The Byrum Family

November 19, 1997!!! The day I received a telephone call from Christian World Adoption to tell me that I was a mom! I received the call while at work and could not stop crying. Then to be able to call my husband at his work and to say the words “Hi Daddy!” WOW! The excitement that day was small in comparison to December 15, 1997. This was the day which I had dreamed of and longed for, for months. The day my new daughter was finally in my arms and I was able to gaze into her eyes! Words cannot describe the incredible feeling of love which I felt.

My husband and I had never been out of the United States until our trip to China. The trip was indeed exhausting but also exhilarating. We had the opportunity to experience another culture, another world. The people of China were most gracious to us and always willing to help and please. They seemed very pleased that Americans were adopting the Chinese children. Many times we heard their comments of “lucky baby”. At times, the Chinese seemed curious and would follow us on the streets or in the department stores to watch us. I personally loved their curiosity and only wished I could have spoken their language so that I could have perhaps answered their questions and asked some of my own!! One thing I remember well as giving stickers to the children and watching their faces light up with such beautiful smiles!! We had the opportunity to sight see quite a bit and our two guides (we stayed in two cities while there) were very informative and were able to tell us a lot of things about the areas we visited.

We returned to our home in North Carolina on CHRISTMAS morning! Can you imagine a more blessed Christmas? It brings tears to my eyes each time I think that God put our family together when we were halfway around the world from one another, and finally brought us together on His Son’s birthday. Of course our story was a great Christmas story for the local CBS news station, which met us at the airport when we arrived home! Our new daughter became quite a celebrity! We still have people recognize us from the news that day.

It’s been months now since our return home. Have things at home changed? You bet! There’s never a dull moment in our house! We’ve all adjusted beautifully to our new lifestyle and wouldn’t change one thing. Our daughter has become a very “normal” 21 month old. She is healthy, happy and “right on track” for her age. We never experienced any adjustment period! I think she somehow knew when she saw us for the first time, that we were Mom and Dad and she belonged to us forever! Would we change anything about the process, the wait, the trip? Never! God’s timing and plan was perfect for us. Would we do it again? We certainly are considering it!! Good luck to you and may God richly bless your wonderful adventure!

Olin & Jane Byrum