Do you all remember awhile back when I received the incredible good news of Katie Mei's Foster Mom - complete with a picture and an address? I wrote all about it here. It took some time, but we finally composed a letter and a list of questions for Katie's foster mom and sent it off in December. Included in the letter and questions were also several pictures of Katie so her foster mom could see just how cute she is and how she is thriving. We also included a self addressed stamped envelope to be returned to the gal in China who was doing the translation work, in case the foster mom could and would write back.
So, Monday night, late, I find this in my inbox:
In case you can't read that, it says:
A LETTER FROM KATIE MEI'S FOSTER GRANDMA!!!!!
That's right - Katie's Foster Mom wrote back - and what an amazing, sweet, informative, precious letter it is!
Here are just a few snippets from the letter:
"Xia Jiao has left me for a while. Honestly, I miss her and am gratified for her. It is a kind of good fortune that she can grow up in your family."
We think it is more than good fortune - God is so good to us and to Katie for bringing us together!
"ShangRao orphanage sent her to me when she was 4 days old. She slept in my room, in my bed. She likes to sleep in my arms, lay on her side and face to me, and she likes to hold something when she sleeps."
Oh my! To know such sweet, personal information! We know it's true - Katie loves to lay on her side and she holds on for dear life to her little blankie while she sleeps!
"I took her back to the orphanage when she was 9 months old. I had been there 3 times to visit her because I couldn't set my heart at rest. I also took some farm produce for her and asked a grandma who works in the orphanage take special care of her."
Such proof that Katie was so obviously loved, loved, loved! All those prayers that Katie would be loved, and held, and bonded with someone - God more than abundantly answered those prayers!
"I was afraid of she wouldn't adjust well at the orphanage. I probably give her too much. The director had blamed me about it because she had been a picky eater after she got back to the orphanage."
OK, this cracks us up! Not only was Katie loved, but she was very, very spoiled! In fact, the director of the orphanage had told us in China that Katie was very fussy and wanted to eat all the time and be held all the time. Now we know why! :)
Katie's "Grandma" closed her letter with this:
"I am very happy to see Jiao Jiao is so cute. If she won't forget me who have taken care of her send some pictures to me when you have time, I will be much appreciated!"
No need to worry about that. Neither Katie nor our entire family could ever forget about this very special woman who cared so diligently and lovingly for our Katie. She cared for her. She played with her. She slept with her. She spoiled her. She loved her.
God is good.
