Do you ever wonder?

August 14

August 14, 2007

Do you ever wonder why God gave us the Bible verse "Be still and know that I am God?" Why do we have to be still? To be honest, most of the time I just want to know what He is up to. I really don't want to stop and be still.

I think that is why God keeps me in a state of transition, never knowing what is just around the corner. If I knew too much, I'd run the show. And it's really His show to run, isn't it? I am merely a player on His glorious stage.

As summer comes to a close, our beautiful Amberlie Joy FuShuang Gillespie just turned two years old (and boy is she a two year old! "No" is one of her favorite words, as is the recently added "Mine!") and we celebrated the one-year anniversary of the day she was placed in our arms in China (July 17) and the day we arrived home in the United States with her (July 28).

We spent a recent Saturday with family and friends celebrting her life, followed by her dedication to the Lord at our coffeehouse church service, The Vine.

Now we are prayerfully considering beginning the paperchase for our second princess, a little mei mei for Amberlie Joy.

We'll keep you posted!

On the way to Dallas

November 09

Welcome to the Successful Adoption blog! I am so excited to share with you my adoption story and the adoption story of others around the world. This blog will keep you up to date on what's happening with our family, the Gillespies, including our newly adopted daughter Amberlie Joy FuShuang Gillespie from Chongqing, China. We brought her home in July of this year, and she has been a huge blessing! It will also give you information on the adoption process, orphan ministry, and how God is calling you to get involved—yes, I said you!
Today, Amberlie, me (Natalie), and her dad Adam got on another plane. This makes the fifth trip Amberlie has taken in the three months she has been with us, not including the long flight home from China! She is a champion flyer, except for the fact that she likes to kick the seat in front of her. (Sorry, nice lady who flew in front of us today!) She doesn't cry and loves to make friends wherever we go. So far since July we have been to Chicago, Nashville, Atlanta, Washington, D.C., and now Dallas. I can't wait to show her off to Chuck and Jenni on the FamilyNet television show At Home Live tomorrow in Ft. Worth, Texas. We will put Amberlie in her traditional red Chinese silk dress, so watch for her!