An Inspiring Story about a Boy, A Man and A Family

A am so happy to share this card today that I made for a very special friend.  She was a coworker of mine and from that sprouted a very special friendship.  She introduced me to the miracle of adoption.  That the child you adopt may not be from your body, but they are meant for you. A true gift from GOD.  I had the blessing of watching her first adopted child when I lived in Michigan and I can tell you with all my heart that that little girl was like our third child.  She was an extension of our own family.   I miss her.    I recently found out that they are adopting their third child from China.  They are there getting him right now.  It's so exciting and I have been following their "Journey to Isaac" blog posts.  I made this card for them as a "Welcome" to the joys of having a boy (after a house full of pink and princesses).

Make sure you read to the end of this post for a story that may just give you goosebumps or more...

Here's the inside:

(click on the picture to enlarge)

I made this for several  challenges this week.  I love the fact that Isaac is coming from China into the USA so I could use Red, White and Blue.  This isn't your typical "Welcome Baby" card.  Isaac is almost one so I thought this image from the Pure Innocence Collection was a bit more fitting than a baby.  He doesn't really look Asian though.  I need more Copic colors:)  I wanted to point out that I colored the bottom layer of that star with Copics.  That way I was sure it matched my project.  Red card stock seemed too harsh.  Also, the layer underneath is a Labels 11 nestie and I had to cut it in half to have it span the length I needed.  One more thing.  My ribbon was folded in half and sewn because it was just toooooo wide for my liking.

I used Jen's SFYTT.  This also fits the challenge at JUGS and The Shabby Tea Room to use Red, White, Blue and optional Kraft.  Over at Stamptacular Sunday Challenge you were to include a tree.  CCEE Stampers is Nursery Rhymes...this is Little Boy Blue:)  The Crazy Challenge is 'something NEW.'

So onto the story...

I always tell my kids that each person is put on this Earth for a reason.  That no one is better than anyone else.  Each person has their own gift to share on this world.  That if you take the time to look for it you can learn something from everyone.  Sometimes the lesson is that you don't ever want to BE like that person.  Still, it's something.

While reading my friend's blog posts about being in China and their travels she shared a story about the man that is assigned to their family that will eventually bring them to their new son.  His name is George and he has been taking them all around China sightseeing, translating, being their guide, etc...

HERE IS THE STORY OF GEORGE (as taken from the blog post)

Want to tell you George’s story too.  His mother had her tubes tied after 5 children (before the 1 child policy was mandatory).  Six years later she started feeling sick, doctors diagnosed her with cancer, and she had two weeks of cancer drugs. Then, the old woman sharing her hospital room told her she did not think she had cancer, but was pregnant.  Sure enough, it was true!  Doctors said the baby would not be “normal” and gave her abortion pills…two rounds.  When these were unsuccessful his mother gave up and three months later gave birth to George. Divine intervention, George called it destiny, eventually led to him helping abandoned children become part of their very own families…God knows we appreciate the irony!

 I thought this story was a perfect example of the fact that we are all important on this Earth.  What an amazing person George was to be able to see that he was a gift to this world and to make sure that other children felt that they are gifts as well.  I feel so lucky to know this family and be inspired by their unselfish acts.  I hope this story inspires you too.  The message isn't about adoption or abortion; it's about realizing that we all have something in us to give...a reason....a purpose.  In a world where everyone is trying to outdo everyone else, trying to be "The Best", thinking they are more important.....  Truth is, we all come from the same place and we all end up in the same place.  We all need each other to do the " in between."


I hope that you share this story.  I think it's full of , well, inspiration!  ( I need another word that means inspire.  I sure used it enough in this story;)
Have a great Monday!