Day #4: We Have Autumn!

I wish each of you that read this has just one day in your life that is as incredible as this. It really was inexplicable and I'm tempted to not try to put it into words, but I will knowing that it will be a measly reflection of the memories stored in my mind and heart.

As we waited for our new daughter in the Civil Affairs office in Nanchang, we witnessed a family receive their new 19 month old daughter. I have never seen a more beautiful sight in my life. Bob and I jumped into action and became the photographers, taking a moment to stand in awe and cry like fools!

Before we knew it, our dear Qiu Yun walked through the door. She was dressed in bright red and every bit as beautiful as we dreamed she would be. Obviously frightened, she was quiet and shy at the CA and had hard time finding the courage to speak to us. We just touched her and smiled and spoke to her tenderly. She kept looking to her orphanage manager as if she were hoping he could do all the talking and I feared we would take her away in tears. I sat her down so she could just process it all. We showed her a photo of the Carswells and ask if she remembered them and she nodded her head yes and was enthusiastic. We told her that our friend Troy VanLiere from Newsong told us about her and that we fell in love with her very quickly. Lexi started to cry right about then which somehow Bob managed to photograph. I asked our translator to explain to Autumn that these were tears of joy. At that, she embraced Lexi lovingly. Her first sign of affection and joy.

When it was time to leave, we asked if she had any things to bring with her. She did. One pair of pants. One t-shirt. Four photos of her foster family and a phone number on a scrap of paper.

Back at the hotel, she opened up to us very quickly. She spoke to us and began to teach us Mandarin. She and Lexi had a good time goofing around on the computer and we took her out for a Chinese feast of peas, green beans, spicy beef, sweet and sour pork, rice and watermelon which cost exactly $10US...for the entire family. The translator stayed with us for much of the evening so we cold communicate and we taught Autumn to play a family game called "Sixes." She loved it.

Tonight, Autumn went for her first swim...ever!

I've never been more proud of Robby and Lexi. They are bonding with her more quickly than Bob and I probably because she is comfortable with that, but also because they are doing a great job of communicating with her and loving her.

P.S. If you'd like to see all our photos from today, go to http://www1.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=170198136/a=97646193_97646193/t_=97646193