Mother's Day . . . Then and Now

Please excuse my crazy fonts and formatting . . .

Looking back . . .

Two years ago I sat at my computer, with tears in my eyes, and wrote this letter to my daughter in China. I hadn't found her yet, but I knew she was there, somewhere, waiting for us . . .

To my Teddi,

Where are you my girl? It’s Mother’s Day 2007, and I am so very blessed as a mom, but a piece of my “mother’s heart” is still missing. I have been waiting for you for so long now my sweet girl. I have been praying about you for eight long years. It seems like a very long time to me! Much has gone on in those eight years, your big brothers Bryce and Brady and your sister Taylor have nearly grown up! And your brother Brogan was born three years ago, but one thing has never changed, and that is my yearning to find you and bring you home to us!

I felt the Lord speak to my heart on February 13th of this year (2006); He told me that you were on your way! My heart leaped! Yesterday, May 12th I believe that He said “Yes” to us coming to China to get you! Right now I don’t know how old you are, or even where you are. I don’t know how we will make the way to China, but I do know that God’s promises are true, and that He will make the way! After all He promised you to me, to us, to our family. I know it seems a very complicated way to start your life, but please know that in my heart I have loved you since the day you were born! I can only pray that you are cared for and happy, and that someone is kissing your soft cheeks, while you wait for us to come get you! I pray that God will hold you gently in His care until I can find you and bring you home. I dream of the day you will read this, and I pray that you will know that I was meant to be your mama, that it was always God’s plan for you to be a part of this family.

We are missing you; we are looking for you and praying for you. And some day soon we will hold you close, and you will be our girl. Our Theadora, our “Teddi” girl, our “Gift of God”, because His word is TRUE!

I love you baby girl,

Your Mama 

One month after I wrote this, on June 11th, 2007, I would see my daughter's picture for the first time. She was found, and she was ours!

Yesterday we celebrated our very first Mother's Day together.  What a roller coaster of emotion . . .

This time last year we were packing to leave for China . . . I met my girl eight days after Mother's Day.  This year I held her tight, and thanked the Lord for His faithful promise kept.

One little bird home, one big bird getting ready to soar. . . twelve days 'til wedding bells.  The last thing I need to be doing is blogging, but my heart is so very full of emotion I have to get it put down somewhere . . . and what better place to put it then here, where I can share it with all of you?

So much more to tell, but I must get back to wedding details for now.  I hope all of you had a wonderful day yesterday.  I was blessed to talk to my own Mama first thing in the morning (I love you to the moon and back, mama), and had lunch with my mom-in-love who is here in Texas.  I spent the day surrounded by four of my birds, and my soon to be son-in-love bird, and I received a sweet phone call from my Bryce.  All that and special cards and gifts too!  

One (or two) more things . . . as I reflect on my letter to Teddi from a Mother's Day past, I pray that even now God is healing her China mama's heart.  Her loss became my precious gift . . . there are no words for that.  No words.

Lastly, to my sister-in-love, Jodi and my sweet sister Amy who themselves spent this Mother's Day dreaming of when and who the Lord will add to their very own families through this amazing plan known as "adoption" . . . I pray that the Lord brings you the desires of your hearts.  He is faithful!

Blessings from my "promises kept" nest ~

Tina