Today marks one year since we have had Bella Mei. Looking back at pictures of our trip to China, I realize how quickly the time has gone. It seems like just yesterday we were packing and getting ready to meet her. I remember just how scared she was when we first brought her back to the hotel room and how I gasped when we saw how skinny her little legs were under all the layers of clothes. I remember how she woke up in the middle of the night crying. She hated the bath, but loved the IPad! She didn't know what to do with all the toys we brought her! But day by day we saw her personality come out and she began to trust us. She began to realize and understand that we were not going to leave her... she belonged with us.
What a year it has been! She talks in sentences, rides her bike and counts to ten. You can tell she has older brothers and a sister she tries to keep up with! It makes me sad when I think about what we missed those first two years of her life. Maybe that is why the Lord has allowed us to watch her grow so much this past year. She loves to be outside and could jump on the trampoline all day long! She is a big girl now... she wants to do everything by herself! Hearing her say her Bible verses, sing and say her prayers at night brings tears to my eyes. God has a plan for this little spicy girl! We feel so blessed to have a front row seat and watch what he has in store for her.
We talk about China and her first mommy. Although she is young and doesn't probably understand what it all means yet, I want her to know she has been loved since the day she was born. Tony and I began praying for her and her first mommy a month before she was born. We want her to know that although she couldn't take care of her, her China mommy loved her and wanted the best for her. This is part of her past... the tragic part that brought her to us. It was part of God's plan. It may be a hard reality for her to have to face someday, but we will be here for her to help her through it. She knows she is loved by so many. We truly appreciate the prayers and encouragement our family and friends have given us this past year. We simply obeyed a call the Lord placed on our hearts and he has blessed us for it!
Happy Gotcha Day, Bella Mei !
Jeremiah 29:11
