Dear Claire:
Mommy and Daddy just woke up to a rising sun on the river outside our hotel. It looks like October 6 will be a glorious autumn day here in China. And considering the origins of your name, how fitting that God would design it that way. We're sure He's smiling about that today. At this moment, you are likely in a van or a car somewhere on the 210-mile stretch between Guilin and Nanning. We will meet you in about seven hours.
Today, you woke up for the final time in the Guilin Social Welfare Institute that has been your home since you were three days old. We know they loved you there. They have cared for you well. And we're sure there is so much you will miss about your foster family, your friends, your other caretakers, your language, your food and everything that has become so familiar to you in your four precious years. We believe tears were shed as you left Guilin this morning. We will keep you connected to your foster family and Guilin. You have a story there. Your story belongs to you and will forever be part of you.
Today, we woke up realizing that our deepest hearts desire --- to become your parents --- will be realized by the time this same sun sets tonight over the river. Tears were shed here too, knowing that you are just hours away, that God is with us today ... and that He has orchestrated all of this to come together in a way that only God can.
We have waited for this day a long time. We've trusted God that it would come. And of all the millions and millions of children on this Planet Earth .... God looked down and chose one little girl more than 7,700 miles from our home to be our daughter. He chose you for us, and He chose us for you.
Just like many things will be new to you (a family, a language, a culture, and food) parenthood will be new to Mom and Dad as well. We have prepared extensively for this day. For the things that are within our control, we are as ready as we can be. But many things are not in our control, and that's where we will trust God. God has gotten us this far ... and we're sure there is much He has yet to show all of us as we begin our forever family together.
There are three things we will promise you. Here's what they are:
1. We promise to love you well.
2. We promise to introduce you to God, and trust God as we build our forever family together.
3. We promise to let you tell your story.
We love you, Claire Qiuxia. And we'll see you very soon.
Waiting Patiently,
Mom and Dad
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Tears, tears, and more tears! We prayed at breakfast as you were a few hours from meeting Claire, and Ben and I just prayed at lunch that you were able to soak in your first hugs and face-to-face moments with your beautiful daughter. God is so good and so faithful - and we cannot wait to hear how today went! We send all our love and prayers on this most special day...the Zabs
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