A family of 5

"Every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father of Heavenly lights who does not change like shifting shadows." James 1

All these months we have been preparing to become a family of 5. We have anticipated changes like adjusting to life with a toddler...changing diapers...teaching English to a little one who speaks Chinese...childproofing...moving.

Change is:
A. Exciting
B. Challenging
C. Emotional
D. All of the above and much much more.

My answer is D.

Each of us is processing change. Sometimes we process in similar ways. Sometimes we process in different ways. Some ways are logical and factual, others are emotional and irrational. Some are predictable and others come out of nowhere.

In reality, moving is the first tangible change for our family...but it is far from being the first change in our family as we prepare to add to our family.

However, there has always been fifth member of our family that many days goes unnoticed. It doesn't ever speak. It knows and keeps all our secrets. It's always here and has been here for every holiday, birthday, sickness, thunderstorm, and blizzard. It has transformed along with each of us over the years. It has sheltered us from heat, protected us from lightning, kept us dry from torrential downpours, and it has kept warm in winter.

It isn't an easy thing to move from a place that has held so many memories. It's like leaving a family member behind. Perhaps it's not as difficult if you only live in your house for a few years. Perhaps it's not as difficult if you didn't transform nearly every surface of the house inside and out in some way, and have left a bit of yourself in each room. We made this house our home in every way and we have been and are so grateful for the years we have had it and the time (however much that is) we have left. We brought our son home from the hospital in this house...brought home a new puppy to this house...celebrated over 50 birthdays in this house...

We decided as a family to adopt a little girl in this house.

We decided as a family to pursue a life outside our comfort zone, abandon all things familiar, and invest in a child we already somehow love - but haven't met. God asked "Will you do this?" and we each said:

"I will".

Some people say we are nice. Some say "it's a miracle" when we tell them how God has provided for us along the way and how He has been faithful to make clear the path to little Grace. I don't know if I call monetary providence a miracle. I definitely believe it's the hand of God meeting our needs. I do believe that the real miracle is how each of us have changed.

The miracle is how a father who likes to know where the money is coming from and when; and have all things financially accounted for ahead of time - trades that peace of mind and comfort in the name of faith, to pursue his daughter on the other side of the world - and he hasn't even seen her face.

The miracle is how a mother who fiercely loves her healthy, mostly grown, biological children; just as fiercely takes on a job change, a move, and a toddler daughter with unknown special needs...and can't wait to hold her in her arms and show her what it means to be really loved.

The miracle is how a daughter in fragile teenaged years embraces the idea of welcoming a much younger sister, dreams about playing with her, teaching her to read, showing her what nail polish does and offers to share a room with her so she isn't all alone in hers.

and finally...

The miracle is how a son, who at first - resisted any change to this family and liked and preferred things the way they were -- began to pray about what God might be asking us all to do. The miracle is that this son now prays for a sister he hasn't met; asking God that she would be treated with kindness and kept safe until we can bring her home to be ours forever.

Miracles are not limited to things. Can God multiply food, and funds, and fish? Yes. I don't think it's a big deal to Him because He is almighty. Real miracles are about people with hearts changed by God and what God can do with people when they say "I will".