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In the car yesterday Nadia requested that we listen to Casting Crowns album “Until the Whole World Hears.” So we are running errands and the song “Always Enough” came on. Part of the lyrics say: peace to the broken/faith for the widow/hope for the orphan/strength for the weak.

Nadia – What’s a widow?  – So I explained.

Nadia – so they are sad?  Louanne – yes.

Nadia – what’s an orphan? Louanne – a child without a mommy or a daddy.

Nadia – so they need hope from God?  Louanne – yes.

Nadia – where do orphans live? Louanne – in an orphange.

Nadia – Like Amelie? Louanne – yes

Nadia – wait, like me? Louanne – yes,  you were an orphan before God made you part of our family when we adopted you.

Nadia – I love my daddy and mommy.

I had tears streaming down my face. Nadia knows that we adopted her and that “the nice ladies at the orphanage took care of me”, but this was the first time she asked/realized what orphan meant.

Later that night she asked again about widows and orphans when she heard the song again. She asked Mike if all babies were born orphans. So we talked some more about it. I am so thankful that Nadia and Amelie are our girls and that God saw fit to add them to our family. But my heart does break for the day when she asks, “Who had me in her belly?” or another variation.

Thank goodness God is “Always Enough” and will be on that day.

This was so fun to get in the mail, just like Nadia’s. About two weeks ago we also got the flag that we had flown over the Capital on 2.26.2011 and a very nice letter from our Congressman.

One thing that disappointed me about Amelie’s COC is that there was no letter from the President welcoming the new citizen. I have heard this from other people that once President Obama took office that this ended. You can request a letter from his office and that’s all fine and good, but why not just do it automatically like President Bush did? It’s not like he actually signs it, it’s really just a formality. Seems like such a strange thing to have ended since I think it would mean something to all new citizens – not just the adopted ones.

The Chinese like to have little children and babies all bundled up. The day we got Amelie was no exception. This is how she was dressed on Gotcha Day.

Layer 1 – sweater and socks

Layer 2 – topped with winter PJ’s.

Layer 3 – Topped with snow pants, boots and a lined jacket.

And we were expected to bring a winter coat and hat for her to take her back to the hotel, which of course we did so the ladies wouldn’t come after us

We leave for the airport in 90 minutes. We have a 3 hour flight to Korea, then a 2 hour layover, then a 11 hour flight to LAX, then a 3 hour layover. Then a 2.5 hour flight to DFW.

That is a lot of travel time and we are grateful for your prayers. Specifically:

• For Mike’s ear to stop hurting so bad.
• That I wouldn’t cough so much since that is what aggravates the pain in my side.
• That both girls sleep on the planes.
• That no one pukes or has any other sickness.

Thanks for all your support during this adventure.