Joy's Story CHANGED! Now Let HERS Change YOURS

January 31, 2017 Michelle Cuthrell

For two weeks, we’ve been waiting.

Wondering.

Pacing.

Praying for the news that ONE of the 23 families who had inquired about our sweet girl was ready, eligible and fully emotionally prepared to move forward to adopt her.

We have been thinking about this 7-year-old superhero who rocked our worlds both day and night, and all of us have reminisced and cried and laughed and ached as we have looked back on that precious month we had with her … and prayed it would only be the BEGINNING of her new story.

And TODAY, friends, it’s our honor and privilege to confirm that IT IS!

When the Whole Village Rallies

January 18, 2017 Michelle Cuthrell

Last night, our dear friends and fellow hosting companions announced that their host child — the tender 11-year-old little boy who spent Christmas Eve at our home and took part in the Chinese New Year’s reception with Joy — has a forever FAMILY!

After an entire lifetime as an orphan, J.J. is now a SON! A BROTHER! A BELOVED CHILD! A TREASURED member of a team who gets the privilege of loving him unconditionally FOR LIFE!

And today, OUR sweet girl is that much closer — as more than 23 families inquire about her, pray for her, consider her, FIGHT for her.

Two fewer orphans in the world — THAT’S something to celebrate!

Get Out of the Boat: You Might Be the Only One Who Can

January 16, 2017 Michelle Cuthrell

I was so hopeful.

Between the messages that our agency had received and the ones we had received about this girl who completely turned our world upside down, nearly 20 DIFFERENT FAMILIES had inquired about our sweet Joy!

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 20!!!

As I picked up the phone to FaceTime with this family whose hearts had turned to Joy on Thursday night just 12 hours before her departure, I just prayed.

Lord, I begged, we picked this girl up an orphan. PLEASE let her board this plane tomorrow morning a DAUGHTER.

Joy Changed Our Story

January 16, 2017 Michelle Cuthrell

I was holding it together — or at least, I was really trying.

I was carrying the sweet girl with the trademark kisses — the one who has been nothing but PURE, UNFILTERED JOY for 30 days in our home — to our final destination at the departures area of the Atlanta airport.

And it was taking everything I had not to break down into hysterics in front of her.

She’d known this day was coming.

Her nannies had reminded her before she left that this was only a 30-day international “camp” experience in America. Her assistant orphanage director had even FaceTimed with her the week before the departure to make sure she remembered she didn’t get to stay at camp forever. She had no expectations of this being a long-term experience, and she had no idea that while she was here, we were fighting for her and telling her story.

She just thought she was one of the lucky 20 selected for a 30-day orphanage field trip to America.

And yet, when she walked through those airport doors, both of us realized just how hard this farewell was going to be.

Don't Miss This

January 12, 2017 Michelle Cuthrell

God hasn’t revealed your names yet, but we believe you know who you are.

That family who can’t stop thinking about Joy. Praying about Joy. Checking back on the blog and Facebook page to catch just one more picture of Joy.

That family who is so captivated by this little girl that your mind can think about almost nothing else these days.

Sweet one, that’s YOU.

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