Taking love to China

Back to China! China became a special place when we went to bring home Stella and because she is a part of our family now, it will always hold a special place with us.  The stories and moments we experience there are still told - even the crazy times! Now someone is going back! Melissa, my oldest daughter, China travel companion and now a high school graduate, wants to head back to China to work with special needs orphans.  Her plans should take her back this Fall for a few months.

See this picture? This is Melissa holding a precious baby girl during our orphanage visit.  I'm pretty sure it's what cemented in her God's calling for her to return.  Before we even left she felt sure that mission work was where she was being led.  Now she's sure.  Volunteering at a special needs foster home and working with orphans - that's where she'll go first.  Working with the least of these.... the fatherless... giving hope.... offering love.... So proud of my daughter for giving a voice to those who can not speak for themselves.

 Melissa worked to help design a special t shirt to help raise funds for her trip (she's also working this Summer and that will go toward her trip too).  I'm sharing it here today because this is such a cool shirt! Raising enough for her plane ticket would be wonderful, but any and all funds raised will go toward her time in China and buying supplies to bring with her to take to the children.

"Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders"..... Ya'll.... this speaks to all of us so well! Especially those of us who have adopted a child.  If you feel led to support Melissa, or just want a cool t shirt - click this link (or click on the picture above) and it will take you to the page to order one.  She thanks you, we thank you! Bonfire funds ships the shirts out directly to you about 2 weeks after the fund closes (in just 11 days!) and the shirts are 100% cotton - and super comfy.

And you can say you have a tshirt from Stella! She fully supports her JieJie "Big Sister" - but she's going to miss her so much! Me too...

Graduating Melissa

You know when you have a baby, hold her for the first time, caress her tiny fingers and toes, and wonder what she will become? I remember holding baby Melissa and praying that she would grow up to be His child.  My baby girl graduated this week from High School and I couldn't be more proud of her! She's such a fun, loving, silly, caring, smart person! And most of all she knows she is His child most of all.  I'm so thankful for the time we spent homeschooling her - since she was with me so much she is also a very good friend of mine!

Her little sisters LOVE her!

It's officially, OFFICIAL! She's done!

CONGRATULATIONS! You did it!

She didn't want a traditional cake so we made several fruit pies and homemade ice cream! Yum!

We picked this weekend to celebrate (great thing about homeschooling - even the flexibility to graduate when you want) since all the grandparents would be in town. So special to have them here!

She has some wonderful plans coming up and knows she's being called back to China to work with orphans.  I'm going to miss her so much! We are praying for her to life an extraordinary life for Christ and can't wait to see where she will go.