Max forgot to give her the necklace...

With all the excitement, cultural adjustment, details, lost ATM card, schedules...Max forgot the special last present we had planned to give Joy: this "Love" pendant. A wonderful friend of Max's bought this pendant for us to give Joy. This friend's secretary got caught up in the excitement and donated the chains. His idea was that Joy would be presented with the choice of which pendant and chain she wanted to wear, then Max would bring home the remaining necklace for me, Mom, to wear. His plan, now, is to send it to the translator to give to Joy. Max is sending these pictures for her to understand that they make up a whole heart and that I'll wear the other half. The heart will not be complete until we are together.

You may have seen in the pictures when they first met in the orphanage conference room, Joy wrote us a note. Here is the translation:

“I am very delighted to see you. I know you like me. Listening to what you tell me, I become to like you and my siblings in the future. Though my English is not very good, I decided to learn English hard, as you expected to be involved with your family as soon as possible. I am very grateful that you can adopt me. I know you travel hard to visit me. Thank you for your care for me. I will work hard not to make you disappointed.”

Oh Father, protect our daughter physically and emotionally while we are apart. Keep her heart strong. Bring us together soon!