All throughout the process, we've had some tender mercies along the way. Little signs from our Father in Heaven letting us know that He was aware of journey. People placed in our path, circumstances that were too timely to be coincidental, promptings that came out of the blue. I love how God works like that.
Like that one time in May of 2017 (four months before we received Naomi's file), Beau had been in Germany for a trade show. Beau's seat on his flight had been switched to a less favorable place on the plane (well, location wise anyway, not seat companion wise). The man sitting next to him on the way home was Wallace Fetzer. For anyone who is LDS, Wallace Fetzer is the man who constructed the pulpit in the new conference center from the walnut tree in President Hinckley's yard and did a lot of the work in the Conference Center itself. And.... he just happened to be in Germany at the same woodworking conference my husband was. They had the whole plane ride home to talk. Now, it wasn't just that this man had constructed a pulpit that made this seating arrangement significant but the fact that this man and his wife have 16 kids, 5 biological and 11 adopted (most of whom are from China). His stories of how God had provided a way for each child to enter their family was inspiring and gave us hope that God would, eventually, provide a way for us to go through our own adoption process. We are so grateful Beau's seat was next to Wallace Fetzer's that day.
There's also the time just a few weeks after we received Naomi's file, I was at a bridal shower and struck up a conversation with the lady sitting next to me. I didn't know her, she didn't know me. She started talking about her friend that she was waiting for and mentioned that this friend had adopted a girl from China. I hadn't even mentioned a word about us adopting. Her friend showed up at the bridal party as well and we were introduced. I was able to talk with her and hear about her story and process. She too shared a beautiful story about how they were called to adoption and it was so inspiring to hear her story, be able to ask her questions and it really put a lot of things into perspective for me.
Oh and the time when Beau and I had escaped for a quick weekend getaway to SLC in January of 2018. We got up in the morning to do an endowment session in the Salt Lake temple. We ended up running late and decided that instead of being rushed we'd do sealings instead. We joined in with a large group that day and in the middle of doing the work, the sealer stopped. He went quiet, then looked up at us in the room and said, "I'd like to share some things with you..." He continued to tell a story of his daughter and her husband who had three girls and had then adopted a boy from China. He was able to seal them in the temple once the adoption was finalized. He then went on to share some very sacred truths about the sealing power and adoption. After he ended his story, he continued on right where he'd left off. Beau and I just looked at each other with tears running down our faces. Beau stopped him and asked, "Why did you share that story today?" He said that every day before he comes to the temple, he prays to know what to say so when the spirit spirit told him to share that story, he did. We continued to tell him why what he shared was significant to us. Everyone in that room was touched and many were wiping tears. Before he continued on again, he winked and said, "And guess what, I'm normally not serving in the temple on this day, but I came in to do a live sealing and they asked me to stay and help with some more. I'm glad I stayed." We were glad he stayed too.
That week when we were deciding whether or not we were going to move forward with Naomi's file, I was driving in the car with my boys. We were talking about this sweet little girl and what the details of what adoption would be. Our boys were on board from day one and were curious as to why I was taking such a long time deciding. I explained to them that this was a very important decision - we'd be adding a new family member and not only that, but she may have some big medical needs, including being in a wheelchair. Our sweet oldest boy, Micah, said "Well that's okay, I'll push her. Mom really, I'll help her." Again, the tears flowed. Oh to have the faith of a child! The idea of having a sister in a wheelchair was of no concern to him. The other two boys have been equally sweet. Isaac always talks about how excited he is to play and read books with Naomi. He'll go in her room and rock in her rocking chair and hold her stuffed animals and talk about how he'll rockabye her. Luke (currently 4 years old) talks about her in his sleep and every time he sees her picture, he melts. They're all so excited to meet her and are going to be the best brothers to her.
We were waiting for our LOA to come and it was past due. Beau, Micah, Isaac and I held a fast on Sunday, praying it would come soon. A few days later, Beau and I went on a day date to celebrate his upcoming birthday. We got couple massages, went to dinner, then went to go do sealings in the Ogden temple (the temple we are planning to be sealed with Naomi). We pulled in to the parking lot and my phone buzzed. It was our adoption agency, saying they had received our LOA, meaning that China had accepted our file and our match with Naomi. We were just heading into the place that will seal us as a family and at that same moment we received China's blessing that she could be ours. God is aware of us. The timing of it all was so beautiful.
Another odd but amazing story was clear back when our youngest boy was getting circumcised (you weren't expecting that one were ya? haha). Our pediatrician was talking to me during the procedure and started talking about the two girls he and his wife adopted from China. This was about a year or so after Beau's dream, so I started to ask him tons of questions. He and his wife have been so wonderful and such a great resource to us through this process. They also told us of a group in the area that have all adopted from China that get together once in a while. I'm looking forward to getting to be apart of that group. He also has been gathering cleft palette bottles for us to take over to China to donate to the orphanage. Oh we are so grateful to him and his wife!
Also, the pediatric occupational therapist who we asked to look over Naomi's records. He not only looked them over, but took the time to personally call us and go over them in detail. He was so positive and shared some spiritual insight to our decision that we desperately needed at the time. We can't wait to have Naomi work with him once we finally have her home. Also our family doctor, two chiropractors, pediatrician and others who looked over her records to help give us some insight as to her condition.
And last, but certainly not least, all the angels that are around us. The family and friends who have completely shocked us with support and kind words from the moment we shared our news of adoption. I couldn't believe how many people have a genuine interest in our little girl. We are constantly being asked about her and where we are in the process. So many have reached out telling us they too have always wanted to adopt. We're also so grateful for the outpouring of love and acts of service offered. People have offered to take our kids while we are gone (we have decided we are going to take them with us now though), to take our dog, to water our garden and flowers, to feed the cat, to weed and mow our lawn, to throw baby showers and even to take our boys once we're home so we can get back into a regular routine. People have promised to bring in meals and help clean my house as though I just had just had baby. I guess in a way it is a similar situation. But overall, I'm so grateful to to be surrounded by such wonderful people. They have made this experience so sweet.