Hip to Be Square, NOT! Part 3

BEFORE YOU READ THIS POST...MAKE SURE YOU SCROLL DOWN AND READ PARTS 1 & 2 OF THIS STORY!

Over the last two weeks I've had an ache in my heart to know more about the girl to whom we are matched. All we know is her birth date and a few things she likes - dolls and singing (got that one covered!). All we have is a small headshot photo. No medical history, no family history, no idea how long she's been in the orphanage. All we know is that she has documents proving her parents/guardians relinquishment of rights to her and that she belongs to HCRM (the orphange in Haiti). Having adopted internationally twice before, I know the importance of searching for all the information you can get on a child. After all, its her story and she doesn't have the power to search for it herself. Its our job to find that out for her to the best of our ability. But also, selfishly, I just wanted another picture of her; one that showed her whole body rather than just a head shot -  to get some sense of her size, personality, etc. I knew it was a simple request, but I kept asking God anyway - "please send me another picture of her." I emailed Hope for Orphans. I emailed the orphanage and I even emailed a man in Boerne who spent some time in Haiti after the earthquake and had visited HCRM. I asked them all if there was any way I could get another picture of her. I received no response, but I kept asking God to make a way.

That catches us up to Sunday, March 7. I was preparing our home for our evening house church and was about to put Gracie down for a nap when I saw a text from a friend who had also reviewed the waiting children's list and had seen a picture of our girl. The text said, "Have you seen the paper today???" I immediately called her wondering what was in the paper. She said, " There's a picture - a BIG picture of "K" on page 18 of the San Antonio Express Newspaper!" I couldn't wrap my head around what she was saying. I knew that 11 kids from HCRM were released to the U.S. the night before. They were orphans who had been matched to families way before the earthquake and they were finally released. But I began to wonder if somehow there was miscommunication and "K" was already matched and given to another family. Why else would her picture be in the newspaper? My heart was beating so fast. Jenn explained that the article mentioned the 11 kids who arrived in the U.S. but went on to talk about the orphans at HCRM still left behind but who have families in San Antonio waiting for them if the door opens for them to come here. I finally grasped what she was saying and thought of my many requests to the Lord for such a picture. I just never EVER thought He would answer me with a HUGE photo in my own city's newspaper!!!!!!!!!!! The amoeba became anemic and couldn't stop shaking!!!!!!

If ever there was confirmation that we are hearing the Spirit and on the right track - this was it! I can't tell you how overwhelmed we are by God's clarity with us and his love for us and this girl. I called Billy as soon as I received word from Jenn and sent him to buy the day's paper. He came home with FIVE copies. He took one and cut the picture out and framed it within seconds of being home (That's my man!). Neither of us can stop staring at her. Did I mention that the picture is HUGE... like 7"x10". (btw - its not included in the online version of the paper - probably because its so big!).

I giggle with delight every time I think about how big that picture is. God was not about to let me miss it. He made sure Jenn saw the children's waiting list for a reason. I don't receive the paper. I would never have known "K's" picture was in there. But Jenn receives the paper and Jenn had seen "K's" picture previously. God is so good! There are several other pictures of other precious orphans left behind,  but the picture of "K" is so giant its as if Jesus were talking straight to us saying - "Hello! I told you I'm not a boring square. I'm big! I'm powerful! I'll answer you clearly in ways you can never think to imagine! Your faith be increased, my child!" Think about it - of the 380,000 orphans in Haiti (a number recorded before the earthquake) God chose one orphan's face to spread across the continuation page of the cover story for our very own city newspaper. Seriously - that is CRAZY AMAZING!

The picture has had some other unexpected impacts on me. "K's" face is so sad in the picture. It compels me to pray for her in a whole new way. Its also makes me think about all the huge transitions she will face once she is home with us. There is so much to pray about for her sake. And there is so much to pray about for our family as well - particularly for Libby who will lose her "oldest child" place in the family. But maybe God is wanting "K" and Gracie and Libby to be amoebas too...putty in his hands for His glory.

Have Thine Own Way Lord:
Have Thine own way, Lord
Have Thine own way
You are the potter
I am the clay
Mold me and make me
After Thy will
While I am waiting
Yielded and still

Have Thine own way, Lord
Have Thine own way
Hold o'er my being
Absolute sway
Fill with thy Spirit
Till all shall see
Christ only, always,
Living in me.

Amen.