The last 24 hours have been utterly indescribable, with crazy and overwhelming emotions. Our flight from Beijing to Lanzhou was delayed 5 hours as thick fog enshrouded Beijing International Airport. We took it as a wonderful opportunity for all of the adopting families to become even better acquainted. A short flight to Lanzhou, and an hour van ride through the arid, mining country of Gansu province brought us to a small office building in downtown Lanzhou. As we pulled into the parking lot, we were told by our guide that the babies were waiting for us there, so it all happened very fast. We walked into the tiny office, where 5 babies were waiting for 4 families. He was waiting with his nanny just a few feet inside the door, where our new baby boy was placed into the arms of his new, forever mommy.
We were immediately struck by his sweet, docile nature, and how really beautiful he is. He sat in our arms for the remainder of the evening, just staring up at us with his big, gorgeous brown eyes. We slept only a few hours last night, as he makes some noise as he sleeps, sucking his fingers and cooing while he periodically rocks himself in his crib. Today, we had our big appointment at the Civil Affairs Office, where reams of paperwork, complete with mommy and daddy fingerprints and baby footprints made him officially an Olsen! The other families were there for the same purpose, as well as all of the orphanage nannies and the director. What kind, wonderful people have been caring for our little boy! Loving, beautiful people, doing God's work in the Earth.
Our guide made a comment yesterday that one of the greatest bonds between the United States and China right now is adoption, and we whole-heartedly agree. Despite the long wait, we would like to express our deepest gratitude to the Peoples Republic of China, as they have given us a gift that can never be repaid. There are sure to be trying times ahead for us as a family, but the Lord has shown his faithfulness to us over and over and over again. Our days and our times are in His hands as we move forward, trusting Him every step of the way.
We will continue posting as often as we can. Gotcha #2, Lily-Grace... coming soon!!!
Love to all and our continued thankfulness for the prayers of the saints.
In Christ Alone,
Erich and Jac
"Fear not, for I am with you;
I will bring your offspring from the east,
and from the west I will gather you.
I will say to the north, Give up,
and to the south, Do not withhold;
bring my sons from afar
and my daughters from the end of the earth,
everyone who is called by my name,
whom I created for my glory,
whom I formed and made." - Isaiah 43:5-7
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Lily is in Jiangxi Province. We will meet her in the provincial capital, Nanchang.
