Picture this: One little Orphan girl, 3.5 years old, 33" and 23 lbs. in Saigon, Vietnam...end of the Vietnam War when Saigon is "falling" and Operation Baby Airlift is underway...this would be the one of the FIRST photos my Mother would receive of me - a snapshot into her future daughter's eyes. During a period of time when there was so much uncertainty, change, chaos...one brave, single woman would have the COURAGE to adopt a little Vietnamese toddler! COURAGE: It is not the action in ABSENCE of FEAR...it is the action INSPITE OF FEAR...
Thank you to my Mom & Grandma for having the COURAGE to raise me and do the best you could!!! Without a father figure or brothers or male role models in my life, I am learning from my God-given friend :) that self-reliance, self worth and self survival comes from leaning and trusting in God through my WEAKNESSES (not just my strengths!) My GA *twin* girl :) - shared a verse with me this past summer that I meditate on now daily - Jer. 33:3 and the SAV (Simple Asian Version) translation = "Call unto me & I will answer you and show you great and mighty things that you do not know..."
Little would we realize from the photo above, of my 3 generation women family, would then lead into our 3rd generation adoption legacy. My mom was adopted by my Grandma (& Grandpa, he passed away before I came along) and then my mom adopted me as toddler from Vietnam . Then Oct. 16, 2006 at 5:15pm - this would be the one of the FIRST photos that I would receive of MY daughter- a snapshot into MY future daughter's eyes... If you look closely from MY orphan picture and my orphan daughter's picture, you will see the common "look" of fear, strength, survival and tenacity...However, my daughter would not be the "lonely only" child but have 2 amazing big brothers to protect her and one awesome daddy who loves her and thinks she is sooooo pretty & beautiful. Those are gifts to Maile that will transcend her lifetime...I weep at those thoughts and grateful she will have a different foundation to build her littl' soul from. Thank you God.
This is one of my FAVORITE photos of Maile in recent months. LOOK at her NOW...THOSE EYES!!! WOW!!! Our littl' Thuy Trang is thriving, growing, so beautiful & strong...Her English, verbal skills and comprehension is amazing, she LOVES school, dancing, talking about her "friends" and stands so tall and confident at almost 4 years old and now 35" and 25 lbs. (already ahead of me from where I was at that age!)
Maile Noel: we KNOW God has special plans for your life and we cannot wait to see HIS purpose & will for your life. We are honored you have shared your gift of love, hugs, kisses, joy, singing & pure innocence with us. We pray for you (& your brothers) to receive the greatest gift you could ever get on this side of heaven, the gift of SALVATION, to truly know Jesus Christ as Lord & Savior. We pray Jesus will direct your heart and pathways in life as you TRUST in Him in ALL your ways... (Prov. 3:5-6) While this gift is FREE for you, the rewards are PRICELESS...Please know how very proud we are of all you, Joseph, Samuel & Maile, you are our heartbeat and the reason we live, breathe and work so hard!! We love you forever!!! xoxo your FOREVER MOMMY
