Joy Joy Joy!

Christmas is officially over. Today the decorations and the tree came down :( This always makes me a bit sad, as the Christmas season is definitely my most favorite time of the year. We were so blessed again this Christmas and I'm so thankful and full of praise to my God for the gift of His son. Even though we hear the same story and sing the same songs every year, I always find myself in awe of the Jesus story. I love that about God, how He can reveal simple truths in a whole new way and leave us once again amazed at His plan of salvation. 

We have had a wonderfully busy, but relaxing Christmas season. Cassidy, as usual, was spoiled with gifts. She gets double the presents, as we have Christmas with her birth family and our families as well. I think though, that even with all the toys and gadgets, we are getting the true meaning of Christmas across to her. She has come to obsess over nativity sets. My aunt collects them and has 16 set up in her house and when we went for a visit Cassidy had to find each one. She knows the characters and can even tell some of the story. Not bad for a 2 year old! Although, when I asked her who Christmas was about she shouted "Me!" So we still have some work to do! She has learned quite a few Christmas songs and loves to walk around the house singing her little heart out. Each Christmas with her just gets better and better!

My sister came home from Belize for Christmas and has been staying at our house for the past couple days. Cassidy loves having "Auntie Weesa" around and so do I! We've had lots of family gatherings with lots of food, games, presents and laughter. I can't help thinking about next Christmas and when I do, I see a little baby joining in on all the fun!

Speaking of baby, we just heard from our agency that we are officially on the waiting list! I am over the moon excited and I can't wait to get that phone call!! This past week we have recieved $850 towards our adoption from family and friends, and we are so thankful for all the support and generous hearts! One big prayer request we have is this: 
When we got the phone call about Cassidy, we both immediately felt God saying "Yes! She is the one for you!" It was unmistakable and the biggest confirmation I've ever felt in my life. We would appreciate prayer that we would feel the same confirmation with this baby, that God would make it clear who He has for us. 

I hope that you were blessed this Christmas, that you took time to thank God for His wonderful gift, and that you'll lean on His love and grace in the coming year. Be blessed!!

Big Update!

Since we sent in our paperwork over 4 weeks ago, we've been waiting for it to make it to our agency. We were able to send our photo book directly to our agency, so that got there quickly and was approved. Our home study had to go though the adoption coordinator in Regina, and he was backlogged with alot of home studies to go through, so we were just waiting on that. Last week I heard that it was finally sent down to our agency and this morning I received an email from our agency saying that they have our home study and are in the process of reviewing it! BIG YAY!!! If everything is a go, we will send our first payment down and then we should be ready to be placed on the waiting list!

A few prayer requests: 
-that all the documents they need will be there and everything will be approved.
                                  
 -we have a good chunk of our money raised, but we aren't quite there yet. Pray that                  God will move mountains and help us raise the rest of our money!
                                 
  -for us to have patience as we wait for a referral, and that the first referral will be "the               one." We have to pay $2000 per referral and we're really hoping we only have to                     pay it once!
                                 
  -for the birth mother. We don't know her yet, but God does and he knows her                             situation. Pray for grace and strength for her.

We really covet your prayers and are so thankful for the body of Christ. Blessings to you all as you prepare to celebrate this Christmas season with your loved ones. We are certainly looking forward to Christmas with our precious Cassidy and are hoping this is our last Christmas as a family of 3!!

Wherever You Are My Love Will Find You

A few months ago Cassidy received a book from her Grandma Boone. This was the grandma who raised Cassidy for her first 9 months of life (I'm very thankful for her!) She obviously misses Cassidy very much, after going from being her mother basically to seeing her once or twice a month. She found this book and the words were exactly what she wanted to say to Cassidy, to remind her that even though she's not around as much, her love is always there.

I read this book to Cassidy often and the words never fail to make me tear up, but as I was reading this to her just this morning, the words struck me in a different way. I thought of our baby, who is not here yet, and the many friends I know right now that are either also waiting to bring their baby home, or are waiting to hear that they are pregnant. These women have been heavy on my mind and in my prayers lately and as I was reading this book to Cassidy I thought it was so fitting for us who right now are waiting. I want to share this book with you on my blog and dedicate it to all of us who are waiting for our babies. You know who you are.

"Wherever You Are My Love Will Find You"

By Nancy Tillman

I wanted you more then you ever will know,

so I sent love to follow wherever you go.

It's high as you wish it, it's quick as an elf.

You'll never outgrow it...it stretches itself!

So climb any mountain...climb up to the sky!

My love will find you. My love can fly!

Make a big splash! Go out on a limb!

My love will find you. My love can swim!

It never gets lost, never fades, never ends...

If you're working...or playing...or sitting with friends.

You can dance 'till you're dizzy...paint 'till you're blue...

There's not place, not one, that my love can't find you.

And if someday you're lonely, or someday you're sad

Or you strike out at baseball, or think you've been bad...

Just lift up your face, feel the wind in your hair.

That's me, my sweet baby, my love is right there.

In the green of the grass, in the smell of the sea...

In the clouds floating by at the top of a tree...

In the sound crickets make at the end of the day...

"You are loved. You are loved. You are loved," they all say.

My love is so high and so wide and so deep, 

it's always right there even when you're asleep.

So hold your head high and don't be afraid

to march to the front of your own parade.

If you're still my small babe or you're all the way grown,

my promise to you is you're never alone.

You are my angel, my darling, my star...

And my love will find you, wherever you are.