Wednesday, May 4, 2011

We've seen the face of an angel!

All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. Psalms 139:16

Tuesday April 26th we got the very much anticipated phone call we've been waiting for. On the other line was our agent announcing, "You've been matched!!!" She said the little girl's file was still being translated and I had about 20 minutes to get to my husbands' office or for him to get home. I grabbed my cameras and headed straight to Charlie's office. I called him on the way to tell him the exciting news. Do you know how hard it is to drive a car when you are shaking from all the adrenaline running through your body? Charlie arranged for us to go into a private conference room where we waited for the email to come through.
The moment we sat down the email popped up. This is what we saw:
Her Chinese name is Shao Qing Chu. Sorry, still not sure of an American name, or if we will keep part of her Chinese name. We want to wait and see if this is a name that was given to her by her birth parents who kept her for the 1st month of her life, or if this was given to her by the orphanage she was placed in. Her birth parents did leave her with a birth note (which is somewhat rare, yet a HUGE answer to our prayers). She is 17 months old (as of the 17th of April). She is from Hangzhou City in Zheijang Province (close to Shanghai). After initially living in an orphanage, she was placed in a foster home at 5 months and it sounds like she has received really good care from the foster family.

As far as her medical need...She was born with a hole in her heart known as ASD. This is one of the most common heart defects children are born with. The pediatric cardiologist who reviewed her file told us the hole seems to be closing on it's own, however we have about a 50/50 chance of her still needing heart surgery once we get her. All of this information was based on her last check up with the Chinese doctors this last December (which was also the time this picture was taken). We are praying that this hole will continue to heal on its own and that she will not need any surgery once she is home. She is very small in size (don't let the picture fool you...I think she is dressed in at least 15 layers under that fluffy white coat). She's so cute!!!
They have told us we should travel to China sometime in late August or September (do you know how long that feels after seeing that sweet face?). Oh my goodness, this is going to be the longest 4 months ever...Not that I have 1 thing for a 17 mo. old, or a room ready for a little GIRL.

Our boys are SO EXCITED. It was so cute to watch them tell all their friends and teachers the next day at school (BTW, Charles is dressed like this due to the Kenya tea party his class had for all the moms that day).
It has been so sweet to hear them make plans on who gets to pick out her blanket, who gets to pick out her stuffed animal, what they think her name should be (which surprisingly are very sweet names); but the sweetest moments are hearing them pray and thank God for their baby sister. I know bringing this little girl home is going to rock their world once she's here, but for now I will bask in the sweet blessing of their pure joy.

As far as how Charlie and I are feeling, I think this next picture sums it up pretty well...It's a GIRL!!!

10 comments:

Unknown said...

I have tears of joy streaming down my face right now!! What a beautiful little girl she is and so blessed to be coming to a Christ centered family! Congrats to this wonderful family! Can't wait to meet her and celebrate this miracle!

tracey boyle said...

I too have tears of joy for your amazing family! I can not wait to meet this precious angel. She is beautiful! What a wonderful, blessed plan God had in store for your family! Congrats to your amazing family. I will be praying for all of you in the months and time ahead. I can't wait to celebrate with you for this amazing miracle. God bless...

meggie said...

I am so thrilled, delighted, and excited for your family. What an amazing journey you have been on already and I wish you guys the absolute best of luck on the road ahead. Congratulations and blessings to your family in the biggest way! What a precious little girl!!

What Life May Bring said...

My oh my! Add me to the list of those with tears streaming down their face! I am so very happy for you! She is so incredibly precious!! Many Blessings to you all.

-the Glenns from OK :)

Jenna said...

She is stunningly beautiful!! I can't wait to meet her. Congratulations!!!!

David said...

Yaaaay! We are so happy to see the precious face of the niece/cousin we have been praying for! LOVE this part of the journey!!! Sweet baby girl, you are so very loved and prayed over!! We can't wait to welcome you into this family face to face!!
Joyfully,
Aunt Keri, Uncle David, Emma, Jacob and Ben :)

Donna Hill said...

I am soooo VERY EXCITED for all of you!!! What an answer to prayer...I guess I should say, I am excited for all of us...It will be so great to have an other little one running around blessing our whole family!!!! I am also very excited for this little girl, too!!! God is giving her a GREAT home, a wonderful daddy, a super mom & brothers that will love her & protect her in ways that will be so special to all of them!!! She is going to have great influences in her life that will lead her to the path that leads to the cross!!! I think that has to be the most exciting part!!! This is all such a BIG part of God's wonderful plan...I just can't help but wonder what this little baby's future will hold because of your obedience to God's will!!! It is going to be such a joy to watch this blessing take place!!! I just can't wait to meet my new niece!!! I JUST CAN'T WAIT!!!!

Paula said...

Denise,

I am glad I waited to put my make-up this morning=)I am SO happy for all of you!!! How blessed this little girl is going to be. Before the foundations of the earth were set, God had this planned. May He continue to guide you as you raise her. May He pour out His blessings upon you and fill you with His peace. I can't WAIT to see this years Christmas Card!!!! Love you

Samina Baker said...

Congratulations!!! Nick and I couldn't be happier for you guys. She is a beautiful addition to the Campbell family!

Hanne said...

Just found your website, and wanted to congratulate you on your beautiful daughter. I am the proud mom of a Hangzhou princess. She was also born with an ASD, which healed on its own, so my daughter has not had anykind of operations or treatment for her heartcondition. I adopted her in 2008, and she was 2,9 years old on adoptionday. Hangzhou is a very nice city, so I´m sure you will love it there. Hope you have a great trip to China. Best regards
Hanne from Denmark