The King of Glory, the King of Glory!
This is amazing grace
This is unfailing love
That You would take my place
That You would bear my cross
You lay down Your life
That I would be set free
Oh, Jesus, I sing for
All that You’ve done for me
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
Worthy is the King who conquered the grave”
~ Phil Wickham, “This is Amazing Grace”

Before we met Chad, we ate at Salvadore’s, where we had eaten the day after Chaela’s gotcha last year. Back then, it was a very sad meal, but it was great today!
We had so hoped that today would be less difficult and awkward than meeting Chalea for the first time because of the different circumstances now…but it really wasn’t. We spent the whole morning in preparation for the afternoon- wrapping gifts for Chad’s birthday party, preparing gifts for the directors, nanny and notary, curling and re-curling my hair to withstand the humidity, and trying to not be a bundle of nerves as we waited for 3:00 to come. As we were driving to the civil affairs office, we noticed a boy crossing the street with an umbrella and a big group of people, and he looked a whole lot like Li Xiao Qiang…and then we realized it was him! We got a sneak peek, and we actually ended up at the civil affairs office before he did. We had a good five minutes to prepare for his arrival in the crowded office, with Gwennie crying and two other families from different agencies who had already met their children. One little boy about Garrick’s age was screaming in terror as the nanny tried to hand him to his new parents, and it was just a sad scene that only escalated Gwennie’s screams, and it was complete chaos. A little girl about Caitlin’s age (8) looked shell-shocked as she posed for pictures with her new family, and my heart went out to all of them as I also anticipated what I knew would be a difficult time for us, too, any moment.

Chaela meets Bo Pin as she comes through the door.

Chad stuck as close to the wall as possible initially.

While Chaela and Bo Pin were happy, Chad was dealing with grief.

New siblings!

Gwen is a hit with Chad, Bo Pin, pretty much all of China.

Some of the birthday presents prompted a smile…

…particularly the stuffed moose!

He has a family, and we have a son!
Isaiah 1: 11-19
11 “The multitude of your sacrifices— what are they to me?” says the LORD. “I have more than enough of burnt offerings, of rams and the fat of fattened animals; I have no pleasure in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats. 12 When you come to appear before me, who has asked this of you, this trampling of my courts? 13 Stop bringing meaningless offerings! Your incense is detestable to me. New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations— I cannot bear your worthless assemblies. 14 Your New Moon feasts and your appointed festivals I hate with all my being. They have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them. 15 When you spread out your hands in prayer, I hide my eyes from you; even when you offer many prayers, I am not listening. Your hands are full of blood! 16 Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong. 17 Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed.Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow. 18 “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. 19 If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land.