Home for Christmas

We are home for Christmas -- Glory to God!!!!  We arrived safely home to a wonderful welcome from family and friends at the airport around 3pm Saturday the 19th . Emeline traveled well and saved her melt down for the last 10 minutes of the flight from Chicago. It was 3am her time so we could not blame her -- she soon got over it and thoroughly enjoyed meeting and greeting her new sisters and friends. The excitement level at the airport was so contagious that people we didn't even know were clapping for us. What a blessing to be so warmly welcomed home.   Thank you for everyone who covered us with their prayers. We were a little late arriving to Chicago from Hong Kong which was significant because we only had a little over one hour to arrive , get through immigration and customs , reclaim our luggage and then check it again and find our new gate for the flight home. We were amazed at the angels who went before us to get us home on time. A lady pulled us out of the incredibly long immigration line and sent us to the front. Then a skycap led us swiftly and quickly through our other checkpoints and off to our next flight. He even had change for a $100.00 bill so that we could tip him. The weather gave us an extra 15 minutes as the flight was delayed in leaving and we arrived to the gate with 15 minutes to spare . God is so good -- He didn't want us to miss our warm homecoming welcome!!!    We are enjoying the season with Christmas activities at school. We were surprised by JOY when we were presented with a picture frame with the words to the Third day song Merry Christmas and all of the children's and teachers' names around it. They also gave us a book of prayers that the children at school made for us . Each child colored a picture and wrote out a prayer for Emeline. The had it laminated so that she could enjoy it and tied it with brightly colored ribbons. We are amazed at their thoughtful and generous spirit.These are the children who prayed for Emeline everyday the year that she was born and purposely placed to be found in the garden of a showplace orphanage in China. They also prayed her through her first surgery in China that year. At that time we didn't know which little girl was our Emeline but God knew her name and He had a very special plan for her life that He has been busy working out.   We are enjoying introducing our new daughter to everyone this Christmas. Her sisters love her and sounds of laughter can be heard throughout the house. (Emeline is especially delightful at 3 am as she has not changed over to our time zone yet! She has enjoyed the balloons and all the gifts she received at her homecoming! )   Thank you for following us on our wonderful journey and now the journey has just begun!! We rejoice at God's goodness in our lives.                   '