Provided for: showered with blessings

a couple weeks ago, i was blessed with a lovely day to share with my adoption sisters M and J.

M is bringing home a four year old son and J is bringing home her 6 year old daughter from China. all four parents leave (on the same plane!) Wednesday. please help us pray for their health and safety and that the children will fall as deeply in love with their parents as we already have for these amazing children.

LORD GOD, OUR FATHER, WE BLESS YOUR HOLY NAME. YOU ARE PRAISED. WE STAND IN AWE OF THE MIRACLES YOU HAVE SHOWN TO US, THROUGH THESE SPECIAL PARENTS, WHOM YOU HAVE SET APART FOR YOUR PRECIOUS DAUGHTER AND SON OF CHINA. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PROVISION JEHOVAH JIREH. WE SING OF YOUR AMAZING LOVE. PLEASE GUARD, GUIDE, AND PROTECT THESE CHERISHED ONES AS THEY CREATE A FAMILY IN YOUR IMAGE. IF IT IS YOUR WILL, GIVE THEM UNSPEAKABLE JOY ON THEIR JOURNEY AND SAFETY RETURNING HOME. WE THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO WITNESS YOUR PRESENCE. AMEN.

Isaiah 43:5 Today's New International Version

⁵ Do not be afraid, for I am with you;
I will bring your children from the east
and gather you from the west.

1 Thessalonians 1:2

² We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. ³ We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

⁴ For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, ⁵ because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. ⁶ You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.

anyway... we were "showered" with love by our sisters in Christ. thank you all for planning, cooking, attending, and loving on our families. our children whom have next to nothing are being given security, love, and connectedness. thank you dear ones. thank you for creating a wonderful community in which we grow our families. blessed are we.

i haven't many pictures of the shower, ehem, photographers...hint hint...i mean you. but M sent me some.
here i am with my daughters E and A(who turns...dare i say it...DOUBLE DIGITS...tonight! the BIG 10 happy birthday big girl)

we feel loved. hope that was the effect you were going for.

and in other news, we received our Article 5 (don't really know what it is, but i know we need it)on february 1. it will be delivered to the us consulate on february 6. that means we should be able to get an adoption date in the next couple weeks. then travel. i will just miss traveling with M and J, but figure they will be an amazing source of up-to-date advice on the process. good luck girls! we're with you in spirit. we lift you up in prayer.

happy sigh.

update...i got some pictures