Update...yay!!!

I saw the face of Jesus in a little orphan girl,

she was standing in a corner on the other side of the world.

And I heard the voice of Jesus whisper something to my heart,

"Didn't you say you wanted to find me? Well, here I am,

Here you are".

So what now? What will you do, now that you found me?

What now? What will you do with this treasure you found?

I know I may not look like what you expected,

but if you'll remember, this is right where I said I would be,

You found me.  So what now?

-What Now?  By Steven Curtis Chapman

(This has been my theme song thru this adoption journey)

Here she is!  Two weeks from turning 2 years old.  She's grown and changed right before our eyes in every photo since we've been on this journey.  Isn't she beautiful?!  From the looks of her surroundings, I believe she is still with her foster family.  At some point she will return to the orphanage before we travel.  I am so thankful for this family that has been taking care of her.  God put them in her life (and ours) for such a time as this.  I know letting go of her will be difficult for them.  They've had her since she was 5 days old.  How could they not be attached?  In this update, her foster mother let us know that taking her outside to play or letting her listen to music will cheer her up when she becomes upset or sad.  My heart grieves for Maggie and this family as I think about the bond that is about to be broken between them. 

She is described as a clever and obedient child.  She enjoys hugs and attention (no problem there) and she has an older foster sister in her home that she enjoys playing with.  She is also described as an extrovert.  She likes to laugh, play and listen to music.  She can run everywhere, climb up and down stairs and knows how to open boxes and rummage through them (oh boy! I'd forgotten what toddlers are all about!). 

Check out the sleeve around her wrist.  Look at the number of layers she has on my baby!  At least they're not letting her get cold!  She looks pretty chubby in all that garb.  Actually, her current weight and height are 19.8 lbs. and 31.5 inches tall.  She has 16 teeth and is in good physical health.  She speaks Mandarin and can carry on a simple conversation (please Lord, let her English catch on quick!).  She's not a picky eater and eats almost everything (that's my girl!).  She has started using the potty, but still needs a little help.  She sleeps in her own crib and takes a 2 hour nap each day. 

I can't wait to squeeze and smooch this little face!  So, when is still the big question on everyone's mind.  It's on ours too.  We should have our travel dates within the next 2 weeks!  Most definitely it will be March when we go.  I hoped and prayed for February, but the Lord has something different in mind it seems.  Her forever family is getting awfully impatient on this side of the globe!  For those of you reading, keep praying as we come to your mind.  There's so much to prepare for in traveling and her transition.  Our journey of adoption is soon to end, but our lifetime journey to love and raise her as part of our family is about to begin.  Words cannot describe the closeness I feel to the Lord these recent days.  There's no way I can even describe it or explain how grateful I am for all that we've learned and seen at the hand of God in this place of our lives.  Our day to meet Maggie is near.  I feel her in my heart.

.....we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons.......     Romans 8:23

A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.  He sets the lonely in families....
                                                                                                             Psalm 68:5-6a