We went to dinner tonight with a very nice couple and their son. We met them in Xi'an. When we received Sadena, they were receiving Alex.

We have talked with them quite a bit in China and it was nice to spend our last night with them at dinner followed by the playroom.

It is with mixed emotions that I prepare tonight to leave China. Do not get me wrong, I can't wait to get home! But on the other hand I think about the fact that we are leaving Sadena's birthland. Somewhere in this country is a mom who had to give her daughter up so that she could get what she needs. That is hard for us to understand, but if you could see the rural areas of China it is very easy to see why a special needs child no matter how minor, may be abandoned. They could not afford even simple procedures. It is rather heartbreaking to think about. I pray that her birth mother will know that her daughter is loved and will be well-cared for and surrounded by people who will love her for a lifetime. I pray that in the future Sadena will also know this in her heart. She has been loved her whole life!

I want to thank the families and friends who have shared this journey with us. It has been long and hard but I can tell you, once she was in my arms I never wanted to look back. We love her so much in this short time and know you will love her, too. Thank you so much for sharing this journey of a lifetime with us! Kisses from China!

I just wanted to share the words to a song by Matthew West... it is so appropriate! It is called:

I had all but given up
on finding the one
that I could fall into,
on the day before you.

And I was ready to settle for
less than love, and not much more.
There was no such thing
as a dream come true.
Oh, but that was on the day before you.

Chorus:

Now you're here, and
everything's changing,
suddenly life means so much.
I can't wait to wake up tomorrow
and find out this promise is true.
I will never have to go back to
the day before you.

In your eyes I see forever,
it makes me wish that my
life never knew the day before you.
But heaven knows those years without you
were shaping my heart for
the day that I found you.
If you're the reason for
all I've been through,
then I'm thankful for the day before you.

Chorus:

'Cause now you're here
and everything's changing,
and suddenly life means so much.
And I can't wait to wake up tomorrow
and find out this promise is true.
I will never have to go back to
the day before you.

And it was the last day
that we ever lived alone.
And we're never going back.
No we're never going back.