First a Pearl, then Three Rubies!!: Emme Jade Day

2:39 PM |

So many things to say... I have to write them down or I will forget.. First things first.. Thank you for your prayers, and for your comments, and your guest book entries. You have all touched me as I have read each one! We appreciate your continued prayers as we find our way together. Tomorrow is the Civil Affairs meeting where we will officially adopt Emme Jade, and Wednesday morning we travel to Yangzhou to visit her orphanage.

I have blessed to watch many families become forever plus one in the past five years.. I will never tire of watching God's plan unfold. I have seen Gotcha Days that are joyful, heartbreaking, and something in between. Going into yesterday Jeff and I had experienced both. So we walked into that Civil Affairs office with butterflies in our stomachs, and great hope..

When Emme got out of the car it was surreal.. She was SO TINY.. Holding the hand of her sweet teacher.. They told us she didn't go to bed until midnight the night before because she was so excited.. She walked in pretty confident, with that joy we have seen in photos.. Her smile is genuine and so contagious... But, it didn't take long for her to sense this was not just a dream. Her little sweet face crumbled as she tried to be brave.. When she cries, her little face turns red, and her nose and eyes drip.. It will melt your heart...

It was a quiet ride back to the hotel.. She was so sad.. She sat on my lap the whole way, and let me carry her to the room. She quietly and seriously took it all in. She is a focused little girl, so you could sense her trying to process what was going on. Our guide stayed with us for a while. Every time she asked Emme if she wanted something, she just shook her head no. We tried food, toys, etc.. She just kept pushing them away... Of course she has a stubborn side! That makes four in our house now!! :)

I am not sure if it was the curiosity in the balloons or the stickers that got her interest.. But all of a sudden she allowed herself to crawl off my lap and check it out.. And, then the miracle started to unfold... She began to play with her very special big sister.. It all came out.. Lip Gloss, purses, bows, crayons, etc... And, then she let us feed her... Our guide clearly figured her work was done for the day.. She left and told us to call if we needed her. That was after she escorted Jeff to a neighborhood Chinese restaurant for the best Chinese food EVER!

Here are my less than 24 hour observations of Emme Jade: Adorable, funny, gentle, kind, and sweet as can be! She loves affirmation, and she will grab a hold of her audience when she knows she has one. Miss Personality is sleeping in Room 1045 in Nanjing right now! However, like all of the strong Chinese girls I know she is tough too.. She can stare you down, and let you know when no is no! Honestly, I am quite thankful for that...

Our day ended with her asleep on her Daddy who she is quite smitten with.. Let's say the feeling is mutual. I may have some competition for the man in our lives!! She was definitely over me by the end of the night.. She was also completely exhausted.. We did manage to bathe her, and get her in her crib.. She has been sound asleep since about 9:00. Praise God.

God has blessed us with another beautiful Princess. We know that our responsibility is great. We are privileged to raise another one of God's children who has been chosen so clearly for our family! Our prayer is that the One who sent us here, will be glorified through it! Our mission is not complete.. It has just begun!

And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.

~Matthew 8:5

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