Sunday, August 10, 2008

Happy Referral Day!!

I will never forget that day, 2 years ago, and that phone call. As soon as I saw our adoption agency on the caller id, I started shaking. We had been on our agency's "interested family" list for the China special needs program for quite a few months. As different families received calls every few months, we wondered when it would be our turn. We wondered which little girl God had already chosen for our family....so many questions, so many prayers, so much waiting. Just 2 weeks earlier, our agency (America World Adoption) had received 4 "surprise", out of the blue Special needs referrals. I watched as families posted on America Worlds Yahoo group about their referrals. I tried not to question God......but why weren't WE getting a call? A family posted about receiving a referral of a little girl with a hemangioma on her face. They said it looked like a little birth mark. I was so sad......our Riley had had a hemangioma on his back. We knew exactly what that was. We had seen doctors about it. We were educated and informed! But God had chosen another family for this little girl. I called our family coordinator to ask her about this, and she told me we had only said "minor special needs", but we hadn't specifically said we would consider a child with a hemangioma. I told her to add it to our application. She told me they RARELY get this as a special need. Then told me again, to make sure I understood, they RARELY get this as a special need! Ok, I understood, but please add this to our list. This was a no-brainer. Two weeks later, our phone rang. It was our family coordinator....I was shaking! She asked me if we would be interested in reviewing the file of a little girl with a hemangioma on her hand?! WHAT?? Yes, they recieved another file! Were we interested? Are you kidding.....let us see our daughter! Less than an hour later, Russ was home from work, the kids had been called in from playing with their friends and we were looking at the pictures of the cutest little Chinese baby we had ever seen. She was our daughter!!
3 months later, we were on a plane to China. We were so blessed to be able to travel with the family who had adopted the little girl with the hemangioma on her face(Lucy). Had it not been for Lucy's referral, we would not have known to add the SN of Hemangioma to our application, and we would not have gotten our referral for Addison. Was her referral really a "surprise" to our agency? I suppose it was. But was it a surprise to God? Definitely not!! I truly believe God brought Addison into our family, through that "surprise referral" of Lucy...... 2 years later, and we are still in touch with Lucy and her mom and family. They have become some of my dearest friends! Isn't it amazing how God works, how God blesses, and how God shows himself to us in the best of ways?! This is a picture of Addie and Lucy at the beach last month.....

And here are a few more pictures of Addison now.....she is such a joy to our family. She is a perfect fit for our family, and always has been. I don't think any of us can imagine our lives without her in them. Thanks be to God.....for He is never surprised! How we love this little girl, and how I love to re-tell her story of how she became a part of our family!

Psalm 78:4 .........we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done.

We love you Addison Grace Xin!!!!!!!!!!

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Beautiful post, Becki! I get teary whenever I hear that story. And of course thanks to Addie and Lucy, we're bringing home Kate!!!

Julie said...

What a wonderful story to share! Thank you for telling it to us. Addie is very special as is your entire family!

When is Kate coming home? How exciting for her family.

Anonymous said...

Oh, Beck!!!! I can SOOO relate! 15 months later and I'm SOOO in AWE that this beautiful little girl is MY daughter!!!! Temper tantrums and all - I feel blessed beyond words! Praising the ALMIGHTY with you! HE knew before the creation of the world. WOW!

Anonymous said...

Becki,
It is hard to believe it has been 2years. We didn't receive our referral of Alli Rui until the 17th. Your story is truly inspiring and as we struggle to pick the "right" SN for our 2nd adoption, your story reminds me of God's sovereignty. May He be glorified in this.
Love to all,
Beth
P.S. DTC 8-8-08!

JinXiu said...

what a wonderful story and congratulations

Gretchen said...

Happy referral day! What a wonderful post.

Amy Jo said...

Happy Referral Day!!! Today is ours! I tried to explain it to Sara and she was totally cracking me up with what she got out of the conversation. I'm SO glad God chose Addison for your family! Couldn't be more a more perfect fit. I'm in awe of how she continues to blossom within your beautiful family! Love to all of you!

Michelle R Photography said...

What a beautiful story!!! I just love reading about the adoption journeys of others and how God brings His plan for us to light. How wonderful you still keep in touch with Lucy!

Heidi said...

Happy Referral Day!!!! I love hearing Addie's story and I love that we share this special day. We are truely blessed with by our girls.
Love,
Heidi

Dawn said...

Wonderful post Becki and what a story. I don't think I knew that! How long have we been chatting??? ;-)
Beautiful pictures and happy referral day!!!!
Love
Dawn

Cindi said...

Beautiful post.... beautiful daughter..... AND beautiful family.

Thanks so much for commenting on my blog during our travels. Such an amazing time...