It’s been a while since I posted a MBM story. If you are unfamiliar with Memorial Box Monday, please check out the categories on the right and see my original MBM post. Thanks to my bloggy friend Linny for her encouragement to finally get going on our Wolfe family Memorial Box.
In August of 2006 we had just received our referral for Ami and were so overjoyed. Mom and Dad were in the States at that time and were actually at my Grandma’s house. As soon as we had pictures of our new daughter I emailed them to Mom, Dad, and Grandma. I love this picture that Dad took of Grandma “meeting” her newest granddaughter via the laptop.
Just days later as I sat in the pediatrician’s office waiting to discuss the medical paperwork of our new treasure I received a call from my mom that Grandma had passed away in the night. Oh, how bittersweet! Immeasurable joy (the referral of Ami) mixed with such sorrow (losing Grandma), that has happened more than once in my life.
Michaela and I had just been out to California in December to celebrate Grandma’s 100th birthday and it was such a special occasion. It was so very neat to celebrate and honor her life in her presence. Oh how I wanted to be with my family again to be a part of Grandma’s memorial service. BUT we were getting ready to travel to China and were still short the $$ needed for our travel expenses. We weren’t spending any extra money at that time.
BUT God. I poured my heart out to Him and He answered my prayer in a big way. As I was searching for low airfares an agent asked if I had any frequent flyer miles. I knew I was a member of at least one program, but didn’t think I had hardly any miles at all. After the agent checked she said I had enough miles to fly free to CA!! Oh, what a God thing! Only He could make that happen and once again assure us that He is in the midst of it all. Once again He assured us that in our stepping out in faith on this adoption journey, He would provide all our needs.
I brought this beautiful doily home from Grandma’s house after that God-provided trip. It was one of her handmade works of art and last night we placed it in our Memorial Box. I love that it’s a Standing Stone to remind me of God’s care and provision, but I also love that it is a reminder of the solid Standing Stone that Grandma was in our family’s heritage. She was such a Godly lady and someone I aspire to be like.
On another note, yet very much related, I thought it was more than appropriate to remember my grandmother last night as we had also received word that a wonderful Christian lady and friend had gone to be with Jesus. She was a fellow China adoptive mom that struggled with cancer over the last year. She leaves behind a husband and two children ages 13 and 11, both adopted from China. They are part of our local adoptive families group, are active Christians, and also homeschooled up until illness made it impossible to do so. You may remember me blogging about a service project that our Wolfe families did last Thanksgiving for this family. We will be attending services this week and would appreciate your prayers for this dear family as they celebrate Kathy’s life and her homecoming, yet grieve such a personal loss. We are so thankful for our friendship and bond with this family and are all the more thankful for the Hope we have of a future together.
