Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow

I was looking through our blog last night and rereading all of the wonderful comments we received while in China. "Praise God from whom all blessings flow" was written by a friend of mine on the day we received Mia. Really, such a simple statement, but one that so touched me that it brought me to tears the night I first read it (and again last night). It's just Truth. Simply stated. Praise God. From whom ALL blessings flow.

Keith wrote the blog posting our first night with Mia and did a wonderful job capturing our "Gotcha Day". But I want to tell you my perspective too. The best words I can come up with are "unbelievable" and "miraculous". Really, it is just hard to put into words. Here you are, in this room, waiting to meet a child you have only seen in pictures. And you have been waiting for what seems like forever. And then, this is it. Here you are. You're nervous, scared, sad, antsy, excited, giddy, hopeful - all wrapped up together. It's just crazy.

And what's better than it being your moment? It is everyone else's moment too. And you get to be a part of it. On our flight over to Guangzhou, we met a couple from Athens, Georgia. When we walked into the Civil Affairs office to meet Mia, I saw the couple. It was just moments before they met their daughter and we did the across the room, "Hey! Do you need someone to take pictures?" thing. They had waited four years for this baby girl. Yes, four. Their first child. And I got to be there to see it. Unbelievable, miraculous.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow. I don't even remember their names. But I will never forget that mother's face the moment she first saw her baby.

Nor will I forget Mia's face the first time I saw her. Sweet. Beautiful. Scared. We had been staring at her pictures for so long and then, there she is. Wow. Just right in front of you to touch, and hold, and love. And in a moment, she is just yours. Forever. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

This Sunday we had the honor of introducing Mia to our church family. What a blessing. So many of you have been with us the whole way. Praying for us. Praying for Mia. Asking how the process was going. "How long will it be?" and "Do you have pictures, yet?". You followed us on our trip to China and left sweet messages of encouragement along the way. Thank you. We have been so blessed through this entire experience. I can't even tell you really how much it has all meant to us. To know that we have friends and family that love us and share our joy. It means the world to us. And one day, it will mean so much for Mia. I have saved your messages and emails for her. We will be able to tell her all about the people who were cheering us on and awaiting her arrival right along with us. Thank you.

And for my sweet friend, who, with such familiar words, reminded me from where all these blessings come: They leave next week to bring home their baby girl! You can follow their journey by clicking here.