I was remembering why I chose this title for my blog initially. I was thinking how when we decided to adopt from China, that it was only by the grace of God that that I wasn't a mother in China having to abandon their child because the government didn't afford me that right. Or that it was only by the grace of God that I wasn't a mother existing in such poverty, who had to leave her child in the care of strangers in hopes that they could provide her life-saving medical care. And that it was only by the grace of God that I was not the child born into such poverty or born with an immediate need for medical attention.I was also thinking, that it is only by the grace of God that I could be that new mother to such a precious child born under these conditions. That it is only by His grace that the funds, and home and family structure could be provided to her through our family. Because where we are and what we have is all by His grace. And I knew, that I could not come up with the provision myself, I knew that. By I knew that He still asked me to be there, and I will have to trust Him in it all.
This is an early picture of Ruby (known in her group foster home as Mary). It shows a bit more of the reality of how much need there was early on in her life. I am so thankful for God's grace to give her a foster home to help her become healthy, but they cannot be her family. She arrived there with obvious signs of malnourishment, hence the large patches of hair missing and frail, thin body. I hesitated to show this. I thought maybe it'd be too much, but I realize now it's important to show the reality of it. This is how we first saw Ruby! This is her true life experience! It is His grace that redeems us every day in our own lives. Adoption has taught me the most about God's character than all the years I've live before.
