Yu Xin Fang is Lydia Joy Grimes!

The best babysitter ever!

Sporting my "wild woman" look.

Lots of hugs for the babysitter!

"I don't do mornings."

It just looks like I'm not having fun.... I LOVE to help mama clean.

How does one merit such favor with God to have such a sweet little soul to look after??? This is a question Mark and I have been asking ourselves lately. If China had only known what a smart, sweet daughter they were giving away, they would have never let her leave the country! But she is all our now! And... on Oct. 5, 2009 she will officially go before a judge here in Bacon County for her "U.S. Adoption," and will then be able to have a U.S. Certificate of Foreign Birth. This allows her to use her American name on official documents such a Birth Certificate and Passport as well as insure her rights as our daughter. We will share her Chinese name/meaning with her when she is older.

Lydia's adoption has given us much to reflect on as we consider our own adoption in Christ Jesus. The moment they placed her in our arms she was given a new lease on life. One with lots of opportunities and freedoms she would never have had in China. Now, simply because she is the daughter of Mark and Cindy Grimes, she gets to go to Church and raise her little voice to the Lord in song. She lifts her hands in worship to a God who loved her so much He gave His life for her. (OK, she imitates mama and daddy), but that it how learning begins.) ;-)

Last month we were visiting grandparents who happen to have a set of perilous brick steps in the den. Lydia had just learned to climb stairs and would NOT stay off of them. It worried me to death. Then Mark decided to let her "play" on the steps... helping her go up and down them over and over. Later Mark reflected on the event and he insightfully shared with our church this truth... That Just as he was watching over Lydia, how much more does our Heavenly Father watch over us. We may be having the time of our life, completely unaware of the dangers surrounding us, and God is faithfully keeping watch over us all. He sends Angels to take "charge" over us! Such love is amazing to me!

Our heats fill as we watch this beautiful creation blossom with each new day and opportunity. May it remind us all to continue to thirst and hunger for the things of God, ever growing in the knowledge and wisdom of the Lord.

Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Much Love,

Cindy (for Mark, Jason, Andrew and Lydia Joy)

We took the video below in Valdosta as we were waiting for Jason to get in from Peru. She loves to splash in mud puddles... some things are universal!