KEEP BELIEVING

What do you wonder? Have you ever pondered that question? My church showed a video last week that asked people to ponder this simple question. The answers ranged from “I wonder why I’m here” to “I wonder if he’ll ever lose weight” (laugh, wink). If you were to ask Thing 1 and Thing 2, I’m sure their answer would be, “I wonder if I’ll get ___ for Christmas!”  LOL

The question had me thinking all week. Beyond wondering what I’m going to cook for dinner, these are the things that keep me up at night: I wonder why children have to suffer. I wonder why bad things happen to good people. This week, I’ve been wondering what it would be like to grow up without a family? Let me explain why.

Seven years ago, a baby born with severe club feet was left in a box at the doorstep of an orphanage. At the same time, halfway around the world, a couple was praying for a child. As they pursued adoption, they saw a video of that precious baby, and fell in love. A few months later, they were told there was a problem and the baby would not be adoptable. Not giving up, the couple tried again, and planned to adopt an older girl. Before their departure, they got a call that the paperwork was fixed and they could adopt the baby with club feet. Trusting this was the plan for them, my sister and brother-in-law adopted two precious girls from China!

Fast forward. Four years ago, another baby was left at a special needs orphanage, only she doesn’t have any special needs. For reasons unknown, her paperwork was never filed, and she was seemingly, forgotten. Who would possibly want to adopt her now that she’s four-years-old? Again, halfway around the world, my sister and brother-in-law, have been waiting THREE years for another child, not understanding why they kept hitting roadblocks and delays. Then, one day, they got a call. Would you be willing to adopt an older child?

You see, when everything looked hopeless, there was someone looking out for that baby. There was a plan.

I don’t believe in chance, I believe in miracles, and this really is a Christmas miracle! On Christmas Day 2017, Mia Li will finally meet her family. The family that has been waiting and praying for her for three years!

So, whatever it is you are wondering this Christmas season, don’t quit wondering! Your miracle is waiting for you, if you KEEP BELIEVING!

The Monks have teamed up with Gobena Coffee to raise funds for their adoption. 50% of your purchase will go towards the adoption costs. If you are interested, please visit https://my.gobena.org/stories/monks-adoption-fundraiser/?id=259 (no subscription necessary).

Dedicated to these precious babies that have found their forever home: Julian, Leighton, Katie, Jorja, Bailey, Micah, and Riley.

“All I really want for Christmas, is someone to tuck me in. There’s so much I could ask for, but there’s just one thing I need. All I really want for Christmas is a family.” ©Ed Cash and Steven Curtis Chapman, Sparrow Records, 2005.