BY GEORGE! ANOTHER VOICE

Laurie Taylor, Minister to Families with Young Children

Birth of a Mom

She’s a remarkable 5-year-old with a spunky personality and a smile that lights your heart. Little Andrea has been in the States with her new parents only 11 weeks. Her transition has been amazing, but even more astounding to me has been the change I’ve seen in her mom.

Ann is a surgical nurse who manages the daily ins and outs of a busy surgery center. She always knew she wanted to marry and have children, but marriage came a little later than expected and adoption became her road to motherhood.

Eventually a beautiful little Chinese girl appeared on their computer screen with the announcement that she would soon be Ann and David’s daughter. E-mails flew, and we all shared the excitement of the adoption of Andrea Ann Zhibei Cossum.

Only two weeks after Andrea and her new mom and dad returned from China, she underwent major surgery to correct a cleft palate. She spoke no English and was reticent to meet strangers or allow David and Ann to leave her sight.

We prayed together before she was wheeled to surgery. Her “happy juice” had kicked in, and she quietly let go of her mom’s hand as the gurney moved toward the operating room. The recovery room was a different story. Even before we got to the recovery area, we could hear her crying, “Mama! Home!”

In her hospital room, Andrea was agitated and kept sobbing, “Home, home.” Finally, as a last effort to calm her, the medical team placed her on her mother’s lap. Immediately, Andrea relaxed and nestled against Ann. She looked into her mom’s eyes, whispered, “Home,” and fell asleep.

Today, Ann and David stand before our 8:30 congregation to publicly dedicate themselves to God as parents and to ask for your help in raising Andrea in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. We are part of the extended family Andrea has adopted as well.

Happy Mother’s Day to Ann—and to Wilshire.