Why We Call Our Blog the Miracle of More

The miracle is a beautiful image of Ephesians 3:20--more than I can ask or imagine. Every day is a miracle. Every moment is a miracle. Specifically for our family, the miracle of more is our family growing in ways I would never have imagined when we first committed to adoption 8 years ago. But, the greatest miracle is the change in ME!

If you have questions about adoption, our work in South Africa, or spina bifida, please email me at rbmattox@bellsouth.net

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Praise the LORD!!!!!

My soul is overflowing with joy and overwhelmed with the goodness and mercy of our Great Savior. He has answered a 4-year prayer in a way that only HE could.

I've asked you to pray for this little man!


His mama is special to me. She was a youth in the Sunday School class when I was the teacher. I prayed her through her rebellion years. I rejoiced when she came back to Jesus. I rejoiced with her when she learned she was pregnant, following fertility problems. I rejoiced when she found out she was expecting twins.

And, next Tuesday, he will receive the kidney we've been praying for. Riley will finally for the first time learn to enjoy food at birthday parties. With his kidney failure, he has a feeding tube, and he rarely eats anything. He has no appetite. He sat at Ellie's birthday party, just months ago, not interested in cake and ice cream.


And, he will soon be able to take baths with his sister.

He has been driving with his mom, and other friends and family to JAX 3 times each week to receive dialysis. The shunt for his dialysis has made it impossible for him to take tub baths and even go swimming. He spends 4 hours on the road and nearly 4 hours in dialysis. He will soon be able to stay home and just be a kid!!!!!

But you have to listen to Paul Harvey, I mean ME, tell you the rest of the story.

When I shared with my children about Riley's upcoming kidney transplant and told them WHO was donating a kidney....I get teary eyed just typing it now. You see we've been praying since before Riley was born four years ago. We knew he had special needs before he was born, and we've know for years now that his only hope for a "normal" life was a kidney transplant.

We've prayed and prayed.

And, his live donor is my dear friend JOLI! I am amazed at the tapestry God is creating when he weaves our lives together. Those in the Chinese adoption community call is a red thread. I call it God-ordained paths. I told the girls, "Can you believe it? The kidney we've been praying for has been in and out of our house all of these years." Joli, who might not even have known Theresa and Riley, had she not been my friend, who God gave sweet peace and direction about testing for the possibility of a match, followed HIS path.

Joli and I first met when we were waiting on our first adoptions. She was with me the day before we left for China to adopt Josie-Tatum, when she was still waiting for Elisabeth.


And, she was waiting for us at the airport when we flew home, taking pictures I wouldn't have had she not taken them.


Before Riley and Regan were even born, she was with Josie-Tatum at her first visit to the zoo.



We rejoiced when our daughters met for the first time!


And, we've celebrated Chinese New Year together now for 7 years in row!


This dear friend who has grown more special to me over the years is now giving LIFE to the child of another friend.

How honored I am to know her, and to know the JESUS who works in her, and to know that He has allowed me to witness this miracle He has provided! How weak my faith can be, but how strengthened it is when we see His work in the lives of the faithful. Surgery is scheduled for next Tuesday. Please join me in prayer and thanksgiving!!!

7 comments:

Musings from Kim K. said...

What a beautiful friendship. She sounds like an amazing woman. I'll be praying for their necessary healing during the transplant. Please keep us posted.

Amy said...

I will be praying. Riley is truly blessed!!
Amy

The Walkers from Blackshear GA said...

What a precious tribute to our precious friend...who, along with her husband, choose to follow Jesus' lead again and again. I have been, I am, and I will continue to be in prayer for her and for Riley. Thank you for posting the pictures of Riley, as well...as much as I have heard his name, I had never seen him. Now these are "Before" pictures. Won't it be wonderful to see the "After's"!!!

Love in Him-
Kris W.

Tami and Bobby Sisemore Family said...

That is wonderful! I am so happy!

Blessings,
Tami
PRAYING JEREMIAH HOME QUICKLY
www.tillGodbringsthemhome.blogspot.com

Becky said...

What a wonderful thing Joli is able to do for Riley! She is one amazing woman and I feel blessed to have met her 4 years ago....

Hugs,
Becky

Terry said...

Praise God for those red threads...and for Riley!!!!!!

Chapter Two said...

Oh my goodness...Joli is my dear cousin-in-law...and I didn't know. I'm amazed and deeply touched by her gift...and I'll get in touch with her and prayer for her now!

Thanks for your sweet comment on my blog.

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