OH MY!

We missed church yesterday because we think my hubby has H1N1. We aren't really sure, but he has a fever and stuff. For us to miss church, it is a big deal. Especially considering Brad (hubs) is the Associate Pastor of Worship. We would have gone without him, but I was afraid if he does have the piggy flu, we have been exposed and there is no sense in exposing the other 400 members. Anyway, yesterday was our ShoeBox dedication for Operation Christmas Child. We live 20 minutes from the Samaritan's Purse headquarters, so OCC is a big deal at our church.

Anyway, you are wondering how this has anything to do with adoption, aren't you? I am getting there, maybe the long way, but I getting there. So I was talking to my friend today and she said to me, "Hey, you really missed a great service at church yesterday." I told her how much I hated missing it. She then said, "During the service they mentioned Jessica by name!" Gosh, just typing it makes me cry, AGAIN. I said, "WHAT????" She went on to tell me that during the dedication of the shoeboxes, the lady that was speaking was saying how now the Samaritan's Purse is now able to deliver shoeboxes to the orphanages of China (gosh, I am still crying). She told the story about how her sister had adopted last year from China, and how dear Chinese orphans are to her heart. Then she said, "You never know, maybe the shoebox you made will be delivered to Jessica Cordray and Lydia Eller (another little one waiting to come home)."

I don't know why, but that made me ball. I felt like I couldn't catch my breath. I guess because her name is so special to me, yet most people don't know it, or even know we are adopting at all. It just made her a REAL little girl to more people than me. Does that make sense? So humbling and so sweet.

Then I had this gut punched feeling. You see, I didn't really have the money to do our shoeboxes this year. It just wasn't a priority. I kept saying, we are helping already! We have donated money to Morning Star! We are bringing an orphan home! We just can't afford this right now. However, I knew that my kids get so excited every year to do their own boxes for the children. So I bit the bullet and let each of them do a box. What if I hadn't? I would feel terrible knowing that Shelley used my little girl, BY NAME, as an example for who could get a box. Then I thought about the children who will get our boxes. I could have cost a sweet child their ONLY Christmas present. What if Jessica receives a box? I would be so grateful to the person who put their time and money into making it special for her. I can't believe I almost let Satan rob us of these sweet blessing.

But I didn't. Now wouldn't it be a HOOT if Jessica received one of OUR boxes! LOL! I wouldn't put it past my Father. He is in the miracle business.

**edited to add this link: Oh my! I am crying again, or is it still?
God's Special Children

***edited to add another link: I was wrong. I wasn't crying before, that was nothing compared to what I am doing now. Last link, I promise. Christmas in China