Now - Our BIGGEST Christmas Gift of All...

I have wanted to find the time to share some really wonderful news about the girls - yes, ALL three of them! - that occurred on Christmas Eve.

First, some background - Some of you may remember that when Joanna first joined our family, she was irritated by anything to do with God, maybe even angry. She did not really like to pray with us and would often find ways of being silly and disrespectful when the other girls were singing praise songs or telling us stories referencing Him. I was bothered by the 'hardness' she displayed, especially when you consider that she really had never even heard of the Christian God. Only when her English became better did I realize that she was hurt and angry because I had told her that God loved my little baby and had taken him to heaven when he died. Joanna knew that God had not taken the Chinese babies to heaven because she had seen their little bodies when they were discarded by the orphange. What a difficult conversation (actually MANY conversations) we had, trying to explain that God indeed took the souls of these little Chinese babies and that He loved them every bit as much as He loved our Ben. Once she understood this, her attitude towards God began to soften. She asked so many questions that at times I thought my brain would pop!

During the fall months, she not only asked questions, but she began to express a true interest in the person of Jesus. She told me once that she "liked Jesus," and one day, she asked me what would happen if "a girl's mom told her about Jesus, and she liked Him, but she really didn't know too much about Him yet. Would she still go to heaven?" I told her that Jesus would allow anyone to go to heaven as long as they had asked Him for forgiveness and prayed for Him to come into his/her life. This satisfied her, and I felt she was very close to making a decision.

About six weeks passed, and on the morning of Christmas Eve, I explained to the girls that we would be taking communion at church that night, but they were not to take it since it is reserved for those who have accepted Christ into their lives. They agreed, but then Joanna began to ask question about what it actually meant, and the four of us talked for about an hour. Joanna asked if it would be okay if she prayed to Jesus for forgiveness and His eternal life. I was so excited! We talked about how to do it, and I asked her to wait until her dad came home that afternoon. Ruthie pretty much assumed that she already had done this, and perhaps she had. (She definitely knows the answers to the questions!) Anyway, when Bob got home, he took both girls downstairs and began to explain everything to them once again. Abby joined them, and I called her upstairs to keep her from being a distraction. She began to cry because "Daddy was talking about Jesus, and she wanted to hear about it too." When Bob asked the older girls if they wanted to pray, Abby was the first to get down on her knees and join in. We were a bit hesitant, but Abby has the most tender little heart I have ever met, and neither of us felt comfortable telling her she was too young. The verse about "suffering the little children to come unto Me" kept playing over and over in our minds.

Life is sometimes difficult when you incorporate older children into your lifestyle and family, but I'll tell you - all the difficulties seem like nothing when you realize that God allowed you to be used in bringing these children into eternity. I am so thankful that I have been able to stay home and lead the girls in this direction, and I am thankful to the wonderful Sunday School teachers and children church instructors. Our wonderful church family has played major roles in showing Christ's love in a real way. I am in awe of God's goodness and blessings!