As Paul and I sat in our bus in China with our newly adopted
daughter Lily and our four biological children, we knew that one
day we would return. Not returning for a visit, but to bring
into our family another daughter. In our minds we had three boys
and two girls, it was just logical to add another daughter.
Three years later, I came across an email from a woman
advocating for a 2 yr old boy whose special need was much like
her sons. I was curious and her email intrigued me, so I looked
at his file. Wow, what a cutie, I thought maybe I should
call the agency to see if he is still available. Soon I
was on the phone inquiring about “Houston”. I was told
that a family was already reviewing his file, but if something
should happen they would let me know. I really was not expecting
to hear that Houston was available, but almost two weeks later I
received an email. In the subject line was written,
“Status of Houston with CHI”, my heart jumped! The email
went on to say, “I am writing to see what you are feeling about
the placement of Houston with your family”. Well, I can tell you
what I was feeling, but Paul on the other hand is the “practical
one in the family”, (as he states in Lily’s testimony). God
would really have to be in this if this little guy was going to
part of our family. I knew that Paul would be apprehensive,
because we have a heart for orphans, but not the finances for
the adoption. When Paul came home I showed him Houston’s file,
and his reply was, “Interesting, I thought you wanted another
girl?” I said, “I did, but look at him he’s so cute”.
Houston is considered “special needs”, because he has a limb
difference (no right hand or forearm) and that was another thing
we needed to consider. It really was love at first sight for me
and his “special need” was something I knew we could handle.
That weekend we prayed together about
adopting Houston into our family. In my mind I painted his
room, went to China and came back home with him, well, you get
the picture. Monday came and Paul told me to inquire about the
cost of adopting little "Houston". I spoke to Stefanie, who was
very helpful. She told me that Houston had a $1500.00 grant
(money toward his adoption) from the agency and a possible grant
from Brittney’s Hope Foundation and the amount might be between
$2,000.00-4,000.00! I thought that would really open the
door for us to bring this little guy home. Stefanie said that
Wednesday they should know about the grant. So for two
long days, I prayed that if Houston was to be a Vedder, God
would open the door financially and Houston would receive these
grants. Wednesday came and later in the afternoon I received an
email with the subject, “We just got a $5,000 grant from
Brittany's Hope for Houston!!”. That was the open door that we
had prayed for, but God gave us more than we had expected, a
total of $6500.00 toward Houston’s adoption! So we took a
step of faith that God would supply the rest of the money just
as He did with Lily’s adoption. For a few days we discussed a
couple of names and decided his name was to be Benjamin, (which
means son of my right hand) JinDe, (is his Chinese name) and
Houston, (the name the agency gave him).
Several days later at Chick-fil-A, Paul and the Unit Marketing
Director, Bruce came up with the idea of a raffle. That is when
Chick-fil-A of Stuart, Stuart Volkswagen, Child Watch, Deltona
Christian School, Home Depot and Sears came into our family’s
life to help us bring our son, Benjamin JinDe Houston, home.
If Benjamin was a little older and understood what is waiting
for him, I wonder what he would be thinking….a daddy, mommy,
three brothers, 2 sister-in laws, one nephew or niece (on the
way) and two sisters! Wow, so much love for him, and so
much love for us! When we were in China adopting Lily, the
Chinese people would say “lucky baby”, what they did not
understand was how blessed WE are.
Words can not express how grateful we are for everyone’s heart
to want to help bring Benjamin home to his family. A warm
thank you to all our family and friends!
"Of Benjamin he said,
May the beloved of the Lord dwell in security by Him,
who shield him all the day, and he dwells between His shoulders."
Deuteronomy 33:12
O
Houston Our Houston
Your lonesome trip
is done,
You have weathered every storm,
your birthright prize
now won,
The PORT is near,
5 kids I hear,
the Vedders all exited,
With happy hearts they steadily chase,
the papers grim and waring;
But O Happy!
Happy! HAPPY!
Their hearts with happiness bawl,
For in China, their "Houston" waits,
His heart to theirs did call.
O Houston! our Houston!
You will taste the oranges juicy;
Get ready- for not in Texas
you will live,
but down here- in St Lucie!
For you there will be sun
and surf,
or castles in the sand;
For you nice weather year around,
if hurricanes do wan;
Here Houston! Dear Houston!
When your sweet face your family saw,
It was a dream to add a son,
Your heart to theirs did call.
Our Houston waits and wonders,
but not for long it's true;
Our Houston will feel his mama's hug,
after his family flew,
from Sunshine state to Middle Kingdom,
where he waits unaware,
His fabulous fate, which he doesn't yet know,
to none can compare;
Exalt O CHI, and everyone else;
so we, with voices all,
can cheer them on from here to there,
for his heart to theirs did call.
This poem was written by an adoptive family in Florida
introducing us to the Agency Family.
Thank You Sandi!
Pictures and Videos of Benjamin,
courtesy of Shannon!
Thank you sooooooo much!
Shannon's Family Website
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Pictures of Benjamin
courtesy of Marianne!
Thank you sooooooo much!
