Friday, December 21, 2007

Wise Men

I think there are times that being in the foster home is a painful and extremely difficult experience for me. Last week was one of those weeks where I thought to myself: This hurts and I need some comfort. I know the pain comes with the territory and I am not scared of that anymore but there are times when I am overwhelmed with the responsibility of what I do. I had been at the hospital and Kay came to help and when we were done, I told her I need some good home cooking and a lot of it. I eat Chinese food most of the time and there are just some days I need something that feels familiar. I decided to try the local Howard Johnson Hotel. They offer a really good buffet for a reasonable amount of money, so off we go in the taxi. As I get out I just stop in my tracks. There in the revolving door are two decorated Christmas trees. I am sure you can guess what they used? Starfish, hundreds of them. In that moment all was well again in my world. I knew that there was doing the right thing and I felt soothed and comforted.

I love what I do because I get to see God's love for the children everyday of my life. I know just how much He cares about them and how many people He sends to help them. I am so grateful for this season in which we get to celebrate the love of God for each one of us. May your Christmas celebrations focus anew on the reason for the season. In Hong Kong they have a building that is decorated with this: Wise men still seek Him. I hope you will be a wise man everyday of your life.

So I send pictures of all the love that is in my house. I am in Shanghai right now with Jack and Kaitlyn. My Christmas present this year will be having their bodies healed. The surgeries are scheduled for next Wednesday. I hope you will enjoy the happy little faces just as much as I do. My wish for them this Christmas season is to be able to spend it with their own forever families next year.

Life, Love and Laughter,

Mana and all the Starfishes in Xian Starfish Foster Home
http://chinesestarfish.blogspot.com/
http://www.chinesestarfish.org/






































8 comments:

Jewels of My Heart said...

How precious they are. Their little smiles are the sweetest. I love when the Lord leads you to the place you need to be in the exact moment you need to be there. In that moment you "see" Him, feel Him and hear Him. A STARFISH Christmas tree just for you. Through the trials, heartaches, and joy your life makes a difference. You are ministering to these precious little children, you are ministering to Jesus. I am confident one day as you stand before your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ you will hear the words one longs to hear.... "Well done, good and faithful servant."
Well done, dear Amanda and thankyou.
Merry Christmas
Daleea

redmaryjanes said...

Merry Christmas to you. I cannot imagine the weight that you carry. But I want you to know that you carry it well, that your life has such a tremendous purpose and that you can say that you have personally saved children and delivered them to their families. What an amazing honor and accomplishment. God Bless you and your babes this Christmas.

Fatcat said...

Such cuteness all in one place!

Trixie said...

Kissing the reindeer! How fabulous. What charmers they are! Take care of yourself and those babies. Know that you are in our prayers.

Mardi said...

Thank you for all you do. You are living such and amazing legacy. I pray you found "familiarity" for Christmas and that you are richly blessed in 2008. :)

Paula said...

I'm so happy I found your blog, I just sponsored Gabriel and just think he is the cutest little guy in the world!
Paula

Michelle said...

I agree, the Starfish Christmas tree was just for you...not a coincidence, but Godincidence! That is wonderful that the building in Hong Kong had that message. I was in Hong Kong on Nov 1st, and then again on Nov. 17th. All the beautiful buildings were then lit up with Christmas lights, but I didn't see that one. Bless you for all you do to help these precious babies.
Merry Christmas and brightest blessings in the new year.

Michelle

John & Michelle said...

I just came across your blog and love it! If you have a moment, could you please tell me more about the little girl in the red dress holding the Merry Christmas sign and the little girl in the white dress just below her. You can email me at conley_mia@yahoo.com !!!
Every blessing to you in the new year!
Michelle