We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop. Mother Teresa

Our bags are packed, all the last details completed.  The last ten days seem to have lasted a month.   We have waited for what seems like forever for this day and it is finally almost here.   Our little girl is about to be in arms.   We know that God has chosen us to be her family and to raise her.    She is our daughter and our sister and is the answer to our prayers.

We along with three other families from our agency are about to bring home little children who once were left all alone with little hope for a bright future.  But God, being full of love and mercy, rescued these precious ones by placing adoption on the hearts of their parents.  Normal men and women who just knew that someone out there was waiting...who knew that God does not necessarily call the equipped.   He equips those He calls...and those who allow faith to lead the way.  Those who will say "Yes!" when it would be much easier to say "No."

The Word of God tells us that the Lord wants to give us the desires of our hearts in accordance with His will (Psalm 37:4).  Sometimes we fear our desires and longings.  We assume that our yearnings are not spiritual enough to merit God's approval.  In reality, our deepest hopes are often rooted in dreams that God  has planted in our hearts.  Without the Holy Spirit, that compelling sense that this is the direction we should go, I doubt we would ever have the courage to move forward.

I am thankful for our friends and family who have travelled the journey so far with us.   So many people have helped along the way.   Our own personal notary who was truly available at our every beck and call,  my friends who helped calm me down when I was totally stressed over some aspect of the process and those who came and spent mornings praying with me or watching Sasha so I could do the paperwork.  Or showing up early this past Sunday morning with homemade donuts and books for all of us and gifts for Sasha and Zoe just to encourage us during the last stressful days before our departure.

Monday I spent a very special time in prayer with another dear friend to send us off and  try to calm my nerves.  And then the rest of Monday and today packing up the final things, triple checking the paperwork to be sure we have everything.  I could not have done it without you friend...

We have to say thank you to all of you who have encouraged us,  prayed for us, loved us and supported us every step of the way and now are sending us off with your hugs and blessings.   You are all amazing people and I believe that some of you will end up on your own personal adoption journey in the future while others will do your own part to help other orphans in distress as you too listen to that still small voice.

So here we go.   By the time we return home we will feel like we have been away for a lifetime...We have.

And when Esau lifted up his eyes and saw the women and children, he said, “Who are these with you?” Jacob said, “The children whom God has graciously given your servant.”

Genesis 33:5