I'm procrastinating. Grades are due for my two little homeschool classes tomorrow morning, and I have to give myself breaks in between, or the words run together. So I'm thinking...
We found out Monday that Big Sis M will be leaving us within the next two weeks. She's glowing, not because she's ready to leave us, but as she's said over and over, "He did it, Catie. He really answered my prayers." She's gaining a family that desperately longs for her. She's worth that and so much more.
From the moment we discovered she would be joining us two month ago, we had many sympathetic comments. "I'm so sorry your being thrown into the world of a teenage girl. Be ready for the crying, the demands, the hormones."
We were pretty terrified.
Then we studied this 13-year-old Chinese girl who had joined our family. We watched her. We watched her heart seeking out her Savior because He had sought her first. We watched her fears and excitement over the little and big things.
The truth...
Where other teenage girls are fretting over what to wear today, my sweet girl is fretting over how many of her clothes to give away, because she believes she has too much.
Where other girls are striving to make money for shopping trips and outings, my sweet girl is earning money to send to her homeland, so "every girl in China can hear of her savior."
Where other girls are stressing over boys and friends, my sweet girl has been patiently waiting for someone to call her daughter.
And we've had the honor of watching all of this in our home. Next week, my sweet sister for eternity will move into her new family, the one that's been longing for, praying for, and hoping for her long before they ever knew her name.
I'm so grateful I have a teenager in my home.
Hey Catie!
ReplyDeleteIt's so sweet to read this. Yes, I'm friends with your sister Leah, and I've meet M on a few occasions. I cried for her and prayer for her, and I'm most overjoyed by her decision to follow Jesus!! As someone who is bringing a 12-year-old home from China in a few months, we've also gotten similar comments. And so I loved reading your perspective and observations. I think it's going to be an amazing experience for all of us, though I realize we have a lot to learn. Anyway, I am encouraged by this post and am grateful for the love and care you've given M over the last few weeks!! :)
Kelley
Catie- not sure how I found your blog, but I'm so glad I did! Your family is a beautiful picture of what it means to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Thank you for living so sacrificially and for sharing your journey with us! You are such an inspiration to me!
ReplyDeleteLove, Ellen Flannery