One Month Ago Today

Sweet Ashley,
One month ago today we were driving to the beach in Destin, FL. We had our bathing suits on and it was raining! Daddy told the girls to pray that God would make it sunny for us. Avery prayed and then your sweet sister Ally prayed, "Dear God, please make the rain stop and please bring Baby Ashley home soon. Amen."

We had just gotten some breakfast at the Donut Hole (LOVE THIS PLACE!) and we were headed to the beach. Suddenly the rain stopped and the sun started to appear! We told Ally and Avery that God had heard thier prayer! A few moments later, at exactly 9:48am, the cell phone rang and the caller ID said AWAA. Melissa said to mama, "Emily, we have the file of a little girl we think would be perfect for your family. She's 12 months old....." She proceeded to tell us a little about you and daddy had to pull over becasue mama was crying and trying to repeat all that Melissa was saying.

Let me just tell you Ashley, it was a CRAZY day to get that call! We returned to the place we had stayed the night before and quickly glanced at your picture, emailed your information to Dr. Evans, and headed an hour and a half away to Daddy's aunt Paulette's house. We needed all sorts of thing we didn't have at the beach...computer, fax, etc.!! On the drive there we prayed that the Lord would ordain every step we took that day and he certinly did just that.

As we drove we got good feedback about you from our medical team that were reading your information. When we got to Poppy's house, she was so wonderful! She played with your sisters while we went into her guest room and got on our knees before the Lord and prayed that He would give us a clear sign that this was YOU! The emotions of that day were something your daddy and I have rarely experienced! But we knew all along, this was our Ashley Mei!

We are now in day 31 for our wait for China to approve us to bring you home. As we watch the Olympics in your beautiful country, we grow more in love with it everyday. But more than anything, we want to bring you home!! We literally CANNOT WAIT to come and get you! Yesterday on the way to church, I had tears in my eyes looking at the empty seat that will one day, hold your carseat. Our family is definatley not complete without you. We can feel your absence. Your sisters are so so excited. Avery has even asked her friends not to give her birthday presents, and just give her money, so she can come with us to get you...she loves you more than her things, yes she does!!

Hang in there baby girl. We're coming as fast as we can. We know that the Lord has ordained the very moment you are placed in our arms and we are trusting Him for that. We love you...every part of you!