My Heart for the Children

This poem was written a couple of years ago by a treasured on-line friend of mine, I get it out every now and then as a reminder to me. She gave me permission to use this once, I hope she doesn't mind that I am posting it here. Thank you Lydia!

MY HEART FOR THE CHILDREN
by Lydia Tarr

Little ones crying, no comfort is theirs
Older ones dying with no one who cares.
Alone in their misery and no joy in their soul
their hope finally dies, life has taken its toll.

I can't save them all but I'll do my share
to show to the world how Jesus would care.
He would open His heart and and all that He gave
would be theirs without asking - their lives He would save.

Not fame, nor fortune or riches found
bring life real happiness or a future that's sound.
Giving to others and true love He did give
Is the example He set - in the life He did live.

He gave up His crown and throne up above
to live on this earth and show us His love.
He who welcomes a child like this in His name
reflects the true heart of God - for He did the same.

I wish I could go back and change the way I did live
I'd make different choices and more I would give
I've had so many chances but consumed by my greed
I've lived a life for myself and ignored their need

I'd gladly trade the glitter of gold,
the sparkle of diamonds and treasures untold
to be a tool in God's hand, to sacrifice for His gain
to give children a future and relieve them their pain.

Treasures in Heaven is what we're told we should store
but we live in a world that's consumed to buy more.
Let not moth nor rust come to destroy
The rewards earned in heaven, is a giver's true joy.

Is it only for some that can hear God's call
Or a command from above to relinquish our all?
Fields of the fatherless - the needs that aren't heard
The answer can be found if we would seek God's word.

A smile on their face and joy they should know
what every child needs in order to grow.
A family who's willing to show them true love
Like the measure we're given from God up above.

Oh Lord please remind me - each and every day
to get down on my knees and for them I will pray
Remember the children, for them I speak
A home for them all I will continue to seek.

The spirit of adoption reveals a religion that's pure
God's heart for the children - a love that is sure.
Consider their future, for He did the same
by adopting us in and giving us His name.

He grafted us in to a vine not our own
so that we too could call Heaven our family home.
Showing compassion and mercy, reflecting God's glory
Opening hearts and homes - a new end to their story.

Why are we here?

One of the questions that we get asked often is why we have continued trying to adopt after the disappointments that we have experienced. I will admit that there have been times that I have had the same thought, but the answer is always the same... somewhere out there we have a child and we have no choice but to do everything within our power to find her and bring her home. I believe with every inch of my heart and soul, no question, beyond any doubt, with 100% conviction that we have been led on this journey, not by our own desires, but by God's own hand. Why has he chosen us and why this child? I do not know, but as I follow the journeys of those that have travelled this road before us, I am humbled and amazed that I could be chosen to be part of something so incredibly amazing. When I think back over my life and the many blessings that I have been given, I can't help but think that I have been given much more than I deserve. It will be such an incredible honor and privilege to be entrusted to love and care for another child, I only hope that I will be worthy of this trust and responsibility! If parenting Rylee is half as rewarding as parenting Hanna, than I truly am blessed beyond measure!

How we got here...

It was a very sad blond haired beauty that stole our hearts and led us to adoption. We jumped right in to claim the child that had stolen my heart in one short breath. She was adopted by a Russian family just before we traveled to meet her over two years ago. Heartbroken and numb we switched agencies but continued on with a Russian adoption knowing in our hearts that our child was still out there.

In April 2005 we traveled to Siberia to meet a tiny little monkey girl and her daddy fell head over heels in love with her. In the week that we spent with her we taught her how to smile, hug, chew her food and laugh, in that week she changed our lives, our hearts and our world forever. We whispered our love for her into her ears and promised that we would be back to get her. The judge would no longer take American cases. We waited and hoped and prayed for our little Nastya and in March of 2006 her birth family took her from the orphanage, she is not ours.

We were done, we could not continue with this adoption stuff. Obviously we were not meant to adopt but.... I couldn't help myself and somehow found myself joining the WCC yahoo group and the beautiful stories of these special kids and adoption from China drew me in. I remembered the reoccurring dream I've had that started over 30 years ago. In the dream I am calling my daughter and when she turns smiling to look at me, her beautiful features are Asian.

So dear sweet Rylee, we have finally found you and we are so excited to bring you home ...

When Love Takes You In - Steven Curtis Chapman