Friday, December 8, 2006

Favorite "photo" Friday

Well, I am not able to post a photo at the moment. I think I have thoroughly messed things up in that area over here. But, I have decided that I will not let that stop me from participating in Friday's photo post. Close your eyes as I try to paint you a picture of one of my favorite memories. Memories, afterall, are simply photos in our minds -- yes?
OK. Open your eyes, you have to READ this.
One of my favorite memories is when I gave my testimony (of sorts) of my journey to sweet Lil. It was May of 2005, we had been back from China with our little bundle for almost one month.
My church was doing a Musical called "Somebody's Praying Me Through" and I was singing a verse from a beautiful song called "He's Always Been Faithful" which, of course, is a song about God's faithfulness to us. Before I sang, I said these words...
"Jeremiah 29:11 says 'For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future'. I held on to that scripture for dear life when my husband and I were struggling with the devestation that infertility can bring. But, what I have now come to realize is that God is faithful to the plans that HE has for us... but we first need to let go of OUR pre-conceived ideas and dreams and ask God what He has in store for us -- that is when the blessings come pouring in. I was praying (and pleading and begging) God to allow me to become pregnant, not knowing that He was indeed going to make me a mom and He had already chosen our baby for us, but she was going to be conceived and born a world away and we would make the journey of a lifetime to go and get her and bring her home.
I see now that God also had a plan for an abandoned baby girl -- plans to give HER hope and a future. Jay and I have been the proud parents of Lily Lin, a baby girl who was born in China, for almost a month now and honestly my life doesn't look anything like I had imagined it would. But I am confident that this is what God had planned all along for the three of us. My heart is filled to overflowing with love for my sweet , wonderful daughter. And I am forever grateful to my Heavenly Father who has been more faithful to me than I will ever know how to put into words".

The picture of this night is forever in my memory and embedded deeply in my heart. I remember saying these words to a dimly lit room filled with people... family, friends, and strangers alike. But, I remember most saying it to the dimly lit figure of a squirmy, squeaky little asian baby in the back row watching her momma.

6 comments:

Steffie B. said...

OK......I'm crying! That was absolutely beautiful Nikki!

Emmie said...

Wow Nikki! I don't even know what to say! God bless you and your family!:)Lily is lucky to have parents like you and Jay!

Verna said...

Nikki, that is wonderful. I can picture it and so relate. We are all blessed with stinkers with softer sides. They had to be tough just to survive the journey to us. Thanks so much for sharing.

Jody said...

Hey lucky me I have that memory embedded in my head/heart too. So glad to be a part of your life.

Beckyb said...

Even better than a photo Nikki - it's beautiful!!! I am sorry I missed your call - I was travelling probably - try me again!!!

Anonymous said...

Nik,
Your Favorite "photo" brought tears to my eyes,looks like you have the real photos down pat now.