a sister's LOVE...

Not a day goes by that I don't think about my sister Rosa but I've been finding myself in tears lately and I can't really explain why. I think about what a wonderful role model she was as a mother and how excited she'd be about having another niece or nephew. I guess this is a bittersweet time for me. I'm so excited to be going through this process to expand our family but at the same time, I'm wishing for her to be here physically to share this excitement with me...for her to finally see her little sister become a mommy.

Just a few hours before she passed away, my mom, my other sister Rita, and my dear friend Anne (who's like my big sister) were gathered around Rosa and we were sharing stories about how goofy and lovable she was. It was so intimate and natural for us to be around her just having girl talk and laughing. Even though she couldn't respond, we knew she could hear us. Then we took turns whispering in her ear to tell her how much we love her and how we will miss her so much but we knew she wanted to go home so we told her it's OK to let go and not to worry about us. We also asked her to pray for us once she gets to Heaven. She's always known what was in my heart -- to be a mother one day.

I truly believe that she's interceding for us during this adoption process and God loves her so much that He's granting her prayers. One very clear example is my friend, Betti, who adopted a baby girl from China. We lost contact for so many years and through our love for Rosa, we were reunited. Betti was heaven sent...I'm sure of it! :) She has been nothing but supportive, comforting, and has given me so much information in the last few weeks. Her sharing of how God brought their baby girl into their family was so heartwarming. I still have many questions, worries, and nervousness about how we'll survive this long adoption process, but her experiences and helpful tips give me peace and hope.

We were so surprised when she offered to give us a gift to receive a year's subscription to Adoptive Family Magazine. She also happily passed on books on adoption and parenting that she's read so we can be as informed and prepared as possible to welcome a child into our home. The package came the other day and oh boy...she wasn't kidding about having so many books! There's more homework for us... :)
So, although my sweet dear sister Rosa is not here with me physically, her LOVE never departed from me and she's doing good works in Heaven. I'm so blessed to have amazing family and friends who are completely supportive and thrilled about our plan to adopt. Thank you, Lord!