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Tuesday, April 7, 2009

I had an AMAZING day!

Today was an amazing day!  I have not been able to say that for a little while due to problems with the home study agency and a back injury.  I was feeling a little down.  I went to physical therapy this morning and had a little time to kill before my hair appointment (yes this was to be my cheer me up day).  I felt a strong need to go to a quilting store that I had not visited in almost a year.  It was a strange prompting for me- I have a regular quilt shop that I frequent that is closer to my hair salon.  I decided that I would follow where I was now feeling compelled to go.  I did not understand the feeling and I really did try to question it in my mind, but I went anyway.  I had convinced myself that there was probably an awesome lady bug or panda fabric there that I might have missed out on.  WOW was I wrong!

While browsing through the endless bolts of fabric at Quiltworks, I had my attention stolen.  Through the front door walked a mother of two gorgeous Asian girls.  The mother definitely looked more like me than she did her daughters, but there was no father with them in the store so I didn’t want to make any assumptions.  Several of the employees of the quilt shop seemed to know this mother and all of the interactions were jovial and friendly.  When the family came loser to where I was (now only partially glancing at the fabric) I commented on how beautiful the girls were and that my husband and I were in the process of adopting a beautiful child from China.  The mother gave me a huge smile and told me that her daughters were from Hunan and Guangdong.

I did not leave the quilt shop with any fabric today and yet it was the most productive shopping trip I have had!  Not only did she stop what she was doing to answer my hundred and one questions, but she also went on inform me about a large support group that meets every Tuesday at a local restaurant to talk about adopting from China and all that comes with it.  She invited me to come and become part of the group!  WOW! 

When I got home after my hair appointment (now almost a red head- will have to see how it fades- let it grow on me) I called my adoption agency, CCAI, on her (the lady from the quilt shop) recommendation to let them know about my struggles with the adoption agency.  Kim, from the dossier department at CCAI, was more than helpful with my questions and offered to send the social worker an email to see if she could help speed things along.  She was kind enough to blind carbon copy (bcc) us on the email, and she went above and beyond my expectations.  I felt like I needed to hurry things up after reading it, and I have everything done!  I was even informed that approximately an hour later the social worker had already responded with a much shorter timeline than the one she gave Ray last week.

I believe in GOD!  I know that he is real and that he knows my struggles personally!  Today was just one more reminder to me of that fact.  If it were up to me with all of my stubbornness- I would have never been in the right place for this wonderful experience to take place.  I was supposed to be there to meet this family!  I am so thankful that my heart was touched and that I was able to listen to the promptings in my life today!

“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise” (Proverbs 12:15)

“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath” (James 1:19)

Thank you to all of the people in my life that have been, and continue to be, an inspiration in my life. You are strength in my times of trial.  Today was an amazing day!

3 comments:

trina said...

Hi Nancy! I'm not sure I knew you were using CCAI. How cool is that?!! I love your story today. HE has it all planned out...while you wait for your little one. :)

Steve & Michelle said...

Nancy,

I am touched by your experience today and so glad to see your testimony posted in your blog! God truly does know us and wants us to be happy. He is caring for you during this process, because he knows that you and Ray have a desire to care for and love one of His precious children in need of parents who can give what you are willing to offer!! Love you, sis. I am proud of you.

Love,
Michelle

Jennifer said...

I'm so glad to hear you're hooked up with a local support network! The advice, comfort, and encouragement of those who've walked down the path ahead of us can be so important.