No Place Like Home!

We are home, at long last! It feels like we have been gone for 3 years, not 3 weeks. China was hard (experienced adoptive families say 'just survive China', and that is accurate) but Elsie is easy! She walked into our lives just over two weeks ago smiling, and hasn't stopped smiling. She fills our home and our hearts with such immense joy. She is spunky and smart, funny and super LOUD. And she wouldn't be an Opitz if she wasn't a bit bossy too! She has captured each of our hearts, and she is definitely a Papa's girl. She is brave and strong, and walks with a solid, confident march. She loves her new shoes, loves to wear pretty dresses, and is learning a little how to play with toys, although she would much rather horse around with the kids. She loves to be tickled and playfully rocked like a baby, and she has the most musical laughter I've ever heard, it's magical. She talks constantly, and a little bit is in English already. It feels like she has always been here in our family in a weird way. She is just so at ease. She is perfect!
It's official, Elsie and I signed our papers with red ink.
Elsie named her doll Shao Fen "Little Pink".
On the train to Hong Kong.
Omaha at long last! So wonderful to be back home.

We are so immensely grateful for all of your prayers that carried us through this year of toiling paperwork, angstful waiting, and grueling travel to bring our beautiful daughter home. God listens to our prayers and He was faithful in every one. He chose the perfect girl to fit right in to our family and this Holy ground we were fortunate enough to walk on has changed us forever. There is no other ground we wish to walk on ever again. It is hard, so very hard, but in the midst of hard is when you see God working so clearly. It's hard to see God, to feel Him tangibly close when we are surrounded in comfort and ease. Thank you to each of you for your love and prayers, and may God bless you abundantly. Prayer request: We humbly ask that you join us in praising God for all He has done for us on this journey. Truly, truly He is so very good.