Yippee Jesus – Isaiah Samuel Did IT – February 27, 2009

Linny Saunders53 Comments
Eighteen months ago he came home – forever……
The face we fell in love with three years ago…The first glimpse of Isaiah at the orphanage….look at the joy! We had come to take him home forever….
on the Great Wall

Days after Isaiah came home….our little Colorado Cowboy…..
At the Doctor’s to inquire about his Arthrogryposis

And then on February 27, 2009 Isaiah made the most
important decision that would forever affect his forever…
Isaiah on Josh’s shoulders (when the Quiz kids were visiting last week)

Friday I had gone to pick up Emma’s friend Destini to spend the night. When I got home Dw said that Isaiah had something he wanted to tell me. I turned and Isaiah said, “I want to ask Jesus into my heart.” I started to cry and jump up and down and shout for joy!

This precious little guy who came home to us from Ch*na just about 18 months ago brings us such joy. We cannot imagine our lives without him. Infact he brings everyone he meets incredible joy. He is just so tender-hearted and kind and thoughtful to all he meets. He has a smile ready just about 24/7.

While I had been gone I guess Isaiah had gone to Liberty (his buddy) and with tears in his eyes had said, “I love Jesus so much Liberty, I want to ask him into my heart.” We have been praying since we found his precious little picture on the web 3 years ago that he would one day want Jesus as his Savior and Lord.

So Dw and I went into the boys bedroom and sat on the floor with him and explained it as best we could to his little just turned five year old heart. I asked him when he had decided to do this. He said that he had “been thinking about it for a long time!”

He prayed so tenderly and sweetly. He then told all his siblings and Destini what he had just done. We whooped and hollered and will have an official celebration this coming week.
Today we were at church all day because we had a satellite Marriage Conference that Focus on the Family put on….and Isaiah happily told many of our precious friends. When he told JR she started to cry….yes, words are inadequate to describe how thankful and delighted and thrilled we all are!!

We can never assume that our kids will want to ask Jesus into their heart. Infact I felt in my spirit when Isaiah came home that we needed to pray extra hard that God would soften his heart. He had been in a wonderful Christian orphanage, but was moved to the government one about 8 months before we were allowed to come get him. A few months after coming home Isaiah began to tell us of some very painful things that he endured. He was very vivid. It was clearly something that would harden his heart…and it was truthfully, hard for me to understand why God had allowed him to be moved from the safe Christian orphanage, knowing that it was about to be so unbearably painful for him.

But we prayed and prayed and prayed and God moved on his little boy heart….and we will forever celebrate February 27th, 2009! God is truly our Miracle-working, Mountain-moving, Awe-inspiring, Gasp-giving God – totally worthy of our praise!!

If you never read Isaiah’s miracle story, it is found here. It is a miracle story that will build faith and remind everyone that God’s heart is for the orphan and that He will move mountains or in this case entire Communist Governments to accomplish His plan.

Rejoice with us – Isaiah is home forever and forever and ever has a home!!!

53 thoughts on “Yippee Jesus – Isaiah Samuel Did IT – February 27, 2009”

  1. WHOO HOO!!!!!! Praise Him from whom all blessings flow!

    Little Isaiah…sweet Isaiah…

    Linny, that’s just awesome! I’m praying those same prayers for our girls.

    Thanks for sharing! The angels are dancing up a storm, I’m sure!

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  4. Linn-

    I am bawling.. just crying all over the place tears of joy. The mose Wonderful News!!!!!

    This has made my day! And I am so excited for him.. and so proud.. and just so stinkin tickled! Yippeee Jesus!!!!!!!!

    happy Happy Day dear friends!

    Give that boy an extra hug from our gang!

    Love you!
    🙂
    Amie

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  5. Thanks for sharing this, as I enjoyed going back and reading Isaiah’s miracle. By the way, I got to visit Hope Foster Home last summer when we were in China, working in an orphanage. It is an amazing place. I am hoping to visit again when we go back this summer.

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  14. when i read the title of the post i thought…OMG, is that what I think it is?
    and I was so happy that my suspicion was confirmed.
    I am getting very emotional here…
    so happy for you guys.

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  15. How could you not want to just bawl when reading that? All I kept thinking as I read that, was what an example of a Pure In Heart child.

    I am just amazed at the goodness of God and totally teary-eyed while typing this.

    So very glad he’s joined the family of God! Welcome little brother! 🙂

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  16. Glory to God! With all you’ve gone through the last months I believe the Lord blessed you and yours with this incredible gift and perfect timing. Praising Him with you.
    Blessings this day.
    Noreen

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  17. Yay!!!! Oh how wonderful! I smiled when I read Isaiah had “been thinking about it for a long time.” So very precious. I believe with my whole heart that he had been thinking about it and that God was speaking directly to his sweet little heart. The Lord has such a tender heart towards children and it’s a blessing to see them receive and confess Jesus at such a young age. How wonderful indeed!

    Rejoice!
    Tina

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  20. Tears. More tears! OK, I’m just gonna have to type through the tears! It is so exciting when you bring one of your kids home, but nothing is more exciting than this! Praise you, Jesus! Welcome to the ultimate forever family, Isaiah!

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  22. Tears. More tears! OK, I’ll just have to type through the tears! It is so exciting when you bring one of your kids home, but nothing is more exciting than this! Praise you, Jesus! Welcome to the ultimate forever family, Isaiah!

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  23. Thank you so much for sharing this Linn, it brought a huge smile, and tears of joy, to my heart and face. He certainly is a little love bug, but you can tell he has such a special soul.
    Hugs to him all the way from New York!

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  25. Doin’ the Snoopy Dance-O-Joy for Isaiah’s decision!!!! I knew him as “Toby” when he lived in the Christian orphanage and I didn’t know until recently that you guys were his new parents. Soooooo HAPPY to read this news today! 🙂

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  27. Oh, praise God! And to think that He knew 18 months ago that sweet Isaiah would make this decision on this day! Happy ‘birthday’ precious boy!

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  30. Okay…blub blub blub, gulp, blub…YIPPEEEE!!!!!!! Yep, that’s all I can say through the tears and swollen throat! My computer isn’t ever going to work again with this puddle on it! Oh Isaiah I love you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Guess what buddy!? We’re gonna live in the same place again someday but it’s gonna be so much cooler!

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  32. Linn,

    It’s me, Alexis’ latest blog makeover recipient! I’ve been following your blog for a few months now and am so inspired and encouraged by your heart for the Lord and for precious children that long for a family. Your little Isaiah is adorable…as are all of your children. So thrilled to hear about Isaiah’s tender heart for the Lord. May he come to know Him more each and every day of his life. And, on a completely diffent note…I just loved what Alexis did on my blog. She was so wonderful to “work” with and I am so excited to see your new look! julia.

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  33. I’m rejoicing with you! What an incredible blessing. Our 3 daughters – all from China – accepted Jesus as Saviour on Christmas Eve 2008. I will never forget the tears of gladness that we experienced that afternoon. I’m so thankful that Isaiah was able to see Jesus’ love through the bad experiences he endured. It really shows something of the tenderness of a little child’s heart, doesn’t it?!

    ~Linda (from Northern Colorado)

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  34. I so loved hearing him share is good news with us today in church. I loved how he said it so confidently and proudly. Sweet little man! So thrilled!

    I looked at those pictures of him at the orphanage and forgot how sweet and sad he looked. He is so grown up now and you can tell he is loved and secure. In 18 short months!!! Praise God. So happy for all of you!

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  35. Oh my goodness this is the sweetest story! I loved the look on his face when he told me yesterday! Praise you Jesus for this precious little boy! What a blessing he is in our lives! 🙂

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  36. Praise the Lord!! Also, I had never read Isaiah’s miracle adoption story, so I just did. Wow!! Praise the Lord on that one too! I realized I started following your story right when you got Isaiah. I started reading when you were in China. What a precious sweetie he is. Praise God for He is soooo good!!!

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  37. How this post has thrilled my heart!!! Our son John was just shy of his 5th birthday when he came to us and wanted to ask Jesus into his heart. One part of me wanted him to wait until “I” felt he understood a bit more about his decision, but “I” am not the ultimate authority on when a child’s heart is ready!

    Praise God that one more precious little soul will enter His Kingdom!

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  40. I was in second service and had the joy of hearing little Isaiah tell the story. What a fabulous party they must’ve thrown in Heaven for him! I also have to thank you for the reminder…
    My husband and I were both raised in Christian homes and accepted Christ at a very young age (I was 3 and I vividly remember it to this day). As I look at our seven-month-old daughter I realize that in my mind, her salvation is a foregone conclusion. Thank you for reminding me that it is not only my privilege to see her come into the Kingdom someday, but my responsibility to pray for her precious soul until she is able to make the decision for herself.I pray that all of our children will not only come to know and love Jesus, but will learn early to show others His love through the way they live their lives.

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  41. rejoicing with you!! what a sweet story and a sweet memory for your memory box! your little isaiah’s story is a testimony that God is going to redeem that entire country!!
    i am so thrilled to report that after being the point planner for a return trip to ch*na this summer with our church, the Lord has openend the door for me to go and lead it. i have done so twice before, but was unable to lead this summer. but he heard my cries, and has allowed me the privilege to go. i wish that i could fetch jubilee for you. really i do. (actually i wish i could fetch about three jubilees for me!!)
    thank you for sharing isaiah’s sweet story. not only are the angels in heaven rejoicing, but many of your friends here on earth are, too!

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  44. Yeah, Jesus!!! Welcome to the family of God precious child! So happy !!!!!

    In Christ,
    gloria
    ps. it is a precious precious thing to witness our children accept Jesus as the King. It never ceases to amaze me!

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  45. Awesome news for Isiah!!! That is the best news parents can get!!! What a joyous time in your home and with the angels in heaven!!

    That is my prayer for my children!! 3 of our 4 that are home are following God!! The 4th is just 4 yrs old and the 5th isn’t home yet!! ( 3 weeks!!)

    God be praised!!

    Debbie

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  47. Hi Linn,
    I’ve been following your blog for awhile; you have been through so much!
    I am also rejoicing for Isaiah; and am praying my two girls from Langfang S.I. will make that same decision. Both were there from birth 🙁 Our Chayah has only been home one month. We spent several hours at the O. The baby room is full, two to a crib- all special needs. If you read this, sometime (if you have time?), I would really like to know Isaiah’s take on that place. My girls have some big hurts.
    The Lord keep you safe….
    Blessings, Caroline

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  49. Thank you for posting about Isaiah. We long for our children to choose on their own to follow Jesus, and his decision moved me with joy and longing. I know it made me more aware of my son’s interest in spiritual things today: I was doing my quiet time and he stopped playing and asked if he could get his storybook bible that we read at bedtime. He brought it to me and asked for a particular story. When we figured out what story he wanted to read – it was Jesus in the garden praying and then being arrested. He was absolutely riveted on the story and I was able to have my husband take my other son out of the picture since he was starting to be disruptive. We read about Jesus’ death and resurrection, too. Then, I had the priviledge of sharing the good news with my son today. This is the first time I sensed that he was really understanding a who Jesus is and what he did. He isn’t ready to make a decision, but I am thrilled that God is quickening his heart to spiritual things at such a young age (he is only 3 1/2). Thank you, again, for sharing your journey as a mother. You are an encouragement and blessing.

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  50. This little boy of yours is too precious for words, Linn. Oh to have seen his face as he spoke to you and hear him as he asked Jesus into his heart. What a blessing! And what an example of God’s great goodness and mercy!!!

    With Love and Joy!
    Amy

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  52. Praise the Lord! Isaiah and my son seem to be on the same time line. My son adopted from China was three years old when we brought him home just over 18 months ago. You were arriving in China just after we arrived home. On Feb. 14th of this year, while in the car on the way to Grandma’s he said to me “Mom, am I a Christian? I just asked Jesus to be my savior, but I did not hear Him answer me.” We talked about the ABC’s of becoming a Christian and the different ways we “hear” God. At a shower my friend’s gave me before leaving for China, each guest received a key chain with a picture of Joshua and ways to pray for him on the back. One was “Pray for Joshua to quickly come to Jesus as his Lord and Savior.” Pray answered in a BIG way. Yipee Jesus. I can’t wait to see what God has in store next for our boys. Many blessings on your sweet family!
    Julie in GA

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  53. OK… so I am a total dork and when I saw this post… my heart took a leap in my chest! This is so precious! This moment sends chills through my body. I remember getting on my knees picturing little baby Isaiah in his crib in China… praying that someday He would know you as his family and know JESUS as his savior. Praise God on the mountaintop for these beautiful moments in life. When children understand that Jesus loves them and wants to be with them always. Isaiah is a special wonderful boy. AMEN! lv, jen

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