An Update to Our Adoption Blog

More of my blogging focus over the next few months will be at our adoption blog, Journey to China. So much is happening, and I know I won't be able to be faithful to both. Recording our adoption journey is so very important because one day it will be a piece to the puzzle of Grace's life journey. It is her history, and I want to record it well.

So, join me next door. I promise to say hello from this venue from time to time as well :)

God Has Given Us A Daughter!

Those of you who hang around here much know that my family has been on an adoption journey for the past year. If you are interested in the story, you can find it at the blog link in the right sidebar. I told you a few days ago that we had some big stuff going on that would take me away from the blog for a time. Well, this is it! We've been matched!

I finally have the privilege of introducing the newest member of the Rainey family to you. Her name is Abigail Grace. Her Chinese name is RuoYun Liang.



Our adoption agency recently had the extraordinary opportunity to access a database of children that they do not often have access to. This has allowed them to match us many months before we really expected it to happen. We received her photos and information about a week and a half ago, but have been waiting for a certain pre-approval from the CCAA before we were allowed to share her information online.

Our beautiful baby girl just had her first birthday on Sunday. It makes me sad to have missed this milestone. But, I know that we will share many more with her!

These are the things that we know:

~Her Chinese name, RuoYun, means "like a cloud", the surname, Liang, identifies her as a resident of her particular orphanage.

~She was abandoned at approximately 4 days old at the gate of the orphanage where she resides.

~There is much poverty in her province.

~Her province has the highest rate of both birth defects and infant mortality in China.

~She is with people who truly care for the children in their charge. I have been in contact with families who have been there, know the director, and attest to the children receiving the best care possible in their given situation.

~She has a unilateral cleft palate and lip which will require one or more surgeries and speech therapy once we get her home.

~She is a quiet child.

~She likes to play with blocks.

~She loves music.

There are many children in her orphanage with mild to severe special needs. The population of the orphanage increased significantly last year. Many of these little ones have very little hope for adoption. The fact that such kind care is given to so many with special needs is a tribute to the Nannies and Orphanage Director. It is a comfort to know that she is with people who love her.

The orphanage was damaged by an earthquake in 2008. Caring people there have been working since then to raise the funds to rebuild so that they can be in a safer structure. This building is being erected now, and they hope to move the children around August.

So here's the BIG question...When do we go and get her?
We don't know for sure. We are waiting for a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) from the CCAA. When we get this, it will include an invitation to travel. The trip will be planned at that point, based upon the appointment that we are given at the US Consulate in Guangzhou. I will share more about the details of the trip when the time draws nearer. We expect (hope) to travel within 4-6 months.

We are so excited, so thankful, and so very blessed to have the privilege of parenting this sweet girl, and her big brothers Sam and Seth.

Sunday Devotional

I don't know if this is something that I will do consistently or not. Frankly, Sunday, the "day of rest", tends to be a little chaotic for my family. So goes the life of a family in ministry. But, this morning I have a few minutes.

I thought I would share a devotional that I wrote for an acquisition work that will be published this Spring. I am very excited about this for a couple of reasons.

1-The proceeds from the book will be going to fund scholarships for women who are seeking a seminary education.

2-It is my first time being published.

There were very specific formatting and word-count limitations, causing it to be short and to the point. As you can tell, I wrote on a subject that is dear to my heart.

Background Passage: Psalm 82

Focal Verse:
“Provide justice for the needy and the fatherless; uphold the rights of the oppressed and destitute.” (Psalm 82:3)

This Psalm is meant to warn national leaders of their responsibility to protect the weakest and most vulnerable among those in their charge. When coupled with James 1:27, it is clear that this same responsibility lies at the feet of every believer.

My husband and I have felt a calling to adoption for many years. Recently God made it clear that the time had come for us to begin that journey. As we began delving into the adoption process, we were surprised by the reactions of many of our Christian friends. All have been supportive, but few seem to realize the Scriptural mandate that we have been given as believers to be active in orphan care. Many have never considered their own position as a co-heir with Christ, and the beautiful reflection of that which we are given through adoption. Paul Pennington, in his blog, Hope for Orphans, stated, “Caring for orphans is God’s will for everybody. Adoption is not.” Consider what role God would have you take in the care of the weakest among us. Whether it is through foster care, adoption, advocacy, or financially supporting those who choose adoption, God’s calling is clear and unavoidable.

*The photo is my own, taken of the oldest standing church building in Antigua.

Haiti's Orphans

I have not yet spoken to the crisis in Haiti. Partly, this has been because I haven't known what to say that hasn't already been said. Maybe it is all just too big to comprehend. It is certainly overwhelming. I have spent my time praying for the suffering and loss among the Haitian people. I have also been praying for the physical and mental safety of those first responders among the various international relief organizations. I cannot fathom the tragedy that they are witnessing.

Before the earthquake Haiti had an orphan crisis on their hands. There were literally thousands of little ones, just like my boys, living on the street or as slaves. One doctor interviewed on CNN has said that the orphan population has tripled this week. There are hundreds of thousands of children who are alone...there is no one to make sure they even have the basic necessities. There were a handful of orphanages. Now I understand that there are none. What can be our response to this? How can we help?

Together for Adoption is working on a plan, and preparing to mobilize churches to act. I don't know what the plan will be. I don't know how we can help, yet. But, I do know this, we are responsible to help. James 1:27 says, "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world." If ever orphans have been in affliction, it is happening now in Haiti.

How am I preparing to respond? In whatever way the Lord allows. If it is money... fine. If it is time spent in Haiti... I can do that. If it is to bring one of these little ones into my home as a part of my family... I am ready do that too. One thing is for sure, my heart will not let me sit idly by and do nothing.

Please pray for these precious children. And, pray that a means can be established between our State Department and the Haitian government through which these children can be adopted quickly.

Southern Roots Run Deep

I was born and raised in South Carolina. So was my dad, and his dad, and his dad, and his dad. My Great-Great Grandfather is buried about 5 miles from my parent's home. I am the first in my family in several generations to live outside of that small town. My Southern roots run deep. I love my heritage. I have lived away from the South for 10 of the 15 years that I have been married...but I will always be a Southern girl.

My husband and I have been living in Maryland for almost 5 years now. We love this area! Despite being a few miles south of the Mason-Dixon line, it is not the South (I don't care what the natives say!) But, this is our home. The Maryland countryside is some of the most lovely I've seen. There is an unbelievably eclectic mix of people here. The number of heart languages spoken within a 25 mile radius of my home is astounding. There are people from all walks of life. My neighbors are farmers, teachers, doctors, politicians, surveyors, contractors, and governments employees. It is an easy drive to more landmarks of historical significance than I can count. We love to visit Gettysburg and Harper's Ferry for a family day out.

We have two precious boys. The oldest is a fourth grader, the youngest is in preschool. We are also on the journey to adopt a daughter from China, who is already in our hearts although we have not yet seen her face. I am learning more and more each day what a joy it is to be a mom. I am learning about the things that really are important. I am finding out more about myself, some things that are good and many that need improvement.

Faith is a huge part of our lives. God has blessed our family immeasurably. The greatest gift that He has given us is the sacrifice of His Son. Our purpose is to bring glory to Him in all things. I get off track often, but He is patient to correct me and bring me back to focus. I do not believe in religion, that will get you nowhere. But, being in a relationship? Now there is something that matters!

I am also learning new ways to be frugal. Many years ago a friend informed me that her husband had said that I could pinch a penny until Abe Lincoln screamed. If he could only see me now! I actually get a charge when I use so many coupons at the grocery store that the manager has to come out and approve my purchase. Who needs drugs when you can get a rush like that for free?

I like to cook, read and run. I am a novice cake decorator. I enjoy infusing bits of Southern tradition and hospitality into my life here. And honestly, I just love sharing new ideas that I've come across. So, this blog will be a conglomeration of things that I just want to share: recipes, bargains, thoughts on adoption, matters of faith, tips on how to save a buck...

So, join me on the journey. And please, share with me what you have learned as well. Most of my posts are not likely to be earth-shattering. But, life is rarely dull just south of the Mason-Dixon ;)