You may have a Mama who will fail...a lot, but you have the best siblings and Baba waiting for you. Today, during writing time at school, Eli wanted to write about his dreaming of seeing you in China and wrapping his arms around you, but he said he just didn't have the words yet. :-). Eli has a HUGE heart. In the last 6 months, he has blossomed into a totally different child; Attentive, dedicated, driven and supportive. He talked to me at length today about no matter how hard you would grieve, that he knew you would learn to like us because God sent us you. What poetic words from a 7 year old boy. He isn't an ordinary boy - not at all! He is a boy that won't do big things someday, he wants to do them NOW. He aches for children without families, grown men without homes and lonely people living in nursing homes. Eli never forgets to pray, never leaves anyone out during play and always puts himself before others. He wants to adopt "when he is 16". :-)
Ezra is a compassionate brother with a soft heart, too. He has a gentle spirit with a playful heart. He finds such joy in the small things, such as flying kites, jumping on the trampoline in the rain, shooting BB guns, and riding bikes. He loves big and is very loyal. He is the young boy who holds the door open while every person leaves the theatre. He is the person who is quiet and a good listener. Ezra will protect you from anything he can. He is an awesome big brother!
Anna is an old soul. She was 30 when she was only 3. She never danced to silly songs at preschool, because she didn't like the attention it drew. She will stick by a siblings side in disparity, no matter the consequences. She smiles almost constantly, yet shuts down for photos. Photos are no good in her eyes. :-)
She has an humble heart - one of the most humble that I've ever met in my life. She gave her life to Christ in August of 2015. She is unique. Anna doesn't care what is popular or what everyone else likes. She will like what she likes and show it proudly. She is my sweet little friend.
Joy. Oh, little Joy. How she smiles and laughs and smirks and plays all day. I have to force tat child to learn her letters and make her stop learning her numbers. She is her own person. Joy is dramatic and lively to say the least. She is the strongest person that I know. She is also my hero. I've never in my life used this word lightly, but she deserves the title. She has been through hell and back and still knows how to love, forgive and pull herself back up again. She is tough as nails. I wouldn't be surprised to hear that Chuck Norris was her bio father. :-) Joy knows Jesus' love even when she has been in more trenches than anyone that I know. She is bright, smart and her light shines. She saves gifts for you daily (some I have to sneak out of the drawer because they are perishable items.) She understands your pain, Lily.
I look forward to the day that I can write about your heart. I can't wait to know your quirks, talents, passions and personality. You are a treasure, Lily XinLi, and you'll never forget that once you are home. You are worthy, you are a gift, you are His child before ours. We love you! Mama
