Faith is deliberate confidence in the character of God whose ways you may not understand at the time ~Oswald Chambers

Friday, June 4, 2010

The Little Girl Behind the Smile


Her Chinese name is Long Pingli.

She is seven years old. Almost a year younger than Caroline and a little more than 3 years older than Alex.

She was born in October of 2002 and in 2004 she entered Longgang Orphanage in the Shenzhen District of Guangdong.

Right now she lives with her foster family there.

Our agency just returned from a camp where she and several other children from her orphanage were the special guests. From that camp we have seen several pictures and videos of this sweet girl and so many other faces of little ones wishing for a family.

Although she was born with congenital deformity of her hands and feet (basically missing fingers and toes), it is quite clear that nothing stops her. She sings (holding her own microphone), draws, dances, jumps, and giggles.

A lot.

Which is why we fell in love with her in the first place.

See, so far as we know, this will be her fourth placement (from birth parents, to the orphanage, to her foster family, and then home with us). Still she smiles.

And though she has hands and feet that don't look like everyone elses, still, she smiles.

In every picture we have, she's smiling. Beaming, really.

In every video, she's bouncing, and clapping, and yes, smiling.

And when it came time to think of an English name for this little one, I was at a loss. For seven years she has a lived a life that I can't even begin to comprehend. There are plenty of names out there that I think are pretty and suit that precious face but what would be the right name for her.

So I prayed, asking the One who has known her from the beginning, the One who cares for her even now as the Father to the fatherless. What name would He have for her?

And not too long after that prayer, as I was driving, thinking about her, the name Abigail came to mind. A name I had not considered but was now intrigued by.

And as soon as I was home, I looked up the meaning and knew then and there that would be her name.

Because Abigail means "the joy of the Father."

And when we look at her, we see His joy.

And when we talk about her, we feel His joy.

And as we follow Him, once again, in bringing this little one home, we experience first hand His joy in placing the lonely in families.

And if Abigail Claire Pingli prefers to be called by her Chinese name instead of Abbie Claire, that's perfectly OK by me.

She is and always will be to me a reflection of His joy.

6 comments:

  1. Yes - I agree...She smiles with her whole face, and the joy definitely shines through...Welcome to the family Abigail Claire Pingli!!!

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  2. OH Angela I am soooo happy for you and for Long Pingli! What a HUGE blessing all around! You have such a beautiful family and such amazing hearts--this will surely enrich your lives as well as we know it will hers. Can not wait to follow your journey to her. Already it's been--as we all know it is true--so unique and special. God is so good==sooooo very good!

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  3. Scott and Angela,
    Congratulations! Abigail is absolutely beautiful and we rejoice with you as God places her in your family!

    We look forward to meeting her someday!
    The Goehners

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  4. What a beautiful name for such a precious girl! We are excited as we wait with you to bring her home.
    The Augustines

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  5. Abbie Claire is a beautiful name for such a beautiful little girl and we know God has sent to the right family. We thank him and you and and Scott for bringing home. Love, Mom and Dad

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  6. Wow!! I am so excited for you that you will be adopting again AND an older child!! She is so beautiful and does have such a gorgeous smile. It will be so much fun following you to China again.

    Blessings, Naomi

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