Happy 3 Years Addisyn!!

We met this amazing little girl 3 years ago on July 15th.  I cannot believe it was that long ago, at the same time, it seems like she has been a part of our lives forever.  The transformations in all of our kiddos have been nothing short of miracles, but in Addi, we witnessed a life-changing  metamorphosis.  

The shell of a girl that we met on July 15th walked up to us at Civil Affairs.  Once we got back to the hotel (tired and exhausted from the emotion of it all), we faced a shutdown that we hadn't experienced before.  Addi was completely silent.  She wouldn't move, play, or make any noise (other than an infant cry).  We were very concerned.  We had accepted, on faith, a little girl that had absolutely NO milestones on paper. I pleaded for some advice online from parents that had been there.  We prayed and then had a long talk.  We decided that God meant this journey for us and we were determined to make this beautiful little treasure an Anderson, no matter what it meant for the future.  We headed to Civil Affairs, 3 years ago today, to make it official.
 

Sweet Girl

With Ayi (nanny) and meeting Ryan

They LOVE daddy!

Still concerned, we hugged, cuddled, and loved on this little princess.  She soaked it all in.  Finally we went to visit her orphanage. Here's what I wrote about that visit... "Our other children were all from Half the Sky orphanages that get financial support that allows them to better care for the kids. I know her orphanage loves their children, and wants the best for them, they just don't have the resources. Her baby room (where she spent 2 years of life) contained about 12-15 cribs. Babies and toddlers were mostly laying, but a few were standing. Quite a few were crying and some were just staring into space. When you walked over to interact with them, some of them got the biggest smiles! Some never seemed to notice. I realized that she probably spent a large amount of the last 2 years in that crib. There are only 1-2 nannies in that room, and the needs are overwhelming (quite a few severe needs). It was a bit gut-wrenching, now that I have had time to process. Poor Little Miss is just adjusting to a COMPLETE change."
 

These two women took turns caring for the babies and older children.

The crib Addi spent 22 hours a day in for the first 2 years of her life.

The outdoor playspace for 60 kids.

The indoor playspace / therapy room for the 60 kids in this orphanage.

Building Addi spent the first two years of her life in.

I can never fully explain what that visit did to us, how it changed us.  The urgency we feel to provide a home to as many treasures as God allows.  You can never "unsee" the need.  There were 60 children in her orphanage and it is one of the smaller ones.  I've cried many tears over the years of the images in my mind when I think of those precious children of God that I visited, some of them seemingly locked away forever in their minds.  My heart breaks for the children that will never experience love.

This is what happens with love, these are my words describing the change in our sweet Addi after that visit. "She LOVES to be loved. She smiles the biggest smile ever and melts right into you when you give her kisses. She would love to just sit, be cuddled, and kissed all day long. Who could blame her? Tonight, all of a sudden, she began to come out of her shell a bit. She was on the floor playing and stood up from a seated position (I was convinced that she couldn't). Then, she crawled over to a toy. In about half an hour, she was literally bouncily running (still need to work on balance, but she just needs practice) and even uttered a couple of words!! She even drank out of her sippy cup tonight!! My heart is leaping! I cannot imagine life without these two precious children! God is so good!!"
 

Shopping and sight-seeing

I include this pic so you can see how skinny the poor girl was.  She had only been fed formula with a spoon.

What keeps us going back? This!  This experience and the five others that were so very different, but still so very sad when you think of the plan God has for us.  He designed family.  The metaphor He uses to describe His love is that of a Father (a perfect Father).  Praying that Addi's story touches you and that you pray for families to respond to the command to "care for the orphans".  Might it be your family that is deciding to fulfill God's plan for these children?

We love you Addisyn Zhen Anderson with all of our hearts!  We are so glad that God chose us and gave us the strength to discover the amazing little girl you are!  Happy 3 years!!