Can We Do This Together?

Miss Ruby-girl has been making sure Mommy really is home….
Each night she has been getting up at 3:15am ‘ish’ 
to double check.  
Endearingly she strokes my hair,
then gently rubs my arm…
Sigh.
All is well in Ruby’s heart, 
Mommy really is home.
I remind her that it was just a visit
and yes, I love her oh-so-much
I had to come back.
My heart smiles.
Night before last Miss Ruby decided that since we were both
up, why not party and play?
She had no interest in going back to sleep!
Hence, yesterday began at 3:15am…
I spent time with the Lord,
whispering to Ruby bits and pieces,
she was shrieking and squealing –
nothing as fun as hearing how much God loves her!
Then we spent time in prayer….
And then I scrolled through the Facebook feed…
and my eyes landed on this precious face…. 

Immediately my eyes welled with tears.
His name is Ben.
Ben’s 12 years old
Ben’s waiting in Ch*na
and
Ben’s longing for a forever family.
I have to tell you, 
as I read the details I was undone.
Do you see what I see when I look into Ben’s eyes?
A look of pleading.
Maybe even a timid look of,
“Will someone love me?”
God’s word clearly says that the eye is the lamp of the whole body.
Which means that they are the lamp to the soul…
Look into Ben’s eyes and into his soul….
Such a sweet innocence.

Actually, 
maybe my tears are because, 
in all honesty, 
Ben reminds me a ton of our precious Nehemiah.
Our Nehemiah sat waiting till just about 10 years old…
waiting and waiting…
just getting older and older…
Innocent, tender-hearted, just longing for a family
that he could call his own – 
just hoping to be loved and belong….
When I think of all that Nehemiah 
went through to finally get home
my chest actually hurts….
and once Nehemiah was home he has done beautifully.
Nehemiah just needed a family to love him.
So here’s my question….
Sweet friends,
would you be willing to pray with our family
and share Ben’s picture?

Would you be willing to advocate with me for Ben??
Between our circles of friends 
there just has to be a family who needs Ben – 
someone who has been praying for God’s plan to be revealed…
someone who has been wondering if there might be someone
special out there for their family…
There just has to be!!
I often hear people say,
“Well I can’t adopt.”
True enough, but everyone can advocate.
Everyone.
And together, I just have to believe that we 
can find Ben a family 
and then we will throw a giant celebration!!
For information about Ben:
He is on the Shared List, 
so any agency that works with Ch*na, 
can find him.
Here is the email of someone who actually met him
and has videos of him:
annie.hamlin@lifelinechild.org
Here’s a link 
{simple membership required} 
for more information about him:
Thank you in advance for advocating 
with our family 
for a family for Ben.
PS.  Nehemiah, upon seeing Ben’s picture said, 
“Mom, if I all grown up, I bring him home.”

5 thoughts on “Can We Do This Together?

  1. I will pray for Ben.
    Glad you are home. Glad the Lord is doing wonderful things through your family in all the places where God has put you.
    Sandy in the UK

  2. Dear Linny,
    I love your writing and this post really moves me (as many do). Ben's photo….yes, his eyes did seem to plead for someone to know him. To claim him. To see him. In reading your words, I am filled with a sense of our amazing God: El Roi, "the God who sees me…" I know our God sees Ben. I will pray for him, and for so many others who wait for families. I've shared Ben's story that you posted on fb, and hope to hear news that God has made a way for his family!

  3. Adoption has been one of the BEST things we have ever done. Our daughter has been home alittle over 9 months and has done spectacularly well. Her special need is a non issue at this time and we expect that it will continue to be so. We are considering another adoption beginning in the Fall. A little boy this time as they are so overlooked. My heart has been changed 360 degrees and I will never ever be the same. Its hard for other people to understand and we will probably NOT share our intent to adopt again with most family members. It was incredibly difficult for them to understand and their behavior and words were cruel. It wont stop us but we dont need to add salt to wounds. Ill pray for Ben. May the right family step forward for him.

  4. I've been praying for Ben (I know him as Gabriel) for a long time….since we started journey in 2006. I know his foster family personally and he is VERY sweet. And he has wanted a forever family…for forever!!! Praying his family steps out in faith and adopts him SOON! Thanks for featuring him.
    Josie and Ben/Gabriel are foster brother and sister btw…..

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