Face to Face with God's Love

You know there are times in your life

when words just can't describe completely what you feel~

last evening being one of those times.

While we waited to travel for SJ,

we connected with many families that had or were adopting children

from Putian City SWI where she lived.

Most of them shared a little information

of an American family living/teaching in Putian

and also visited the orphanage often.

To know there was a family visiting our daughter,

singing to her,

playing with her,

loving her,

and praying for her

was the next best thing to me being there doing those things.

Scott and I prayed for them

and hoped one day we would be able to meet them face to face.

About 4 weeks before we got SJ in August 2010,

that family kissed her for the last time and headed home for a year.

In the months since we have been home,

we have connected with that American family

through emails and phone calls.

It just so happens,

they had to be at a conference in a church

not far from us and we met for dinner last evening.

Let me introduce

Sam and Cathy Burgess.

They have 5 children (3 in college and 2 at home).

They adore JingJing and were SO happy to see her!

They moved to China back in August 2002

where they teach @ Putian University.

We had been told they were right across the street from the orphanage

but it actually takes them about 45 min to an hour to visit.

They try to go several times a week

and Jing was blessed by those visits.

We met for dinner and SJ took right up with Grace.

We got them to speak Chinese to her

but she either didn't understand anymore or chose not to understand.

EK loved Ms. Cathy!

We LOVED listening to story after story after story

of the amazing place SJ came from...

both heart warming and heart wrenching!!!

Savannah and Josh were able to meet them as well.

The Burgess family will be state side until August

and then head back to China.

Because we will be traveling back through Fujian again,

we hope to see them when we go to get Will.

That will be SO wonderful!!!

Words just can't express the gratitude we have for this family

for SO many reasons other than the love they showed SJ.

They are living Jesus OUT LOUD in a place where few

would want to call home.

Why? GOD!

I praise Him for all that they are doing for Him!!!

Our goodbyes were said through prayer, tears, and big hugs...

and I could barely let Cathy go.

She is a dear precious lady

and I more blessed now because I know her personally!

We ask your prayers for them as they rest up

and spend time with their family

before going back to China.

Pray for strength and clear vision as they go

leaving three of their children here...

We are very thankful God blessed us with

His Face to Face Love in meeting the Burgess family...

I feel like we have always known them

and am sure

We Always Will.

May the Lord bless you and keep you.

May the Lord make his face to shine upon you,
and be gracious to you.

May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you,
and give you peace.

~Numbers 6:22-27