GREAT THANKS TO OUR FATHER!!! WE ARE HOME!

Wow! What a difference 24 hours makes...actually more like 48 hours.
Pictures to Follow

How thankful we are to God that he has been so good and merciful. He hears our cries and answers! We have seen so much evidence of His hand upon us. I am reminded of Psalm 126:

Psalm 126

1 When the Lord brought back his exiles to Jerusalem,
it was like a dream!
2 We were filled with laughter,
and we sang for joy.
And the other nations said,
“What amazing things the Lord has done for them.”
3 Yes, the Lord has done amazing things for us!
What joy!
4 Restore our fortunes, Lord,
as streams renew the desert.
5 Those who plant in tears
will harvest with shouts of joy.
6 They weep as they go to plant their seed,
but they sing as they return with the harvest.

Thank you to each of you who warmly welcomed home our little girl at the airports, in Chicago and Bloomington. You have blessed us beyond words. Each of your hugs and faces overwhelmed us with comfort and joy. There were quite a few elves that came to our house while we were gone. THANK YOU!!! You have bountifully blessed us with goodies and our cupboards are FULL. We did not have one need from the second we hit US soil. The gratitude we hold for each one of you who prayed for us as we were in China and prayed us home, is beyond what words can express. Thank you!

As I am sure you aware from the earlier posts, I battled with a kidney stone on the way home. The Lord provided for my physical need when we landed in Shanghai after our flight from Beijing. We were quite the sight! This big crew and this lady who could not stand up and writhing in pain!! You can just imagine all of us out on the tarmac of the Shanghai airport with doctors around us and the ambulance waiting to take me to the hospital, which of course I refused. There was a moment when one of the flight attendants thought I was having a baby...I think that would have been easier. Oh, how thankful that we can laugh about it now. God provided some medication which took the edge off the pain so that I could bear the 18 hours that lay ahead of us until we were home. All glory to God that the stone passed about an hour before we landed. We opted out of our last flight home and had drivers ready for us at the airport in Chicago...THANK YOU Dad A, Mom and Dad K, and Barton!!!! This morning we found out that the flight we were to arrive on in Bloomington did not land until midnight. Once again, thank you Lord!

Our last couple of days in Beijing were wonderful. We were able to take Haddie to the Forbidden City and The Great Wall. She had not even heard of either of them, but seemed to enjoy her time at each. Actually, she enjoys herself just about anywhere she goes. At the Great Wall we took a chair lift up and took a toboggan ride down. We did this last time when we were in China and had a blast. Haddie and I tobogganed together on the way down. We laughed our heads off! She just kept chattering away in Chinese. About every 10 words I would hear a mama, but outside of that I have NO IDEA what she was saying, but I am confident she was having a good time.

We had the privilege to go back to New Day, Libi's foster home. It was so sweet to go back and see those who prayed over her and cared for her much of her life. (Talk about being overwhelmed with gratitude!) We were able to meet Elizabeth, a sweet little girl with a heart condition that we sponsor. She is almost ten, and not yet matched with family. It broke my heart to look into her sweet face and at the faces of those children who still wait. You can't walk into a room of children like that at New Day and not leave changed. It doesn't matter if you have adopted or not. You just can't imagine these sweet little ones who go to bed at night without a mommy and daddy to tuck them in. Last night I was struck by how deeply my daughter has needed a HOME and the love of a FAMILY. You know Haddie and I have been a little slow in the bonding department, but since we have been home there have been HUGE strides. After she saw her room last night she ran to me and gave me a huge hug and kiss. She went to each room, soaking it all in and giving me hugs and kisses...she was a whole new girl! I believe she felt very happy and secure. I think she understood that she really was HOME, and she has needed to be HOME her whole life! No child goes without that need. We were created to have a mom and dad and without it there is a void.

Tucking my girls in last night was precious! We sang and laughed...it was truly "perfect". Haddie was so peaceful and content...she was with her FAMILY and she was HOME!

Thank you Jesus! How GREAT YOU ARE!!!

Side note...because Haddie is older it is necessary for her bonding process that we be intentional in limiting her physical interaction outside of Brad and myself. She will not be allowed to hang on or extend affection outside of mama and baba. Please understand if we have to pull her off of you or run interference to keep her off of you. :) Thanks for your understanding.