Introducing Caroline Li Dixon

On June 27, 2006 (after over 1 ½ year wait), we were finally matched with our little girl. Her Chinese name is Cen Li Jie, but she will soon be Caroline Li Dixon.

Caroline was was born October 25, 2005 in the Jiangxi province. She was found in a cardboard box on October 29, 2005 by Wang Wei outside the gate of the Hengfeng County Civil Affairs Bureau. In the box were two packs of milk-based formula, a feeding bottle, and some clothes. Caroline was immediately taken to the local hospital and underwent a physical examination which indicated she was healthy.

We praise God for the courage of her biological mother...we will never know the circumstances that forced her into such a difficult decision, but after carrying Caroline in the womb for nine months and nursing her for four days, we can only imagine the pain involved as she watched from a distance to make sure that her daughter was found in her carefully prepared cardboard box. We pray that she will receive a special blessing for recognizing the value of every human life and choosing to put her daughter's well being ahead of her own.

Caroline was 6 months old in the above picture and weighed 14 lbs. Her caretakers describe her as quiet and fond of listening to music. They also report that she immediately tries to "chitchat" with them, saying "ya ya" and smiling when she sees them. Her favorite toy is a little rag doll at the orphanage.

So far, this experience has been life changing for us...and the journey is just beginning. Our adoption agency is CCAI and a favorite poem of Lily Zhong (cofounder of the agency) has really spoken to our hearts. Now that we are close to the end goal, it is taking on even more meaning now:

Some would gather money along the path of life,
Some would gather roses and rest from worldly strife.
But I would gather children from among the thorns of sin,
I would seek a little child with a big and toothless grin.
For money cannot enter in the land of endless day,
And roses that are gathered soon wilt along the way.
But oh, the laughing children as we cross the sunset sea,
And the gates swing wide to heaven, I'll take her in with me.