Pretty sure everyone in the country has got to be relieved that Election Day is over – we sure are!! Whew.
Recently I was asked to write monthly for the ministry No Hands But Ours. Each month after they share my post, I will share it here as well. Our prayer is that God uses our stories to advocate for the orphan, encourage those in the trenches and challenge others to “step up to the plate”!
Here’s the one for November…..
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Bringing these three home forever was, hands down, three of the very best decisions we’ve ever made in our entire 40+ years of marriage!
We affectionately refer to these three little girlies of ours as “our lifers” – because we get to keep them for the rest of our lives! I’m sure to some who knew we ere bringing each of them home forever it probably sounded scary, perhaps overwhelming or even crazy, but we couldn’t envision a day in our lives without each of them!
For Those who don’t have a lifer in their lives, it might be hard to imagine the continual joy they bring! But think about it: If bringing Jubilee home was “the worst decision ever” would we really have fought passionately for our miracle-girl Ruby and a few years later wildly chased after our sweet little Birdie? I’m pretty sure there would be no way! Our continual pursuit of “lifers” assures other that having them is a most beautiful blessing!
Jubilee, the oldest of our three lifers came home forever a few years back. We had brought Isaiah home in 2007 and after he had been home for a couple of months we found her picture. Some of her many special needs were vaguely listed including, “severe intellectual need”.
We clearly understood that a “severe intellectual need” would likely mean Jubilee would be our first “lifer”. Never wanting to be empty nesters we knew that we knew – she was ours! Do you know what else drove us? We just couldn’t bear the thought of what would happen to her if she “aged out” without a family? How in the world could Jubilee ever navigate life on her own? Bluntly put, she couldn’t.
The other reality really is that anyone’s typically developing child could need lifelong care with one wrong step off a curb, a tragic car accident, even a sudden life-changing illness or a myriad of other things! There are zero guarantees in this life. And with that, we just couldn’t get to her fast enough!
Tragically in the midst of Jubilee’s adoption we lost our home and all it’s contents to a horrific fire literally the same day we received approval to bring her home. Little did we know that we were then required to start all the paperwork over because we would no longer be living at the same address (even though we owned the property and would eventually rebuild on the exact same land). Every piece of paper, including our immigration paperwork, would need the new rental address – when we found a rental that is! It was so complicated on top of losing everything for our large family – it was a nightmare! It took almost a full year after the fire but our astoundingly faithful God allowed our fourth oldest Emma and I to head to China for Jubilee arriving back home with her on Christmas Eve 2009. What a most treasured Christmas gift – our Jubilee Promise was finally home – forever!
Daddy meets Jubilee
Jubilee’s first Christmas Eve service (on stage with daddy as he introduces our newest treasure to the the church we were senior pastoring)…Clearly she was mesmerized with her daddy!
Jubilee’s early days were excruciatingly painful. It was very apparent that she had endured significant trauma and devastating abuse while in China. It was tormenting to know that Jubilee had been living in such despicable pain and yet we had not been able to get to her due to complications from the fire. To this day I still can hardly think about it or I become a heap of ugly tears. She had desperately needed us and we had not been able to get to her quickly!
With itty-bitty steps Jubilee began to heal emotionally – which was most important of all. Before long she was known around our home as “My Shadow”. She follows me everywhere. Truly everywhere. Some have wondered if I find it annoying to have her follow me all day long? I explain, “She waited eight excruciatingly painful years for her mama to come for her, she can be My Shadow forever.”
Her cognitive delays coupled with the severe abuse meant that she was unable to speak. In fact I actually wondered if she would ever learn a word of English. In Jubilee’s case she was basically nonverbal for the first five years home. One day, to everyone’s surprise she spoke three words together! “Come upstairs Liz (Elizabeth).” We cheered and threw a party – what a stride she’d made – three words together forming a short but important sentence! She still does not speak much, but when she does it’s usually something very comical and we all laugh heartily – she has a tremendous sense of humor!
And on a side note: Actually another upside of having “lifers” is that every teeny-tiny victory is a celebration and in our home we party almost daily.
She’s now been home just about nine years and is about to turn 17. Jubilee has finally emerged and she is a tender, kindhearted, sweet, always helpful, spunky treasure! She’s endured over a dozen surgeries and her attitude is unbelievably amazing. Jubilee does have significant cognitive delays but that doesn’t stop this sweet chica of ours!! She’s a total hoot.
While working on this article Jubilee came in to grab a diaper for Ruby. My husband, Dw, opened the door to our room looking for her and laughingly I joked, “She ran away!” Jubilee emerged with the diaper in time to hear me say that and laughed heartily while beaming ear-to-ear spoke, “Dad! I no run away!” Seriously, such a treasure! And I shudder to think, where would she be if she had aged out?
Some wonder if having our lifers permanently affects our other non-special needs kids?
Good gracious,– I sure pray so! In fact a million times over I shout YES!! I’m so thankful for the permanent affect bringing Jubilee, Ruby and Birdie home has had on each of them!
I’m convinced that our non-lifer treasures are more tender, more willing to help others, much more compassionate, more protective, more caring, more accepting, more gentle, more sensitive, more loving and more likely to advocate for the broken than most of their peers! They truly get it and love-big their lifer sisters! They serve their sisters (and our quadriplegic son without cognitive disabilities) with joy! They know it could be them needing help! Their attitudes are amazing and the blast we have as a family is pretty obvious to all.
In fact about six months ago, our youngest son, Elijah (age 11) was alone with me in the kitchen. Out–of-the-blue, quietly and thoughtfully he spoke softly, “You know mom, I was thinking about when you and dad pass. I’m not trying to be rude or anything, but mom when you guys pass, I think Jubilee should come live with me. Cause mom if she’s not with me she could easily be taken advantage of!” Jubilee is five years older than Elijah and he’s already thinking ahead, planning and looking out for her.
Yes indeed! Having “lifers” has definitely affected our kids in the most beautiful way and our family is so very humbled and grateful that we get to love Jubilee, Ruby and Birdie for the rest of our lives. God has been so very gracious to us.
I needed this today.
I am so grateful for the Lord’s timing in having you read this when you needed it. He is always so astoundingly faithful. xoxo
Linny,
We are getting close to finalizing the adoption of our third and fourth “gem”. You are a CONSTANT source of hope and encouragement. Thank you for always being so willing to share your heart and being so vulnerable.
Thank you for *your* encouraging words – I needed to hear them today. I am thrilled for you at the upcoming finalization of your third and fourth “gem”- that means you get it – you truly get it! Thank you for loving so genuinely the “gems” of this world. May God pour out His blessings on you and yours!
Elijah’s words brought tears to my eyes. What a beautiful heart he has! Much love to you all from Central Illinois!
Wasn’t that just incredible that he was thinking so far ahead and loves his sister so much to even have it on his radar? So thankful for his tender love for Jubilee!
Seventeen?? How the heck can she be almost seventeen already?!?! That’s crazy!!
I just love her smile. It’s always so full of joy and happiness! What an amazing young lady!
I know!! Isn’t that wild? She’s just a wee-little mite of a thing so no one suspects she is that age. She and Elijah are the same height and he’s 11. She has healed so beautifully and we cannot ever thank the Lord enough for the privilege of calling her our own.
What a gentleman Elijah is. and what a joy Jubilee is. Your household should have apprenticeships so others can learn to love and care for others!
Ha! Apprenticeships! I love the idea! Especially if we could do it and raise money for the Gems! Ha! 😉 Sending hugs across the waters, friend!
Beautiful article! Thank you so much. We have one “lifer” with us, and she is a constant source of joy and laughter. It’s so wonderful to still have one at home as our others have flown the nest. We wouldn’t have it any other way. She and Jubilee sound so much alike. I wish we lived closer so the girls could get to know each other. They would have a blast. Jonalyn has a great sense of humor and laughs at just about everything. Many blessings to you.
Liz, It would be a wonderful blessing if we lived near each other and our girls could be friends. What a joy they would be to each other! Phoenix is a really great place to live and we only have one regret – that we didn’t get here sooner! Ha! Sending hugs from the desert! xoxo
I love this! We too have a lifer. The best part is seeing my big kids fighting over who gets to take him when we die. Such a blessing to my heart.