Janayah's Story: From Waiting to Belonging

Описание: My Story
By Janayah Williams

Hi! My name is Janayah, and I am one of many children from China who have been adopted.

My story began on July 26, 2012, the day I was adopted. Coming to America was something I never could have imagined. When I was living in a public orphanage, my biggest hope wasn’t to leave the country—it was simply to move to Eagles Wings, an organization founded by an incredible woman named Linda McCarthy Shum. At that time in my life, even transferring from one orphanage to another felt like an impossible dream.

But that dream came true. Over time, I was moved several times, and eventually, I was placed in Eagles Wings 6. Then, at the age of 10, something even more incredible happened—I was adopted.

The first few years with my new family passed in a blur. I was mostly in survival mode, just trying to figure everything out. But slowly, I began to realize that I was making beautiful memories with an amazing family.

Today, I’m one of 11 people in my family. There’s my mom and dad, an older brother and sister, and a sister who shares the same birthday as me—we call ourselves “Twins.” I also have two younger sisters and three younger brothers.

I’ve experienced more in life than I ever thought possible. I’ve helped raise animals like mini horses, dogs, bunnies, and birds. I’ve traveled across the U.S., visited museums, zoos, aquariums, theaters, and concerts. I’ve played wheelchair basketball and lacrosse, learned to ride a skateboard, gone swimming, and even learned to ride horses.

If you had asked me 10 years ago what I imagined my life would be like today, I never could have pictured this.

If you asked me what Heaven feels like, I would say: Earth.

No, Earth may not be perfect, but to me, it feels like Heaven—because of what my life used to be. I lived for 10 years without a family—no parents, no siblings, no one to call my own. Now, everything is different.

Today, I have two parents who love and care for me, and siblings who I love deeply—and who would do anything for me, just as I would do anything for them.

Yes, life is still hard sometimes. But there is so much I’m grateful for.

And now, I can’t wait to see what other plans God has in store for me!

@wheel by faith

p.s. She wrote this more than 1 year ago. Contact me at [email protected] if you have any follow up questions - Clyde