color: mediumblue; font-size: small;"> that you are in danger of missing or even throwing away the fresh, personal revelation of Himself that He wants to give you?...Change your mind about things - about yourself - about others - about Him. </span><strong style="color: mediumblue; font-size: medium;">Relax in total trust. He knows what He is doing. Unwrap the package!</strong><span style="color: mediumblue; font-size: small;"> Let go and look up! Let Him open the eyes of your heart. </span><strong style="color: mediumblue; font-size: medium;">OPEN YOUR EYES</strong><span style="color: mediumblue; font-size: small;">. Open your eyes to the vision of His glory. Prayerfully, expectantly, sincerely, open your eyes to Him."</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There was a time when we were so focused on the outer wrappings, the labels, the hard circumstances, that we almost missed this. These two precious babies. This opportunity for God to make Himself known to us, to give us a fresh revelation of HIM. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And it brings me to tears. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What a gift He has given, wrapped up in our sweet Aaron Li and Meili. To experience Him the way we have is more precious than anything else. To experience the process of adoption, to get a glimpse of the great price He paid for our adoption and understand better the great love that motivated Him, is completely and totally overwhelming. To see our family grow from six to eight is better than we could have ever imagined.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But, that is not to say our life is easy! Having six children is certainly an adjustment. Having a determined little crawler who wants to explore every minute of the day is challenging. Mealtimes are almost comical (so thankful that dear friends are still bring meals)! There are days when everyone is in a funk (sorry for those who endured our funk Sunday morning at church). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">BUT IT IS WORTH IT! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To see Aaron Li's little arms circled around Gabriel's neck as Gabriel hauls him around everywhere. To watch Cason feeding Meili macaroni and cheese or to hear Carter make her laugh. To have Hudson race to us if one of the babies is crying so we can help them. To hear Gabriel beg to rock the babies to sleep again tonight. To hear Aaron Li say, "BaBa, lub (love)you. Mama, lub you," as we tuck him in at night or see Meili blow kisses to anyone who will look her way! These joys make the hard times worth. They make all the tears and heartache of the last two and a half years worth it. They make trusting Him instead of giving in to fear worth it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So we say thank you to our Heavenly Father and to the countless number of dear friends who have help us get to this place and who continue to help us in this adjustment period. We pray God's richest blessings on each of you for what you have done and for the sacrifices you have made to allow us to be a family for Aaron Li and Meili. Our hearts are forever grateful.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">For you, O</span><span style="font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="small-caps" style="font-size: 16px; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span><span style="font-size: 16px;">, have made me glad by your</span><span style="font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-15416A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></span><span style="font-size: 16px;">work;</span></span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1-breaks" style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-92-4" style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; position: relative;">at <span class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-15416B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></span>the works of your hands I sing for joy.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Psalm 92:4</span></div>
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</span>Ashley Gosnellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01549347958635202821noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8630213365715786434.post-63216062740511636382013-05-25T11:17:00.000-04:002014-11-14T23:07:29.729-05:00My Ways Are Higher Than Your Ways<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"'For My thoughts are not your thoughts, </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">nor are your ways My ways,' declares the Lord.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">'For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.'"</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Isaiah 55:8-9</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For the last two and a half years, God has been teaching me that His ways are higher than my ways, His plans better than mine. Usually that cause me grief in the beginning. This time was no different. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Early last Wednesday morning (Tuesday afternoon in SC), we began our journey home from China. There was nothing I wanted more than to be HOME, with my boys, to have all of my babies together at last. It was going to be a very long journey, over 30 hours travel time, to finally have my arms around my boys. We had to fly from Guangzhou to Beijing, Beijing to Detroit, and our last leg was from Detroit to Greenville, AKA, HOME. The lay-over in Detroit was less than two hours, and we knew the timing was going to have to be perfect to get through immigration and customs, claiming luggage and re-checking luggage, to make it on that flight. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But our idea of perfect timing and God's perfect timing were different. Our flight did not arrive on time. It was 30 minutes late. Then, we waited another 15 minutes because the door of the airplane was stuck and they couldn't get it open. Needless to say, even after the heroic effort of a wonderful immigration officer who whisked us through immigration and customs, who asked a Delta representative to call the boarding gate to ask them to hold the plane, and who ran ahead to the gate to be sure they didn't close it before we got there, God's plan was different, and we did not make our flight. I was close to hysterics, begging the Delta people to get us home. They found a flight leaving for Charlotte within minutes and whisked us away to that gate, with us arriving just as the last passenger boarded the plane.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I made a quick call to my mom to let her know that we had missed our flight, and much to my surprise, she already knew and knew we were headed to Charlotte. (That's my wonderful mom.) And then she said the sweetest words I could imagine, "We are on our way to Charlotte with the boys and will meet you when you get off the plane." It was going to be okay. My boys were going to be waiting. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My seat was a middle seat, right between the two sweetest ladies I could have imagined. I was still a wreck and apologized to them for being so emotional. They were very kind, helping me with Meili while I changed her diaper and got her bottle ready. And then God gave me the most incredible opportunity to share our amazing story with the lady on my right, named Kim. She listened as I shared about all the miracles God had done to bring us to that moment. She listened as I shared how much my eyes had been opened to God's love for me as His adopted daughter through my love for my new babies. She listened as I shared how hard this journey had been but how it had made me realize how much more Jesus had sacrificed to adopt me. She listened as I poured out my heart to her. Toward the end of the flight, I wrote down my blog address for her on a napkin and gave it to her. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then she began to share with me. She shared with me how she was going through a rough time in her life and how much she needed to hear this amazing story of our amazing God. She said she knew that God had put me beside her and that us being on that flight was not a coincident. I was able to share with her that our God is Jehovah-jireh, our Provider and how He had provided every single thing we needed for this adoption. How He had made a way when there seemed to be no way. How His plans were different than ours, but SO much better. How we can trust Him with every detail of our lives because He is good and faithful. How I knew He had good plans for her, to prosper her and not to harm her, to give her a hope and a future.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">By the time we landed, I knew that I was right where I was supposed to be. I knew God was at work, and I was truly thankful that His ways were higher than mine. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And when I laid my eyes on my boys, there were no words to describe the joy in my heart. Oh, how I had missed them. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">God's plans are sometimes different than ours, and many times not what we ourselves would choose, but they are so much better. I am thankful that He keeps teaching me that I can trust Him and His plan for me. Praise His name!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And, btw, we are all doing great and very glad to be home! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First Glimpse of Mom, Dad, Meili & Aaron Li<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></td></tr>
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Ashley Gosnellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01549347958635202821noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8630213365715786434.post-70147354839844868532013-05-20T20:53:00.002-04:002013-05-20T20:53:40.737-04:00Almost home!
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">This morning we have our last official appointment for our
adoption! We head to the US consulate in just a little while to apply for
US visas for our babies! This is the last thing we need to be able to
bring our babies home! There was a huge fiasco at the consulate last week
and all families with appointments last week were delayed incoming home!
SO glad the Lord worked it all out so that our appointment was not
affected. We are coming home on Wednesday, Lord willing!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">We had a fun day yesterday! We got to take the babies swimming and
they loved it! It was the first day that felt anything close to a
vacation! Being in China with two new babies is HARD! Washing
clothes and dishes in the sink, having to boil water for everything, trying to
make our way around without any Chinese language--everything is a
challenge! We have had a great trip but will be thankful to be
home! Counting down the minutes til all our babies are under one
roof! </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Ashley Gosnellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01549347958635202821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8630213365715786434.post-26881655924813002502013-05-19T20:41:00.000-04:002013-05-20T20:42:01.328-04:00Shantou orphanage
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">On Thursday, we were able to visit Aaron Li's orphanage in
Shantou. We left early that morning, flying to the nearest airport, and
then taking a bus into Shantou. The orphanage sent a van to pick us up at
the bus stop. WE had a big lunch with the orphanage director (who
was a lady), the lady who brought Yao Yao on Gotcha Day and our guide
Becky and then we went to Yao Yao's orphanage. Everyone was so incredibly
kind and it was obvious how much they loved Yao Yao. We met his
teacher that would always take him home with her on the weekends. All the
babies seemed very well cared for but it was still incredible hard to see them,
knowing how much they needed a family. Many of the babies had already
been adopted and were waiting for their family to come, which was
wonderful. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">In Yao Yao's file, it said that there was a note pinned to him when
he was left at the orphanage gate that told his birthday. I asked about
that, and they still had a copy of the note. I couldn't believe it.
The director made a copy of it for me, and I am so incredibly grateful to
have this for Yao Yao when he is older.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">We meet Yao Yao's best friend, who I recognized immediately
because she was in almost all of the pictures I had received of Yao
Yao during the adoption process. She is five and is registered for
adoption but still waiting for a family. I hope and praying that God will
place her in a family soon. She was so loving and wanted to be
held. She loved playing ball and cars with Tollie. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Yao Yao did very well, but I know it was hard an him and hard on
his favorite teacher. Tollie said she had tears in her eyes as we
were saying goodbye. It is so wonderful to know that he was in a
place that he experienced such love. I am sure that there are
orphanages that are not like this, but it was obvious that the sweet sweet
orphanage director really did care about those children along with the
nannies. I know that they will miss our sweet baby, but I am so very glad
he is ours. He is truly amazing, and all the prayers that were lifted for
him were answered. He is a joy, and it is obvious that he loves
having a family. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Ashley Gosnellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01549347958635202821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8630213365715786434.post-47386152291545349852013-05-19T20:29:00.000-04:002013-05-20T20:50:36.446-04:00Yao Yao's best friend
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioktIUd60vxDJAKQmb8ca6dS5ETTEtSfcO0Y45PUdGelFEhTDaAmc3SWulhcqjPMinknjVeaqIv1BsS7reOYvAJx7yR8_1kyq5aOBjyLfL48WEiWT6crewRUniAEv9_oQqIrRXGph72QY/s1600/Yao+Yao's+best+friend+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioktIUd60vxDJAKQmb8ca6dS5ETTEtSfcO0Y45PUdGelFEhTDaAmc3SWulhcqjPMinknjVeaqIv1BsS7reOYvAJx7yR8_1kyq5aOBjyLfL48WEiWT6crewRUniAEv9_oQqIrRXGph72QY/s320/Yao+Yao's+best+friend+1.JPG" width="264" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yao Yao's best friend</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZSfnpIw1ip-lcLYWiB1-4Tud8sCArqGrN7hW57X7zXJJXL7TwkNSWjycPl8UCQLmT4t8W6zRyadb6-f6vewY5TPkUTo4sHUU2vC_mlKGvszmIpED7t4Biy3WblRpFkCtyS8rCP3sMH9o/s1600/Yao+Yao's+nannies.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZSfnpIw1ip-lcLYWiB1-4Tud8sCArqGrN7hW57X7zXJJXL7TwkNSWjycPl8UCQLmT4t8W6zRyadb6-f6vewY5TPkUTo4sHUU2vC_mlKGvszmIpED7t4Biy3WblRpFkCtyS8rCP3sMH9o/s320/Yao+Yao's+nannies.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yao Yao's nannies</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAd0y0quFVHWGB4Fpa_imBtXj_h-uBT096NtcWuwqdggG4Nqq0it5dbCZUmBggeMxKVlOUom6PrHWvzUMukkADF9WYEz3_7r90IxiDwLrtSMgJ4JOg-H05iVdXXM2nYu5PfPhOP8wDbBg/s1600/Yao+Yao+and+Baba+in+Shantou.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAd0y0quFVHWGB4Fpa_imBtXj_h-uBT096NtcWuwqdggG4Nqq0it5dbCZUmBggeMxKVlOUom6PrHWvzUMukkADF9WYEz3_7r90IxiDwLrtSMgJ4JOg-H05iVdXXM2nYu5PfPhOP8wDbBg/s320/Yao+Yao+and+Baba+in+Shantou.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yao Yao and Baba in Shantou</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Ashley Gosnellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01549347958635202821noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8630213365715786434.post-84513221838451391632013-05-18T20:15:00.000-04:002013-05-18T20:15:17.574-04:00Around Guangzhou<br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Hello! WE are busy busy busy in Guangzhou! It is very
humid and rains off and on. Having two babies in a place that we don't
understand what most are saying is trying at times. Just trying to keep
everyone fed is a challenge. But we are making it with the Lord's
help. We are loving getting to know our babies, but we can't wait to be
home! Counting down the days until we hop on the plane home! We
went to Yao Yao's orphanage. It is a trying day, but we are very glad we
went. When I have time to process it all, I will share more about our
experience. Keep praying for us. We miss everyone. Love to
all!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Ashley Gosnellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01549347958635202821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8630213365715786434.post-85509285607290465692013-05-16T20:09:00.000-04:002013-05-18T20:10:01.447-04:00Back in Guangzhou
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Just wanted to let you know that we just got back to our
hotel in Guangzhou. We are exhausted but are so very glad we
went to Yao Yao’s orphanage. He is doing fine. Will update with
details and pics tomorrow. Also, the consulate has reopened today so
hopefully our appt. is still a go for Monday and we can come home Wednesday.
Please keep lifting that up as we are really ready to come home!! Love
you all!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Ashley Gosnellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01549347958635202821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8630213365715786434.post-58976949677689748092013-05-14T07:02:00.000-04:002013-05-15T07:10:41.890-04:00God's Precious Gifts<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So many times, God’s plans are different than our
plans. They are plans that don’t fit our vision. And because they
don’t, we usually don’t accept them very easily because they make us
uncomfortable or afraid. And this is what happened to us in January of
2012. This is when God began whispering to our hearts that His plan for
our adoption was different, bigger, than our plan. He began to
whisper about another baby He had for us in addition to our daughter. We
wrestled with Him, doubted Him, doubted ourselves. We laid out every
reason why adding two babies was really quite impossible for us physically,
mentally, emotionally, financially. But He kept whispering (and sometimes
shouting) to our hearts. He told us to quit looking to ourselves and what
we could handle and place our focus on Him because He can do anything.
And so we say, with fear and trembling, “Yes, Lord, have Your
way.” And He did. Miracle after miracle after miracle. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And so, here we are, in China, and we now hold this precious
gift that He had been whispering about. This precious boy who is more
wonderful than words can describe. Whose name Yao means light and who
lights up the room with his smile and sweet laughter. This child who
loves his Baba (Daddy) something fierce and wants to be in his lap or in his
arms every second. This child who runs to get his Mei Mei a toy or snack
if she is crying and shares his cookies every time. Who won’t eat his sucker
until he knows Mei Mei has one too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This child who runs to gather up all the dishes in the room
when he sees his Baba washing dishes in the bathroom sink.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Who puts his shoes on top of Baba’s and make sure to get his
and Baba’s hat before we leave. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This amazing child who always wants to help eat Baba’s food,
no matter what Baba is eating and says thank you (in English) when we tell
him “Yao Yao is a good boy!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This sweet boy who always wants to show MaMa when he
accomplishes something new.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This child who has been placed into our family by the very
hand of God<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I am so humbled and thankful that His plans were so much
bigger and better than ours and that He didn’t listen when we told Him it was
impossible. He just reminded us that all things were possible for Him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He has blessed us with these two amazing babies and for as
long as I live, I will praise Him for doing more than we could have ever asked
for or imagined! Praise His name!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Ashley Gosnellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01549347958635202821noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8630213365715786434.post-82580290221807450752013-05-13T11:14:00.001-04:002013-05-13T12:20:05.724-04:00Aaron Li's Gotcha Day!<br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Today is a day that cannot be described in words. It has
been a day filled with so many different emotions. So many questions and
concerns about what toys to take, whether Aaron Li (we are still calling him
"Yao Yao" right now) would like us or not, what his reaction would be
and how in the world we would even communicate with him. All the waiting
up until now, and then, there he is, more beautiful and wonderful than we had
even thought. He was unsure about us at first, but the I-Pad won him over
pretty quickly. We spent over an hour at the civil affairs office with
him, asking questions of his orphanage caregiver. It was quite zooy to
say the least, as there were 18 other families receiving their babies as
well. (We had no idea what a blessing it was with Meili until now because
she was brought directly to our hotel room!) As we left and got into the
car, my sweet baby boy was trying to be brave, but as we neared our hotel,
tears started rolling down his cheeks. It was a full out sob as we were
walking to our room, and he had MaMa in tears too. I was crying out to
Jehovah-Shalom to speak peace to his little heart and ours as well. And
He did. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">After watching a little bit of Praise Baby and playing with his
toys, he was all smiles! He has the sweetest laugh that is simply music
to my ears. We had to finish up some paperwork with our guide in the
room, and when she left, it hit us. Here we have these two Chinese
babies, and we have to figure out how to care for them. Even trying to
decide what to do for supper was quite a task. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">But, we braved the Chinese restaurant called Food Street in the
hotel. Aaron Li packed up his toys and snacks in his monkey backpack
(thank you, Mimi) and off we went. He was the most adorable sight in
his hat and backpack, with his picture book of Mama, Baba (daddy) and
his brothers hooked over his arm, and holding Daddy's hand. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">We had a great dinner! That boy can eat! He kept
taking his backpack off, taking everything out and arranging it on the table,
then putting it back in and his back pack on again. It was like he
was just taking inventory to make sure it was all still
there. (And believe it or not, he is completely potty trained and
goes right into the bathroom whenever he needs to go!!)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">WE came back to the room, Skyped with big brothers and then
started getting ready for bed. He let me brush his teeth but wanted
to keep on his same clothes for bed. Who knows, he may not want to
change, so we might be bringing him home in his original clothes, but whatever
works for him is fine with me!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">So now, the babies are asleep. Aaron Li snuggled up with
Daddy and was gone in no time! I know we will have hard days, but for now,
I think this is pretty close to heaven. We feel His nearness, and our
hearts are overflowing with joy and thankfulness for this incredible privilege
to be called Mama and Baba by these two precious babies. He has done more
than we could have asked for or imagined. Praise His wonderful name!</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"> <span style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">On our way to get Big Brother!</span></span></div>
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<h3>
<span style="background-color: white; color: blue;"> First moments with Aaron Li</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicndTUDQhz2ONK7Tlvs0o73Y-jSo6gB_pr-RX4feh0c-4Q6g093ZxRZbDvjanyQAg5JGw05NFBvdaS8XhKsr0QeyLuEShx_K5nPjkP3tlD217Lgpt7DO1v56xh3kQrQ2CtD9aNBgmyLBs/s1600/Aaron+Li+Gotcha+Day+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Aaron Li, Baba, and his orphanage caregiver<br />
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Me and my Baba</div>
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Million dollar smile</div>
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Dinner Time!</div>
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All is right with the world. .. finally.<br />
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Ashley Gosnellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01549347958635202821noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8630213365715786434.post-41689795483894754772013-05-11T09:04:00.000-04:002013-05-12T09:04:22.396-04:00Meili's Orphanage in Qingyang City
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Ni Hao! We are very thankful to have some pictures from
Meili's orphanage in Qingyang City. Our guide Melody has been there and
shared some of the pictures she had taken. We treasure every glimpse into
Meili's life before she joined our family. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJYRkCli94sqwXsS0InGO4gn_vjW6Rx3uQA64K4ow6Rcm0Df5UNGeLjRjYHEb0or6SEO9jV2fIa6PfFExw41ilbDhCgK-3XWRpFvrRLiuMfUP4tpCeNGoLKPeF4kLzza3VrjtUKozcvbY/s1600/Orphanage+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJYRkCli94sqwXsS0InGO4gn_vjW6Rx3uQA64K4ow6Rcm0Df5UNGeLjRjYHEb0or6SEO9jV2fIa6PfFExw41ilbDhCgK-3XWRpFvrRLiuMfUP4tpCeNGoLKPeF4kLzza3VrjtUKozcvbY/s320/Orphanage+4.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwkcEr1GYte_7SFZ5sUlnbfUNIfJvZmdJdDB5fFw9GAmgyhCUPxJhnVwCVEN1fyFKNE_WKafRaQ1eVamUjL6iLiQd-NBxD6EpN2G1FCRymUI_b8FyFBajEt2cQK2gJNxxebeVPaWR0Bf4/s1600/Orphanage+6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwkcEr1GYte_7SFZ5sUlnbfUNIfJvZmdJdDB5fFw9GAmgyhCUPxJhnVwCVEN1fyFKNE_WKafRaQ1eVamUjL6iLiQd-NBxD6EpN2G1FCRymUI_b8FyFBajEt2cQK2gJNxxebeVPaWR0Bf4/s320/Orphanage+6.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjobRGCX41KsdiKgoO97bjSFIRUWMqNvA14a8h2TtvVKbszO735bkMaqREkFOhVzU7WtV8pwCj46XVW92DiGdn5ElCCrN1pAr1OODmoIXvwsKsKwCveOwP-p1ggP6atFGhJYeOVMIHOjNI/s1600/Orphanage+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjobRGCX41KsdiKgoO97bjSFIRUWMqNvA14a8h2TtvVKbszO735bkMaqREkFOhVzU7WtV8pwCj46XVW92DiGdn5ElCCrN1pAr1OODmoIXvwsKsKwCveOwP-p1ggP6atFGhJYeOVMIHOjNI/s320/Orphanage+5.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg44x3VNoCDH08HhEnCOjP0bu1yNzrmvpwV47Hk9KKMB24lESA07Dcd9W5eTGLai-xWm4juHAz7-8vYS8bFKyDPoVseHYtgBMFFh38-fZVLEdQIVM3TH3OAUvyGnj_0Bv2ScSsySIs7lJM/s1600/Orphanage+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg44x3VNoCDH08HhEnCOjP0bu1yNzrmvpwV47Hk9KKMB24lESA07Dcd9W5eTGLai-xWm4juHAz7-8vYS8bFKyDPoVseHYtgBMFFh38-fZVLEdQIVM3TH3OAUvyGnj_0Bv2ScSsySIs7lJM/s320/Orphanage+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO61hI3sDJcx2yxZMw-q09T7hgX2NbaUWmNnxZE_7VNYQdbEYvfQE7ruM1WrIwbVq2kv_GSFd8MD4sqMWMrKHzEDbz1kanKnZp2XxB03ruR8IKR08skwpvc7PnQdPICjcmCTbhwxdGqW8/s1600/Orphanage+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO61hI3sDJcx2yxZMw-q09T7hgX2NbaUWmNnxZE_7VNYQdbEYvfQE7ruM1WrIwbVq2kv_GSFd8MD4sqMWMrKHzEDbz1kanKnZp2XxB03ruR8IKR08skwpvc7PnQdPICjcmCTbhwxdGqW8/s320/Orphanage+3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Ashley Gosnellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01549347958635202821noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8630213365715786434.post-62799047690787753032013-05-10T20:54:00.000-04:002013-05-10T20:54:01.374-04:00Guangzhou
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hey! Just wanted to let you know we made to Guangzhou
last night! It was a LONG day of traveling, but Meili did great!
She had everyone wrapped around her finger in the airport and on the plane,
smiling and blowing kisses! So we got moved up to the front of the line
at the airport! Our flight was fine. We even had a extra seat
beside us, which was really nice. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Guangzhou is REALLY big and a little overwhelming. It
doesn’t feel a whole lot like China, but our hotel is very nice and there is a
McDonalds right across the street and a 7-Eleven right around the corner.
WE have loved the Chinese food so far, but, I must say, French fries and
chicken nuggets were SO good last night. Meili is officially American
since she has now had French fries!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Our hotel is huge and has an outdoor pool and nice
playground on the fourth floor. Aaron Li is going to love it! Our
Gotcha Day for him is Monday at 2:00!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We are headed to sightsee and shop today for a while and
tomorrow is a free day! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Keep lifting Tollie and Meili as they have a cold!
Love you all!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Ashley Gosnellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01549347958635202821noreply@blogger.com2