"I will bring your children from the east" -isaiah 43:5: CRAZY-today is the day!

Sunday, August 31, 2008

CRAZY-today is the day!

Yes that is right we just landed in Fujian and I asked our guide what time we would meet Cali tomorrow and she said, "Oh, no you are here today so, your daughter will be here today!!!!!!!" What?!?! Now we are waiting in the room and it is 2:05 and they are supposed to be here at 3:00. The room bell has rang two or three times and each of the kids has a specific "camera" duty. One on video , two on still photos. Imagine house keeping and room service arriving at the room and they are met by three cameras and then the disappointment when it is not our VERY SPECIAL guest of honor. The hotel is beautiful and we are so very happy to be here. Did I say that TODAY IS THE DAY????!!!!

5 comments:

Sherrie said...: Oh my goodness!!!!!! Yippie!!! What a wonderful surprise!!!! I can only imagine what the housekeeping thought when the door was open..too funny!!!! Congratulations!! I will have to take something to sleep tonight. We meet Sophie at 10am tomorrow. Can't wait to get to GZ to celebrate with my adoption family!!!!!! Hope Calli is adjusting well!!!!; August 31, 2008 at 2:27 AM
Kate said...: I hope that one of your kids is on internet/blog duty... maybe all of them... 'cause we can't wait to see your family united! We meet Nyah at 11am tomorrow and Kara gets here tonight at 7:30 so hopefully we will get to meet. I am looking so forward to Guangzhou.
Congratulations!
Kate; August 31, 2008 at 3:42 AM
Casey said...: So Exciting! What a great surprise! Send photos and SKYPE when you can...........SO EXCITED!! Can't wait to see her. Love, Casey; August 31, 2008 at 10:15 AM
kdavis said...: What joy! Calli is a beautiful member of an already beautiful family! I am so excited for you. I am a friend of Sherri's and I know your good surprise was an inspiration to her. God bless and lots of prayers for a safe trip home!; August 31, 2008 at 3:31 PM
Audrey Bennett said...: Hey Brannons,
I am soooooo excited for all of you!!! Cali is beautiful!!!! God is so good!!!! Keep the pictures coming!!!! I pray that God blesses this precious time together as a family and that He brings you home quickly and safely. I love you all, Audrey; September 1, 2008 at 9:46 AM

Our journey of a thousand miles began with one step...

We are so very happy to announce the addition of our newest daughter, Cali Christine.
We felt strongly that Cali have a family name so we chose Christine, Greg's maternal grandmother's name. Cali is a beautiful 22 month old (DOB 10/12/2006). She is from the Fujian Province of China. She is being cared for in the Xiamen SWI orphanage.Fujian is a southern coastal province of China. As we are about to embark on another incredible journey of adoption from China we ask that you come beside as prayer partners. We pray for Cali, her caretakers, her biological family, and the other children that are still waiting for their forever families. We thank you in advance for the blanket of prayers that you will place over our family.
Funny 20 years ago when Greg and I got married our wedding invitations were inscribed with "A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step" How were we to know then how tied we would be to this ancient Chinese saying.
Cali has a cleft lip and a cleft palate. She has had one surgery in China. Her follow up surgeries will be done at UNC Medical center. I have heard the staff there are just incredible. How blessed we are to be so close to such a great medical center.
We hope to travel this summer but international adoption always has an element of uncertainty as far as travel dates.
We ofcourse will keep you posted.

KISSES IN THE WIND
(The Waiting Child's Lullaby)

I hold you in my heart and touch you in my dreams.
You are here each day with me, at least that's how it seems.

I know you wonder where we are... what's taking us so long.
But remember child, I love you so and God will keep you strong.

Now go outside and feel the breeze and let it touch your skin...
Because tonight, just as always, I blow you kisses in the wind.

May God hold you in His hand until I can be with you.
I promise you, my darling; I'm doing all that I can do.

Very soon, you'll have a family for real, not just pretend.
But for tonight, just as always, I blow you kisses in the wind.

May God wrap you in His arms and hold you very tight.
And let the angels bring the kisses that I send to you each night.

--- © Pamela Durkota

One ordinary day

Every call has a beginning
A quiet moment when God
whispers a promise to a mother's heart
A holy place where a father bows and faithfully accepts
the journey set before him.
A miraculous morning that unexpectedly dawns.......
Casting its first light on a chosen threshold.
A gentle knock...a closed door opens.
A sacred invitation sent by the Father...
Leads to the other side of the world.
Where lonely hearts stare out orphanage windows
Praying for someone to care....
And then one morning,
On an ordinary day
An orphan's life changes......
God sends them a second chance........Through YOU.....

---author unknown

Legacy of the Adopted Child
Author Unknown

Once there were two women who never knew each other
One you do not remember
the other you call Mother
Two different lives shaped to make you one
One became your guiding star the other became your sun
first one gave you life and the second taught you to live it
The first gave you a need for love
The second was there to give it
One gave you a nationality
The other gave you a name
One gave you a talent
The other gave you aim
One gave you emotions
The other calmed your fears
One saw your first sweet smile
The other dried your tears
One sought for you a home that she could not provide
The other prayed for a child
and her hope was not denied
And now you ask me through your tears
The age old question unanswered through the years
Heredity or environment which are you a product of?
Neither my darling neither, just two different kinds of Love.

"I will bring your children from the east" -isaiah 43:5

Isaiah 43:5

Sunday, August 31, 2008

CRAZY-today is the day!

5 comments:

Our newest daughter.... Mia Caili

I love these almond eyes!

Jody & Greg

Lily & Cali

Tylar & Lily

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Peter & his girls!

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Mommy and Lily 6/9/08

CALI'S FIRST PHOTO !

Can Cali be any cuter?

Lily at the beach

Our journey of a thousand miles began with one step...

Cali's Gotcha Day was September 1, 2008

wonder why we adopt?.. love, jody (to listen-pause the music in the pink box below)

cinderella-stop the music in the pink box to listen to this you tube

One ordinary day

Peter and Lily goofing around.

Tylar and Lily having fun.

Madison, Lily and Greyson after a day of school.

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