Brad Avery, of GRAMMY®-winning and multi-Platinum-certified rock band Third Day, is in China this week to adopt the newest member of his family, daughter Canaan. The event marks the end of a long process for the Avery family, who have been preparing for this adoption for the past two years.

Brad Avery and family welcome daughter Canaan, adopted July 9th in Nanchang, China.

After spending countless hours travelling the distance between the United States and Nanchang, China, Brad Avery, along with his wife, Mindi, and three daughters, Chloe, Charis, and Chai, officially welcomed Canaan Avery into their family on July 9th.

“The first 24 hours we had her were quite emotional in many different ways. However, it has been nothing short of a miracle to see her thrive and literally come to life these last four days,” Mindi Avery marvels. “She was handed to us with a blank look on her face, bruises on her body, a runny nose and rattling cough…. but who knew what a bunch of kisses, lots of hugs, a few toys, three hyper sisters running around and a trip to the Super Wal-Mart would do?”

“I know that each day in our loving arms will be a day that God uses to heal her and let her know that she is adored and cherished by her Creator,” Brad writes in the Third Day blog. The family will be heading home to Georgia this week.

In addition to the excitement of Canaan’s adoption, Brad Avery is in the midst of a busy summer with Third Day, as the band gears up for the release of its highly anticipated, Chronology Volume Two (2001-2006) on August 7th. Find out more about the new album on Third Day’s YMZ artist page.