Updated Pictures

Totally unexpectedly, we received updated pictures of the boys yesterday.  Our agency told us to only expect 2-3 sets of pictures throughout the entire process.  So, since we received pictures last month, I never imagined we would be so blessed in April.

As I scrolled through the pictures,
~I smiled at the photo where Isaac had the cutest little grin on his face.

~My heart swelled when I saw Malachi and Isaac sitting together....growing bigger, hair getting thicker...   They have been rescued from the orphanage and are now living together in a home.

~I saw them sitting on their foster momma's lap.  I looked at this woman who I have never meet...who I will never met...and I felt so thankful to her (and maybe a little jealous).  She is caring for our boys while we can't be there.  She is the one holding them, feeding them, tickling them, watching them grow and learn new things.  To her, I am eternally grateful...I pray that God blesses her for being "our hands" while we wait.

~Lastly, as I studied the pictures, I noticed that Malachi looked tired...maybe even sick.  His eyes looked droopy, his nose was running, and in one picture he was pulling on his ear.  Is he sick?  Does he have an ear infection?  My mother instincts kicked in.  He needs to go to the doctor.  Is someone checking him out?  But, I am here in the U.S., I can't call the doctor.  I can't take his temperature.  I can't...  I can't...  I can't...

Needless to say, I had a rough night of sleep.  I worried.  I was afraid.  Throughout the night and day, God was gently trying to remind me that He says "Do not be afraid" over and over again in His word. 

~Isaiah 41:10  "Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”

~Psalm 56:11  “In God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”

~Matthew 10:31  “So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows”...and so is Malachi!

He is precious in MY God's sight!  My God knows whether Malachi is sick or just tired.  My God is in control.  Now, all I need to do is just trust in my God!

Anna Is 7!!!

On April 12th, 7 years ago, a baby girl was born in Guatemala.  For us, the day was normal.  We had no idea that in Guatemala our daughter had entered the world.  We were not there to cuddle her, kiss her, hug her, measure her, or do the typical "oohing and aahing" over her.  However, God knew that she was ours.  It was six weeks later, Memorial Day weekend, that we received our referral for Anna Kimberly. 

One of our referral pictures

We immediately loved her and knew she was our daughter.  Finally, after what seemed like an eternity to us, she joined our family on December 16, 2005. 

Arriving in MD....with our Christmas miracle

Now, my little girl is turning 7!  I can't believe how fast the years have gone.  I look at her sometimes and wonder why God picked me to be her mother...I feel so undeserving! She is our Christmas miracle and a daily reminder that God's timing is best. 

Care Packages

I am in the process of preparing to send a care package to our boys on the other side of the world.  I did my research...what are good items to send, what is needed, what is the temperature, etc.  However, I am still struggling...how do I send all my love, my kisses, and my hugs to our boys?  Will the package convey how much we love them?  How much we want them home?  When I decided to send a care package, I thought it would be easy.  I mean they need everything..clothes, diapers, wipes, toys, books.  What I realized is the things that really matter...love, safety, a family...can't be packaged up and sent in a book bag.