Happy Birthday Meili!

As Julie said earlier, "How do you put into words the feelings we experienced today?" So we sit here and try. We entered Meili's life physically today. Our eyes met hers. For a moment she looked at us with such curiosity as if to say "what took you so long?", then she looked away and went about her way. Her older foster friends were definitely more trusting and came over to say hello. Meili appeared content with this. We weren't fooled. We caught her glancing eyes looking our way off and on for the next many minutes. She was exactly like we had imagined. Our spirit had known hers and today was a reunion. She didn't give us much of a chance to get close early on. She walked around her caretakers cautiously, observing us ever so slightly. As the moments passed so did her distance. Meilin (one of the volunteers at BH and a gaurdian angel) had brought a birthday cake for Meili. We all sang happy birthday to Meili then cut the cake and passed it around.

Julie slowly worked her way around the table and caught the gaze of Meili. With those big brown eyes of hers she swallowed Julie up and allowed her to get closer. She was easily picking away at her cake with a small utensil but allowed Julie the moment she had been wanting, a chance to be in her life and be what she has been called to be, a mother to her. Meili's concession was outwardly accepted as she gobbled up every morsel of cake Julie could shovel towards her mouth. They both enjoyed the experience. Meili was off again to play with the other children. It was special to see this little child delicately interacting with everyone in the room. Eventually she braved more contact with us. It was precious to behold the love of a mother soften this mighty heart and ever so lovingly invite her deeper into the layers of her love (and arms). Julie has waited so patiently to ever so gently hug, squeeze, and kiss her sweetest new daughter. For you other mothers out there you know what she has been feeling. Meili somehow made it onto Julie's lap with a photo album we had sent months ago to BH. As she was pointing out who was in the photos she looked back and pointed to Julie as she was saying "mamma". She was as good as gold with that comment. Meilin asked Meili if she wanted to go to the states with her new family. She said yes. This also helped our hearts soar with emotion that she may be getting closer to allowing us full trust. As our moment with her drew to a close you could sense some restlessness in her and she drifted away ever so slowly. One can only imagine what a 3 year old would be thinking at that very moment. Our hope is only that she knows she has to wait until Tuesday until she can completely be with us.  What a blessing it was to be with one of our children today. We love Meili just like we love our other 4 children. What a special experience to be reunited with a family member. It truly was a sacred experience to add to the many tender moments we have had prior. Once our eyes were opened to this experience we knew what we were supposed to do. It is so tender to witness this little bundle of love open her heart to us and trust somehow in us to help her. This is bigger than us.

We thank Heavenly Father for answering our prayers and yearnings for the missing member of our eternal family. Answers to prayer come exactly as they should. Our journey is only beginning but oh what a bang! Thank you Meili for allowing us the chance to be in your life. You have changed us in ways never imagined. We are here for you and you have many others praying for you and us. We love you our littlest joy!