Sunday, January 13, 2008

Off To A New Journey

Welcome to my attempt to get into the information 21st century. We are off to a new journey to get our new daughter June Lee Meixing Waters. Please join us as we start ANOTHER ride of our lives.

As most of you know, we adopted a precious little girl from China in 2003. Our sweet little daughter Mia Rose was very ill when we got her, very behind developmentally and very malnourished. I remember the first time I held her I couldnt believe that someone had just handed us a beautiful 13 month old little girl to just walk away with. We quickly took her to the hotel room to check out and it took me 12 hours to decide if she had poor muscle tone due to neglect or had cerebral palsy. We also found out she was very ill with pneumonia, double ear infections and profoundly impacted. She was unable to hear much until we had tubes put in and her first speech was much like that of a deaf child.
Fast forward to 2007 and you would have seen a gorgeous little lady who sang(off key of course), danced and fiercely loved her mom and dad and brothers. She was becoming quite the diva and I secretly smiled at that, knowing if anyone deserved to be spoiled it was her. But the best part was that she was growing in the love and understanding of Jesus Christ. I will never forget her playing Tball and the boy on first tapped her with his glove to get her out. She just stood there crying and I ran on the field to get her to go back to the dugout and just as I got there she looked at me and said "That boy doesnt have Jesus in his Heart!!! I had to laugh as I tried to explain to her that was how you play baseball and he was not just being mean. I wondered then if I was raising the church lady from Saturday Night Live sit com. She was fabulous and everything we ever dreamed of for a daughter. However, God had a different need for her in his plan. She passed away 4/17/07 in a tragic drowning accident while under the after school care of our nanny. We will never understand or have peace with her being gone. We will never stop loving her and missing her. But our only answer to this horrible situation is that we believe God looked at this sweet little girl living in an orphanage in china. He knew her days would be numbered as 4years8months6days. He knew she was too special to live them without a loving family. So he saw us dreaming of a little daughter, and knew we were strong enough to love her everyday like it would be her last, take her all over the country and other countries on trips, touch her and caress her like she was the gift she was. He knew we would be overwhelmed with the loss and grief but we were strong enough to survive and keep going. He knew we would take the loss and make as much good from it as we could. The loss does not define us as a family. We hope it show others what a belief in heaven does when you loose a loved one. We hope is show people that we are not necessarily strong, but humbled by the time we had with her. We are 2 parents with children very devoted to each other and who know how to love each other, and children brought into our family out of love.

We believe God has looked down and felt we completed our first journey well. He has blessed us with the referral of another little girl. She waits for us now in China. Her birthday is 1/2/07. She will be named June Lee Meixing Waters. June is in honor of her grandmother Doris June and me(Cynthia June). Lee is in honor of her dad Curtis Lee. Meixing is her chinese name and we do not yet have a translation. She has a repaired cleft lip and an unrepaired cleft palate. She also has an orthopedic small toe issue. We hope to travel by May to get her.

We know this new daughter will not replace Mia. We do not want to. She will forever be 4 years old in our heart, even when we are much older. But our house is empty, and we want to parent another child who may not otherwise get a chance to know what a family is. She may not know ever without us that she can be anything she wants with us at her side cheering. She may not know what it is like to have 3 brothers loving and spoiling her. But most of all, she may not know without us who Jesus Christ is. We gotta believe there are a few more first base tballers who need little girls preaching to them!

So, yes we know that Jordan is getting married 7/07 and leaving the home. Yes we know Tyler goes off to College 8/08. Yes we know Riley will soon be 11 and more independent. Yes we know we are getting old. But, we are not too old to love again. We are not too old to give one more child a chance. We are not too old to devote the next couple of decades to show the world what a child does to a family. She will bring us far more than we have to give her. And that is a wonderful thing. Follow us thru this blog on our journey!

22 comments:

Rebecca Lily said...

Cindy,

I'm at a loss for words... such sadness and joy all wrapped up in one story. Your family is in our prayers as you continue to grieve Mia, and we wait in anticipation with you for the arrival of this new beloved daughter and sister.

Blessings,
Rebecca

mommy24treasures said...

I was looking at Rebecca's beautiful designs and came to your blog... I just had to say May God bless you and prosper you on your new journey.
Peace,
Connie

Chris, Tammy and the gang! said...

Cindy and family,

I saw your post about your blog off a yahoo group (adoptcleft). I have no words for the loss and pain your family has suffered. From reading your posts, I can tell you have such a deep love for Jesus and therefore a deep love for others, especially children. I believe you are right...God knew the day when Mia would be taken and He also knew she deserved your love and a family to live out her 4years with.

How exciting to see God's work in your family and with your new daughter!

Take care...I will be following along to see your journey!!! We are from PEI, Canada and we are hoping to travel in May as well to bring home our new son - a 5 year old with cleft lip and palate.

In His Love,

Tammy M.

Doug and Terrye said...

What a precious, bittersweet story you are living. We are parenting "again," and finding joy in "staying young" with our daughter from China.
What a blessing to know that God is sovereign, and you can rest in the knowledge that "all things work together for good..." even when we don't understand!
Terrye in FL
dshirley4@verizon.net
www.graceelyseshirley.blogspot.com

Kim said...

I too found your blog by looking at Rebecca's design site.

Your story is an amazing testament to your faith in Jesus Christ. I wish you all His great blessings as your continue your adoption journey and His continued peace as you grieve for Mia.

Kim
Kimmertek@scbglobal.net

Chasing Dreams Photography said...

I am at a loss for words. My heart aches for your loss but rejoices in the referral of June. I bookmarked your blog and I cannot wait to follow along on your journey to June. I understand the feeling of a empty house once the children are grown. I have 4 grown boys and two beautiful girls (5, Korea and 2, China). My girls have filled our house with so much laughter and happiness.
Feel free to stop by our blog and visit www.crazy-eight.blogspot.com
God Bless!

Life with JJ, Starr and Spice said...

I just stubled upon your blog and your amazing story. How awesome that you are to start this new journey in your life.

I look forward to seeing you united with your daughter.

Many blessings,
Lori

forever sisters... said...

Best of luck on your journey to June. You truly are an inspiration. I look forward to following you on your journey.

Carrie

Live2Play said...

I am so happy to welcome a new member to the family. You are an amazing person that has created such a wonderful family, I am so happy it continues to grow and I look forward to following your journey. I love you guys!

Barbie said...

While this story is so heartbreaking it is also a story of hope and faith. What a blessing you had to share your love, your family and Jesus Christ with precious Mia. And now you are willing to share that all again. You are an inspiration.

Betty Lou said...

Cindy,
I am so proud of you and your family. After such a painful experience, to open your heart up a second time could only be accomplished with God in your hearts. I will pray for Baby June and her new family. You have an amazing family and extended family and I am proud to be a part of it. I am looking forward to following your new experiences through your blog. God Bless you and yours.

Love,
Aunt Boopie

Bobbie* said...

Congratulations on the journey to your little girl. Your testimony is very moving. We have had an ear full from our friend about what we are doing to our life at a time we should be out there doing for us. But our joy is through our children and our love for them. You are never to old to give a child a Mom and Dad. And I feel sorry for those who are missing out on such a wonderful experience due to thinking they are too old.

familyof8 said...

Cindy,
God's telling His story through your lives. Thanks for sharing your story. We are hoping to be DTC soon for our little Emily. She is 2 and will be our 6th child. My DH is a Gyn Surg. he gave up OB after our triplets arrived. We are thankful to have him home more. I hope to follow your blog adventure.
Blessings,
Christine

Stefanie said...

Thank you so much for sharing what must be a very painful story to retell. But through your tragedy, others can see what amazing things Jesus is doing through and to your family. What a blessing that you will be adding another beloved child to the fold :) I will be following your journey to your new daughter!
Stefanie ~ our blog is another of Rebecca's designs :)

day by day said...

I linked to your blog through the WC Yahoo group. I am so touched by your story and want to thank-you for sharing it with us.nadztpj You have such an amazing faith and I look forward to following your journey to your newest Blessing.

Gail said...

I stumbled onto your blog through Rebecca's blog designs.
I am at a loss for words. I am truly sorry for your tragic loss and so happy to hear about your referral.
My prayers are with you and your family.
Blessings,
Gail

Sarah said...

What a beautiful family! I found your site through the adoptcleft website. We have been home for almost 3 months with our daughter, Naomi. I will eagerly wait to follow your journey to your sweet girl! Your story of Mia is so touching and beautiful. I lol with her t-ball story! :) What a sweet memory!

Thank you for sharing.

Blessings,
Sarah

judylea said...

Cindy,
Leila sent me a link to your blog and, once again, I was brought to tears by the strength you - and yoru family - have chosen to embrace. My first thought was just "thank God for the strong genes - and strong women - we have in our family, to allow Cindy and her loved ones to go forward and change the life of another child!"

I am so proud to be related to you, even as just a cousin, and want to reinforce to you that you are doing what truly matters - making a difference in the life of a child.

You've done that with your own children, with admirable results, and it's wonderful to see you go on to spread the warmth of your love to those who need it so much.

Aunt Edith, Daddy and Uncle Max would be giving you unlimited "attaboys", you can count on that!

My thoughts and prayers will be with you on this new journey - I'm so looking forward to seeing photos, when you have them.

Judith Warnick Highsmith
Tyler, TX

judylea said...

Cindy, I'm so proud of you and your family for being willing to continue to share your love and influence with a child who needs you - it made such a difference in Mia's life,short as it was, and will do the same for June.

Just know that Aunt Edith, Uncle Max and my Daddy would all be SO proud of the person you've become -I know my Daddy's philosophy was that we're all put on this Earth to help one another and, as a family, we've all lived that thought. I am so proud to be related to you!

Please share photos when you have them - we'll pray for a safe journey and a wonderful outcome for June. Our thoughts and prayers will be with all of you. Bless you!

Judith Warnick Highsmith
Tyler, TX

Tina said...

Your words are beautiful and your journey is such an inspiration. God Bless you and your family and I pray your sweet daughter comes home soon.

Lindsey said...

Dr.Robbins,
You delivered my second son, Bo, December 11. He is a blessing and joy each day. I think it is amazing that you and your family are going to have another daughter to love and hold close to your heart. Jesus Christ has great and mighty plans for all of his children and we can have peace knowing that His plan is always greater than our own. My family and I will continue to pray for you and precious little June. How exciting it will be when you can hold that precious child against your heart and tell her that you love her. God bless you and your family.
Love,
Lindsey Merrill

Mom 2 six said...

I can't wait to follow your journey and am humbled by your post. You are certainly on the right path. Our prayers are with you.