A Happy Birthday Thank You to A Special Woman

To Olivia's First Mom,

I can't help but have you on my heart today. I can't help but wonder what - or if - you are thinking and wondering about our Sweet Olivia as she celebrates her 5th birthday.

I want to say thank you. Those words seem so insignificant, but they are the best that I have. I don't know the circumstances surrounding what I choose to believe was one of the toughest decisions of your life...to say goodbye to Olivia. But I want need to say thank you for choosing life and a future for her.

Every morning I am blessed as she wakes up with a smile and a joy and a love that is so precious. She knows that she is loved and that she is safe. I want you to know that, too.

Today she has celebrated her birthday with calls from her aunts, uncles, and cousins, and a birthday party with her grandparents and me. She is so loved.



At church she made her public singing debut - I wish that you could see the twinkle in her eye and the dramatic flair as she performs (actually, it is there in all that she does!).



We had a guest pastor preach. We have been studying the Book of Acts and are studying more about the persecuted church. He is originally from Ethiopia, so has experienced things that I pray we never will. He affirmed some of what I already knew - that of the more than 100 million Christians in China, 3/4 of them are a part of the Underground Church and still living in persecution. I wonder if you know Jesus and are a part of his family in what is now the largest Christian country. I pray that if you aren't, you will come to know Him. Olivia has the most precious faith. She loves to pray and read stories about Jesus. At the end of the service, we went up and Rev. Buba prayed specifically for us. I don't know the plans that God has for Olivia, but I know that He is going to use her in amazing ways!

Olivia is in school. She loves it. She gets excited to go and is sad when it is cancelled. She loves to learn! She loves to read! I am constantly amazed with how smart she is! This precious little girl keeps me on my toes!

Some of the other things you should know about our Olivia...she loves pink and purple - and of course Tierra's and all things having to do with princesses...she has the most compassionate heart I have ever seen...she loves to help and to serve others...she loves to sing, to dance, to pray, to LAUGH (and when she laughs - which is frequently - I can't help but laugh! It is contagious!), to bake (which we love to do together)...Olivia has an eye for detail and thinks everything has it's place and should be arranged in specific ways...

Olivia broke her leg earlier this year, but the surgeon who fixed it did an amazing job and now both legs are the same length for the first time! She is eating well, taking her vitamins, and getting the medications he needs. And she has grown 2" since coming home in July!

I know that it would make your heart happy to see how well Olivia is doing. I promise you what I promised the Chinese and US officials...I will love and care for Olivia until the end of my days. She is my priority and she has my heart.



On this, her 5th birthday, know that I am saying an extra prayer of thanksgiving for you - and I'll eat a piece of cake for you, too.

Praying for you with a grateful heart,
Olivia's Forever Mommy