Three Months with Gabi!

Today it really hit me how far Gabi has come in three months.  Really how far we have all come in three months.  When we were in China it really was one of the hardest times I (Christine) have gone through.  I knew it was a possibility that she would not bond with me and that she would reject me, but knowing and actually experiencing it are completely different.  I was so thankful that she attached to Andy quickly, but it hurt that I couldn’t hold her or comfort her when she was crying.  I also knew what I feeling could not compare to what she must be feeling.  She was taken from her nanny’s arm and given to complete strangers.  She was taken to a place that looked nothing like what she was used to, offered food she had never seen before, and whisked all over China in taxi’s, trains, and planes.  When I was carrying her through the hotel in Beijing she literally reached for complete strangers (men) to get away from me.  Our girl is so strong and resilient and all of that is just a distant memory.  She loves her mom and dad now (though often still prefers dad, but we are working that) and her brothers and sister.  She gives kisses and great big bear hugs.  If she wakes up crying I can comfort her now.  She is running, jumping and climbing stairs (no small feat if you observed her gross motor skills in May).

 

She laughs and cries when she doesn’t get her way.  In so many ways she is a normal two year, but I can’t help to think how extraordinary she is.  I know God has great things in store for her and I am so privileged to be a part of her story.  Adoption is hard, but oh so amazing and completely worth it.  We are called to care for the orphans, to be a father to fatherless.  There are so many children out there just like Gabi and they need a family.  We would love to talk to you about adoption. We would love for you to partner with us as we begin our next adoption.  Yes, we (I really mean Andy) will be traveling back to China to bring our new son home sometime in the next year.  Stay tuned to hear more about him as soon as we can share.