Welcome Home Linli.....

The last few months have been super crazy with Josh graduating and doing all the fun things that seniors do  and then also trying to get him ready to go on his mission.   When we first started the adoption process this second time, we honestly thought we would have our little Linli home by spring of Josh's senior year.  Of course, things don't always work out how we plan.  And really we cut it right down to the wire!!!   Because Josh would be turning 18 on July 10 and officially considered an adult (not by me necessarily but by the government), we actually needed to have Linli home from China before his birthday.  If we did not meet this requirement, Josh would be required to undergo FBI clearance, fingerprinting in every state we lived in, and so on and so forth....not to mention that in the meantime the fingerprints for Russel and I would expire.  Basically we would be starting over in the adoption process.  So you can imagine the prayers and fasting going on as the timeline went from being doable to total crunch to now we just need a miracle.  But The Lord is mindful of all and we knew he had a plan for us and we knew that whatever that plan was would be the best for our family as well as Linli.  

So we waited and prayed, and crossed our fingers, and prayed a lot more and we finally did get our miracle (one of many along this journey).  When we finally got our official date to travel to China, we were informed that all commitments and appointments in China would wrap up on July 9 (yes....one day before Josh's 18th birthday).   Our hearts were so full and we were so grateful that the Lord's plan was indeed to have our new little angel home before Josh left on his 2 year mission.   We couldn't have been happier.   We knew the timing was crazy and really weren't sure how we would be able to do it all and arrive home just one week before Josh's mission farewell meeting at our church but we had no doubt that we could do it and that the Lord would bless us and that it would be wonderful.

Our trip to China was amazing!!!  It was amazing to finally hold this sweet little one in our arms.  It was so surreal to be there and actually be able to hold her and kiss her and love her.   It has taken so long and the process was so grueling, it just seemed like a total dream.   And it was.....a wonderful amazing incredible dream come true.  We love this little girl so completely.   She was meant to be with our family, we have no doubt.   We can't imagine life without her.   She brings so much joy and happiness and has such a truly special spirit.   The Lord has a wonderful plan for her and I am so humbled and so overwhelmingly grateful that He has let me be her mommy.   There is no honor in this world greater than being called mommy by my 6 amazing little angels (ok some not so little anymore).   We love you Linli!  You are an amazing little girl, a survivor, a fighter, and a total sweetheart!  We couldn't be more lucky to have you as our own.  

Our journey to Linli, over the past two years, is documented at journeytolinli.blogspot.com but here are a few of our favorite pictures from China.