2!

This is the countdown on my phone.  I am going to need to pinch myself!

"I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together!"

(Psalm 34:1-3 ESV)

Anonymous quote from my journal of letters to Willow and prayers:

"For the pathway that lies before me, my heavenly Father knows -

I'll trust Him to unfold the moments just as He unfolds the rose."

3!

(This is an English/Mandarin app I found for learning numbers.)

"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."

(John 1:5 ESV)

4!

"O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water."

(Psalm 63:1 ESV)

5!

(Picture courtesy of the Ranger game Kyle is napping to.)

'The wait melts away.'

We heard this from another adoptive parent who wrote about their experience.  In the last two weeks, I've experienced that feeling.  We've waited so long and gone through many hoops to adopt our daughter, and finally we won't be waiting anymore!  It's hard to believe that our dreams are about to come true.  

Our church fellowship prayed for us today, and it was very meaningful.  I had a renewed sense of peace and calm after that.  Thank you, brothers and sisters in Christ.  Y'all mean so much to us!

...in 5. Short. Days.

"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work." 

(2 Timothy 3:16, 17 ESV)

6!

It's getting closer and closer.  We found this number in the parking lot in Dallas while visiting the Museum of Art today.  It's been a wonderful day with my love!  We are trying to soak in our last weekend in the states just us!

I'm dreaming about meeting Willow almost every night these days.  Some are crazy and some are awesome!

Praying for you so much, my precious daughter.  You are so very loved.  I heard this song by Matt Redman yesterday and agreed so much with the lyrics.

Never Once

"Standing on this mountaintop

Looking just how far we’ve come

Knowing that for every step

You were with us

Kneeling on this battle ground

Seeing just how much You’ve done

Knowing every victory

Was Your power in us

Scars and struggles on the way

But with joy our hearts can say

Never once did we ever walk alone

Carried by Your constant grace

Held within Your perfect peace

Never once, no, we never walk alone

Never once did we ever walk alone

Never once did You leave us on our own

You are faithful, God, You are faithful

Every step we are breathing in Your grace

Evermore we’ll be breathing out Your praise

You are faithful, God, You are faithful"

7!

Yep!  That would be one week.  

After a very touching, emotional, and hard-but-good day saying goodbye at work, it's time to crack down on getting ready to go.  I'm feeling so loved and grateful for God's grace and provision in my life.  

(A precious friend at work gave me this scripture regarding parenting in her goodbye note...)

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God."

(Philippians 4:6 ESV)

8!

Tired of pictures of ourselves... But still anxiously and excitedly counting down!

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” (Romans 8:14, 15 ESV)