Quote of the Week

I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.

Maya Angelou

Monday, May 17, 2010

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!
 









27 comments:

Debbie said...

Nikki ... that PI little boy is simply adorable! I {heart} your design for this week's stars & stripes challenge!! Thanks for joining us in the Tea Room :)

Lisa said...

Nikki, I love everything about your card! The coloring, the rippled ribbon and he embossed background! Your friend is very lucky to be adopting and to be receiving this beautiful card!

Justine said...

Nikki this is one of the best blog posts EVER. I love your card but that story has now bee read to my family. I love it. Thank you for sharing it with us!

Kristine said...

What a super cute card and a wonderful and inspiring story!! Love this. And all so true. Thank you for sharing *Ü*

Nicole said...

What a perfect card for such a joyous occasion! Great take on this week's "flag" challenge! Thanks for playing along with us at TSTR! :)

Dotty Jo said...

Goodness Nikki, what anamazing post. love your card, just perfect for their new arrival, Jo x

Crystal said...

AWWW Nikki this is soooo super cute!!!! LOVE this image and card design!!!

Lisa Kind said...

Your card is adorable, Nikki, but I especially love the story behind it! It's like that saying "every picture tells a story". Thanks so much for sharing your inspiring story and thanks for sharing it with Just Us Girls!

Graphicat said...

Inspirational story to say the least. Thank you for sharing it.

I adore your card! I especially love how you've done the ribbon accent... like a flag waving in the wind!

Thank you for joining us at STamptacular this week!
Hugs
cheri

Annette said...

Oh this card is just precious! & such an inspiring story too. Thanks for joining us at SSC this week.

Gemma said...

Oh I do love this card, everything is just right, the image, the colours, the ribbon and the inside. Thank you for joining us at SSC this week, Gemma

Shell Shearer Swinscoe said...

oh its lovely, that image is so cute

Thank You for joining us at the 'Crazy Challenge' this week!!
Hugs shell xx

j,j,andhsmom said...

Such a wonderful, wonderful story from so many different aspects!

Paula said...

Such inspirational stories...your card is beautiful...love what you did with the ribbon! Miss you...
Pleasantly,
Paula

AKiteFlier said...

What a heartwarming and inspiring story - I was adopted as a baby and can't thank my birth parents enough for giving me the chance at a better life and it has been WONDERFUL. Thanks so much for playing along with Just Us Girls this week. You did a super job with this color palette. That image is just precious. We appreciate your participation and support. :-) Hope to see you again next week.

kariluis said...

This little boy is just adorable. Great work Nikki.
Thanks for playing at the Crazy Challenge
hugs Kari

Audrey Pettit said...

What a fabulous, inspiring story and a gorgeous card! So fitting for this little boy! LOVE it!
Thanks for sharing with us again in the Tea Room.

Mona Pendleton said...

What a darling card! Great job coloring that sweet image & mixing up the colors for this week's challenge with Just Us Girls :)

Carolyn said...

Nikki, what a great welcome card for a beautiful baby boy. I love how he's swinging from the tree. Thanks for joining in at SSC.
Hugs xx
Carolyn

Sprytebyrd said...

Nikki! I've missed ya! I pop in and look at your beautiful creations often, but I am so horrible at leaving you comments!
This card is, as always, beautiful! I love the colors and the image and wow, that ribbon! Awesome, all around!
The story did give me goosebumps! Imagine to have gone through all of that before birth and have such a positive, generous attitude in life. What a wonderful man and a true inspiration. Thank you for sharing the story with us.
And Thanks for joining us back at Stamptacular!
Love,
Dee

Joanne (jojot) said...

fab story...sweet card.....and...thanks for playing the CCEE Challenge

Jo said...

Wow what an amazing story and I love the way you told it too! I sooo need to be a better person and do more! Anyhow, fab card! Congrats!

Tosha Leyendekker said...

Awww Nikki!! Not only is your card absolutely precious, but the story behind it is uplifting and inspiring!! Thank you so very much for sharing it!!

Sam said...

Hi Nikki. I love your card and adore the ruffled ribbon at the bottom but really want to say how much I enjoyed reading this post. Sometimes life gets in the way of real life and we forget these important details. Thank you for an inspiring start to my day. TFS.

Adria Slauterbeck said...

an adorable and SPOT ON card for anticipating a little boy! I loved the story as well; very inspirational and thought provoking :) Thanks for joining us at Stamptacular Sunday Challenge.

Nana said...

Adorable card, but i was really moved by the story. :) Thank you for sharing with us and playing along at the "Crazy challenge"!
hugs Nana

Dana Gustafson said...

Wow! WHat a story and wonderfulcard for such a special little boy! Thank you for sharing that story and for playing along with just us girls this week!