She's So Lucky

If there is one thing I've learned since the start of our journey it's this-adoption is never black and white.

It's joy and it's sorrow. It's beauty and it's pain.

It's redemption with a cost.

"She's so lucky."

I hear these words so, so often. By friends, family, heck, I imagine I've even said it to others before. It's not a negative thing to say, it's not an ignorant thing to say, no not at all. It's just that since adoption is a two sided coin, that phrase doesn't do the whole picture justice. It's only showing one piece of it all.

Yes, God led a family to her, and us to her. That is lucky, that is great, that is fantastic. I hope she loves our home, I hope she feels loved and *lucky*. I hope she feels desired, special, cherished, loved and thankful that a family found her, and that she found a family.

I hope all of those things. She is, in a sense, lucky.

The reason the "she's so lucky" pill never seems to go down easy for me... is because in such a very real sense...she's not. She's not lucky, in fact, I cannot imagine most Americans would eagerly take her place.

What is lucky about becoming an orphan? What is lucky about losing a mom and a dad? What on earth is LUCKY about that?  What is lucky about the very real pain she has, and the very real hurts she will have forever?

What is lucky about lonely nights and kiss-less mornings? What is lucky about having no one in your life to make you your favorite breakfast in the morning, or tell you how beautiful you are every day?

What is lucky about the millions of children in the world going to bed hungry every night here on our own soil and afar? What is lucky about children dying of treatable and PREVENTABLE disease every single day?

What in the world is lucky about that?


If anyone in this story is lucky, friends, it's us. God has used this journey to shape us, and though it's been painful, I can see fruit rising. Not only that, but we get our daughter at the end of this journey. The girl whom everyone says is destined to do great things. The girl who can light a room with her smile. She is radiant, she is brilliant, she is lovely, she is ours. Or at least I pray she will be so very soon. Legally and forever our daughter.

Yes, friends. If there is anyone lucky in this story,  we are the lucky ones.

Finances and  Progress

Friends we are about $8,000 from having our adoption PAID FOR! (Of course assuming nothing else major arises  What started off as an estimated $20,000 adventure has grown to a $35,000 adventure...in official bills only. It seems like every week something else is coming up for $20.00 bucks here, $100.00 there, all out of pocket. While things are tight around the Harvey household I cannot even tell you how much it blows my mind how provided and protected we have been on this journey. 

We've fundraised, we've sold everything we own of value, we received incredibly generous donations, and we've prayed like crazy. 

All of that pales to the fact that we serve a loving, merciful, and wonderful God. He blesses us when we do not deserve to be blessed at all. 

The Lord has so graciously provided over $22,000 in 9 months. That BLOWS my mind, though it really shouldn't. This is the God of the universe after all  My goodness how I love him. My goodness how He LOVES me.

It has always been our prayer that we end this story with as little debt, or better yet, no debt at all.  I really think we can do it! Would you join us in prayer for the next few months? Just because I am travelling to Africa doesn't mean the war is over...in all honesty it's just begun.

I have a feeling the ride is about to get bumpier than ever. Even though it's looking like we won't be home before Christmas (pretty much what every adoptive family prays for) I am praying we get her home soon. Not sooner than God's will, but as soon as possible. I want my baby home. 

Pray we can wrap up the financial end so we don't have to borrow any money.

Pray for the evil one to have no power in this process.

Pray for the people working on our case. That their hands and hearts would work well with God's plans.

Pray for our family.

Pray for travel mercies.

Pray for us like never before, because, folks, I'm going to AFRICA! 

Until Next Time,

TeJay, Ashleigh, Big E. and Little E.