After breakfast this morning, we met our guide and driver and left for the Civil Affairs office in Changsha. (The same building we adopted Leighanne from almost 10 years ago.)
We went into the “meeting room” where another baby boy was waiting for his forever family to arrive. At 10:15 am we met our newest daughter—Hannah HaiYan Agee. We thank she is a perfect addition to our family. She has a playful personality and is full of energy. We could tell she has been loved much by her foster family and her orphanage teachers. We met the orphanage director and one of her teachers. They told us about her love for dancing and math.
 |
| Civil Affairs Office |
 |
Our First Glance of Miss Hannah
|
 |
| Meeting MaMa and BaBa |
 |
| One of her orphanage teachers |
 |
| All smiles! |
 |
| Baba, Leighanne, Hannah and Mama |
 |
Zach, Julie, Ben, Orphanage Director, Teacher,
Leighanne and Hannah |
 |
As we were leaving Hannah said Jie Jie let’s go!
(In Chinese of course) |
 |
| Going back to the hotel |
 |
| Sitting in the windowsill of our hotel room 31 floors up |
 |
| Getting her gift from Ashley and Kaitlin |
Hannah fixed Leighanne’s hair beautifully
 |
| Hannah and our guide Amy |
We are amazed at the ease at which she has transitioned today. Our guide Amy told us that they had been preparing her for this day at the orphanage. The director told her when it was 30 days before we would come get her. She asked the director everyday–how many days till my Mama and Baba come get me?
We know that we will have challenging days ahead with the language barrier. In fact, she told our guide that if she learned English she would lose her Chinese. However, later she told the guide she was ready to learn English. She is becoming a little parrot to everything we say.
We also Skyped with Austin, Jordan, and Zane today and they were able to meet Hannah over the computer. Then we told them to go to bed since it was almost 1 am their time.
As I am typing this Hannah just sang us the ABC song out of the blue. Our mouths just dropped open as she sang in perfect English.
We are so grateful for your prayers–we can certainly feel them. Please continue as we are beginning the “bonding” process. Pray for great wisdom for us as we determine when to be firm and when to give in to her wants.
Wow–Dad and Mom again. We can hardly believe it. It will take a few days to process all that we are feeling and experiencing. God has blessed us richly–we know that Hannah is our daughter–it is meant to be.
Oh, I'm so glad things went the way they did for all of you! Hannah looks GREAT and I see is still the spunky little extrovert! I can't wait to show Nathan your pics this morning. Give Amy a hug for us!
WOW! I'm sitting here with tears in my eyes and God-bumps on my arms! Praise YOU, Lord! THank you for sharing all those beautiful pictures with us – keep them coming!
She is so beautiful and I can't wait to meet her! Love you all!
WOW! Wow is all I can say right now! It is so wonderful to see God working even in the smallest details! May He continue to knock your socks off.
Love seeing how God knits together families from across the globe! Just beautiful!
Brooke
http://www.TheAnnessaFamily.blogspot.com
Praying for all of you!
Congratulations! What a wonderful day!
Congratulations!! She's beautiful and looks so happy. What a brave girl!
Ben and Julie – Congratulations and blessings for you all!
How absolutely BLESSED you all are! God always brings us to where we are for a perfect opportunity to love…just like this! Love you guys and am praying for all of you and that cutie pie Miss Hannah!
Love it! She's a doll!!! She looks like she fits in beautifully. What a huge blessing that they began the transition for her so soon. God is so amazing. Continuing to pray for your family.
What a sunny way to start my day….just didn't have time to comment this morning. Hope you are all sleeping peacefully while I type, enjoying the rest that comes from a day filled with God's blessings.
And, like Joli, thank you for lots of pictures…..we want to see more!
Oh.my.goodness! She is such a beautiful girl and I'm so happy for you all! Blessings to your entire family….praying for you as you continue on this wonderful journey,
So excited for your family! It is amazing to see God work. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Praying for a peaceful and joyous bonding with Hannah. I pray that language barriers will be the source of amusement rather than frustration, and that they will be part of the story of her perfect assimilation into your loving family. God bless you! Praying all travel mercies and miraculous, jubulant trip! Love you, Rosie Horvath