The text read, “with her now, she just keeps smiling and smiling”…. and then “she acts like she’s been waiting for us for forever and thrilled we are here. Simple words but they mean so much. They mean over 600 days of waiting are over. They mean that momma and daughter are finally together. They mean that the promise of God to our hearts has again been fulfilled. They mean that a little girl without a family for almost 8 years now has a family that will love her forever!
Of course I did a little happy dance at church when i heard!
Jubilee meets her mommy
Jubilee meets Daddy and Graham via Skype
Mommy’s smile tells it all!
Linn was waiting in the room and Jubilee came into the room and yelled, “mommy”! Jubilee had our picture in her back pack and kept pointing to it as Linn named off the family members. She will repeat everyone’s name and everything and anything that Linn or Emma say. She smiles non stop and she knows who her mommy is and is clinging to her. Which of course makes Linny one very happy mommy!
We met my Jubilee via Skype for about 30 minutes… she would wave to me, laugh with me, even blew me a kiss! Does it get any better.
Today I taught a message on the miracle of Christmas with Mary. Mary conceived it, believed it and received it! We had a promise conceived in our hearts – Jubilee, believed it (not without moments of testing) and tonight we received it – the promise of a little girl, now named – “Jubilee Promise Saunders”! As Ty would say on Home Extreme Makeover – there is only one more thing to say…. “Welcome home Jubilee Promise – welcome home!”
Thank you for all your prayers – God is faithful! Dw
Thank you Jesus! One last check before signing off tonight and … Pictures – so special – what a wonderful homecoming. Congratulations!
Simply BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!! Thank you for sharing your Gotcha Day with us … it has been a long time coming but so very perfect 🙂
Blessings, Lisa C.
Tears of JOY!!! Wonderful!!!
All praise to our "Miracle-Working, Mountain-Moving, Awe-Inspiring, Gasp-Giving God"!!!
With tears of joy & excitement, praising God with & for you all: GOTCHA Jubilee Promise Day has come!
The pictures are spectacular.
Hugs for everyone,
Barbara Lyman 🙂
Marysville, WA
ps How is Sarah doing?
Congratulations!!!!! What a precious girl. Her smile says it all….she has a family! Congratulations!
PTL!!…God is GOOD!!! <><
What a delight to see the photos of Linny and Jubilee FINALLY together! And how wonderful that Emma is there with them! What a blessing. It won't be long now, and Jubilee will be home with the rest of her family. I can't think of a better Christmas gift!!
Congratulations and God bless! <><
love,
~Tanya
Thank you, thank you, thank you Lord!! Your promises are TRUE and AMEN!! The mountains have been moved!!
Congratulations Linny, Dw, and all! Your faithful wait is over, your Promise has come to pass! Congratulations Jubilee Promise Saunders, you have a family. Forever. God is so good!
Love, love, love the pictures of your smiling, happy girl (and her mama and big sister)! She was sooo ready, wasn't she?! Precious baby.
REJOICING with you in Texas!! Let the Year of Jubilee begin!
Wooooohoooo and Yippeee Jesus! So happy, so very happy!!!
Love,
Tina and family
Oh I've been up waiting to read this post. I am thrilled to bits for your family! I'm simply overflowing with joy watching your family grow! Safe travels home to Linny, Emma and Jubilee.
Crying anso thankful for or faithful God. Jubilee is a wonerful addition to your awesome, God designed family!
Shelley
Wiping away tears of joy. Praise the Lord!!!
Michelle
Your story brings such joy to my heart! I am praising God that you have finally been united with sweet Jubilee. December is a special month for our family, as well. On the 18th, we will celebrate 3 years as a family with our darling Esther.
Awwwwwwww you are making me cry right here at my desk at work! These pictures are just so amazing. Such a long wait, now over. God is just so indescribably incredibly awesome. Alleluia.
Sarah
WOW!!! She is beautiful!!! What a Christmas for you all!!!
Thank you so much for sharing! God is so good! The joy just pours out of each of these pictures!!! The time of Jubilee has come!
What an absolutely beautiful sight! Thank you Jesus for redeeming another precious soul.
Yea! So excited for all of you!
mama of many
Praise God and God Bless Jubilee and you and the rest of your family.
Praise God!
Wow! Rejoicing with you. Words fail me. Bless you all!
I sit here with tears in my eyes as I look at the pictures of your precious Jubilee. I am so very, very happy for all of you!
Lonni
P.S. Very fitting story for Memorial Box Monday, DW! 😉
Wow, your post is beautiful! God is good and now Jubilee has a family and you are a new Daddy! Her smile says it all! I will echo your words – welcome home Jubilee Promise, welcome home!
Hugs,
Robin
Praise our Heavenly Father!! I knew there was a reason I was woke up in the middle of the night!! Congratulations to your entire family. Prayers for all.
Love Faye Verquer
There is no mistaking the JOY in her eyes… and yours too. So, so happy for you all and grateful to see yet another example of answered prayer!
Congratulations! What a blessing your new daughter is! So happy for you guys!
Beautiful story, beautiful little girl! So joyful for you all and most of all for Jubilee! Praising our Lord here in Indiana!! 🙂
In Christ,
Janet, Kevin, Ted, Philip, and waiting for Eli
We're on Linny time here so have been able to keep up with her happenings and pray as things are actually unfolding.
What joy!
I can imagine the thrill for this precious little girl to finally 'belong'
Praise God
Aussie Chris
How wonderful!!!! What a true gift this Christmas!! Truly beautiful ! Thanks for sharing with us!!
Nothing like starting my day with big ugly tears of joy. I think my computer knows when I pull up your blog page, there's a very good chance of downpour.
Thanks so much for sharing the pics of Jubilee meeting Linny and Emma. I've mentally photoshopped her into your arms for many months and it's such a victory to see her really there. God is so good!
Much Love,
Kathie
Oh My Goodness! Your post brought tears to my eyes! I tried to stay awake last night to keep checking, but we are on the other coast, so I just couldn't make it. But, I checked first thing this morning and I am SOOOOO thrilled that all are doing so well! Many prayers have been answered! Congratulations!!!!
As Linnie would say, "Yippee, Jesus!" What a beautiful union! Nope…don't think it gets any better than this.
As Linnie would say, "Yippee, Jesus!" What a beautiful union! Nope…don't think it gets any better than this.
Welcome Home Jubilee! Thanks for keeping us all posted. Love the pictures!
Amy
DW and Linny~
GOD IS SO FAITHFUL, and He fulfills His promises! Jubilee's Gotcha Day truly represents the culmination of His plans coming to fruition. I can't stop the tears from flowing over His goodness. Our family is so happy for yours! Congratulations on finally holding your sweet Jubilee FOREVER!
Love you guys!
Oh, HE IS SO FAITHFUL!!
Celebrating for the entire Saunders Family today… WELCOME MISS JUBILEE!!
I couldn't wait to run upstairs and check!!! I am crying happy tears of joy that Jubilee and Mommy are together at last!!! Yhanks for sharing with us all!!! Thank God!!!!!….., Jubilee is home!!!
Kathie in NY
Dear Linny and DW,
Am so happy for you and your family and especially dear lil Jubilee. What a wonderful set of parents and lovely brothers and sisters she has to come home to.
Blessings to all of you!
So glad Linny and Emma did so well on their trip to China. Make sure you let us know when she is flying back so we can be praying!!
Blessings, Nellie
Beautiful -tearfully VERY happy for you! God absolutely prepared Jubilee's little heart for her Mama and new family!!
Beautiful is right! I have tears of joy for all of you. It's so heartwarming to see the miracle finally come to fruition!
~Lynn
I'm crying tears of joy for Miss Jubilee & her forever family!! It's been almost 4 years since I met her in China and have prayed for her ever since. Wonderful to see her in her mama's arms!!! God bless you all:)
Karen
Beautiful! Made me cry to finally see this family together. Thanks for sharing. Our God is an awesome God!
Kate in TN
Just for Linny… "Yippee Jesus!!!!"
What an amazing Christmas gift!!!
It is about time we see Linny holding that precious girl.
Congratulations!
Tears of you for you and your precious, precious Gift from God! What a blessing!!! Congratulations to you and your beautiful family!
Beautiful, simply beautiful. A promised fulfilled. Rejoicing with you!
Congratulations! It has been a joy and a blessing to follow your story and journey to Jubilee!
What a great God we have!!!
God bless her she is so precious, I'm in tears looking at these beautiful pictures. What an amazing Father we have!!
Oh my, words escape me — but tears don't. Thank you Jesus, thank you Jesus!
Jane in TX
Yay! Praise God!
I am thrilled for you and your family! Tears of joy are flowing!
Congratulations to you and to beautiful Jubilee. What a great way to start the day with that sweet smile!
So excited for your blessing!!
*Tears*
CONGRATULATIONS!!! I have followed along for quite a while now and so thankful to the Lord above that Jubilee finally has her forever family.
Can't wait to see more pics.
Mandi
What a way to start my day! Goosebumps, tears of joy and a great big smile!
Rachel is so happy her friend Jubilee is coming home. They were good friends at langfang and Tianjin!
Wow . . . congrats, you guys! How exciting and wonderful!
much love to you!
What a perfect name!!! Praise GOD she is where she belongs!!
WHOO HOO! CRYING tears of JOY with you, my family!
THANK YOU JESUS!
NOTHING SHORT OF BEAUTIFUL!
CONGRATULATIONS!
Congratulations!
May this journey continue as it began – with faith in His promises.
It's too early in the morning to be crying, however I am crying. My heart overflows in the goodness of our God. What a beautiful Christmas gift. DW you're aren't the only one dancing!! What beautiful pictures….they do tell it all.
Such happy, happy tears pouring down my face! Oh, the sweet pictures. Makes me think of how our God receives us, with such joy and rejoicing! Oh, Jubilee…you have only an INKLING of what life holds for you…surely you have become part of one of the GREATEST, CRAZIEST, FUN families EVER! You are BLESSED, child…you are blessed!
Hugs and Love…Auntie Nancy in CT
(yep, I am dubbing myself auntie!)
I'm crying now. Thank you, Jesus, for this precious girl and her new family!
Blessings,
Sarah
Congratulations family! You're right, Gotcha beautiful!
Sharing your joy with tears streaming.
AWESOME!!!
God is Good !!! I am so happy for your family. Thanks for sharing this journey with us.
God Bless You All
Praise GOD! He is SO VERY GOOD! Your family and little Jubilee have been in my prayers for so long, thank you for sharing this wonderful moment. I can't fight back the tears of joy and happiness for you all.
Tears are in my eyes!!! I am so happy for you all!!!! Praise the LORD!
Indeed, He is faithful!!! Yeah, Linn and Dw!!!!
Yippee Jubilee!!!
Amazing!!! Conceived, believed, and recieved–your Jubilee Promise…rejoicing with you, Saunders family!!
Yeah!!! The pictures we've all been waiting for…for oh, SO LONG! Full of JOY that the wait is finally over for your family! Jubilee looks right at home with her Mommy and big sister! Welcome Home, Jubilee!!!
With Love and Joy and Prayers,
Amy
Praise the LORD!!!!
Congratulations on your beautiful daughter! I'm sitting here with tears in my eyes and SO excited for your family! I know you all have waited SO long for this moment and the moment is here! I can't wait to see more pictures…and the pictures of Jubilee HOME!!
GOD bless!!
Barbara (in Orlando, FL)
What a wonderful way to start a Monday! Love those sweet smiles! Praise the Lord!!
Blessings,
Monica
Got up first thing this morning and wanted to check your blog. We are celebrating with you and doing the happy dance…on the table…lol.
What a wonderful blessing! I am so happy for your family. It's so wonderful to hear that Jubilee is so happy. Thank you Jesus!
Christy
Congratulations!
OH!!!! WONDERFUL!!!!
I love this: conceived it, believed it and received it!! GOOD STUFF!
Wow! Totally teared up seeing Jubilee's happy smile with mom and sister. What a beautiful promise!
P.S. We are celebrating on our blog for you!!!
Beautiful words, beautiful pictures!
God bless,
Amy
(a mama waiting for her 8 year old promise in China)
We are rejoicing with you!!!!!!!
I'm so happy for you all. I know how thankful you all are, that Jubilee is so happy and peaceful. To God be all the glory!!!!!!!!!!!!
Amazing and beautiful. Congrats to the Saunders family!!
Hurrah!!!
So beautiful. Tears of joy for all of you and songs of praise to our Creator. Welcome to your family, sweet Jubilee!
We're also praying for the other little ones at home (esp. Isaiah) awaiting the return of their mommy. Can you upsate us on how they are doing?
Words fail me.
Tears.
Overflowing heart.
Oh Faithful Father!!!!!!!
yAY! Congrats!
Rejoicing with your family over God's faithfulness in bringing your daughter into your family…
Love, C~
Congratulations on your precious new daughter!
So beautiful. Thanks for sharing. I'm so glad she is coming home and for Christmas too.
Beautiful and amazing and so touching! Have been praying so much and now rejoicing with you and will continue praying! At 5:20 CA time this morning the Lord put it on my heart to pray and He just kept saying, "I will supply her needs". I am praying!!!
Oh, such sweet heavenly news! Praising God with you. 🙂
crying tears of joy. i know you can't wait to welcome jubilee home. looking forward to reading all about it. congratulations, daddy!!
Praise God for answered prayers! My heart is thrilled that Jubilee now has a forever family! The pics are wonderful and they warm my heart! All glory to God!!!
PTL! Congratulations to you all! Great pics of a long awaited reunion!
Jackie W.
How wonderful! It just doesn't get any better than that! How restful is it to know that little girl you've been waiting for years for, is finally yours. Ah! I'm so excited for you!
Congratulations!!!
Crying as I read your post…..happy happy happy tears!!!! Praising God for your Jubilee and for your answering the call, for God being Sovereign and bringing her to you after a very long wait, and for the most precious words in the world- mommy & daddy!!!! YEAH GOD!!!!!!
Tears of Joy over all that God has done for Jubilee and your family. All the prayers, all the waiting and now: The Promise of God is come. He truly is a Great Faithful God who is Sovereign over all things.
Thank you for your blog of encouragement to anyone who reads it. It is a living Testimony to the Glory of God in a believers lives.
Sandy
High Point, NC
Glory be to our Heavenly Father. What a glorious day, thank you for sharing it with the many families who follow your beautiful blog. We will pray that Jubilee continues to bond with all of you and pray that God guides you each and every day. God bless all of you! I am so very excited to continue to follow Linny and her girls in China.
So good to see these pictures and read these words. God is faithful.
Keri
I have got tears pouring down my face looking at those pictures. It must be so surreal to finally hold her in your arms Linny!! I am praising God with you- I can't imagine a better, more anticipated Christmas present!! Thank you Jesus!!!!!
Congratulations! I just couldn't hold back tears seeing the pictures and reading about the excitement! What a happy day:)
How very exciting!
Oh Jesus!!! Thank you Jesus! What a beautiful Christmas miracle!!! I'm totally crying now 🙂
Linny, You are absolutely glowing!!! Congratulations DW and Linny!!!!!! What a wonderful blessing. I am so happy for your family!!! I love the smile on Jubilee's face:O) What a sweetie girl!! Have fun with your precious new daughter!!!
Lots of love,
jenn
Oh, what *wonderful* pictures! I feel so happy just looking at them! Congratulations on getting to hold your sweet girl…finally! =)
She is beautiful. Linn looks so happy. I know it the day she has been waiting for, for quite some time now.
I am sure each day will not get better and better.
Praise God for a wonderful Gotcha Day!
Lisa
Newark, Ohio
Oh my goodness! I sat down at my computer with my lunch, thinking I would eat while I caught up on your blog. I couldn't even eat because of the tears! Truly, Jubilee is such a miracle! THANK YOU THANK YOU GOD for Your answers to all of our prayers! Rejoicing with you guys, and can't wait to see even more pics of her when you all get home. Much love to you!
Oh my goodness.
Tears.
Happy ones, for you all!
I'm just so, so happy for you!
Praise the Lord!
what an amazing little girl, and an amazinggg GOD we serve!
Tears and BIG JOY!!! Congratulations! Katrina
What a blessing our God has delivered. Seeing your two faces together.
I get so weary in my long journey to my daughter, and I get overwhelmed at times when my daughter already home, who has attachment challenges, acts out….then I read: "They mean that a little girl without a family for almost 8 years now has a family that will love her forever!"
and I say, Yes Lord. Yes.
What a powerful moment. Both mommy and daughters faces say it all! Oh how precious this little one is. Congratulations to all of you!
It seems Jubilee is in Heaven on earth with you guys as parents, and all her bros and sis's. Oh my goodness is God ever so, so good. Can you please adopt more?
i cant help but cry tears of joy for you all!!!! God is awesome ..congratulations 🙂
Beautiful…..absolutley beautiful!
Congratulations! Our God is faithful! What a beautiful blessing….Jubliee Promise, a very fitting name for a beautiful princess.
OH PRAISE THE LORD! BLESSED BE HIS NAME!
😀
I've been away from my computer for a day and WOW!!!!! What a great post to come back to! I am so incredibly happy for you all! Can't possibly control the tears!!
Linny you look like your twenty years old in that pic with your daughter Jubilee! You are all a glow!I can not find the words to tell you all how happy we are for you! she is beautiful and precious! What a miracle.
DW keep up the great blogging!!!And congratulations, Daddy!!!!!!
How beautiful to see how God keeps his promises…especially when He's met half~way with unwavering faith!
Blessings and love to you and your beautiful family.
Warmly,
Tracey
You realize that you've made me cry three times already today?!?!
Can you just imagine the love Jesus has for this little girl? And how He is using you to be His hands and feet to this precious Promise?
I am overjoyed and celebrating witih you.
And somehow, that picture at the top of your blog looks incomplete (wink wink)
Oooh! Thank you for pictures! I have prayed for this day and this precious treasure who loves her Mommy! What a sweet post! Oh yeah, and thank you again and again and again for the pictures. What a joy to see Jubilee full of joy and where she belongs!
Leigh
What amazes me is the joy and beauty on her face. That joy wasn't there in the other pictures that you've posted. THere's such a difference.
Praise You Jesus!!!
Congratulations Saunders family on your newest blessing!!
Congratulations Jubilee – your wait for an amazing family is over!!! Welcome home!!
God is an amazing God! I'm so happy for you all and the pictures are so touching! What a wonderful Christmas this will be!
Praise Jesus! What a wonderful blessing. A very precious blessing. Still praying for safety for you all.
In Jesus,
Lori
Such a wonderful sight! Wishing the three of you safe travels back to CO! Can't wait to see the first complete Saunders family portrait!
God is so great.
She's beautiful!
Congratulations!
Praise the Lord! Tears of joy are streaming down my face and my heart rejoices with your family. Our God is so wonderful and forever faithful! Jubilee has a home and a family that will love her forever. Oh, what a blessing!
Congratulations!
God is awesome! Tears of Joy right now! I can't wait to meet her. now she has her FOREVER FAMILY!! WOOT WOOT
Linny,
Oh my how glorious! God is so good and she looks so wonderful in your arms. My daughter and I are so happy to see prayers answered!
their smiles DO say it all! praising Him with your family!!!!!
WOW! WOW! WOW!!!!!!!
Congratulations to all of you!!!
Thank you God!!!!!!!!!! We are singing His praises with your family!!!!!!!!!
That picture of Linny and Jubilee looking at each other…oh be still my heart!
OH MY GOSH! I am so out of the the Saunders loop!
WOW! Or better yet- YIPEEE JESUS!
Such an awesome way to end such a strange year – huh?
YOU GUYS ARE SO COOL! WELCOME TO YOUR FOREVER FAMILY JUBILEE! May you always know God's faithful to his "Promise."
Love, hugs and prayers,
mark, lisa, tavin and taleah
Woohoo!! Glad Jubilee knows who her mom is and is adjusting well and excited about her new family. Congratulations!!!!
Julie
Congratulations!!! What awesome news that Jubilee was SO READY for her Mommy! That made my heart skip a beat. How precious…and how GOOD God is!!
I could not be more excited!! Praise Jesus for His faithfulness. Isn't is sweet to see such a reward for believing and waiting. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE you guys. Can't wait to meet Jubilee!
Thank you Jesus!! So glad that Jubilee is finally in her Momma's arms! It makes my heart feel so good!
Congratulations to all of you!!
Praising God for your new daughter. What an incredible meeting! God bless you.
Congratulations!!! She is beautiful and Momma's smile is priceless!
crying tears of joy from Italy, and singing YIPPEE JESUS all the way there….
Thank you for sharing these wonderful pics, they made my day!
GOD IS GOOD and our harms are His arms
Rosa, happy mom of seven!
Congratulations! Our God is GOOD
She is so precious! What beautiful pictures. You can just see the excitement in her eyes. God is Good!We have a new blog site too-www.campfunk@blogspot.com
Yippee Jesus!! Sounds like God prepared her heart for her mama!! YEA!! Congrats on your new addition!!!
"Lord, for this we prayed and you heard our prayer; we will forever and ever give praise to you. Amen!"
I am truly in awe of our wonderful God that He worked out all the obstacles so this baby could have her mama and daddy and this daddy and mama could have their baby. Blessings on you all! This is truly one Christmas to remember for a lifetime. ~Martha
Praise God! He is good and he never fails. CONGRATULATIONS!
Carla