My Overthinking

Philly Area mom, Life forever changed by adoption

Archives for December 2011

{Advocating} Dancing Machine

Our gifts have all been opened. Toys have been played with; some batteries already may be running low. Food has been eaten…and will be reheated today for round 2.
Today, we continue to celebrate, enjoying time with family, a big ole BINGO game, and rest. 
Yet, I cannot forget those who are still waiting. Children who have been waiting for years. This child–made ready for adoption and waiting for nearly 2 years for someone to make him theirs. 2 years. 2 years on a list for anyone to view his file and accept him. But, he still waits. 
Read about him–words from someone who knows him firsthand. 
Share about him. 
Maybe his family will meet him today for the first time. 
Now, that would be a Merry Christmas.
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Not just another summer. This past July, my husband and I returned to China to be part of of the Bring Me Hope Camp in Xian for Chinese orphans. This was our 2nd BMH camp in Xian. And, knowing what we were getting into, we were both very excited to spend 5 days with children who would no doubt change us as we served them.

I was blessed to actually go to the orphanage to collect the orphans and bring them to our campsite. And, the first child I saw was a little boy I remembered from the year before, a little boy who had been buddied with my friend. His little face just beamed when he saw me. Twelve months later, he clearly knew me. And, as happy as I was to see him, I was hoping I would not. I was hoping he wouldn’t still be there.

This year, he was my buddy. My little man “Daniel” has a smile that just seemed to go from ear to ear, and a personality to melt hearts.

At the young age of 8, he was able to entertain the entire camp with his incredible dance moves, putting the rest of us to shame (get a first-hand glimpse of the action here or here or here). When he wasn’t singing and dancing, we were playing badminton, blowing bubbles, and chasing each other around the campsite.

With an easygoing nature and an infectious laugh, I couldn’t get enough of how he would grab hold of my hand and try to drag me to where he wanted to play.

I hope I don’t see him again.

Because when I go back to Xi’an, I don’t want him to be there. I want him to be home with a family. He needs to be grabbing hold of the hands of his forever mum and dad and maybe dancing around with brothers and sisters.

Three years of waiting for a family to say yes is too long. His best friend will be joining his family soon. Daniel needs to too.

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These words were written Carol Blanch (and edited by me for the purpose of advocating). Carol is a school teacher in Anna Bay, NSW, Australia. She and her husband Stephen volunteered with Bring Me Hope in China for the second time this past July. They have two grown, married daughters and are part of a vibrant church community. China and orphans have captured their hearts.

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Christmas Links Worth Lingering On

‘Tis the season for mothers everywhere to be running around scrubbing bathrooms, packing bags, baking cookies, and tying ribbons on packages. (please tell me I’m not the only one.)

But, when visions of sugar plums dance in your little ones’ heads and no creature is stirring except for your mouse, here are some links worth lingering on.

Incarnation – This is definitely one to linger on. It was written by Sarah Styles Bessey on the blog A Deeper Story: Tales of Christ and Culture. Sarah talks here about the “mess of the incarnation” and the experience of Christ’s birth. Beautiful post. Beware, all the Christmas posts on this blog will suck. you. in. Amazing stuff there. I am now a subscriber.

The Christmas Conspiracy – Forbes magazine features an article on the Advent Conspiracy. Excited that it’s hitting mainstream and getting some attention among whoever it is who reads Forbes’ site…which I imagine is a big ole audience.

Here, Lara, the farmer’s wife, tells all why she “does” Santa with her kiddos. We don’t. But, I am always intrigued by the whole To Santa or Not To Santa question.

Kristi puts the rest of us to shame with her Gingerbread Soiree. I mean, seriously…get ready to feel like you have zero creativity in comparison. I have vowed I will make those adorable snowman drinks for my clan sometime this winter. Please remind me of my vow come February.

Amy at Mom’s Toolbox gives instructions on how to make a mommy and kids’ activities advent calendar. Yes, too late for this year unless you want to do…well…one activity. Bookmark it for next year.

Lindsay at Passionate Homemaking shares some questions written by Donald Whitney to help you around the table on Christmas to have some significant Christ-centered dialogue. Whether you are celebrating with 25 or 5, these questions are totally worth lingering on. I’m stealing a few. Wonder how they’ll go over with my goofy uncle who always greets me with “Happy Festivus!”

Levi Benkert from Bring Love In shares how he attempts to explain the concept of the fat man in the red suit in Ethiopia. Apparently, I’m not the only one who thinks all the Santa stuff is strange.

And, last but not least…not exactly a Christmas link except that it is about a gift…or more like 10,000 gifts. My way-cooler-than-me friend Colleen, mommy of 4, 2 of whom were adopted from Uganda, is advocating for the amazing ministry Sixty Feet. If they get enough votes here, they will get a grant of $10,000 for their work. It takes a millisecond. And, they are SO close to winning. Consider it your gift to Sixty Feet.

Any posts you want to share? Lay ’em on me.

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He is There

Christmas 2009. Only 2 Christmases ago. I was a wreck. We were so close to being matched with our new child. I just knew it would be a few weeks after Christmas.

And, that meant that though I didn’t know who she was or where exactly she was, what she looked like or how old she was. I knew she was. I knew she was somewhere across the world, alone for Christmas, what was her first Christmas.

And, though I was anxious and wondering and thinking all the time about her, there was something that gave me great peace.

God was there.

Read Luke 2:6-20. Luke mentioned the manger three times. Why?

The manger was messy. It wasn’t what we picture–a wooden contraption with a sweet bed of hay. It was more like a box looking thing or basin made out of clay mixed with hay or stones and held together with mud. All kinds of food for animals were put in it, not just nice yellow hay. It was dirty, maybe moldy, smelly.

And, God was there. 

As spunky and full of life as Lydia is now, it wasn’t that long ago that she was in a pretty messy place. I believe her orphanage was one of the better ones–her needs were met. There were windows with natural light in the room where she lived 24-7. In that room were 40 cribs, but there were also some toys. But, there were older children in that orphanage too, children we weren’t allowed to see. And, I wonder what their days were like.

I’ve heard a lot of stories–about adopted children who flinch when someone moves their direction in fear that they will be hit; children who were never held, children who have come to accept that no one wants to bring home a child their age, only babies; children who suffer consequences from not having the medical treatment they needed earlier.

And, yet, I believe God is there.

God is not only not afraid to get his feet dirty; He is about getting His feet dirty.

Psalm 34:18 tells us He’s close to the brokenhearted. I can only imagine that He is very close indeed to brokenhearted children, whether they are aware of their brokenness or not. He’s there.

I prayed for our daughter 2 Christmases ago, that He would be close to her, that He would remain close to her. That He would be tangibly felt in that room where she slept. That He would wrap His arms around her when she was cold. That He’d rock her when she needed comfort. That He’d be in the manger with her. 
I know He was there.

And, somehow, in the dark places of orphanages around the world, I can’t explain how or what He always looks like there, but I believe that He’s there. In the warmth of the sun pouring in the windows, He comforted my child. In the smile of a nanny. In the gaze of another orphan. In the provision sent by charities around the world. In her broken heart. 
Somehow, He was there.
And, right now, tonight, as my children play with nativity figures and count the stars on our Christmas tree, He is here…and, He is there, somehow making an unholy place, holy.
That’s what He’s about.

photos courtesy of KC Photography

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{Purposeful Giveaways} Week 7 Winners

It’s Christmas week, people.

And, I’m a Christmas person. Give me some peppermint hot cocoa and a seat by the lit tree, and I’m a happy woman.

Despite my list of things to do, I’ve got stars in my eyes this week.

Hoping that these winners are feeling the Christmas spirit too when they find out about the goodies headed their way.

Resurrection Knits still has items left in their store. And, remember, ALL of the money goes to International Justice Mission. The money you spend there is a donation…and you get a really beautiful hand knit piece at the same time. Total win – win. And, I know Valerie Almy is going to love receiving her beautiful scarfette/headband. She’s a seamstress herself over at Ruffled Feathers and will treasure this couple’s labor of love. Congrats, girlfriend!

And, somebody is going to have some fun over the Christmas break online over at Powercapes to design their very own custom cape. Robin Blankenship, have fun with your daughter! Make it a superhero night, and enjoy some peppermint hot cocoa and Christmas cookies as she picks out exactly what she wants to be her very own superhero.

Don’t forget this giveaway for some custom apparel from Apliiq, a very cool new website where you can design your own clothes with whatever fabric you choose from their collection of fun ones. Be warned — you may become addicted to the creative process.

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