ONE

It is me, Sara.  

Emma Kate's mom.

Wide awake in the hust and still of the night.  

Our room is dark and the boys are breathing steadily in the bed next  to us.   After laying awake for an hour (from 2-3am), I decided to get up and hide in the only place I can type without waking everyone else up: the bathroom!   It is proof that we are so close to receiving Emma.  Jim and I spent many a night in Hangzhou wide awake at 3am…in the bathroom so we wouldn't wake a peacefully slumbering Anna Elaine!

Yesterday was amazing.  We spent 5 hours at the Summer Palace and it is breathtaking.  Beautiful.  I could write much about it, but this morning my heart and mind are inclined toward our precious daughter who rests in JinJiang and sleeps her way toward her last day in her orphanage.

2am this morning was sweet.  I feel the Lord woke me up with things to pray.  My heart was full of His words for her as Scripture after Scripture came to mind, and I spoke His truth and hope and love over her and her life.  

Sweet things He wanted said for HIS beloved daughter, YuXiao.  Blessings and grace for our beloved daughter, Emma Katherine YuXiao Silburn.  A magnificat to Him alone, and Words of power and strength and life for my daughter.  

Emma wakes today to her last full day in her orphanage.  Tomorrow she boards a train to travel some hours to Fuzhou, the provincial capital of Fujian province, where we will await her.  And finally, finally, we will be united.

Oh, my heart can't contain the love we feel for her, and the prayers for her dear heart and mind, emotions and spirit, body and soul as this momentous day comes to pass.  

Emma Kate, the Lord your God is mighty to save.  He is mighty for you, and He is mighty to save you from worry, fear, anxiety, disbelief, doubt and trepidation. The Lord your God is mighty to bring you his peace, love, joy, hope, strength, goodness, endurance and rest.  Oh, how He loves you.  How he delights in you.  He is inclined toward you and is with you this night as you rest and the hour you awake.  He does not leave.  He isn't distant or far off.  He is there.  And oh, His love.  Emma Kate, rest in Him as you receive the quieting of His love.  He quiets you with His love even as He delights over you.  The singing and dancing of Jesus and the heavens because of you, and for you, is your savior rejoicing.  We rejoice with Him.  And we rejoice because of Him.  There is no other name.  Jesus.  The only One.  Worthy.  Holy.  True.  Faithful.  Savior.  Redeemer.  Covenant Keeper.  Lover of your soul.  Arise, Emma, and shine.  Your Dad and I bless you this morning with the peace and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.  And we await with love and longing the dawning of tomorrow, when He draws us together forever.  Together.  Dearest Emma, you belong.

The hymn, "O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing" was the song on my heart this morning.  And while it was this lone mother's voice singing it quietly in the deep of the night, I know I was joined by a host of angels rejoicing at the goodness and majesty of our Lord.  I am in awe of Him.  And so grateful to belong to Him.  

We pack our belongings and check out of our hotel.  Beijing is behind us and we set our eyes toward Fuzhou.  Our plane leaves today at 4:30pm.  Upon our arrival, a new guide, Chris Tao Ping will meet us and escort us through the rest of the week in province.  

Once we arrive at our hotel tonight, we will unpack, and then prepare all the things for tomorrow.  Emma's backpack with a photo book of our family, her sweet doll, some toys and other items.  Gifts for the orphanage director and nannies.

Honestly, I can't quite believe it is here.  

As I arose to type this out, the Lord whispered, "Be still, and know that I am God".  I am savoring each moment of this.  His loving-kindness is the sweetest and most beautiful taste.  And my heart is peaceful, resting fully in His care.  He is God.  And this is His good work, prepared in advance for our family.  Every good and perfect gift is from Him.  

Goodbye, Beijing.  Hello, Fuzhou.  

One plane ride, one day, one sleep….and it is Emma Kate Day!

Thanks be to God.