Well, dear Vivi, you are already well known. Part of what you're going to have to get used to when you're good and ready is that being part of a family with two parents who work for two different churches gives us twice the blessing and twice the prayers for a journey like this. But it also means people will be looking at you and your life about twice as much. The last time I wrote this letter to you, I was talking about how the amazing gifts of so many had made it possible for us to bring you home. That trend has continued ever since. Tonight I cannot tell you how many people we have cheering for us and for you. The number of times we've been prayed over by laying on of hands = 5; the number of people who have asked if they can help watch your brothers while we're away = 159 (Liam's favorite number right now); the number of hours we will be traveling to get to your country starting early tomorrow = 25; hours coming home with you in 2 1/2 weeks = 25.
Right now, as we get ready to depart in the morning, we are filled with many emotions. We are so extremely excited for end of this part of our journey, and the beginning of the part that includes you being with us. We're also extremely sad. We just left your brothers for the last time until you meet them here in Florida, and we miss them terribly already. We know they will be okay, just as you have been okay. But we also feel like this is our job---to take care of them and to take care of you. It turns out this is very hard to do at the same time and still come get you. While we thought about bringing them along, and while they would very much like to join us, we felt it would be best for all of us this way--but it sure is hard!
We are counting the moments until we finally celebrate both your birthday and what is called Gotcha! Day. Once you've settled in to life with us, you'll come to know that this is a very special time of year in our faith, but especially the way we now get to start this season--by celebrating both your birthday and the day we received you--back to back! On the way to the airport, I asked your brothers what they wanted from China. The oldest said, "I just want Vivi!" I don't think he will ever know how much that meant to us.
So, we are spending the last few moments before an epic journey that will be filled with so much joy, learning, surprise, and many, many blessings. So many people feel like they know you. We are just anxious to take these next steps to know you and be known by you--just the way God knows us and is known by us. We're just trying to follow the red thread. We'll see you in a few days. And we love you very much.
Love,
Daddy and Mommy
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