Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Today is GOTCHA DAY--1 year anniversary!

This time last year, we were back at our hotel in Nanchang holding a little angel in our arms and were in complete awe and wonder at the miracle of the love we'd just discovered. There are really no words to capture all those emotions we experienced on that day, or since. But, little "Gan Li Ming" changed our hearts and world forever. She is so far beyond what we'd ever asked or imagined. Below is the slideshow that I posted at the end of that day. Some of you who were following my blog back then have already seen it, but it's fun to go back and re-live that day....unbelievable!

Macy Li, you too, are a jewel in our crown, as you are in His! We love you with everything in us!

"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!" 1 John 3:1


30 comments:

Mrs. Winn said...

Rhonda-
I started following your family in June of last year from a link off another blog. I have loved seeing your faith lived out as you waited for and received your daughter. Your blog has blessed me richly over the past year+. Your in China posts remain some of my favorites of all the families I have been honored to follow. Congratulations on 1 year with Macy Li!!
Blessings,
Kelly

Gigi and Grandy in Katy said...

Congratulations on one year in girly pinkdom! I know you are having a blast with that precious Maci Li and enjoying all the girly things that go with her!

I got the sweetest note from your Tyler yesterday. He has really grown up! Tell him hi for me!

barb said...

Hi Rhonda,
I have been following your blog over the year and I just to say that you have a beautiful family. I have really enjoyed following your family and watching the development of your beautiful baby girl. I have a 17 month old that came home to her forever family in January 2009 from China. She still is not talking, but she is walking!

Congratulations!!!!

Barb

Jboo said...

Congrats on your one year anniversary! That year flew by, didn't it! Have fun celebrating!

Janet

Musings from Kim K. said...

Celebrations all around! I can't wait to see your recap later. I can't believe it's been a year already.

Tiffany said...

Congratulations.....I will keep checking back.....hope the computer starts to cooperate:)

Andrea said...

Since I am a new reader, I am looking forward to reading about your journey!
Happy Gotcha Day!!!
Andrea

Half Gaelic, Half Garlic! said...

Happy One Year!!! I am not sure if I visited on your family day, but my first visit to your blog was while you were in China.....what a special time for you all!! Hope you are doing some celebrating today:)

xoxo

Lisa

Courtney said...

Congrats on your one year anniversary!

Kim said...

Happy 1 YEAR..
I sooo remember this day..
HUGS...

Jeff and Amy Bryant said...

Congratulations on your Gotcha Day Anniversary! What a wonderful slideshow! You all are so blessed!

Amy
Knoxville, TN

Jodee said...

Congrats on one happy year together! Macy was the perfect addition to your family. You are sooo blessed!

Lori said...

Happy One Year! What a special day. Loved seeing all of the pictures again. God is good!

Blessings to you and yours,
Lori

jill said...

i CANNOT believe it's been a year. i remember stalking your blog all hours of the day and night while you were in china. i cried at the pictures last july, and i cried again tonight. it's nothing short of incredible. hug macy li SO tight for us! lots of love!!!

Jill said...

WOW! What an emotional slideshow!!
HAPPY 1ST GOTCHA DAY MISS MACY LI!!
Congrats Rhonda and family!!
Hugs, Jill

(That room in Nanchang brings back SO many memories!!)

Waiting For You said...

I remember following your journey to Macy Li last year. It was like living again our journey to Lilly a year before... Our daughters were in the same SWI... I still follow your blog. Have a nice family day

Iseirinne
http://www.waitingforyou.be

Angie said...

Was that her Nannie who handed her to you? I could see such love in her interactions with Macy Li. What a blessing!

Amazing how much she has grown...and how much her personality has blossomed with your family's love.

I certainly fear for her first date! Her Daddy, brothers, and probably all her brothers' friends will be there to interrogate the poor boy!

Congrats on your first year and blessing upon blessing in the years to come!

Angie

Rebecca said...

What a beautiful slideshow....I especially like the ones of her *nanny* giving touching her and giving her a kiss goodbye. She was obviously very loved.

Rebecca :) .....from RQ

Shari U said...

It's hard to believe it's been a year already! Congratulations to your family. I hope today will be a wonderful day!!

Talisa Cowden said...

Precious Family~
I love reliving this and drinking it all in, one more time. All of the memories and emotions came flooding right back into play, just remembering how hard we prayed, cried, laughed and praised. How one sweet little girl can turn so many people inside out! Still I am praising the good Lord. What a gift that your entire family is to so many. Thank you for sharing the journey!
Much love,
Talisa

Kim said...

What a blessing to re-live this day with you all over again. I am crying just as hard this time around! I cannot believe it's been a year. And I cannot believe I am watching this slideshow one year later from Hong Kong. I see so much more detail in the fullness of the day knowing more about the setting and the beautiful people of this country.
Sweet Macy Li ... you and your precious family have blessed so many people in more ways than you all will ever know.
Praising God for His perfect gift of YOU!
Love & Blessings,
Kim

Shelly and Family said...

Happy 1 Year Forever-Family Day Anniversary! Thank you for sharing your memories with us. I so love looking back and ~ remembering...

(boy did that year just fly by or what...!)

Gwen Oatsvall said...

i remember waking each day and checking your blog for updates ... i remember that look in your face of pure joy and it has just grown over the last year ... ML is such a Kemp !!!!

We love ya !!!

jennifer said...

I can't believe it's already been a year! Time sure flies!!

Samantha said...

Rhonda,
I've been following your blog for over a year now and although I don't know you, I feel as if you are one of my dearest friends. I found your blog by chance one day as I was "blog hopping" from link to link. I waited with your family while you prepared to get your little angel, Macy Li. I remember checking your blog every morning waiting for each update. It doesn't seem like it's been a year since that wonderful day! Praises to our amazing Father for His divine intervention on behalf of Macy Li! Just as our lives are forever changed when we enter His family, hers has been changed because she became a part of yours. Not only will her life be better in a worldly sense, but you all are living the love of Christ in your home so that one day she will make that important decision to trust Him, also. We serve an awesome God! Blessings to you and your family!

Nancy Malone Waynick, M.O.M. said...

Congratulations on your anniversary with your precious angel. I enjoy reading your blog and seeing your photos. I began following your story about a year ago from the suggestion of a friend. I have since passed it on to my friends. I am blessed every time I read it. May God's love & grace continue to bless you all.

Tiffany said...

It was great to meet your family at Dimples yesterday. Your story is amazing and inspiring! Thank you for sharing!

Tiffany and Jeb

Kim said...

I can't believe it has been one year! Wow! Such a blessing!

Kim said...

Hey Rhonda!
You've been very quiet on the blog which hopefully means you all have been very busy having fun at home. Keep us posted on how your sweet family celebrates the last days of summer! I know this fall will bring lots of changes at the Kemp house. We will be praying for peace and joy for your precious family!
Love & Blessings from Hong Kong,
Kim

aimee said...

i've been following your blog for the past 6 - 7 months after seeing a link from another blog. i cannot begin to tell you what a blessing your family's story has been to me. i would love to know what agency you use.

p.s. - i bawled through the entire slideshow!