The Heart of Rebecca

Celebrating our one year anniversary with Rebecca has given me reason to go back and look through pictures from our time in China. And like I mentioned in another post, I've also gone back and re-read some of the things I wrote while we were there. It's so hard describing that time for me because for us it was an answer to prayer and our daughter was finally with us, her family. But for her, well - it wasn't quite so easy but all in all I would say the transition went very well.

So many of the volunteers we talked to mentioned what a little stinker she could be and we were told many times that she was a hand full. In some ways that is the case, she is a lot of fun and has the cutest little sense of humor but if I had to name one prevalent trait in her, I would readily mention that she has the absolute sweetest little heart. Here's a few pictures taken the day we had gone back to the Starfish Home to visit before we departed Xian. It was a very stressful time for Rebecca and it was also a very heart wrenching and stressful day for me. She was torn between her two worlds and the changes she knew were there but didn't quite understand. As a mother, I wanted her to not have to suffer that pain. But in the midst of all of that, as her nanny was telling her goodbye and her eyes brimmed with tears - look at the love and compassion coming from her little soul.




Many times over this past year I have witnessed this kindness and sweetness from her. Many times it was completely undeserved but each time I see it, I know that it's to the core of just how she is. Yes, she can be ornery. Yes, she can be a stinker. But if someone needs some loving, she's the go to girl. She shows this love to me all the time as well as to her siblings. Just yesterday Emma was in trouble with her papa, nothing bad but Brian had made her get down out of his lap because she wasn't minding so off she went in a huff. Rebecca went and sat down beside her, put her arm around her and told her that she loved her and that Emma was her "best friend". Then later in the evening Ryan, who is almost 12 and has been a little of a hand full himself, was in trouble with me. As I was giving him an ear full Rebecca came up and wrapped her little arms around his leg as if to say "I'm right here with you Ryan and it's going to be okay".

There are many, many more stories like this that I could share about her and every time I witness it I can't help but think of some of the verses out of Matthew 5.

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.