Exciting firsts!

A wonderful thing happened to my family and I on Monday: we got to meet my beautiful friend Anna and her family! Anna is known simply as "A" from some of my previous blog posts; she is the woman who has advocated for my Latin American daughter and who was instrumental in bringing Lene into mine and my family's life. (I feel like it's okay to be out in the open now.) She and her family live in Washington state and they were able to make it all the way down here to Arkansas for a visit. It was so, so, so good to meet her in person and connect face-to-face (not that I don't love the nearly daily text messages and impromptu phone calls). Her husband Luke was super friendly and easy to get along with and her kiddos were all so sweet and played with my kids so well. There was a lot of laughter, some picture-taking, and a little gift-opening as well!


Below is a photo of something that has blessed my heart so very much- it is a handmade quilt from Anna for Lene when she arrives home and $150 raised by her children for our adoption process. Yes, those precious kids collected, washed, and sold their chickens' eggs to save up a chunk of cash to put toward Lene's adoption fund. My heart melted instantly upon receiving it! What thoughtful, beautiful people the Lord has placed into my life. I can't even properly convey to you how grateful I am to be surrounded by that kind of love. It's beyond words.

And here is alllllll of our kiddos (minus one who wasn't feeling well from the twisty ride through the mountains) bunched up together for a picture. Don't you just LOVE seeing all of those cute little faces? It makes my heart happy!

I am beginning to prepare for my mission trip to Latin America that is just under 5 weeks away now. I am anxious (in a positive way), a bit nervous, and excited all rolled into one. I know that God has some outstanding plans for this trip and I am grateful to be a part of it. We will be ministering in many ways throughout the trip and one of those ways is by visiting a couple of orphanages to love on the children- one of those orphanages being where my very own daughter lives! Can you believe it?! It's beyond thrilling to think that I will be meeting her and holding/kissing/praying over her in a matter of weeks! Of course, she will not know that I am her mommy and I cannot tell her that, but never the less we will finally be together and I will be bringing Heaven's angels along with me to leave by her side when I am forced to leave her there (for now). I know that it's going to be quite the emotional experience (and I will not be able to express it because as far as anyone in the orphanage is concerned, I am merely a visiting missionary), but worth it overall. Just 35 days until I am Latin America bound! I'm counting the days.


We will be celebrating (early) the twins' 1st birthday this weekend with a whole lot of family and friends! Things have been very busy getting ready for the party and it won't be slowing down until at least Tuesday. What is everyone else doing over the long weekend? Whatever it is be safe, have fun, and don't forget to express your gratitude to all of those who have given their lives for our country!