Thanks so much for visiting us during our journey, Steve, Patty, Caleb, Danae (daughter-in-law), Logan, Drew and Annika!
For this child I prayed, and the Lord has given me my petition which I asked of Him.
So I have also dedicated her to the Lord; as long as she liveth she is dedicated to the Lord. I Samuel 1:27 - 28
We had our U.S. Consulate appointment today and we are now officially in the eyes of China and the eyes of the United States your new family. As we raised our right hand with many other adoptive families and took our vow and our oath, we felt the tears that were beginning to come as we were humbled to realize that God allowed you to be apart of our lives. What an awesome responsibility and what an honor to call you daughter.
After we returned to the hotel, I decided to take one last taxi ride by myself around the city of Guangzhou, China and then go finish up my shopping on Shamian Island. Since the taxi drivers speak no English this gave me alot of time to look back and reflect on the past few weeks. I looked at the buildings, the many high-rise apartments with laundry hanging out to dry. I looked at the eyes of the Chinese women walking by and riding their bikes near me. I watched the beggars trying to find a way to make money. I saw the hustle and bustle of people going somewhere and some going nowhere.
I could not help but wonder what your real parents were doing today. Were they happy or were they sad. Do they have other children, maybe a son, that they were able to keep. What do they do for a living. Do they even think about you, the daughter they abandoned the day she was born.
I wondered that if you had stayed here what kind of life you would live and what would have happened to you when you were too old for the orphanage because you were not one of the chosen to be adopted.
As the tears ran down my face realizing that tomorrow morning we would be taking you from the only country that you have ever known. The only people and the only smells that you have ever seen and smelled. Your homeland China and your culture. I stopped and looked one more time out my cab window and I thanked God for my new daughter. A daughter that we will be able to give a future to, a home filled with love and a family willing to receive her as their own.
Annika, I have only ever dreamed of a daughter to call my own and now it is a reality. You will forever hold a special place in your heart for a place you call China, for a birthmother that you will never know. I will forever hold a place in my heart for a Chinese lady who one day made the decision to give her daughter a better life.
Gang Qiu Hua we will now forever call you Annika Grace Mears. Welcome to the U.S.A., welcome home baby girl.
