This trip to China has been a trip of a lifetime, a trip we will never forget. Sights, sounds, and smells we will never forget. It has been a real roller coaster of emotions, some which we expected, some which we were surprised by, others we didn't have words for. Over the last 11 days, Hannah has made the biggest transition of her life. She has seen planes, trains and some automobiles (taxis) for the first time. She stayed in two hotels (so far, one more tonight), went to a mall, saw Confucius' Temple and sat on the red velvet sofa at the White Swan Hotel. She has met so many new faces along the way: Keith, Amy, Zoe, and Gracie (Boulder, CO), Keith, Miriam, and Natalie (upstate NY), Jeff, Leah, Nana, Morgan, Bailey, and Non (Tampa, FL), our guides, Jane and Kelly, and the other wonderful families from all over the U.S. who were adopting children the same week as we adopted Hannah.
But best of all, she met her family for the first time. Only 11 short days ago she was just an orphan girl stuffed inside layers of hot clothes, sweating, crying, trying to figure out who we were. Now she is a smiling, energetic, sometimes loud, always sweet, never again relinquished little girl, who knows her mama and baba. She has found a home with us forever. She has so much to look forward to in her life. I will never forget the woman at the Suzhou train station, who came up to me begging for money. She stuck out her hand and it looked just like Hannah's hands. Hannah life will be different, she will never have to beg for scraps. She will always have a warm house, a full plate of food, and a family that will always love and support her, friends that will help her and guide her, and a Savior who will never forsake her. A God who will rejoice over her in singing. He sings out "you are perfectly created in my image." I am a mighty God who saves the lost, heals the broken and makes the lame walk again. He is the father to the fatherless, the hope for all to see.
She has everything she needs and so much more.
Wow Kyle, Hannah is so blessed to have you as her earthly daddy... And soon you will introduce her to Heavenly Daddy and WOW what a party there will be in Heaven !!!! Thank You for being bright shining stars for Jesus, and powerful witness's to others on behalf of the 170 million orphans all over the world :) Maybe your journey and your testimony will inspire others to take that leap of faith and ADOPT !!! Love and Big Hugs to all of you :):):) Thank you LORD !!!
ReplyDeleteI have LOVED following your journey with Hannah on this blog and can't wait to hear all about her when you get home! Bless you both as you come home and introduce Hannah to her brother & sister! What a JOY that will be! I loved reading what you wrote about her now having you guys...and you're expanding His kingdom by taking her in, teaching her about Jesus, and introducing her to the Gospel. Praise Jesus!! So thrilled for all of you and blessings to you on your way home!
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