First Morning Back in China

I'm up super early this morning.  My heart is a little heavy and I just can't get back to sleep..

Today is a big day for one of my girls.  I'm so happy for Mia. This whole process has been so much about bringing Lynli home, but over the past couple of weeks, I have been reminded how important this trip is for Mia.  And she is the one who reminded me.

She has been looking at a photo album I made for her that contains pictures of her when she was "a baby" here. It also has pictures of the orphanage and her nannies.  These past few weeks we have talked more about her beginnings than before. She's curious, but from a 4 year old's eyes.  She knows she was born here and questions why she wasn't in my tummy, but it is more like a "birthing" type question than a birth family question.  She just doesn't grasp that yet.  BUT, she is super exited to be back in "MY China", as she calls it.

I can't wait for today.  I am excited for her to be gushed over by her nannies.  I really am.  But, it is hard too. See, last time we visited, we were just getting to know Mia.  She was still "theirs" in a way.  It was exciting to see where she lived and how she interacted with them. This time we know Mia in a different way.  She is ours. Our daughter.  And there is still a gaping hole of two years that is missing. We look at her early year pictures, we don't have many, and it is so hard to imagine her being away from us.  It seems like we have had her forever, but she was a toddler when she left here.  There are lots of moments and time that we know nothing about.  And it is just a strange feeling. I can't wait to see what today unfolds....

My heart is also quite heavy today because I know by this time, Lynli has been moved back to the orphanage while she waits for us.  She was in foster care with a family for almost 2 years.  I can't even imagine her sadness and heartbreak.  We are so happy and excited, yet my little peanut has just been taken from a family she has known for 2 years and is waiting to be placed with a family of strangers.  That is hard. We just hope and pray that she is safe and has some understanding of what is happening. I  feel confident that her foster mother has shown her pictures of us and talked to her about it.

All we can do at this point is pray for her little heart.  Will you join us?  Please keep Lynli Grace in your prayers the next few days as she waits for us.  Please pray not only for her health and safety, but for God to give her peace and comfort. That He will wrap his arms around her like only He can and love her through her grief.  I ask also that you pray for her foster family.  They have done a wonderful thing for our sweet girl. And I know their hearts must be breaking too. Please pray for them to be comforted and for the knowledge that we love her so much already. And that she is going to be ok.

Alright, y'all.  I hear my little bit waking up in the other room.  The day has started!  I can not wait!!!