Annabelle meets the tooth fairy

Yep, it’s true.  The Tooth Fairy will be stopping by the Sublett house tonight, as Annabelle has lost one of her molars.  Kim informed me that it’s one of her 12 year molars, which is a little confusing, since Annabelle is only 10.  I acted like I knew what she was talking about just the same.  It’s a skill that I’ve learned from Annabelle, by the way.  When she doesn’t know what you’re talking about, she’ll smile and nod like she understands and move on.  Hilarious…

Late last night I submitted our adoption story and some pictures to ShowHope, the organization founded by Steven Curtis and Mary Beth Chapman.  Their aim is to see the world changed for orphans by helping people adopt, and by addressing the orphans’ need for food, care, shelter, and spiritual nourishment.  We received a grant from them to help us with our adoption of Annabelle, and it was a pleasure to re-visit our story to share it with them.

Annabelle has been in America for almost 8 months now.  Kim and I were optimistic from the outset, but things have gone even better than we dreamed.  She’s growing and learning every day.  Our other children have taken to her as though she’s always been with us.  Don’t get me wrong–we have our moments.  There are tears and squabbles and misunderstandings all the time.  But this life is SO GOOD!  Looking back on the 5 year wait, knowing what I know now, I’d do it all again in a heartbeat.

As I re-read our story (from the archived of my blog…check January 2010) and looked through all the pictures that we’ve taken over the past 8 months, I go this huge love burst, like my heart was going to explode.  Seeing the hand of God at work in hindsight is amazing.  The way he shaped our hearts, taught us valuable lessons along the way, changed our minds about adopting a baby, prepared Annabelle just for us…it’s so much to absorb.

I am so proud of the ways Levi, Lilly, and Sadie have grown through this experience.  They have shown grace, tenderness, compassion, and sacrificial love.  Annabelle has grown, too, in more ways than I can recount.  She’s displayed openness and courage, a willingness to try new things, and a heart that is wide open to love and be loved.

When I think about what I might have missed for not wanting to adopt…I can’t imagine life without any of my kids.

I imagine that’s what God must feel like when he looks at the earth.  We’re all his kids, aren’t we?  Some of us have re-connected with him, been adopted into his family.  But there are so many more who are yet fatherless, out there on their own, trying to get through life without him.  His heart must break over those who have yet to discover what it means to be part of his family…

If only there was a way to tell people how they could be re-united with the Father who loves them…oh, wait a second…yeah…that’s right.  God has given us this task of reconciliation…We are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us when we plead, “Come back to God!”

Now if you’ll excuse me, I think I hear the tooth fairy winging her way toward Annabelle’s room!