Brown-Eyed Digsby: US Consulate-approved Georgia-girl!

Tuesday, April 05, 2011

US Consulate-approved Georgia-girl!

It's the last detail! We swore an oath today and finalized the last paperwork details of Elita's Visa which we'll get tomorrow before dinner and then to bed for a short night before the travel begins. We are almost home!! So ready to be there and start our life together as a family of 5! Tonight we went on the Pearl Riverboat Cruise. It was beautiful - there is some serious neon around here! Everything is lit up. Here are a bunch of photos - Tom did a little photo shoot of our Emperess in the garden behind our hotel. She is so beautiful! Tomorrow we wrap our excursions up with a trip to the zoo! Elita will love that!

1 comment:

Katie and Allan said...: Looks like a perfect Evening!Thinking about what your taking away with you(beside Elita!)and about what youre leaving of yourselves in China-youve touched so many people!:); 12:48 AM

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Surrender

Oh Lord, when I asked you to teach me your ways
So very little did I understand -
When I asked you for wisdom to follow your will,
For you to direct me in the path of your commands.
I asked you to turn my heart toward your statutes
And not toward selfish gain,
To turn my eyes away from worthless things,
For your burdens to be all that my heart could sustain.
You have opened my eyes to what grieves you
And to what brings you joy.
Now what can I do but surrender
My every dream and never-fulfilling toy.
Forgive me that I’ve given too much time,
To what will amount to nothing in the end -
That I have prioritized my to-do list and myself,
Over those to whom you’d have me lend.
Let me never believe that I’m lacking,
Because I know the One who fulfills every need.
There are many that have never heard of your sacrifice,
Who don’t even know what love is, indeed.
Let me never complain that I’m “starving,”
As if I can barely make my drive home
(Where the air is on, warm water runs,
And the fridge and pantry overflow).
If folding laundry keeps me up too late,
Then could there be someone with whom I could share?
Could the toys that trip me be too abundant?
If my stuff is “just rubbish,” then why is it still there?
“No time for your Word today, Lord -
You know I have 5 sinks and 2 tubs!
And carpet and hardwoods and tile, oh my -
So much you’ve blessed me with to scrub!”
Or, perhaps you blessed America for another reason
And not to increase our square footage?
I imagine 10 year old cars don’t bother you,
As much as those living amidst raw sewage?
Have we asked you how we should use these gifts,
Or just assumed it’s your way of blessing us?
Could you be giving us a chance to be generous?
Dare we ask you the reason you given so much?
Oh, let all things fade further and further,
Compared to knowing and living for You!
The things of this earth are so temporary and pale,
Yet you are forever fulfilling and true!
Position, beauty, entertainment and comfort
Lord, let them not compete -
They might make me smile for a moment,
But in You I’m deeply content and complete.
If something I have does not point me to You,
Then take it Lord - it is nothing...
Forgive us for storing up treasures here,
As if what we’ve obtained is not bluffing...
Our busyness to upkeep all we have,
Our checklist to ensure our plans succeed,
Our tireless work for glory on earth...
Hardly hearing your voice over our clamoring “needs.”
So let moth and rust destroy,
Let thieves break in and steal,
Let wind, and waves and water come
Whatever it takes to teach us what is real.
Let us not walk away like the rich young ruler,
Sad that we could not let go
Of America’s rich bounty and indulgence -
Don’t let us die having never truly known...
That yes, we can know our Creator deeply
Feel your security and power...even hear your voice,
You will strengthen us to do the hard things you ask
If we are willing to turn off the world’s “noise.”
And when we struggle to see your face,
Or can’t hear your answer when we call,
Remind us how you speak...
With a voice that is still and small.
Arrest the ambitions of our striving hearts,
Quiet our proposing minds...
Let us learn to wait in simplicity on You,
And trust you that You will redeem the time.
You’ve promised you will be found when we seek you,
But it must be with all of our hearts,
So take us now and make us wholly yours
Empower us to surrender that which pushes us apart.
Keep our eyes ever fixed on You,
The One abounding in true riches untold,
Pour out our lives for others, like Yours...
So that before their eyes, your mysteries unfold.

7.14.2010 Sohailla Digsby

Frequently Asked Questions:

Why China? In December of 2009, we sensed an urgency to begin our adoption process...something that God literally dropped into our hearts. We started looking into the Foster system with only 1 request, that he or she be under 3 years old and were told that it would be next to impossible to get a child this age that wasn't part of a sibling group. So, we asked God "what next?", knowing that this was His plan and "His baby." We looked into domestic adoption, and into many countries. Over and over in my mind I kept hearing a verse that I knew..."Ask of me and I will give the nations as an inheritance for you." So, we asked God if he would be directing us to adopt internationally...I was a little surprised when it was a clear yes. We looked into many agencies and countries and many of the doors closed because we already have biological children. We kept coming back to China, but knew they only had a special needs program with the agency we had chosen. Were we prepared for that? God reminded us that with him in the driver's seat, all the costs and traveling and health concerns are not obstacles. He has proven himself...we were matched to a baby that was born the VERY week of the urgency we had in Dec 2009...we know she was ours from the beginning of time, even with her heart defects. We raised over $30,000 in 1 year - God provides for his purposes!

Are you nervous? Not at all.

What does her name mean? Elita means Chosen, Mei means little sister: "Chosen Little Sister"...Elita Mei

Wait for Me

You weren’t at my birth,
But don’t worry, I’m forgiving
You don’t even know where I am now
Or what kind of life I’m living.
To be honest, things are tough here,
But I feel a security that I didn't before...
Like someone knows my name, hears my thoughts -
Like there is something better - something more.
Could there be a plan for my tiny self?
To prosper and not to harm?
To give me a hope and future?
To put me in the right parents’ arms?
I sense I have a Mommy that prays for me,
And I just know I will meet her soon.
And my Daddy is always thinking of me,
And of how I hung the moon.
Don’t suppose I’ll have the McKendry blue eyes
Or the Digsby muscular frame,
But even if I look different,
I know you’ll love me just the same.
Please pray for my protection and healing each day,
And for my heart to be prepared,
To be embraced by your sweet family
I can’t wait for the news to be shared!
My heart longs to meet my big brothers.
As my leaders, pray they’ll be strong,
And that they’ll love me like they do each other -
And teach me tenderly what is right and wrong.
Please pray for every need to be met,
Adoption is such a costly and bumpy road.
But since God is in charge of it all,
The blessings will surpass the challenges to unfold.
So ask for patience and peace for Mommy and Daddy,
Each day when you meet with the Lord,
That their home and hearts will be ready for me -
Remind them that MY heart for the Lord will be their reward.

12/2009 Sohailla Digsby