Out Of Darkness, There Comes Light...

 Exactly one week ago, we were in a room filled with people awaiting to meet our baby girl, our fifth child, for the very first time.  

There are no words to describe the moment when you see a picture, an image in your head, come to life right before your eyes.  It is indescribable.  And in the blink of the eye, two worlds change forever and the new parents go into parent-mode as they comfort their screaming child or engage their happy-go-lucky youngster.  

The picture above was our Maryn Gentry just after she had been handed to us forever.  It was not her day.  She was not pleased at all with the cards she was being dealt and she let the room know.  I tried all of my tricks to no avail.  It was a dark moment for this little one.

Thankfully, after a bit of time and a lot of snuggling and comforting, light began to shine through and a little personality began to present itself.  No longer are we having to pull teeth to get this precious angel to smile.  One week later, she knows her name and the moment we say it, she turns towards us and gives a big, toothless grin that has the ability to melt anyones heart.  And the once silent baby girl who clung to me for dear life, well, let me share with you that each day this sweet girl babbles and sings like no other and it is music to all of our ears!  And her squishy little legs.  I told Ryan on day two that if it weren't for the videos of her walking, I would not believe that she was a walker - she showed no interest in moving from Point A to Point B at.all.  We would set her down and she would play cautiously but if we tried to coerce her to get an out of reach toy, she would just sit and stare at it.  Of course, sister magic always intervened and toys were always quickly handed to her!  Today, this girl is showing off!  She walks all over - not the steadiest of walks but she is all over the place and when she sees something across the room she wants, she gets up, looks so proud of herself for standing up, and then she takes off to retrieve her item.  One week ago, this little one was not at all happy with people, especially Ryan.  Today, as I type this, Maryn is sitting on the floor playing happily with Ryan, giving him smiles - her tears over this man in her life are non-existent!  

We are so thankful for everyone's prayers....they have been answered!  Our little one is adjusting more and more each day....and we are so excited to be entering the final days of our journey in China so that we can introduce her to the ones who have prayed her home forever!