The Red Thread

On Saturday,

we met 4 other families with children adopted

from Putian City orphanage in China @ zoo in Greenville.

Our sweet friend and mom to Linden

was the one to make this get together happen.

Right after we accepted Jing's referral,

I found a Putian City yahoo group and connected with Linden's mom.

She actually talked to me about two hours one day

like it wasn't a big deal at all.

I got off the phone being completely at peace

and having a new friend.

She was very kind to email me lots, send pics,

and have her precious Chinese friend get new pics of Jing

when she went home to visit her family in none other than... Putian City.

Probably pretty crazy for most people when I say

I had never met any of these families

and knew them only from email, blogs, and talks on the phone

but felt an incredible connection~ by a red thread.

It is said...

"An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place, or circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle, but will never break."
--An ancient Chinese belief"

I had butterflies when we drove up

and even worried that we might not know each other.

That was all silly~

we walked up to the sweetest group of people ever

and enjoyed our time celebrating the children

we love and now have forever families.

We shot photos of all the families and whole group.

Our family, the whole group, the Spitlers (Isaac),

the Reeders (Linden), the Morrises (Isabella),

and the Redingtons (Zion).

Isabella's mom was the first person I ever talked to once we had Jing's referral.

She moderates our yahoo group and actually got me updated photos too!

God really blessed me big when He made me part of this amazing family!!!

I guess this get together was mostly so us moms could connect

but when we walked up, we were immediately

greeted by Sandy, Isaac's mom.

She has been home with him since May

and was so sweet to take a photo album

to Jing plus got us updated pictures!!!

She introduced Isaac to Jing right away

and showed her pictures of them together.

Here they are still living @ orphanage in China.

JingJing on the left and Isaac on the right.

Then Jing looks around at Isaac

and we could tell she remembered him~

she had a teeny smile on her face.

They definitely had a connection right away.

The kids had SO much fun playing

and eating a picnic lunch.

Then we were off to the zoo~

Jing's first visit and this pic shows her

the minute she saw an elephant for the first time.

LOVE the sparkle in her eyes!

Had many opportunities for photos~

just like Jing and Isaac had a connection...

so did EK and Abby.

They hit it off and had a ball playing!

November is National Adoption Month

and I haven't really posted anything about it

but this day was definitely a celebration

of 5 precious children who didn't choose to be orphans

OR to live a while @ Putian City SWI

OR be adopted by their forever families

BUT I do believe they have been blessed to have a future.

A future full of love, security, and family.

I can't really explain it

but the red thread really does exist.

There is always a connection when you meet

another adoptive family and begin sharing stories.

Scott and I have made some of the best friends

in the world through adoption.

I pray if there is anyone out there wondering

if this journey might by for you,

I would tell you...

"there is a precious child somewhere sure hoping

you choose to grab the red thread

and be connected with him/her."

Our family can't imagine our life without

these two precious miracles!

"I am only one, but still I am one.

I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything,

I will not refuse to do the something that I can do."

~ Edward Everett Hale

"Adopting a child won't change the world,

but for that child the world will change."

~ unknown