The Orphan's Cry

The Orphan’s Cry

Do you hear the orphan’s cry?

Or does it call to me only? Oh Why?

A boy, a girl, a mere face in the crowd

God’s own creation; oh how they make Him so proud.

There’s an orphan girl, with skin of brown

She wears an outward smile, stretched over a frown.

Forgotten she feels, alone in this plight

Rise up oh Christian, don’t give up the fight.

My heart aches to love her

To call her – my own

We bade God the question, “How could this occur?”

For thoughts of anymore, we did no longer stir.

But, oh dear child, with eyes full of hope

I cannot deny the full magnitude or scope

Your face, it slowly etched a place in my heart

And God reminds me, sweet child….to just play my part.

So, dear orphan girl with skin of brown

Spread a smile and remove your frown

For God called to me and of course I know why

There’s a girl named Sarah and there’s no time to cry!

by Trish Gerber

Surprise...It's Another Girl!

(Input Emergency System Sound Here)…..We break into your normal programming to bring you an important announcement…It has come to our attention that a new addition is being added to the “Gerber Family of 8” and in 2015, they will make that Number 9. Please don’t faint, don’t call 911 or your local police! Remain calm and breathe on! We have fully investigated this story and have found it to be…..

COMPLETELY TRUE!!

We now take you back to your normal programming where life was comfortable and not so shocking!

KEEP CALM AND READ ON

Jesus “wrecks” our comfortable Christianity it seems about every two years. It seems He comes knocking on our hearts again and we can’t ignore his calling in our lives for the orphan crisis in our world—on this—Our planet EARTH! People tell us all the time, “You can’t save them all!” Oh people, how I know this to be true and oh how I wish I could….because once you’ve looked into the eye of a family-less child, an orphan, you will wish you could save them all, your heart will break for theirs, and you will long to heal their pain! God calls us to care for “the least of these” and reminds us in Matthew 25:40 “Truly, I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for ME.”

Fortunately…or “unfortunately”….I know about the Orphan Crisis. I’ve seen the abuse and injustices they endure.

I know their plight.

H-O-P-E-L-E-S-S

I could say, “I’ve done enough; I’ve done more than my share.”

But God reminds me daily that, “This life is not your own, the advantages and privileges you’ve been given are not merely for you and your family. Dear Human, made in MY likeness, you have been given them for a reason and “To whom much is given, much more will be required.” Luke 12:48

I have A LOT in the world’s eyes…I have MORE I can give!

It’s not always easy to walk this path…this path of ADOPTION. To go through all the medical challenges and surgeries for a birth defect I didn’t create, to answer the HARD questions from three beautiful Chinese children, “Why didn’t they love me?” To be a listening ear when the young teenage girl asks, “I wonder who I get my thick hair, my weird double joints, and my amazing artistic ability from? Maybe my Mom…or maybe my Dad…I don’t know??”

And I listen….painfully unable to give an answer to these precious children of mine!

BUT, I WOULDN’T HAVE IT ANY OTHER WAY! Because, I GET to comfort, hug, and love my cleft-affected children after they go through their never-ending surgeries. I GET to answer the hard questions with, “I don’t know why they gave you up sweetheart, but I WILL LOVE YOU FOREVER….I’m always going to be there for you….and I’m so glad I get to be your Mommy!! I GET to be the listening ear, with answers none to give, and stand in AWE of this child before me that is “fearfully and wonderfully made by God!” Psalm 139:14

No, it isn’t always the easiest path to walk….but I GET to walk this path with my children!

Why would I expect any easier a path to walk, than the one my precious Jesus walked to the cross for ME!

Please enjoy the short poem I wrote, entitled “The Orphan’s Cry,” for our newest daughter coming home in 2015! Please join us in prayer as we once again embark on this amazing journey called...ADOPTION!

Jemma's 1st Day of School Photos

1st Day of 6th Grade for Jemma!

Jemma, Josh, Jaida & Jax--Love you Kiddos!

Jemma's 1st Day of School

Well, as I sit at my computer this morning by myself, I have so many emotions coursing through my mind and body! Just three weeks ago on this day we walked into an orphanage office in China, half-a-world-away and met our new 12-year-old daughter for the very first time. A smile and confidence radiating from her personality from that very first day and she has been smiling ever since. As we wait for the happy honeymoon to be over and for this child to finally meltdown from all the changes that have taken place in her life over the past 3 weeks, the meltdown doesn't come. Can this be real? Is Jemma just going to glide through this transition in her life like a piece of cake? Will she grieve the loss she has experienced or is she counting this change all as gain? Was she prepared so well in China for this moment that she knew what to expect? Did they tell her "don't rock the boat" or "make your new parents happy" so they will keep you? 

So many questions run through my brain this morning and will remain unanswered for now and that is okay. Only 3 weeks have I had this child in my arms, my home, and my life and today....I hugged her goodbye, told her I loved her, and took her to her first day of 6th Grade at the Middle School. I think I am quite possibly more distressed than she is, but that is okay. God is answering so many prayers and He has been so faithful to guide us through each step of this adoption process and I know He will be there next to us up to the very end. After I dropped her off, on my drive home, God gave me what I needed to hear in a Matthew West song called "Strong Enough" that was on the radio. Here are a few of the lyrics:

You must, you must think I'm strong

To give me what I'm going through

Well forgive me, forgive me if I 'm wrong

But this looks like more than I can do on my own

I know I'm not strong enough to be

everything that I'm supposed to be

I give up; I'm not strong enough

Hands of mercy won't you cover me

Lord, right now I'm asking you to be

strong enough, for the both of us.

I know I don't have to be strong enough for this task, but rather....I can do all things, through Christ who gives me strength. 

I look at this "little" girl who is half grown up, who only has 7 years of school before she graduates from high school and I am sad to have not had more time with her, but overjoyed that God has given us the privilege to be her Mom and Dad for as long as we have life! As I have learned over the past 18 years of raising my own children from birth...that it is so important to treasure each and every moment for we never know when that last moment will be! We have promised Jemma that we will be there for her forever; there will be good and bad, ups and downs, triumphs and challenges....but we are a family and we will make it through together! 

"Family" has become such a very important word in Jemma's daily vocabulary and she is absolutely thrilled that our family is all hers; she now has a forever family! This tiny word and what it represents for Jemma, reminds me of how much I value family and how so many times we all take our families for granted and don't reach out nearly as much as we should....life gets in the way.

Yesterday, as we took Jemma to church for the very first time...I was just asking God to be with her, to comfort her when it was time for the singing and the sermon when she would have no understanding of what was being said. A foreign language...church and God....totally foreign concepts to this orphan child. Yet, she is a child of God...made in His image...loved immeasurably by Him! Even though she didn't know the words to the songs...she sang along. Even though she didn't know what Cody was preaching...she had her Mandarin/English New Testament open and was reading it. Even though she didn't know why Shon and I took her with us up to the front of the church during the Invitation at the end...she walked willingly down the aisle with us. Even though she didn't know why Shon and I were crying as we introduced her to our church family, thanked them for blessing us with food and prayer while we were gone on our trip, and spoke of our God-led adoption journey....Jemma cried tears with us. 

And it is my heartfelt prayer today, that one day she will know who Jesus Christ is, what He did for her, and that she will accept Him as her personal Savior over her life one day soon! Just as God adopts us into His family, we have followed the calling to adopt God's orphans, and humbly walk this life according to His plan. Thank you Jesus!

Dear Lord, I lift Jemma Yanping Gerber up to you today and ask that you surround her with love and comfort on her first day of school, in a foreign country with a foreign language, American food and a new family. Though there will be frustrations, help her to embrace a new language and this new life. May new friendships abound and may her smile shine even more brightly today than yesterday. Help us to be the very best parents for her as we strive to lead her, teach her, encourage her, love her, help her, and be a shining light when it seems dark and when challenges arise, lift her to rise to the challenge and may she become everything that she is meant to be! In Jesus name, Amen.

We love you all so much! Thank you for always supporting our "crazy" plans, for praying for us, for lending a hand and for loving us!

Blessed Mama of 6

We are BLESSED!

B is for beautiful young lady with a loving spirit. This describes our sweet Jemma! For all she has been through in her short 12 years of life (things no child should have to endure ever in life) she is full of life, laughter, love, goofiness, smiles, happiness and is perfectly fit by God into our family!

L is for language. Although there is a language barrier that keeps us from understanding each other at times and we all get frustrated; we lean on her limited English, our even more limited Chinese, sign language, facial expressions, and love. We were pleasantly surprised by how much English she can say and even read! Hoping she will use it more when we get to the States. She is quite the bright young lady!

E stands for expressions. Jemma has quite the goofy personality, much like our Joosh! She will fit right into our silly family! She has so many faces and loves how goofy her Dad is. They are a good pair. She has found her Daddy's tickle spots and loves to make us laugh! Even a pouty face for when she doesn't get her way. She is learning quickly that we have rules and limits with love and it doesn't always work in her favor. However, we are also being understanding of the language barrier that keeps her from always understanding our intentions. Like last night when she turned to a movie on TV that we didn't approve of for a 12 year old and we asked her to change the channel. She didn't understand our reasoning and got upset-so things like this will take time with learning English.

S stands for stranger. Jemma doesn't know a stranger-she speaks to everyone. She makes a friend wherever she goes-especially the adults. She loves children and tries to make the babies smile when they are being poked and prodded during medical exams. This also helps her comfort level as well--it gives her an outlet to have someone understand her when Mama & Baba don't!

S is for Skyping. Jemma has enjoyed our Skype sessions back home to the kids. Her face lights up when she sees them! The other night she was singing to them in Chinese her national anthem and then she gave the kids the dreaded Chinese lesson and they all had a good laugh with that! We get a lesson everyday and she quizzes us to see how much we remember and gets frustrated when we don't say the tone right. We either get the thumbs up or the eye roll to know how we did and she doesn't give up until we get it right. Usually she says "Mama good, Baba bad" even though I didn't say it any different than him! She is funny!

E is for eager. Jemma is eager to learn new things and is desperately trying to learn how to swim. She is determined and is wearing Daddy out as he stays by her in the deep end should she tire out and need help. Guess we know what is going in our backyard next summer!

D is for dependent; something we hope Jemma becomes a little more of as we get back to the States and things are unfamiliar. Jemma is a very independent child because of her orphanage life and having to care for herself in so many different ways as a young child. She takes very good care of us here; from ordering meals for us, to filling our plates, to even feeding us at times with her chopsticks! She is a very strong child-not a tear shed yet-hoping that might change later. We are looking forward to this new adventure in our life; expecting many challenges... And triumphs along the way!

Our Adoption Timeline

July 28, 2011--Requested Yan Ping's file from GWCA
August 7, 2011--Decided to move forward with the adoption of Yan Ping
August 16, 2011--LOI (Letter of Intent) sent to China
August 18, 2011--Began Homestudy Process
August 24, 2011--Received PA (Pre-Approval) from China
November 21, 2011--Homestudy Completed
December 2, 2011--I800A Application sent
December 20, 2011--Fingerprints done at USCIS
December 30, 2011--Mikayla's fingerprints redone at USCIS
January 30, 2012--I800A Approval
February 24, 2012--DTC Baby! (Dossier To China)
May 21, 2012--Day 83! Letter of Approval Received!

May 22, 2012--I800 Mailed

June 5, 2012--I800 Approval Received!

July 10, 2012--Article 5 Issued

Travel Approval-- ?????????????

Travel Dates--Hoping Mid-August thru Mid-September

Bedroom Impossible.....Mission Complete!

Quirky title...I know, but if you had just totally repainted, moved furniture, hung new wall décor, cleaned out dressers, closets and old toys, and moved 5 children into 4 new bedrooms for the arrival of our 6th child...you might think too that it was an impossible task (especially considering it was done in a short time span of merely 4 days). We are overjoyed to announce that it is a mission complete! This is what we accomplished over the past 4 days that Shon was off from work. Oh my poor honey...how he loathes the next honey-do project, but he works with me so patiently to make sure everything is just right and I love him so much for that! Amazing how we have learned to work together over the past 20 years of marriage! Early on in our marriage even just the thought of hanging border in a bedroom could have been circumstances enough for a separation--just kidding really, well not really for way back then, but we have come a long way in our relational skills during house projects!

With the anticipation of our 6th and final child coming home from China in hopefully the next 6 weeks or so, our 5 other children have been happily transplanted (or begrudgingly dragged) to their new bedroom. It was easier for some than others--understandably so!

Jaida will be sharing the large upstairs bedroom with her new big sister Jemma and can’t wait for her to come home so she can talk her ear off…even though initially, Jemma won’t understand a word she is saying! Their room is a combination of pink, peace, and zebra…very girly and cute!

Josh was happy to move back upstairs into his old bedroom before Jaida came to our family 4 years ago. He is overjoyed to have Ty’s barely used new furniture and a queen sized bed that he can spread out in. His room is decked out in Texas Longhorn style!

Mikayla moved to the “much smaller” bedroom downstairs that was next to her current “largest” bedroom. She didn’t have to give up a whole lot or share with anyone, so she wasn’t really affected by the move. Mik is just happy wherever she is!

Jax moved, without much reservation, to the downstairs “largest” bedroom and is sporting an “Oklahoma City Thunder” theme with a very bold blue hue on the walls. Jax is our “sports kids” so as you can imagine, it was very difficult for him to nail it down to one team. The Thunder won out in the end, which is “cool” now that two of his favorite players from this team are on the 2012 U.S. Olympic Basketball Team!

Last, but not least, Ty…yep you guessed it…begrudgingly moved to share the Thunder bedroom in the basement with Jax. I surely can understand this was difficult for him…change isn’t easy for any of us. I think the realization that college is quickly approaching, basic training for the military is on the horizon, and the idea of being an “adult” with “adult” responsibilities isn’t as much fun as he once thought, had a lot to do with him dragging his feet. After being the “big dog” of the house in the biggest upstairs bedroom for the past 7 years with a queen bed and new furniture…and now sharing a room with a “little” brother nonetheless, in a Blue Thunder room, with an XL Twin Bed…one might think they were being dethroned as the King. I believe Ty now has peace about it and realizes this is just a necessary transition in life and he hasn’t been “dethroned…” he simply drew the shortest straw! All joking aside, this was a logistical nightmare and this arrangement will work the best for everyone, with Mik and Ty headed off to college/dorm life in the next 6 weeks.

Shon and I feel a little lighter with this burden lifted from our list of “to-do’s” before Jemma arrives! Now we just need to…learn Mandarin Chinese in 6 weeks; get our passport visas; wait for Travel Approval and Travel Dates; Trish starts back to work, go shopping for college dorm stuff; move Mik and Ty to Ark City for college on Aug 14^th; enroll Jax, Jaida and Josh in their schools; buy school supplies for Triple J’s; Jax’s 2^nd ear tube surgery; VBS at our church; celebrate our 20^th Wedding Anniversary; pack for China; speaker at church Ladies Event on our adoption testimony…

Hmmm…maybe “lighter” wasn’t quite the right word to choose based on the list above. I could definitely choose to see this list above as a “burden,” but with grateful eyes, I will see it as “blessing!” Thank you Heavenly Father for the joy I can find in my “to-do” list of life!