It was a very emotional day for all of us...Maggie did wonderful while at the Adoption Center that is until she realized her caregivers had left. Then the fear hit, and the crying began...and unfortunately it lasted from the Adoption Center, to the van, to the Photo Place where we took a family photo (yikes!) and her passport photo (she will NOT want copies of it for sure), to the van, and all the way to the hotel room. Very heartbreaking, very stressful...a lot of fear that I cannot even begin to (and really don't want to) imagine.
And then...Mary Henley came to the rescue...literally...she got out every toy, every snack, every drink, every picture...you name it, she brought it to Maggie to help calm her down. She was absolutely amazing! No way Meritt and I make it happen without her...it was absolutely the reason God put her in our lives and why we were supposed to meet her first. She was truly a blessing to us all in a GREAT time of need!
It is about 10pm, and we are finally trying to settle the room down after a lot of tears...and a lot more laughs. Please pray for Maggie's transition as Meritt and I both believe there will be more tears of fear, uncertainty, and anxiety (Mom and Dad included) over the next few days.
We have two Province visits tomorrow back at the same building we visited today, which will likely bring back bad memories for Maggie. We have an interview session on Tuesday and then some free days for sightseeing...which means traveling around Xian City's unbelievable traffic and pollution with two little girls who both are prone to car-sickness...pass! We also have a big decision to make around visiting Maggie's orphanage...given her very hard day today, it is likely I will go take pictures and thank her caregivers and let Meritt get bowed-up again in the room.
We fly to Guangzhou either late Friday or late Saturday (I forget), and then it will be a count-down to our flight home Thursday, January 19th!!! Now that we have the girls...we are so ready to come home!
See you all soon!
oh my. tears. just tears. praying as i type -- Lord, YOU who can do ALL things...YOU who has done THIS -- the very knitting together of this family...Lord, would YOU calm the storm in sweet maggie's heart? would you calm and comfort and sooth and soften the next hours...days...she is YOURS. and this family is in YOUR strong and tender hands.
ReplyDelete"weeping may last for a night, but JOY comes in the morning." psalm 30:5 joy WILL come, meritt and mike, be encouraged, it will come.
i absolutely LOVE how God took care of that seemingly small, but actually very important, detail of getting MH first. love you guys!
How wonderfully the Lord works his magic. He knew that Maggie would be fearful and need a little sister and he brought you Mary Henley. I think that young lady takes after her grandmom and grandmother. Know you are as ready to come home as we are to see you all safe and sound in Atlanta. Love to all the 7 Sims. Grandmom
ReplyDeleteWe are so excited that both of them are finally with you! Will be joining ya'll in prayer for the transition!
ReplyDeleteI am right there with Jody. We are in tears reading your blogs. Thank you so much for keeping us all updated on your progress. God is so great! I can't tell you how happy we are for you and the girls. I am sure you are anxious to come home but try to enjoy your time there too. The prayers are coming your way! We pray every night. All our love, Sims in Florida.
ReplyDeletePraise God for His miracle as it continues to grow with Mary Henley as His shepherd. I am praying for all of you. Hugs from Bridgette.
ReplyDeleteShe is beautiful! Praising God for His provision in all details. You have your baby girls!! Praying for these next few days of bonding, caring, and loving. Blessings to you, Leah
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ReplyDeleteI am following all your posts and am thrilled to see the girls in your loving arms. They are so beautiful and will be an amazing blessing. God has been faithful to work through all the details! Know we are praying for you and so looking forward to having you home!
Jennifer
This is the most amazing God story. These girls are sisters in every sense of the word. Just get them home to their Aunt Cathy/
ReplyDeleteI am right with everyone else--I teared up reading this; I can't imagine all of the emotions both they and y'all are going through. This is SO beautiful! I DEFINITELY missed my "daily dose" of your blog. SO glad it's back--thanks, Jody! :) I can't wait to meet them in person!!
ReplyDeleteYour witnessing God's perfect plan...how He weaved MH to come first then maggie....His plan is always so much better then we could ever image...God bless MH & M and mom & dad.
ReplyDeleteandrea
Wonderful! So thankful you are all together. Praying for peace for all of you. Love, The Laughlins
ReplyDeleteGood evening guys - wow what a day! Somehow I just feel like the worst is over for you - I have absolutly nothing to base that on - it's just my gut saying you're there! Think carefully about not taking her to the SWI - in particular if difficulties continue. With one of ours we were having what I might qualify as 'extreme' difficulties - until we took her to the SWI for a farewell visit. Perhaps it was something that one of her Ayi said, or perhaps it was just walking out the door - but this time in the arms of her "forever mom" - but what ever it was from that moment in time she 'knew' that she was ours - and there hasn't been much of a melt down since then. Do I think there will never be one? No - not that silly or stupid - but she's never looked back! Say a prayer about it - but regardless of your decision - you'll have our unqualified support - you and you alone can be the only best judges of your daughter's care!
ReplyDeletehugs - great joy for you guys -
aus and co.
i was just thinking about your family and Rachel joining it in March and has anyone told her that she is going to have to change her name to an M name?!
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