Three years ago today.......

........Gracie Zhai-Lynn walked into our lives. Yes, she had been in our hearts for the nine long months previous to this day, but on this day three years ago we were finally physically united! We were quite surprised when Miss Gracie seemed to know exactly what was happening and was quite happy about it! In fact, she seemed absolutey thrilled about it! There was no doubt that she knew who we were and why we were there...thanks to the wonderful care that she received from her caregivers in China! We met her in our hotel room and she was even fine when the folks from the orphanage that brought her left the room. The realization and grieving did not start until that evening....poor baby!! The memory of her deep grief brings tears to my eyes as I think about it! For the most part during our time in China Gracie was an extremely bubbly and happy little girl during the day with the grieving happening at night. My daughter's strength is AMAZING!! What a brave brave soul she is! How scary it must have been for her, but she was able, over time, to trust and love us unconditionally despite the less than ideal first years of her life. I feel so blessed and thankful to the wonderful folks at the orphanage in Xi'an who took such great care of our girl!

Gracie is absolutely thriving now! She is just a little sweetheart! She's one smart cookie and although she continues to be so extremely sweet natured she can also hold her own with her two brothers! ;) She HAS to and I'm proud of her for sticking up for herself! She is very eagar to please! She LOVES to draw! She talks a lot about her desire to be an artist. In fact, just last night she was going through the whole scenario about how she wants to be an artist when she grows up and she will put her pictures in stores. ;) Gotta love a girl with a dream!!!!

Watching her blossom and grow over the past three years has been one of the best experiences of my life! WOW........just WOW!!! At the top of the blog that I used while posting from China I had this verse

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him". 1 Cor. 2:9

Isn't that a powerful verse?! God has had his arms wrapped around my girl from the time she was a wee babe. He continues to hold her in his never changing embrace. I know that God has big plans for our girl......as the verse says, plans that no mind has yet imagined. Likely, even bigger plans than becoming an artist. ;) In her six short years Gracie has already learned so much.......she's learned to trust........that is HUGE!! She has taught me so very much about faith and trust myself! If she can trust Tom and I......being the faltering humans that we are........surely I can trust my perfect God TOTALLY.......I CAN hand him EVERYTHING. Gracie has learned to trust me with her life. I can trust my loving heavenly Father with my life! I knew this before and I attempted to put this into practice before, but I understand it so much better now! Gracie has taught me that!

I love ya sweet girl!!!! ..........so very much!!!!! Happy Gotcha Day!

Photos from our first day together three years ago.