Twenty-three Months Closer!

Today marks another milestone in our blessed journey to our baby girl/s! Twenty-three months ago today, our Dossier was logged into China's adoption system. We've been waiting almost two years and although that sounds (and seems) like a very long time, it's closer than we've ever been so far. So we celebrate...and anticipate...and are indeed grateful for each step that brings us closer to our Jenna Elizabeth (+ Chinese name), aka "JennaBeth." (and maybe our Emma Katherine (+ Chinese name), aka "EmmaKate.") We realize there are some folks who have been waiting over thirty months but we keep reminding ourselves that each day is one day closer to our precious little ones and we are so thankful.

As God would have it, yesterday brought another "unexpected reminder" of His hand in this journey. My dear friend, Judy, and I took a little day trip to a nearby town and had a great time, as always. (Actually, we wound up in a different state, but that's another story.) :) When she got out of her vehicle, she handed me a storage bin and that smile of hers lit up the neighborhood! (It was a cloudy, cold day but that smile of hers sure made it seem much warmer!) When I opened up the bin, I was soooo excited. Inside were multiple dresses (and hats) for our baby girl/s! They are adorable! Judy and her sweet daughter, Jen, decided to share them with us since their daughter/granddaughter could no longer wear them. They are beautiful!! I'm telling you...if you want to see a fashion show on a daily basis, this will be the place! :) What adorable dresses...and hats...and even a little pair of shoes! We kept imagining what our sweet little girl will look like in them and it was a wonderful moment I'll always cherish. Thank you, Judy and Jen...for thinking of us, sharing with us and loving us on this journey!

Just as the grass begins to turn green, or the trees begin to bud, or the flowers begin to emerge from the ground before winter's grip finally loosens...there are signs of hope, promise, provision and joy continuing to flow into our lives. We are humbled. We are thankful. We are blessed. We are overjoyed. We know God's hand has been in this journey long before it ever began and certainly all along the way since then. Yet seeing Him work so faithfully, even when we have concerns and instabilities of life all around us...renews our walk along this path. Every journey has mountains, valleys, turns, storms, wind and then those glorious sunny days. But we have been consistently reminded that we are never alone. We thank Him for His faithfulness and we thank you who have allowed Him to work through your lives to touch ours.

So, we are now 23 months along in our "Log In Date" (aka "LID.") and we are almost three years into the process. In fact, our first meeting with our adoption agency was in March of 2006, three years ago this month, before we officially turned in our application in July of 06. It's been quite a journey already. And it's far from over. Has it been easy? No. Has it been blessed? Absolutely. Has it been worth it? Oh yes!

We appreciate each and every prayer, hug, encouraging word, inquiry and blessing along the way as God faithfully reminds us that He has this all in His hands. We're not alone because of Him and because of you. It is our hope and prayer that you realize you are never alone in your journey, either. Let's continue to walk along our journeys together...gratefully.
Cherishing each step,
Terri & Family