AWAKE

I have been lying in bed awake this morning in anticipation of getting united with our new daughter.  I can remember it like it was yesterday with Daniel but 4 years have passed since his “Gotcha” day.  We were able to go out to eat last night to celebrate Daniel’s 4 year anniversary of his adoption and at the same time reflect that our family is changing again today.  Wow it seems like time really passes quickly.  While awake I began to pray for Lina and our family for the transition that is happening today.  I was visualizing meeting her and trying to put into perspective the transition for a little 8 year old girl who was abandoned and has only know the orphanage as her family.  Today she is being adopted into a new family, from a foreign country, with a foreign language and there are so many unknowns for her.  Along with this she is suffering the loss of leaving all she has had for a family while she leaves her friends (sisters and brothers) and the care takers at the orphanage (her home).  I can’t imagine what she has had to deal with from the childhood abandonment, then waiting on an adoptive family and then the actually day she leaves the orphanage behind all coming together today in her 8 year old mind.  I have been praying for a miracle in her heart for any past hurts and that she bonds quickly with our family and feels the love that she deserves.  As a father she has already captured my heart and I am very anxious to start my relationship with her.  I want to show her love, acceptance, stability and how our family is her family.  From the letters that she sent us I feel confident that she is wanting a family and I don’t feel like she will resist the love and attention we will be pouring down on her. She will be a spoiled American very quickly.   Awake this morning I feel God comforting me that He has it all taken care of today.  God has opened many doors and provided miracles to get our family all the way to China to be united with Lina.  We have been blessed by our friends and family praying for us and supporting us.  I can’t wait to see how today unfolds and watch God’s plan be revealed to us as we walk forward trusting in Him.    From a father's heart...