KNOWING FEI BY NAME

(excerpt from journal entry dated 12/14/12)

Dear Sweet Fei Isabella-

You have been affectionately known by us for the past year as "Little Sister", and now, how precious it is to write your name, addressing this note to you!  So many things have occurred the past few months and we feel as if the once stationary papers have now grown legs, are beginning to walk, and even run at times!
We received the best anniversary present on 11/08 (our 15th anniversary!) when we got a call about a little 19 month old girl in Shenzhen City (Guangdong Province).  God's faithfulness and desire to answer our consistent prayers for clarity through the events that day continue to amaze us as we recount them here or share them in conversation.  God's timing was amazing as mommy was able to talk with Beth from Holt International--she typically isn't home at that time on a Thursday--and cry with joy at the significance of that conversation.  Once she hung up, she immediately called daddy, having to page him...twice..which she has never done.  In a meeting with his boss, daddy excused himself for a brief conversation about a sweet little girl living in an orphanage in Shenzhen; that's all we knew--we didn't even know your name!  Shortly after, daddy walked out to head to the airport and God provided a beautiful rainbow in the sky (which are infrequent in the Phoenix desert!), almost as an exclamation point to what he was thinking and praying about.  After picking up Big Kiss Grama from the airport, daddy was a bit preoccupied...he had news about her possible grandchild and needed to keep it inside!
Once at home and from an email, we learned your name was Long Di Fei; watching video clips, we listened with continued amazement as God revealed yet another detail ...you have the same first name as your great-grandmother (Fay Elliott), as we had forgotten that the Chinese write their family name first ("Long").  That was such a blessing and continued confirmation for us to learn that right then...we were truly confident, at that point, that this was the match we had been praying for---we wanted to share it with your sister and brothers.
Beyond that, we had the joy of sharing the news with your Big Kiss Grama, Uncle Jeff and Aunt Molly (Mack & Luke too!), who were all in town from different states..."for such a time as this"...another detail beyond what we prayed for!!  We called Grams and Gramps and asked them to come over (they were a bit curious as they had been over earlier!)...once we gathered everyone, Uncle Jay & Aunt Melodi happened to call, so we put them on speakerphone and we were able to share the news with all the family at once!  It was an announcement that could have only been orchestrated by a loving God who wants to be in the details!
We continue to pray for you daily--health, safety, comfort and development--and that you would know the Lord at a young age. We know He has you in his hand, but we cannot wait until the day we have you in our arms!
Much love, precious Fei-
Daddy & Mommy