Sunday, November 4, 2012

Forever Ellie Day

The Lord replied: "Look and be amazed! You will be astounded at what I am about to do! For I am going to do something in your own lifetime that you will have to see to believe." 
Habakkuk 1:5

Today had to be one of the longest days of our lives!  We both woke up at 3:30 am and drifted in and out of sleep until about 6.  We got up and our hours of waiting began.  We took about a 3 hour walk around Nanchang and had an amazing experience but those pictures and that post will have to wait until later.  We are going to go right to the good stuff because today was Forever Ellie Day!



We felt the prayers of many today as we waited for our daughter.  There was an anxiousness all day with in us but also a calmness as the hours and minutes ticked.  Our sweet guide Mary found out they were about 15 minutes out.  We sat in the lobby of the hotel waiting for our daughter to walk through the door.  There is nothing quite like knowing any minute your daughter will walk through the doors and be handed to you.  A van pulled up and in came a flurry of people and I began snapping pictures ... nope false alarm.  Then another van pulled up and out came a group of people with a little one but it was another family's little girl, strike two. Our hearts and nerves were about done when finally, a van pulled up and there she was walking toward us.  The tears began to flow as we laid eyes on our daughter for the first time.  



Oh my goodness she took our breath away as the two orphanage directors walked toward us.  


As she was placed in my arms the tears flowed harder as I felt her very tiny body next to mine.  I knew she was right where she belonged, she was the little girl that God hand picked for our family.  


The first thing out of the orphanage directors mouth was that our little Ellie needed extra nutrition.  She said our little Ellie was behind because she was in the orphanage and that it was good she was with a dad and mom now.  She also told us Ellie had been sick for the last couple days with a stomach bug.  



They all were very worried about her and kept pulling the white bath towel she was wrapped in around her.  We kept taking every ounce of her in.  


It was priceless the way she looked at her daddy! 



Finally where she belongs! 



We asked our final questions as the orphanage staff left to bring one of Ellie's little orphanage sisters to her parents at another hotel. 



We then headed to our room with our little girl.  We carefully took her clothes off to check over every ounce of our little girl.  We then gave Ellie her first bath.  She was not a fan at all but calmed right down when she was back in her daddy's arm. We got her tiny little body clothed and warmed back up.


 We soaked in every ounce of her we could knowing that night would soon come and we would have to lay her down.  We quickly learned that she likes to suck or sort of chew on her thumb.  She is a switch hitter so will use either thumb.  



We also quickly learned that her fingers can often be found in this position.  



Daddy knows this mommy all too well and said, "how about a bow!" She was such a brave little girl but finally her little body gave in. Little Ellie laid her head on my shoulder and crashed for a little nap.  I can't imagine what her little body, heart and mind are going through.  



She woke up and we gave her some warm water since she had been fed right before we got her. 



When we are holding Ellie she doesn't like to be away from our body.  She quickly leans into us. 



We propped Ellie up on the couch for a little play time as we ate dinner.  I couldn't resist taking pictures of our little princess and a tiny glimpse of her little personality started to peek through.  Look at those sweet little lips and that little nose! 



We started to get a tiny smile.



But she soon turned into the shy little girl.  



She then got her silly look.  



Oh my goodness look into those big brown eyes! They are wrapped around our heart already! 



Eric gave her her bottle before bed tonight.  She kept reaching up to touch his face, it was precious.  


I took Ellie and she cuddled in and fell asleep.  Once again the tears flowed.  I am so overwhelmed that God would entrust this precious little girl to us.  Please pray for our little Ellie in the days ahead.  Pray for us as we care for her and love on her.  I felt her little tummy rumbling and tightening as she fell asleep on me.  I can't even imagine what her little body, heart and mind are going through tonight.  Pray for strength for her little body.  Her body is weak and her muscle tone is low.  We are trusting that God moved our paperwork at warp speed because he knew she needed to be in the arms of her mommy and daddy! 

Tonight our princess is sleeping peacefully in her crib next to our bed! Tomorrow is a big day of paperwork and she officially becomes our daughter.  Tonight there is one less orphan! 

Father to the fatherless, defender of widows- this is God, whose dwelling is holy.  God places the lonely in families. 
Psalm 68:5-6

37 comments:

Mary Gene Atwood said...

Oh she is beautiful! So happy for you. The photos are wonderful. Prayers for all. Such a joyful post!

Sandy said...

Such a precious gift!! Love her many faces! Congratulations and praying for health for her and all of you!

Shari said...

She is precious...may the love of her new mommy and daddy help her body heal and heart grow to find peace and embrace love. As I tell Amelia, she was born to another family but when they couldn't raise her God had to search the world to find another perfect match...Happy Family Day.

Fannie said...

Wow!! I think it's impossible to read a 'gotcha day' post without tears! She is soooo beautiful and God clearly meant for the two of you to be her Mommy and Daddy! And to finally see a tiny smile??? Absolutely amazing!!!! Praise God your baby girl is where she belongs!!!!

Lots of prayers for Ellie and her Mommy & Daddy!!

Can't wait for the next posts!!

Andra said...

Oh she is just precious!!!! Thankful this morning for God's Timing in getting Ellie to you both!!! Praying fervently for her body to heal and her heart to be at peace a she is with her mommy and daddy now!!!! Hope to talk soon and meet your baby girl!!! She's beautiful!

Diane said...

Sharing in your "tears of joy" Julie. She is so beautiful!!
God Bless,
Diane

Kathy said...

Oh my goodness Julie, I hardly know what to say...Ellie perfect! And these photos of your meeting are amazing! It looks like she too knows she was intended for you! Such a beautiful and amazing story...I am heading out to church right now. I will be praying for Ellie's health and heart! Sweet blessings to you my friend, your daughter is home at last!!!

DiJo said...

Absolutely PRECIOUS!!!!!! Congratulations "M" Family!!! God has picked a very special daughter and sister for you!!!! I feel like I am back in that lobby with you.. I am so happy to hear that Mary is your guide.. She is a blessing!!! We will be praying for "Baby Ellie's" physical and emotional needs as she falls madly in love with you. Look how she is already making eye contact, reaching out, and making adorable faces!!!! And, those eyes!! Yes, she truly is a Jiangxi Jewel!!!!! Before you know it she will be standing up, mastering the stacking cups, and taking her first steps.. And, when she does, she will never look back!!!!

Celebrating with you!
Love from MN,
Diana, Jeff, Ainsley, Sienna, Ruby & Emme Jade

Flip-flop Mama said...

Congratulations! What a precious little one!

Cheri said...

Oh, what sweetness! Thank you for sharing such a special time!

Peggy said...

Too many emotions to communicate. Just love you all so much--

Paige said...

Found your blog following another blog (my guilty pleasure). I could feel the anticipation building in your posts leading to this. What a beautiful family. Our God is so amazing...making beauty from ashes. I like how Shari stated it in a previous post. LOVE her many faces and such great eye contact. So incredibly precious. Congratulations!!!

Jennifer said...

Oh, Julie, she is precious! How wonderful that she snuggles into you already! And those eyes...looking at her Daddy... Praising HIM today!

Paige said...

Such a beautiful little girl she is, melts my heart. I am thrilled for your family!!!

Sara said...

So precious...praising God with you for your little angel. Amazing to see her in your arms right where she belongs. Jarrod and I couldn't wait to see pictures, and this morning he said, "I think Ellie and Hannah look like they will be friends". Soak up and savor every moment with your little princess. Congratulations!!

Molly said...

Ellie is with her mommy & daddy at last!! What an incredible day! I'm praying for little Ellie- for her health and also for her heart. Her world will never be the same. Praying for you and Eric as well & the kids at home! She is so beautiful! Can't wait to meet her!

Unknown said...

Congratulations on finally getting to have Ellie become part of your forever family. She is a blessed little girl and she is beautiful. Your family back home is so excited! I saw them in church today looking adorable as ever with Grammy S.

Troy and Diane Sturgeon said...

I have tears in my eyes! Congratulations and God Bless you ALL!!

Becky B said...

What a blessing - I just LOVE this!!! Praying you home!!

Alisa said...

Oh my goodness Julie!! I have tears of happiness and thankfulness as I type. So happy for you all! Thank you God for sweet Ellie and for her special family. We are all praying for your days to come. Hugs!!

Shans said...

Oh so happy for you and Ellie!! What a simply wonderful day!!! She is precious!!! Will be praying for strength and health! Can't wait to see her with her siblings...she is SO blessed with a loving family!

twtryon said...

My girls just sat on my lap and looked at all the pictures and wanted me to read everything to them. I barely could through the tears of happiness for you. Sending prayers your way for the coming days!
Wendy

Madelyn Oberloh & family said...

she`s so cute!

Living Benson said...

There is nothing better than a post like yours! Congratulations! We too had Mary for our guide! You will love her. Enjoy your previous baby girl.

Van Beek family said...

What a precious little girl! Praying for the Father's supernatural healing hand on her heart and any underlying sickness that she may be fighting. My continued prayer is that in the midst of her world being turned upside down from all she knows and is familiar with that she will quickly come to know and understand the love that her mommy and daddy have for her that is indescribable.

Callie said to me this morning as we were looking at the tweet Eric sent..."Mom, she looks like Alexa!" :-)

Hugs to you both! Know that you are being lifted up in prayer each day!

Love you!

Angie Nelson said...

Beautiful sweet Ellie-girl! That is the face of an angel. Thank you Jesus for placing her in the arms of her mommy and daddy safely. Prayers to you all!

Michelle said...

Your sweet baby girl is absolutely beautiful, and you and your husband are glowing!! I'm so happy for you both! Have fun in Nanchang!!

Vickie and Clark said...

Little Ellie has been blessed to be placed in your home. Congratulations on the new addition.

Robyn Bishop said...

Ahhhhh....Julie so, so sweet. Thank you for sharing these amazing pictures that say so much. Blessings to you and Eric.

Anonymous said...

Tears of joy reading this post and seeing the photos of your beautiful daughter bonding with her parents! Congratulations! Prayers for your family and many blessings, Gwen (from your photography class)

Steffie B. said...

Beautiful, just beautiful! xoxo

Kristi said...

She's so beautiful and so sweet!! Congratulations :-)

Carey said...

Congratulations!!!!! She is so so sweet and beautiful. Oh, my eyes just have tears in them. Prayers as you continue on to bring her home!

Unknown said...

So beautiful the sweetest of lifes moments! She is so very adorable...thank you for sharing.:)

Beth Sandbulte Musil said...

Julie and Eric, she is beautiful! Praying for your safe trip home and the Elle adjusts well and feels all the love you all have to give her!!

JB said...

She is beautiful and my prayer is that she will thrive on the love of her mommy and daddy. She looks like she will accept you and all the love and security you will pour into her! Enjoy your sweet girl. And, I agree, her eyes are amazing! (Ours girl is 23 mos. old, home since April)

Emily said...

Congratulations on such a beautiful little girl. I will be praying that she begins to feel better as she receives the nourishment that she needs both physically and emotionally. God has great plans for her as she is placed in a home where she will learn of Him and His great love for her. Our hearts rejoice with you.

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