On April 1, 2008 our family experienced the joy and privilege of adoption first hand. Our daughter didn’t arrive the natural way with hospitals, doctors, and labor pains. Instead, Emma entered into our family through foster homes, social workers, and long international flights.
However, the desire to adopt a child didn’t begin when we first started our paperwork. This was a dream and desire placed in both our hearts long before we were even married. I was a college student studying in Shanghai, China when I knew that one day I would adopt a child. Nicole’s desire to adopt began much earlier. Her older brother was adopted and she has always wanted to adopt a child as well.
Today we celebrate Emma’s “Gotcha Day”. She has been in our family for 5 years and it’s had to believe it’s ONLY been that long. It seems like we have raised her from birth. She (like her brothers) have brought much joy and pleasure to our family & are truly a gift from God.
Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you. ~ James 1:27
Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows. ~ Isaiah 1:17
Eric Echols 
Emma,
From the moment your parents decided to adopt a child, meme & bop prayed for our grand daughter. Never in our wildest dreams could we have known that the little girl we were blessed with would be as sweet, caring and beautiful as you are. I will always remember and cherish the first photo we received of you and placed on our refrigerator. From that moment it was love at first sight. We knew this was our girl and she had a name. Emma we love you very much. You are truly a gift from God.
bop& meme
LikeLike
You guys make my heart smile! You and Nicole make this world a better place.
LikeLike