{adoption}

After months of paperwork, we accepted our daughter's referral on December 20th, 2010.  Sunshine was 7 months old at the time, living in a loving foster home.  She was diagnosed with an un-repaired cleft lip and palate, but was completely healthy otherwise.  Sunshine was everything we had prayed for and we waited with great anticipation during the next 5 months until we traveled to Jiangxi, China to bring her home.  We missed her first birthday by just a few short weeks, but traveled to China on June 3, 2011 and officially adopted her on June 7, 2011.  We brought her home and were reunited with our family on June 15, 2011 - the same day Sunshine also became an American citizen.  That trip was probably one of the most beautiful, yet difficult things we have ever done.  But through His strength alone, we stepped out of our comfort zones to bring our daughter home to us.  Our time in China was magical, difficult, and also amazingly beautiful.  It has been truly indescribable to watch God work!  Growing our family through adoption is one of the biggest blessings in our lives.  I have grown in so many ways along this journey, as a parent and also in my faith.  What a privilege it is to be parents to all three of our children.  Adopting Sunshine has strengthened our entire family's understanding of what it means to be one of God's children.  Angel and Lovebug have been changed and molded more than I thought possible, in the best way I could ever ask for.  We love Sunshine to the moon and back.  She is a wonderful, miraculous blessing to our family and I see God in her every. single. day.

"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.'" (Jeremiah 29:11)

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