Liuhuahu Park

Yesterday was relatively uneventful. We applied for Luke's passport. After which, we went with the McLaughlin family for dinner. They are familiar with the area and took us for.......wait for it........MEXICAN food. It made my husband very happy to eat fajitas, beans and rice. I can hardly believe it myself but I didn't take a single picture. Bummer.

Today, we had no plans and our guide was busy with a new family. So we walked around on our own and found Liuhuahu Park.

Good Morning

Just another morning with our Luke and his noodles. Ok. So it's only our second morning together, but it feels rather comfortable. A natural fit.

First Day of Luke

Today was our first full day with Luke. We're learning quite a lot about our boy. For instance, Luke is an entertainer. Today was the official paperwork to finalize the adoption. At the office, he was all about charming the people. He worked the crowd like a professional. Smiling. Helping. Running from family to family. He had everyone else smiling. From the other parents right down to the officials.

Big Day Details

I know many of you saw the pictures Joy posted on Facebook already. She took most of the pictures that day. Somebody (me) forgot to load the sd card into the camera. I always forget something. I did manage to load it and snap a couple after I pulled myself together and before I melted into a puddle of sweat. It was H O T.

Luke was well prepared for us. We have to thank the family he was with. Clearly, he had seen our pictures. In fact, when Luke was brought out he saw Mario, said Baba! and leaned towards him, wanting to be picked up. It was awesome! And just like all our other boys (except Judah) he was ALL ABOUT DADDY. I'm ok with that. Little boys are made to want daddy by God's design.

Finally meeting Joy was wonderful. Had it not been for the work God has called her to and she so faithfully completes, we wouldn't have our Luke.

We also met the Turks. (Luke's former foster family). The time we were with them seemed so little. Amanda did her best to prepare us for Luke as well. We were given sweet little details that have made the transition all the more easy for both Luke and us. Thank you seems to be too little compared to the magnitude of what the Turks have given us.

God was faithful! The day could have been like many of those in the room with us. He could have been crying or upset or distraught. And rightfully so. Everything was changing for him. Again. Instead, God gave us a wonderful first meeting.

"The Lord is good to all,
and His mercy is over all that He has made.
All Your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord,
and all your saints shall bless you!
Psalm 145:9-10

Luke!

Hours Away

After over a year of waiting, we are just hours away from getting Luke. Hours away.

It's hard to type out this post. My mind is racing with a thousand different thoughts. I find myself sitting, staring at the cursor, willing the words to come.

Nothing.

This isn't our first time. We've been down this road before. The paperwork. The waiting. More paperwork. More waiting. The flights. The anticipation. The waiting. The MOMENT. And still it comes. The nervousness. The anxious heart. The *butterflies*. In just hours, our family changes. Forever. Be it good or challenging. It changes. And with it comes change for everyone in our family. Just like that. What was will never be again.

And yet the hope that comes in that moment is greater than any hard time that is sure to accompany it. Why?

Because God's Word is true. He is doing a new work in us and through us.

"I am the Lord; that is my name;
my glory I give to no other,
nor my praise to carved idols.
Behold, the former things have come to pass,
and new things I now declare;
before they spring forth
I tell you of them." Isaiah 42:8-9

"Remember not the former things,
nor consider the things of old.
Behold, I am doing a new thing;
now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness
and rivers in the desert." Isaiah 43:18-19

"And He who was seated on the throne said, "Behold,
I am making all things new." Also he said, "Write this down, for these
words are trustworthy and true." Revelation 21:5

All things new. Do you not perceive it? It's so close. New things for us. New things for Luke. New hope but with the same promises. Promises of a good and faithful God who works His will and brings us good things. This time, the good thing is named Luke. And we can not wait to wrap our arms around him.

Train Ride to Guangzhou

CAM00073