To be loved by someone like that

She had asked me for my mailing address months ago; I thought nothing of it. 

Then one day, a good month after my birthday had passed, a phone call. Package downstairs.  I hadn't ordered anything online; what could it be?

Two eager boys armed with scissors helped me cut open the cardboard box, and inside? Documents, tangibles, record of true friendship.  Wang Zhao had written me blue sticky notes during her long work days, "Sometimes when I'm at work, I think of something I want to share with you, and I just write it down for you, for later."  She had developed photos from times shared together.  And one night, she had sat at her desk inside the Social Welfare Institute - orphanage, her life-long residence, and penned a letter to Ruiqiu (Rachel), all the corners of her mind and heart taking shape in sturdy, curvy, clear characters.

And I had cried a little when I read it, because, I have a true friend.  Wang Zhao.

Because all the years of leaving home and being where I don't belong and breaking my brain and feeling that gut-humiliation of learning Chinese -- 

I can lay back on my bed, and in the lamplight with comfort and ease, read her letter. 

Every word.

Her pen, her words, her logic, her context, her perspective --  I know.  I identify.

I know Wang Zhao's heart.  I have a true friend.

Do you know how powerful it is to be loved by someone?

Someone who was herself abandoned as a baby, because her body wasn't quite right.  Someone who never knew a father to toss her up in the air with laughter, or tell her she was prettiest girl he ever saw.  Someone who never had a mother to hold her when she was sick, or bake her a birthday cake, or whisper, I love you my sweet baby, and plant a soft kiss on her forehead every single night as she fell asleep.

Do you know how powerful it is to be loved by someone like that?

When one who has grown in total poverty of family - opportunity - support - resources -- draws up our of her own heart the deepest of friendship, and extends it to the rich?

The rich feel they've been handed some kind of treasure they never knew they were missing.

When she, the deep well of friendship, folds 520 colored birds and puts them in a jar for you, and writes that it's a surprise birthday gift, "Think of me when you see this."

Because of her condition, her fingers are short and clumsy.  "I folded 520 birds for you," she wrote, "but not all of them fit in the jar."

There was a letter for Siyuan (Drew) too.  Generous words for his tangible help and warmth.

"I thought and thought for so long about what I could get for you, I wanted it to be special, so I decided to order custom pens."

One is engraved with our names beside Wang's Friend.

The other lists our names again, this time claimed as Wang's Family.

This reminds me so much of the poor widow who donated a penny, and Jesus praised her for her generosity that exceeded the big dollar gifts of others.  They all gave out of their wealth, Jesus stated, but she gave out of her poverty.  

The great gift here is not that we have loved Wang Zhao.  With all the riches of love and resources that have been poured over Drew and myself from birth, we haven't yet met the minimum -- to whomever much is given, of him much will be required.

The marvel that will break me in the best way every time I think on it is that, out of her total poverty of family, her complete absence of resources, Wang Zhao has loved us.

counting the graces

thank you Father for

watching via skype as my brother and his beloved surprised my parents with a visit & birthday party!

Drew is home from Sydney, Australia as of the early morning hours -- 

I slept half the night in the comfort of his embrace, Titus played legos with him, Mike walked home from school with him, we all shared lunch together

M&D called, P&S want to skype, Mom sends photos and msgs, this family loves

Titus smiling big and saying, "I'm so happy!" on our sunny walk home from school

Emily and kids stayed with us yesterday night, she prioritizes relationships and I feel it when she listens and talks

toys strewn all about the house by Em's little boys, evidence of curious and playful children present

early sunrise mornings on the sunporch, squashing temptation before breakfast, setting an intention, and being filled with the Word straightaway

kids built a castle out of big paving stones

Mike reports that he had a "busy" morning at school with so many things to do, and someone had a birthday

air quality has been better this spring than last

all the wisdom of Colossians, especially to be "abounding in thanksgiving" and "you are filled"

hiking through the woods at dusk, alone, sweating a little and feeling perfectly content

TEH came to deliver her wedding invitation in person, and to pray together

reflecting, remembering our years with Jonathon -- what a treasure it was that we held when he was here, and now to know how he is cherished and nurtured

YF's recognition that she needs a Solid Rock