Something Special

There has been something special about our son from the first day we laid eyes on his picture in October of 2013. I cannot describe it. But Brad and I both know there is something about this specific boy. This one in 1.5 billion Chinese. This one in 143 million orphans. He needed to come here. To come to America. To come to our home. To be raised in our family. And he needed to come now.

I often wonder about God's timing. I am ever in awe of His miraculous plans and the ways He can orchestrate the seemingly impossible. But why us? Why now? Why him?

Today as we were sitting down to lunch I asked the kids who wanted to offer the blessing on our food. Ty eagerly pointed to himself with a proud grin on his face. I admit I had to consciously choose an enthusiastic approval. My initial thought was, "Should I let him? Will it be awkward? Will he be okay?" Fortunately at the same moment those thoughts ran through my head my heart leaped with joy and pushed the smile onto my face before he could notice.

I immediately agreed and sat down to bow my head. Ty folded his arms, closed his eyes, and bowed his head. It was quiet for just a moment and I again wondered if maybe I should offer to help him. Before I could lift my head his sweet voice began, "Heavenly Father..." I think the first words after that were an effort to pray in English, but he quickly switched to Mandarin. I could only understand about 40% of what he said. But it was beautiful. I caught words about our food, each of our family members, and men and women in China.

He went on for what felt like 5 minutes. The littles started getting antsy. I had to help Drew stop fiddling with his spoon and re-fold his arms. I had to give a disapproving glare to Amber when she started to giggle as the prayer seemed to have no end. I had to pull an apple slice away from Jacob's mouth when he decided he could wait no more.

But it was the most beautiful prayer I have ever heard. He was thinking. He was trying. And he was reverent.

When he finally finished we all said "Amen" and he looked at me with the greatest smile on his face. I thanked him and gave him a high five from across the table wishing I were sitting close enough for a hug.

I don't know if he is starting to understand what we are saying in our prayers and simply mimicked what he has heard or if this prayer just came from a special place in his little heart. But either way I was choking back tears.

This little boy is just something special.

Enjoying his thoroughly blessed noodles