She Calls Me Ba Ba ...

And she calls her mommy Ma Ma. These are the Chinese names for Daddy and Mommy. Today, God showed up in a big way in the Office of Civil Affairs in Shanxi Province China to bring Lia Faith into our lives. It didn't happen the way we thought it would, but neither did it when we adopted Lily Grace in 2006.



The biggest news of the day is Lia Faith's reaction to guh guh, big brother Austin, and Lily Grace's reaction to mei mei, little sister. So far, both have been really good. Austin seems to be Lia's favorite. On the way back from the Civil Affairs office, as I was holding Lia, she gently leaned her head back toward Austin and onto his shoulder. She gazed into Austin's eyes as if she were saying thank you. She was tired and she needed a shoulder to lean on. Later, when we got back to the hotel, Austin chased Lily Grace and Lia Faith around the hotel lobby, all three of them cackling and giggling, while the Chinese adults looking on just smiled.



Lia Faith did cry for a little while when we first got into the room, but after that, she and Lily Grace began playing like they had known each other all their lives. The only interuption was the occassional trip to the potty or to get a sip of water. I have a feeling these two feisty little girls will do well for themselves in this life. They know what it is to be in a tough situation and now they know how it feels to be loved beyond measure.



Tonight, Austin and I decided to find a Pizza Hut here in Tai Yuan, no small feat we knew. But we also knew we were hungry and had to find something we could eat. So we left the girls in the room and headed out. It took us and hour and a half to find a Pizza Hut that was 'only a three minute walk.' I was so worried about Connie and the girls while we were gone. I told Austin, she was probably worried sick about us. When we finally got back to the room, there was Connie standing on the bed dancing with camera in hand while two little Chinese girls giggled and danced below. I guess she wasn't worried after all.



And just like that, Green, Party of Four became Green, Party of Five. It's as if Lia has been with us forever. She smiles, she laughs, she even looks mischievious at times (I'm really concerned about that one).

Finally, to end the day, she called me Ba Ba, as she drifted off to sleep and I gently kissed her good night. What an awesome day. Praise God for all He has done, for without him nothing is possible, but with Him, all things are possible and if you dream it and pray for it, He will find a way to make it happen.

Be sure to check out Austin's blog for more pictures -> click on Austin, Lily, and Lia under inspirational stories.

Love,
Jerry, Connie, Austin, Lily Grace, and Lia Faith
Green, Party of Five