To my Oldest . . .

This time 15 years ago (did I really just type that??? 15 years????), your dad and I (and whole bunch of other people) anxiously awaited your arrival. Sometime after 9:00 that night, you made your grand entrance, and your dad and I were forever changed. 

We were both so young and so inexperienced, but thankfully, God placed many people in our lives that gave excellent advice and helped us to become the parents you needed us to be. When you were three months old, God did the unthinkable and called us to move to New Orleans . . . EIGHT hours away from both sets of grandparents! However, God used that time in our lives to create our family of three, cementing a bond that could not be broken. Papa used to call us the “Three Amigos”. As long as we were together, everything was just fine. (And I must say that God gave us such wonderful friends who became our family while we lived in Louisiana.)

You have had lots of transition in your 15 years, but have always been, and remain so to this day, so flexible. So eager to make things work, wherever you are, no matter the situation. 

When you were 2 1/2, we made another move, and you became a big brother. Will, you are an excellent big brother. You have leadership skills and wisdom beyond your years. Dad and I can ALWAYS count on you to step up to the plate. 

The middle of your second grade year brought another move, and by that time you had another brother and a soon to be sister!! The move to Douglasville brought with it a love for baseball and the Georgia Bulldogs (Thanks Pritchard family!!). 

Here, you’ve grown into the young man we always dreamed you would be. In fact, you have far exceeded our expectations. You are so smart and not just about school stuff!! You know something about everything – sports, politics, churches. Everyone remarks how talking to you is like talking to an adult. 

You are so handsome (I know that’s kind of like bragging on myself since you look just like me!!!) As you walked into school this morning, I was taken aback at how good-looking you are! 

You are compassionate and have the heart of a servant. You love without question. My heart nearly bursts at the thought of how you’ve so willing love your newest sister. At a time in your life when things would most likely be all about you (driving, thinking about college, playing ball), you find joy in blowing bubbles and pushing Lexi on the bike . . . in hearing her shout, “New-ell!” 

But above all, Will, your greatest characteristic is your love for Jesus. He so clearly shines through you, and we could not be more thankful for your walk with the Lord. Always remember that only He deserves your allegiance. Only He deserves your loyalty, your adoration, your praise. Over the next few years, many things will vie for first place in your life, but let me remind you to . . .

Never give up. 

Never give in. 

Remember who you are and whose you are. 

He is enough! 

Your life will always bring transitions and challenges, but God will never change.  

Happy Birthday, Will  . . . my first . . . my oldest.

Your dad and I couldn’t be prouder. You are so loved.

With all my heart,

Mom

Baby Steps

Saturday morning . . . shoes close by

 . . . but not on her feet

Baby steps  . . . but major progress!

At Last ...

We are home and FINALLY adjusting back to our time zone. We left last Thursday night at 9:30, flew for almost 24 hours and arrived home around 7:00 A.M. on Friday . . . Go figure!

The flights home were pretty much uneventful. All three of us slept for lengthy periods of time, and Lexi was a trooper. She did experience some motion sickness, but we gave her Dramamine and that fixed her right up.

The kids were just getting up when we got home, and Lexi was very hesitant at first. It didn’t take her long, however, to realize that these kids had lots of SNACKS and love to share. She truly fits right in!! We are amazed by her courage and her willingness to love. She is still shy around other people but always gives kisses when people leave :)!

Lexi started out in our bed. In both hotels in China, we had king sized beds, so sharing a bed with her was no problem. However, once we got home, having three in our queen just didn’t fit. By Sunday night, Mom was very grouchy because of lack of sleep, so Baba moved Lexi’s mattress into our floor, and she has slept there ever since. She is sleeping from 9:00 to 6:30 – just like her brothers and sister!!! She is adjusting so well.

We visited our pediatrician on Tuesday. She had to have four shots! She did cry but got over it quickly. She weighs 25 pounds and is 36 inches tall. She is really a teeny, tiny thing!!!

   

Here are a few funnies about Baby Bray:

·          

She’s a conservationist – one piece of TP – no matter how much I roll off and hand her – she only uses one square!

·          

Lexi only lets me paint four fingernails at a time. Four and no more! Who knows?

·        

 The girl can definitely bust a move, but every time I try to film her, she catches me and stops!

·          

She drinks coffee! She calls it HOT because that’s what I say when she tries to wrestle it from my hands!

·       

  She can barely speak English but she’s already mastered the Spanish greeting “Hola!”

We are so enjoying getting to know our baby girl. Watching her transform has been nothing short of miraculous. We are so grateful to be part of her story – to be part of HIS story. We are in awe of what God has done and is doing in our lives and hers.

Thanks for being part of our journey!

Gotcha – One Week Later

Wow, wow, wow! What a difference in seven days!

Just one week ago, this sweet, but very sad little girl was given over to our guardianship and then just 24 hours later she officially became Baby Bray.

At first, we found Lexi to be very compliant and very serious – not a hint of the joy we had seen in her referral and updated photos.  Ever so often we would see her personality peek through, but her smiles were few and far between.

She seemed very determined to keep her little heart guarded and did a very good job of doing so.

Then came Friday. . .

The day started out as usual – a quick bath for Lexi, who at that point despised water and then a bite to eat at the hotel’s breakfast buffet. After breakfast, we returned to our room to pack, which Lexi seemed to enjoy. She definitely helped by taking different items back and forth between mama and baba and throwing away trash as needed.

As the time got closer to leave, we decided to take one more short walk around the city. Numerous stands line the streets of Hangzhou and when a toy kitchen set got Lexi’s attention, Baba immediately agreed to purchase it. (She had previously said no to everything we suggested.)

We went back to the room, where Lexi began to play like we had not seen before. She served us imaginary meals and eventually poured her snacks onto the little plates and fed us those as well. She seemed genuinely happy for the first time.

Soon after we left for the airport, and there, our sweet butterfly began to emerge from her cocoon. She continued to play, began to smile in earnest, and began to act like she genuinely liked us. Then on the plane, she surprised us by giving kisses and tons and tons of smiles.

And she hasn’t stopped yet . . .

Here are a few of the transformations we’ve seen in the last few days:

·      Lexi now takes a bath and gets her hair washed with no whining, no tears.

·      Lexi LOVES lotion. She had previously refused to allow me to get it near her.

·      Lexi prefers a hat to a hairbow! (She really rocks a hat!)

·      Lexi can blow bubbles, which she had previously refused.

·      Lexi can wave, give high five and blow kisses.

·      Lexi is trying really hard to say Emmie (mimi), Will, Jake and Zach.

·      Lexi has mastered the word please and shoes (which she wears religiously!!!)

·      Lexi now openly sucks her thumb. I know I’m asking for braces, but I’m just so thankful that she doesn’t feel like she has to hide it anymore!

·      Lexi is a neat freak -  she throws away every piece of trash, no matter its size and can’t stand a drip on her chin or hands. (Totally opposite from her sister – can’t wait to see how she manages the mess in their bedroom!!!)

·      Lexi is now able to leave the room without her jacket and actually slept without socks last night J. A major victory!

·      Lexi is extremely ticklish, especially when daddy’s whiskers rub the bottom of her feet!

·      Lexi has begun to show that she has an opinion. She does not appreciate that she can’t eat jellybeans and carry around a soda at all hours. However, she seems to take no really well and gets over being upset very quickly.

·      Lexi is absolutely AMAZING!

Every day, really every hour, brings some new discovery, and we are in awe of what God is doing in our midst. He continues to overwhelm us with His goodness, and we can’t wait to see what He has in store for Lexi and our family’s future.

Thanks for joining our journey! We appreciate your overwhelming love and support. To God be the glory for the great things He has done!

Only God . . .

Only God can move a mountain . . .

Only God can gather ashes and create beauty instead . . .

Only God can take our mess and make all things new . . .

Only God can take an orphan and make him a son (daughter) . . .

So glad that when I was an orphan, lost and alone in this world, the Father adopted me and made me a part of His forever family . . .

So, so, so incredibly blessed to be a physical, tangible picture of that miracle here on this earth.

Only God . . .

Can take an American family and a little Asian princess, separated by an entire globe, and knit them together to create a perfect fit.

Only God . . .

Can work out such intricate details, carefully orchestrating each and every twist and turn.

Only God . . .

Can provide the missing piece of a puzzle you didn’t even know was incomplete.

We are in awe . . . just watching God work. He is so good. To HIM, be all honor and glory, forever and ever. AMEN!

It’s Official!

This morning around 10:00, Wang Qiong officially became Alexis Ling Bray, the fifth baby of the Bray bunch. While the actual certification was nothing more than a few more stamps and signatures, what happened in our hearts was so much more. This baby, abandoned at birth, is now a beloved daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, and cousin. She is an orphan NO MORE! Praise Jesus! There is absolutely no greater picture of the Gospel!


In just these short hours together, here are a few things that we’ve learned about our baby girl.

·      She loves to eat! Among her favorites are apples, yogurt through a straw, bacon, eggs, rice and especially Jelly Beans!!

·      She’s a sleeper! All I have to do is hand her a silky, let her get covered up and this girl is sawing some logs. She slept all night and just woke up from a nap! Hallelujah!

·      She loves to play. She has especially enjoyed her dolls, books and safari flashlight.

·      Although we do not speak the same language, she is doing an excellent job communicating. She shakes her head yes and no and points if there’s something she wants.


·      She is determined. She has already figured out how to turn toys off and on and how to put the lid back on her snack bowl.

·      She is also very guarded. While she seems to recognize that we are going to take care of her, she has yet to really smile or laugh. Every once in a while she almost gives in and then it’s like she catches herself. However, looking at her album from the orphanage, she won’t be able to help herself before long. In EVERY picture, this girl is grinning from ear to ear. We cannot wait to see that happen.

We truly feel as if we are watching a miracle unfold before our very eyes, and we feel so privileged to play a small role in His work.  The Lord has been so good to us. Please continue to pray for our sweet Lexi. Pray that she will know peace in our presence and just be able to let go.

Thank you for being part of our journey. We are counting the days until we get to bring this sweet girl home. 

The Countdown Begins

In less than 24 hours, Wayne and I will officially be the parents of FIVE! My heart hardly knows how to feel. We are so excited and nervous all at the same time.  Thirteen months ago, this day seemed like an eternity, and yet here we are.

Today (Sunday, April 7^th) is our first full day in Hangzhou, and we’ve already fallen in love the city. Of course, the Starbucks and McDonald’s make being far away from home a little easier, and Facetime has made it extremely easy for us to communicate with our parents and kids.


Our guide says that Hangzhou is a rich town, which must be so since the stores here are named Prada, Gucci, and Louis Vattan. The place where we’re staying is extremely nice, with an excellent breakfast buffet and an authentic restaurant right next door. (No FORKS – chopsticks only!!) What more could we ask for? You know it’s all about the FOOD!

We spent the morning walking down town and visiting the West Lake area (Google it!).  It’s very touristy. It reminds me a lot of downtown New Orleans. There are boat tours over the lake, people taking pictures in fancy costumes, meat on a stick, and my favorite . . . people doing yoga to music from their ipods!!! We love it and already feel a connection to our sweet girl’s city.

Our appointment to meet Lexi is at 9 tomorrow morning, which will be 9 PM on Sunday night Georgia time. Please pray that our transition goes smoothly. We know that tomorrow will most likely be very scary for our girl. We love her so much already but have spent many months getting to know her from afar. Although we sent her pictures of our family, we have no way of knowing if she really has any idea of what’s about to happen. We pray that she will open her heart and love willing, and we are trusting that our Father has already begun to prepare her for what lies ahead.


Thank you for praying for our travels. Everything went so smoothly. . . I only cried once J on the FIFTEEN hour flight from LA to Guangzhou. I, who value sleep more than any person I know, could NOT sleep. I would close my eyes and then 15 minutes later I was up again. Fortunately, we had lots of movies, games and even TV shows to keep us busy. Who wants to sleep when you can watch reruns of CSI??

We are so thankful for all the Lord has done. He is so good, and we can’t help but give Him glory!!!