Six months...so many changes!

Six months ago we looked into the eyes of a scared little orphan girl and 

at that moment our lives would forever be changed.

 

June 1, 2010 

was a day we will forever remember when the Lord 

brought Lia into our family and continued to work in our lives 

in ways we could have never dreamed.  He created a love within our hearts that we
didn't even know existed and brought with it an incredible joy.  

Wondering for 18 long months whether we had 

really heard God speak clearly, it was on this day that we wondered no longer. 
We had without a doubt heard His still small voice and there was no mistaking
the fact that we could have easily missed this moment.  

I praise Him today for not giving up on us 

as we continued to seek and pray for His will while our baby girl waited a little longer
for a family to love her.  Oh how I wish we had been there to love her
when she was younger, but God knew the perfect moment when all of our hearts
would be ready to fall in love. 

 

Orphans are easier to ignore before you know their names.

They are easier to ignore before you see their faces. 

It is easier to pretend they're not real before you hold them in your arms. 

But once you do, everything changes.  
Radical by David Platt

Forever Family Day Officially

This morning we began our day by going back to the Civil Affairs Office to finalize our adoption. Yesterday we got our little girl, but she wasn't officially ours until today. Our guide, Wendy, met us and did all of the translation making sure that all of us understood exactly what was going on. What an amazing day to be able to do this on International Children's Day, a holiday for children in China. After our adoption ceremony we went to the children's park with MANY others and walked around. It is beautiful here and we had a chance to take pictures with the pretty flowers. God has been so faithful and Lia has been very happy all day today. There is one language that we all understand - LOVE. She has given us so many kisses today and is crazy about her big sister. We had a chance this afternoon to go the pool at the hotel and she loved the water. Unfortunatly, after a little bit, it was very obvious that we still have a baby girl with a sick heart. Her lips turned very bright blue. Please be praying that God heals her heart. We have her cardiologist appt. scheduled as soon as we get home. The rest of the day we spent time playing and resting in the hotel room. Tonight Tia had the chance to skype with her classmates at school and really loved that. I have a very sleepy little girl that I need to put to bed, so until tomorrow here are a few more pictures.