" . . . It's The Climb"

I am officially in China and am so grateful to be traveling alongside of my family and some of our best friends.  We landed in China at about 2 pm yesterday, and as a way to conquer the jet lag before it conquered us, we headed out early this morning to visit The Great Wall of China!  Wow . . . I have been to The Great Wall twice before, but something about this time was special!  I am sure having my hubby with me was part of it :)  But, I do have to tell you that I was OVERWHELMED by the beauty of creation.  The view from the top of The Great Wall was stunning!  What an amazing Father we serve.

I do have to admit that we broke out into spontaneous song more than once as we climbed to the top, all belting Miley Cyrus' latest hit, "The Climb."  That song took on a whole new meaning today as I was climbing . . . and climbing . . . and climbing some more . . . seeming to always wonder what was "waiting on the other side."  I kept saying to myself, "If you can just make it to the next little hut, then you will be able to see the next part of the wall and where you will have to climb next."  And, if I hadn't caught myself quickly enough I might have missed all the beauty that was in the present climb up to the next hut.  What a life lesson for me . . . I seem to easily get distracted from there here and now by striving for the not yet.  It is my hope that I continue to enjoy "The Climb," choosing to see the beauty in the moment, yet knowing that a breathtaking view awaits at the top.  

I hope you enjoy the photos!  Please continue to keep us in your thoughts as we open Maria's Big House of Hope in just two days!  Wow . . . "The Climb" of this past year for our family has sure seemed steep at times as we have wondered if the beautiful view at the top will come.  I believe we are about to get a glimpse as we open Maria's Big House of Hope and watch beauty arise from the ashes.   

Comments

[Sabrina]

NUGGET!!! I miss you so so so much!! I wish I was there with you!

[Tanya Robinson]

Emily,

Wise and beautiful words as always! I almost want to go wake Corinna up to read them, but I think I'll let her sleep just awhile longer. :-) God bless!

Tanya

[Vanessa Schaecher (from Nebraska)]

Emily, I am so glad that you learned this life lesson...AND that you shared it so that I could be reminded of it too! What an important thing to remember...that each step of the journey is just as important (maybe more important) than the destination. God so wants us to be present and thankful in each moment. Prayers for you all as you embark on this remarkable time in China! I'm so excited that MBHOH is opening very soon! Can't wait to see pictures & hear stories of all that God will do through this special place.

[fan]

Such wise words from such a young lady! Thanks for sharing and enjoy your journey! You are being lifted up.
Chinamom

[Stephanie (Chile)]

It is so exciting to witness this trip and the amazing things God is going to do in and through you! Thank you for sharing your experiences in such a special way.

[Celita]

Emily, Thank you for sharing your enthusiasm and your joy. It is quite pleasantly infectious. :-) I have followed the ministry of your father for many years, and just wanted to say how grateful I am for your family. I pray that your travels will be safe, and that each of you will be blessed and ministered to in ways you do not expect. May our precious and faithful Lord continue to grow you in His precious ways, and continue to use you to encourage the rest of us to be open to His calling, and to do it with JOY. Thank you again. Have a great trip.

[Celita]

Sorry, if you are interested in putting a face with the name... you can find me at...

our family blog
http://perilloparodies.blogspot.com/

and at my papercutting blog
http://daysease.blogspot.com/

Blessings

[Diane]

God Bless, I LOVE the work you all do for Him. You continue to be in our prayers.

[Jocelyn]

Thank you for that beautiful reminder. Definitely keeping your family in my prayers as I am sure it is hard being there without Maria, yet catching glimpses of her in all you do and opening Maria's Big House!

[WendyJoy]

We are Always climbing.....yes we are....and some sweet day we will arrive! What a celebration that will be.

Thank you for the photos and the update. So glad that you are getting to experience this trip with your husband! how special!

Remembering that God is STILL God,
WendyJoy
New York

[Deb]

Great lesson,Emily. And fantastic photo's......keep looking up!

[sandy]

Emily,
I'm praying for you and your family and friends as you minister in China and open MBHOH. May God show you all many things while you are in China being "gap-fillers" until He returns and wipes away the word "orphan".
I hope you will post pictures if you go to the earthquake zone.
Are you at the great wall in Beijing? That area looks familiar.
May God bless and keep you,
Sandy B
Okla
Oh Lord our Lord how majestic is Your name in all the earth!

[Jody Ferlaak]

You are being prayed for from Michigan tonight. I have walked a valley of grief and heartache after losing my little girl tragically at the age of 4. But seeing God bring blessing and purpose out of my pain has shown me that through even death, God is mericful. I know He will bless your faithfulness to Him and I pray that Maria's life will continue to inspire many. God is Good- all the time. Even in grief, sorrow and Big House openings! May you be blessed on your life journey.

[Sharon]

Yes we do enjoy the photos! Thank You!

[Julie Nicholas]

Love the pictures as well as your blog, Emily! Everything you said is so true for all of us! Thank you for sharing!

[Tonya]

Thanks for sharing your heart with us!

[Claudine Thompson]

Blessings and prayers to you all! Today, after seeing your mom's photos from the Grand Opening of MBHOH, I heard this song by Mark Harris. It's a few years old, but, so appropriate:

I wanted to tell you how closely I've kept the memories of you in my heart
And all of the lifetimes that we've had to share
Live even though we're apart

But don't cry for me
'Cause I'm finally free

To run with the angels
On streets made of gold
To listen to stories of saints new and old
To worship our Maker
That's where I'll be
When you finally find me

Now don't you be weary cause waiting for you
Are wonders that you've never known
Just hold on to Jesus, reach out for His hands
And one day they'll welcome you home

And that's when you'll be
Finally Free
Finally Free

To run with the angels
On streets made of gold
To listen to stories of saints new and old
To worship our maker
That's where I'll be
When you finally find me
I wish you were here 2x

And all of the dreams that you treasure
Will soon come together
And that's when your sorrow will find tomorrow
And you will rise again

To run with the angels on streets made of gold
To listen to stories of saints new and old
To worship our maker that's where you'll be
When you finally find me

I wish you were here 3x

[laurie]

Good photos. Thanks so much for sharing. and I love that climb song too! Many blessings on you and your trip!

[jody brannon]

Emily,
I usually read your mom's blog,I too am a mom with older kids and two adopted from China. My daughter is a few years younger than you, I so hope she serves God like you do! I know you make your parents proud. I did have to smile when I read your post about the Miley Cyrus song. My little girls (2 and 3 years old) wanted to listen to the climb when we were on our way to church on Sunday. Honestly I did not want to listen to it, I wanted some good worship music but any how...The Climb it was... and God made that song speak to me...I was almost embaressed that it brought tears to my eyes. I will continue to prayer for all of you on this incredible trip!
jody in nc

[lori]

Thanks for sharing! You are wise beyond your years and I know your parents are so proud of you and the work that you do. Ya'll have a great time, together as a family,and we look forward to all you will share in the days to come.

Lori and Abigail

[Jill Hamilton]

Hi Emily,
I saw you in passing last week at the new SH office (FAB BTW!)but didn't get to speak with you as you were with others. However, I just HAVE to tell you how impressed I am at your climb on the wall! When we went to the wall just before picking up our Asian beauty, I made it only to the first level, sat down with my thermos full of hot tea (it was February) and marveled from THAT location! Those steps are darn steep, aren't they!? Praying for ya'll!

[Naomi Parker]

Em, it is so wonderful to see this through your eyes, I continue to be so blessed and amazed at how God continues to use you. thanks for the blog, just know how to keep you in prayer through it. Sending love your way girl.

[Stephanie Hampton]

Hi Emily~
How cool that MBHOH has finally opened-tears of joy filled my eyes reading about it! I know that this is just one of the many blessings that have come from losing Maria and I imagine that she is looking down smiling along with Jesus!
God used your family to inspire us to pursue adoption! Our dossier is in China and now we wait on God's timing-we couldn't be more excited. I thank God for your family and for your heart for orphans. Check out our blog (in all your spare time-ha, ha)and please lift a prayer up for the little girl that will one day (hopefully sooner than later) be with our family!
www.sweetkamdynn.blogspot.com
God Bless you and your family and THANK YOU!
Stephanie Hampton

[Beth harris]

Wow! It's incredible how far God has taken things from that first moment He planted the idea of adoption in your head! Who would have thought that all of this was part of His plan! You guys will never even know the full scope of your influence this side of heaven! Blessings on it all! Beth Harris

[Kelly H-Y]

Such a beautiful post ... and breathtaking pictures!