~Introducing Our Newest Member~

                                   Zackariah Ming Hughes!

            

           I wanted to take a moment to tell the story of our newest  

little one. When we were searching for this next one we have had a lot  

of "bumps" on the way. I think this also adds to the amazing way God  

works. We were seriously considering two little ones. A boy that had  

bilateral wrist and ankle joint deformity and a girl with lower leg  

deformity.It was hard to get any Ortho. to look at the files. Mikaela,  

decided one evening to look up different China blogs out there on the  

web. We enjoy looking at families unite or soon to be united with  

their children. Mikaela came across one. The family is in the process  

of adopting a child with deformities of the hands and feet. I told her  

it would be nice to talk with her and find out what she has been told  

about treatment. Well, this lady had her email on her blog and it said  

"feel free to email me". So, I did. I told her  about the 2 little  

ones . She emailed me back quick. Told me she is a therapist  and  

worked with the top 2 ortho. doctors in Chicago! She said she would be  

happy to look at their files. So, I sent them. She got back to me. We  

prayed and kept looking. The little girl was the one that seemed to be  

the one we were most drawn to. In the meantime, Kelsey ( she works at my adoption agency ) found a little  

guy that seemed perfect. I did not know much about his SN so we waited  

to get more info. We decided to lock him that evening and called the  

first thing in the morning. He was locked though!!! Another  

disappointment! On Dec. 23rd Kelsey sent me the file of this sweet boy  

in Shanghai. Since his SN is a limb deformity we felt confident we  

could lock him. I had gotten such wonderful information from Amanda  

(the therapist). I have been "studying" this issue for a little while  

now.We decided to lock him right away! So, that night I emailed her to  

let her know about this little boy we locked. I sent her his file to  

look at. I told her no hurry getting back to me because we already  

locked him. She emailed me that night. Told me to "sit down". She had  

been praying for this little guy for sometime now. Both her and her  

friend that have adopted 2 girls with the same SN. She told me she was  

crying as she was writing! He has been with a agency for some time now  

( I believe since Aug 23). The day he showed up on the shared list  

Kelsey saw him! Not so sure he would've been there if all the agencies  

were open that day. Thanks to Faith International Adoptions  for working that day! Isn't it  

amazing how God works? How he connected all of this together? How He  

uses us to further His kingdom. That He desires to move mountains on  

behalf of the orphan!

          I felt I needed to share how amazing God is. How many times  

I wanted to give up the "search" for the second child. I couldn't seem  

to stop looking. Not sure why. Was it me? Was it God? I was so puzzled  

by this. I spent many days and many sleepless nights. I had no peace.  

It has been very hard.

         My Lord has been good. He knew the little boy He had for us.  

His timing is everything.

                   Thanks for letting me share!

                                                        ~ Lauri