In Hong Kong.....HOME SOON!

 We went by van to Hong Kong today, the guides talked us out of the bullet train, said we had too much luggage & too many kids! Go figure!  and are staying at the Novatel (thanks Kim for the recommendation)...we love it and wish we could stay longer!  Below is Madeline, Lucy Kate and Elijah snuggled up before bedtime...she is a snuggler and and we all adore it!

to everyone who took the time to comment, email, and especially to pray for our family and for our the transition into our family for Lucy Kate. We can never express how much we have appreciated your support & love. We are especially thankful for my sister, Sarah, and for Mom who didn't just ask HOW they could help....they knew our heart & that we  desired to give back to New Day....they made it happen and we are so thankful! There are no words to express our gratitude to those who donated to the fund for New Day Foster Home....we cannot wait to share with everyone about how God is working in that incredible place. Passing along the much needed nutritional formula to New Day was so wonderful! And the truly incredible news?  We have more money to donate thanks to the generosity of our dear family and friends.....we will let you all know as soon as we decide what surgery will be funded!!! No words can explain my delight in helping another orphan in the same manner our sweet Lucy Kate was helped by beloved Kate who raised the money needed for her foot surgery. Below was written by Hannah, a beautiful soul who volunteers at New Day, on the day of Lucy Kate's surgery in July of 2010...(Lucy Kate was referred to by the English name "Willa" as all of the kids are given English name for privacy reasons) Wasn't she just so adorable?

Monday, July 19, 2010

"Everybody Loves Me!"

Have you met Willa yet? She's a sweet little girl who did something today that most children her age will never do. She just had surgery! You hardly would have guessed it - she walks so well, but Willa was born with a clubbed foot. She walks with a limp, but that doesn't stop her from taking the stairs, and when asked to hop on one foot... she uses the foot least expected.

Today, as we arrived at her hospital where she was waiting for surgery, we asked her, "Willa, what's happening today?" "I'm going to have surgery on my foot!" she responded. With a beautiful smile on her face, and nodding as she understood, Willa listened as Grace told her what was going to happen so that she would be prepared. "Okay, okay" she said with a courageous gleam in her eye, and when the time came for us to say "goodbye" as she was wheeled into the operating room, that spark was still there.

Before the surgery Willa said something precious, something that encourages and confirms all that we do.

"Mama loves me. Aunties love me. Everybody loves me!"

That's so true, Willa, and we're so happy that you came here to receive that love!

Thank you New Day, from the bottom of our hearts, for providing such wonderful care to Lucy Kate....but most of all for showing her how to give and recieve love in the "place where love grows".  We love you all!