Our Christmas Miracle

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

Luke 2:10

For with God nothing shall be impossible.

Luke 1:37

Three years ago on an early Christmas morning in China, a baby was born. I imagine he had swaddling clothes and came from humble beginnings. I do know his mother left him in a place where he could be found and this little boy had a large cleft palate and lip which made it extremely difficult to feed him. He was placed into the hands of those who could help him and they did. They not only saved his life but provided him a loving and nurturing home. On the same day of his birth, on the opposite side of the world, a family celebrated their first Christmas in Wisconsin. Their lives had changed so much in the prior two years with the adoption of their daughter, changing jobs and moving. They never dreamed that 3 years later, the baby boy born on the other side of the world....so fragile and innocent...would be celebrating in their home as part of their family. Lives are weaved from many threads.

His name traces his journey. The first name given to him was You Sheng which means "from heaven." His foster parents named him Michael after the archangel - whom God sends to fight against evil. We named him William and call him "Will" because he came to us by the "will of God," just as our daughter Grace came to us by the "grace of God." When you start on the adoption journey, you never know the final destination or the path that will be woven before you. I can guarantee that it will have hills and valleys but can't offer insight to their height/depth and duration.

The first verse above refers to the "Christmas Miracle" and is an invitation to the world to open their hearts to peace, love and kindness. We hope the invitation is accepted. Giving (which is sharing what we have with others) is really what Christmas is all about. No greater gift can we give than ourselves...our time, our love, our heads, our hearts and for an orphan child...a family. Our Christmas miracle is our family. We all took different paths to get here but we are all here now. We combine our threads and weave the path forward...together.

This Christmas we joyfully celebrate the birth of Christ, and the 3rd birthday of our son, William Michael Yousheng as we celebrate his first Christmas with us as a family. Merry Christmas! May you find the blessings of Christmas - peace, love and kindness...today and everyday.

Gail, Dan, Nick, Grace and William Michael Yousheng