Soul Laid Bare
Miracles happen. I am living in the midst of one. I've always wanted to tell you all the whole story and now I can. Looking back it is hard to fathom that Abbey and I made it across the planet and through the most devasting circumstances to the incredible joy that overflows our lives everyday. All that I couldn't share as I lived through it you will find here. Scroll down to Miracles In Our Midst for the podcast. It's probably about 40 minutes long, and there was still so much that I didn't have time to explain...someday.August 25, 2005 - my darkest night. August 25, 2006 - my brightest dawn.
*When it sounds like the message is over there is really a little bit more, so wait a minute and you'll hear a few more important pieces at the end.
posted by Christi and Abbey @ 11:06 PM
51 Comments:
At 11:12 PM,
Michelle said…
I just finished listening to your story. It is amazing and it gives me Faith that we are on the right path. No matter how long it takes. Thank you.
At 4:00 AM,
k1 said…
Christi, what an amazing testimony.
It is so awesome that God gave you such a gracious gift in something so wonderful to celebrate on the anniversary of such a horrible day.
From bad comes good, to very, very loosely paraphrase Romans 8:28.
Okay, Its 4am. i need to go to bed, but wanted to listen to your whole talk.
I wish you and Abbey could come up here when Kel and Katie are here, or come to San Antonio in Dec. It would be great to see you again.
At 7:20 AM,
kitchu said…
I am absolutely speechless and in awe of your faith and trust- what an amazing testatment- I don't know what to say. And to think being logged in (single) I still struggle with "Is this the right thing? Can I afford this? Do I have the time/energy/resources to make it work?"... hearing all that you faced, your courage- has given me perspective and new hope.
At 7:36 AM,
Joannah said…
Your story is an amazing one! It gives me goosebumps to remember it. I have been inspired by you. Keep sharing your story, Christi. It will be life changing for many.
At 7:43 AM,
Anonymous said…
I love what Kris said! New perspectives and hope come from hearing others' testimonies of overcoming the unimaginable with the strength that comes from trusting God.
Christi, your victory over fear, death, disease, hopelessness, etc. gives us all strength.
Thanks for podcasting.
At 8:05 AM,
C's Mom said…
Christi -
Thanks you.
You have let the light shine on what faith means.
At 8:18 AM,
Paulette said…
I am so glad you can now share your incredible testimony with everyone. I have listened to this 3X and you give me so much hope and faith in God's plan for us. Thank for being here for all of us. You both are a true gift from God.
At 10:11 AM,
Tonya said…
Christi -
What an amazing story. Thank you for sharing.
Tonya
LID 08/10/06
At 10:25 AM,
Kelley said…
I loved your story, Christi! Wow! That is just beautiful, and I hope that you save it--just as it is--for Abbey to hear when she is older. It is a story of such faith, and hope, and love. I just cried the whole time I listened to it! We truly never know the plans that God has for us in this life. He is so good!!
At 10:33 AM,
Anonymous said…
Wow, just wow.
I was always moved by your faith but I am beyond inspired. This is a message I needed to hear this week.
Thank you for sharing. God bless you and Abbey!
At 10:45 AM,
Anonymous said…
Your story is incredible~ what a blessing to others to hear it!! Hugs to you and Abbey!!
At 11:05 AM,
Diana said…
All I can say is WOW....truly amazing. Thank you so much for sharing this with ALL of us. My mom found out she has cancer (pancreatic/liver) and hearing your story was so heartlifting!!!
Diana
At 2:56 PM,
Abby's Mom said…
Absolutely INCREDIBLE! Thank you for sharing. You are so blessed :)
At 6:28 PM,
RamblingMother said…
Wow! You should send this to focus on the family. It may be enough to inspire someone else to adopt. Amazing testimony to your faith.
Beverly
At 6:32 PM,
RamblingMother said…
Well I suppose it is a true testimony to God's faithfulness.
He is good all the time even in the darkest hours.
Beverly
At 6:41 PM,
R&H said…
Thanks for sharing!
We are also going through a tough time with a diagnosis of our referral, we are working with Vietnam officials to get her re-tested and hope to find out more information this week-but until then all we can do is sit back and pray. Your journey gives us tons of hope and faith!
Heather
tovietnam.blogspot.com
At 8:11 PM,
M3 said…
Wow, what an incredibly beautiful, eloquent, loving story. Thank you so much for sharing it. Huge hugs.
At 9:29 PM,
Anonymous said…
thank you for sharing your story. i sat in tears listening to the medical problems, and your thoughts while going thru them. it is amazing how we are sometimes tested and then given great rewards when we have gotten thru the problems. it is the greatest gift you have been given to have the beautiful daughter you have who is healthy and sweet. you canjust see by her smile she knows how loved she is. thanks for sharng ..linda
At 10:19 PM,
Anonymous said…
You are so brave. I am so glad you shared this with me and others. God will bless you and others through His Miracles in your life.
We love you,
K & T xx
At 4:43 AM,
Robin said…
thanks for sharing Christi. You have been such an inspiration for me.
At 8:17 AM,
Special K said…
I was moved to tears listening to this. Absolutely amazing. The power of faith.
Thank you so much for sharing it. We are bombarded in the newspapers and the media with so much darkness and negativity. Your story and those like it of light, faith, hope, goodness need to be heard.
At 9:02 AM,
Angel said…
An amazing testimony. Incredible! Your faith is an inspiration. God is good!
At 9:08 AM,
Our Journey To Eden said…
What an amazing story. Thank you so much for sharing it.
At 12:10 PM,
Deb said…
Christi,
Thanks for sharing your amazing story! I was moved to tears at the mountains you had to move and the strength that you have. You are a beautiful person. What a beautiful story!
At 12:14 PM,
Kim :) said…
Christi... thank you for sharing your testimony! I knew you had some rough times while you waited, but never knew how bad it got for you. God continues to use you for those of us waiting on our angels from China!
At 3:41 PM,
Calico Sky said…
Christi, I am listening now. It is wonderful and sooo sums up how I feel. I have a few Christian friends who are very very anti singles adopting (they feel mom's should be at home - I do try and explain that many couples chose for the mom to work and that orphanage life is no life) would you mind if I sent the link to them??
At 6:35 PM,
Anonymous said…
Christi, you are such a courageous woman. Your faith is so strong and I admire you so much for it. What an incredible story - thank you for sharing!
At 9:57 PM,
Lisa and Tate said…
WOW... just what I needed right now. Gives me hope in this very bleak period of my life. Thank you so ever much!
Lisa
At 10:42 PM,
Anonymous said…
Christi - Thank you for posting this link. I was so sorry to miss the day and I am so thrilled to hear it now. You are an inspiration to so many and I am still so thankful and blessed myself to call you my "spiritual mother." You are a gift to many, I hope you realize that everyday! God has placed you in the midst of many who need to hear your story and witness your faith.
Love, Amanda
At 6:15 AM,
Truly Blessed said…
Christi, your story is amazing and inspiring. Thank you so much for sharing it.
You and ZZ belong together -- there is, and never has been, a question in my mind. Congratulations on the milestone of our one year anniversary of receiving our daughters' referrals!
At 6:47 AM,
Phat Girl said…
I am so moved by your testimony. Thank you for sharing. God has truly blessed you! Praise God for a Beautiful Christian who can face Satan and overcome his destruction with God's Unconditional Love & Guidance. God is Awesome!
At 8:27 PM,
Meg said…
thank you for sharing this- you have experienced an amazing journey- filled with nearly every emotion possible.......she is beautiful and a true testiment to God's love......
Meg
At 2:07 AM,
Anonymous said…
Thank you so much for sharing your story this way. Courtney and I were so disappoointed we missed it that day. It was hard to hear all you went through, it brought back so many memories, but so inspiring to be reminded how you just pushed through! I can't believe the time that has passed! Just think, it is almost a year since you brought Abbey home!
See you at school,
Michelle
At 3:36 AM,
Anonymous said…
Thank you for your story and your faith.
It touched my heart,
with love and hope to meet abbey and you together one day,
Leontien
At 6:07 AM,
Lori said…
Christi, what a beautiful and amazing story of faith. It helped my heart to hear that, thank you so much!
You and your daughter are beautiful and are so blessed to have each other!
At 7:57 AM,
k1 said…
Christi, I tagged you for a Meme. Hope you can do it.
At 8:20 AM,
Sofie said…
Wow - Christi thank you so much for sharing your amazing story. It blew me away and also made me want to give my little one a huge hug. My road to China was a much simpler path, but there were parts of your story that reminded me of some of the ways I felt as well. Thnaks again!
At 4:48 PM,
k1 said…
Christi, thank you so much for the bday wishes today.
At 3:42 PM,
Dana said…
Christi,
Thank you for sharing your story. Listening to you helped me understand and reconize the many doors that have been opened for our family on this long journey as well. You have a beautiful daughter and she has a wonderful Mother.
At 7:24 PM,
A said…
Christi--thank you for sharing your story. I think back to before you got Abbey and I knew your journey was special--I just didn't know it was a miracle journey. Thanks for the transparency. Blessings.
At 7:56 PM,
Anonymous said…
I finally got a chance to listen to the podcast. I sure wish I had been there is person to hear it! I remember those dark days so well, but God had an eternal plan in mind & I am glad that you saw His light when it seemed that the dark clouds of evil would overwhelm you & you BELIEVED & had FAITH that He would see you through whatever it was. He is faithful to His promises!!! You know that very well now!!! Abbey is the daughter he planned for you to have from the beginning of time! God bless you & Abbey! Lots of Love & Prayers!
At 4:50 AM,
Anonymous said…
I always check back to Cherryblossom to see how you and Abbey are doing because I think your site is beautifully done. Yesterday morning, before work, I listened to your testimony and somehow, my day at work just was so much better (go figure!!). Hearing your words, being inspired by your faith, understanding (again) through testimony God's love and power, and relating with you on the ah-ha moment of knowing that God was taking me to China for my daughter will stay with me every day. More importantly, although prayer is difficult for me to "find the time for", to "feel worthy of", you have inspired me to pray to God as a Father and a Friend. Thank you Christi for sharing your faith!
Bonnie
At 1:26 PM,
Unknown said…
God is so amazing, and your story such a testament to His goodness. Praising God with you!
At 6:55 PM,
Deb said…
Christi,
Stop over to our blog....we gave you an award for your on-going inspiration! Thanks!
At 12:46 PM,
photowannabe said…
Kristi, I'm here because of Chris & Debs blog.
I was moved to tears listening to this walk of faith. Your battles were real but Praise God , He is the Victor.
I feel so privileged to hear what you shared.
At 12:00 PM,
Polar Bear said…
Christie,
I have checked in on your blog for over a year and every time I do I am so inspired by you. This morning I listened to your testimony. Again you have given me such inspiration and faith. I have really been having a hard time with the wait lately. It is because of women like you that I am able to go on. I strongly believe that if it were not for women from this journey I would have talked my husband into dropping out. This roller coaster ride is so hard.
Thank you for sharing your story. I am sorry to say that I had lost faith on this journey. Your strong belief is amazing. It encourages me.
At 10:08 PM,
Rebekah Vincent said…
God Bless you and your family, your testimony was so very touching, Please know that you have "family" not only in the adoptive circles but in Christ.
We are praying for you and you have been Blessed.
Bekah Vincent
in Madisonville KY
At 1:45 PM,
Lisa said…
What a devotion to God! I now have to read your entire blog to learn more about you and Abby God bless the two of you!
At 7:39 AM,
Anonymous said…
Many, many thanks for sharing your story with all of us. For both you & Abbey, it reminds me of the Kathy Troccoli song, "My LIfe Is In Your Hands"--no better place to be.
Blessings and thanks,
Janet Carey (I think I saw this post on the Toddler Adoption group)
At 12:02 PM,
Mendy said…
Christi,
Thank you for sharing your amazing testimony. Hebrews 11:1 was my Bible verse to get me thru the long wait for Joleigh, when doubt set in. You have shown true Faith thru your adoption of Abbey. God bless you both.
Hugs from Florida
Mendy
(July Dragonflies)
At 4:30 AM,
Kristi said…
Christi,
What an amazing story! And how incredibly gracious of you to share it with everyone.
You and Abbey are blessed to have one another.
Kristi
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