You Don't Mean It! Gotcha a Year Ago Today!

Dear Lia Faith,

As you grow up, you will learn that life has its interesting twists and turns and that there's simply no way you can figure it out or understand it completely. That's God's job. Ours is to praise Him for His plan for our lives and to bask in the love He has for us each and every day. "For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord, "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you." It's been a while since I've had time to write for you, please forgive me. It seems the past few months have raced by like a runaway freight train, intent on arriving at its destination on time or ahead of time, no matter the consequences for its precious cargo. Some time to take a few deep breaths would probably be a good idea, especially this time of the year.



Tonight we celebrated a year with you, our little class clown who has added so much to our lives. You have caused us to laugh and cry, to shout and whisper, to run fast and walk slowly, all in the course of a single day that has lasted an entire year. It has been difficult at times, probably a little more than we anticipated, but there is nothing in this world that we treasure more than your beautiful smile and your silly ways and the way you lay in our arms each night gently massaging my arm as you fall into a sleep that seems ever more peaceful with each passing day. Some days you are happy and some days you are sad, but the happy days outnumber the sad days by many. And for that we are thankful.







You have become a soul mate for your Jie' jie', Lily Grace and she for you. Inseparable almost all of the time. You even sleep together, often cuddling in your sleep next to one another as if trying to ensure that nothing comes between you. Oh, don't get me wrong, you do have your disagreements and boy oh boy, sometimes they are a doozy! But as quickly as the difference of opinion arises, it settles and you're back to Cinderella and Belle.



When you first came home with us in December of 2008, we were all sick with the flu and we spent a month or longer just trying to subsist, much less trying to bond. It did set us back a little, looking back on it, but I think we all recovered nicely. When it finally got warm and we all got well, we discovered that you loved to play outside and to work in Memaw's garden, sometimes eating more than you gathered! You made your first two trips to the beach (your mommy really likes the beach, so get used to it!) were exciting and different for all of us. We worried constantly for you and you just ran carefree as if every worry you ever had had suddenly been released.





In the spring, you found favor in God's eyes and He healed you only minutes before the doctors at Children's Hospital in Birmingham were set to try to accomplish that feat themselves. The brain surgeon was left to ask me "I showed you the MRI, didn't I. You saw it, right?"



Both he and I knew what had happened, but sometimes when God steps in, it's difficult for us to understand His power, His will, and His plan. But having seen so many miracles from here to China through you and your sister Lily Grace, we were not stunned at all. We just smiled at the doctor and said "You're the brain surgeon here!" I remember seeing you come through the door at church on Easter morning after that unanticipated brief stay in the hospital, still wrapped in the head dress from your experience, smiling as if everyone in church that day was there just for you. And so they were, at least that's the way I saw it too.

Now that you've experienced you first Easter, 4th of July, Halloween, and Thanksgiving, we wait with excitement your first Christmas experience at 'home.' You've already experienced some of the festivities and seem a little confused by it, so we'll just be sure to explain everything to you as we go. In fact, we'll start this weekend, by giving praise to our Father, as you are Christened nearly a year to the day from when we first met you in Taiyuan. God Bless You Sweet Baby Girl.



Finally, I wanted to tell you about a day that meant so much to me then and now means even more. You don't remember it, I'm sure, but this past summer, on one of those beach trips, we had the opportunity to visit your great grandmother, Lulu Bell, who was 95 years old at the time. You brought smiles and tears to this precious woman who cared for your dad's grandfather for so many years and then spent her remaining years waiting patiently to wait on her Herman once again. From the other side of the world, you waltzed into her room as if you'd known her forever (and maybe you had), gently hugging her and loving her until tears welled up in the corners of her eyes and spilled onto your dress. I didn't see it at the time, but looking back now, it seemed that you knew something the rest of us didn't and that now was the time to make sure Lulu Bell knew she was loved by her tiny angel from Datong. You made her laugh and in the process made us cry, that you were able to bond with her so instantly, perhaps knowing it was your only chance this side of Heaven. Tonight, your great grandmother, Lulu Bell, met Jesus and I am sure that she's telling Him and Herman about a little angel from Datong named Lia Faith Xurong Green. And I am sure that Jesus is telling both you and her again "For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you."

Happy Gotcha Day Sweet Baby Girl!

Love,
Mommy and Daddy, Austin, and Lily Grace