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| Katie, Lars, Quinten, and Albin. |
You could say this journey started on April 5th of this year, or you could say it started when she was 16 years old.
When Katie was in high school she babysat regularly for a little girl who was adopted from China and my sister's heart began to stir for the plight of orphan girls in China.
Then there was Thursday April 5, 2012. April 5th was one of the most complicated days (emotionally speaking) that I have ever had. I haven't even been able to think about it or process it fully until recently.
On April 5th my sweet Abby turned two and we had our "big" ultrasound which revealed a healthy baby girl. Yet, while I was celebrating 2 years of life with our daughter and got a glimpse of the daughter we will meet in August, my sister was going through a devastating loss...the loss of her own baby, 10 weeks into pregnancy. Her third loss in two years.
I don't remember a day in my life where I felt so much pain and so much joy at the same time. I would go from "it feels like Christmas" feelings of excitement and anticipation for what the day represented for us, to tears and heartache for my sister...in a moment. I didn't know a human could feel such extreme feelings at the same time.
There is a verse in the Bible that says, "Rejoice with those who rejoice, mourn with those who mourn" (Romans 12:15). I mourned with Katie and her sweet family on April 5th. Mourned for the life they had lost. Mourned for the opportunity to be pregnant at the same time. Wept and mourned.
Yet now, 3 months later I am rejoicing with Katie. 1996 and April 5, 2012, and many many steps inbetween, have led Katie and her husband to the choice to adopt from China. In Katie's own words, "Our grief turned to hope as our thoughts turned to the dream of a little girl in China." They are on a journey toward a little girl from China and I rejoice with them.
HERE is their adoption website where you can learn more of their story, and HERE is how you can support them financially if you are so led.
I worked at Chinese Children Adoption International in Colorado for 3+ years, and this is the agency that my sister has chosen to use. I can tell you from my years assisting in the adoptions of hundreds of families that adoption is not for the faint of heart. It is a journey where the adoptive family needs A LOT of support...emotionally, spiritually, and sometimes financially.
We are so excited to be on this journey with our beloved family members and I know Katie and her family would greatly appreciate all types of support from anyone else who wants to be part of this journey with them too.
Go to http://strombergadoption.com/ to learn more and see how you can support this adoption. Thanks!
