Our Advent Calendar

After admiring many advent calendars, I finally put this together yesterday.  A little late...I know.   I borrowed ideas from Ann Voskamp's jesse tree advent devotional.  She is offering it free here... http://www.aholyexperience.com/.  I love the idea.  Each day the kid's have a new challenge... all centered on celebrating God's love.  Today's challenge... they have to be extra special nice to each other ALL DAY LONG!  So far, so good!  :)

Our first update!

After waiting (im)patiently for 3 weeks, we got our first update.  YAY!!!

He has a brilliant smile in the top picture, and is showing off his 8 teeth!

Waiting....

I’ve never been good at it!  I’m learning patience in this process… well, I’m trying!  Our dossier is on its way to China!  Now we WAIT… and pray that it goes quickly!  There are no guarantees on how long this step will take.  The last few days have been hard.  I don’t even know why… maybe the holidays.  I should be celebrating our dossier… that’s a big deal!  But, instead I am hurting!  I just want Jude in my arms!  I didn’t expect this part to be so hard.  Adoption is messy!  It involves loss, brokenness, “broke-ness”, and tears.  It is also the most beautiful thing I have ever been a part of.  Jumping into something that I have absolutely no control over…. something that, in my own strength, I could never do.  Then, watching in amazement as God moves mountains.  I am thankful that God is bigger, that he heals broken hearts, and that he has reminded me over and over again of his love.  I am thankful for the love and support of friends… and even strangers.  I am thankful that God has given me the opportunity to love this precious little boy!  He is worth every falling tear!