Every call has a beginning A quiet moment when God whispers a promise to a mother’s heart A holy place where a father bows and faithfully accepts the journey set before him. A miraculous morning that unexpectedly dawns… Casting its first light on a chosen threshold. A gentle knock..a closed door opens. A sacred invitation sent by the Father.. Leads to the other side of the world. Where lonely hearts stare out orphanage windows Praying for someone to care.. And then one morning, On an ordinary day An orphan’s life changes... God sends them a second chance...Through you..
--author unknown
1 year....it seems like yesterday, yet at times a lifetime ago. We met our precious Hope, one year ago today, at a crowded Civil Affairs Office, in Nanjing, China. It was not the meeting of our dreams....our poor girl was scared out of her mind, and once we saw her reaction, I have to admit--we were pretty scared too! But, like all things that are worthwhile---we have found each other--with lots of work, lots of love, and probably alot of mistakes, and small victories over the past year.
I cannot really say that Hope is transformed from who she was a year ago, since--aside from our teary beginning--she was, and continues to be a happy, incredibly affectionate, determined, bright and beautiful little soul! She has had little--to no- real major adjustment problems==although she still has some sensory issues that we continue to work on. She can be maddening, at times--I will admit--with her extreme determination--and constant motion, but she gets more and more relaxed, as each month goes by....and so do we! What I have realized, is that she would not be "Hope" if she wasn't zippin' around our house, chattering away--and singing---oh the singing! This baby girl can belt out a tune--and this might be the most obvious reason that we are not genetically related!! :-)
Just yesterday it struck me as so funny that she sat in the back of our Suburban, sporting hot-pink shades, and holding her Barbie "cell", while singing Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline" on the top of her little lungs! Boy--if the folks in China could see her now!!
All who have met Hope have been charmed by her. All who have met Hope, are a little better for it. She is truly that amazing of a child.
We are blessed--we are ALL blessed by this little girl----born, and kept for a week--then left on a doorstep.
This little girl--who lived among her orphan "brothers" and "sisters" for 2 1/2 years.
This little girl, who stole our hearts in a picture.....and enriched our lives in the flesh.
This little girl- who has learned what a family is.
This little girl, who worships her siblings, loves her Daddy's games and his warm embrace.
This beautiful, special little girl--who grabs my hand and holds it to her cheek. Who strokes my hair and tells me every single day (without me asking first!!) that she loves me "sooo much!!"
This little girl is ours--and our lives have been changed because of the blessing of her.
Happy 1 year Family Day---our dearest Hope. You are everything that we could ever dream of......and so much more.
Enjoy our favorite pictures of the last year....and again.....Thank You for sharing our journey!!!!
