You're Mine!!!

Two years ago today, Madison Rose AiJiao Richards became officially ours!! We saw her across a crowded room, wide-eyed and wondering about all that was happening around her. As we drew in close, we could hardly believe how much our hearts swelled for this little girl!! We had prayed so long -- first to see if God had called us to adoption, then praying He would hand-pick our little girl to be a part of our family, then living out the journey of faith where God Himself would bring our little girl home. It was nothing short of a huge and miraculous God-show!!!

And then suddenly, all of our waiting had come to an end. We were standing face-to-face with this miraculous provision, this answer to prayer, this tender heart that was now OUR DAUGHTER!!! There just aren't words, perhaps only tears, that can tell you how this transformation takes place. This orphan, one in a literal million of Chinese babies each year, was no longer abandoned or alone. She was family!!! And here we were, looking into the face of the one we had prayed for, holding her tight to our hearts and hugging "the real thing"!

In the book of Song of Solomon, we are told "I am my love's, my beloved is mine". The NJB says "I belong to my love, and my love to me" (Song of Solomon 6:3). For those who cry out to be known, to be loved, to be valued, and to belong -- this is our song! Jesus claims you and me as His own!! With all intimacy and affection, He holds us close and looks into our eyes, and says, "You're Mine!!!" Our hearts long for connection and relationship. I pray that we would know and embrace the One who calls us by name to tell us we belong to Him!

Sweet Maddie, Happy Gotcha Day!!!! We are so blessed to say you are ours! We are head over heels in love with you! You are an absolute gift to our family, and we are so grateful that Jesus brought you home to us!!! We love you!!!