Three years ago today...

Chris and I were in Changsha, China. We left the Dolton Hotel on a bus with 9 other families and our coordinator to go the Children's Welfare Office. The bus ride was strangely quiet and the tension was so thick, you could cut it with a knife. We were FINALLY on our way to meet our daughter.

We arrived at a non-descript government building and got on the elevator. We entered a room filled with women sitting with babies on their laps. Gracie was here, in this room! We waited and witnessed the couples we were with receiving their girls. There was one baby who was screaming her head off...having a Hunan Hissyfit. Guess who that wound up being? We were nearly last to have our names called, and I was already crying. But when she was placed in my arms, it was hard to say who was crying harder. Gracie was DEFINITELY crying louder! It was there our adventure began.

The last 3 years have been amazing!! We have witnessed a metamorphosis from scared, malnourished infant...to self-assured, opinionated 4 year old. She gets more beautiful every day! She is loving and affectionate, independent and stubborn, feminine and girly...in other words, PERFECT!

I thank God every day for this tremendous responsibility. Raising a child who loves Jesus. Her favorite song is Jesus Loves Me, and she talks about Him all the time. She says Jesus lives in her heart. It's humbling to know that we are the ones who are influencing her knowledge. We know that later on, she will have many others who will influence her opinions. Right now we are just happy that she knows who she is in Christ. A Chinese Princess. A Child of the King.