Tomorrow

Tomorrow.
Oh my goodness, tomorrow.
Tomorrow I will begin my journey to Uganda and I am so stinkin excited. 

The dream I have had since I was a little girl is finally coming true. It is surreal to me that tonight is my last night at home before Uganda. 

My bags aren't packed. and that's okay.
I will be running through town like crazy today getting every last little thing.
but I am so excited.
Before I leave, I feel it is necessary to thank everyone who has helped me to get to this point.
So, so many of you who I will be forever thankful for!
First, Mom and Dad.
I don't even have the words to thank you both for all you have done. From the Lion King, Shania Twain and convincing you I was going to turn in to The Little Mermaid, I have always been your dreamer child.
When I told you of my dreams to mission and love orphans for the rest of my life in a far off land, you never questioned it. Daddy even said there was nothing that could make him more proud. You two have fundraised, prayed, encouraged, loved my less than always lovable self, and have done everything in your power for me to go on this trip. (including missing 3 weeks of school)  Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Love you both so much! 

To my darling High School, thank you to my teachers and friends who have basically carried me through these last few weeks of early exams, projects in great numbers, and all of the tests. If not for your willingness to go to the 'Big Guys' and plead on my part, my trip wouldn't be possible.

To all of our close family friends. Jodi, Charmon, Krista, Kathleen, Taylor, Nana, Papa, Mema, Papa, Jennie, Amanda, Emily, Erin, My siblings {God love them}, and everyone else who I just cannot even think to name. There are so many of you. Who love me, encourage me, and support my dream. Your fundraising, donations, and overall support has been unbelievable.

Tomorrow I begin my journey to Uganda. I am not sure if I will be able to update blogs or not, but I plan to try my best!
Monday I will be loving sweet Uganda babies. mmm.
Lord, break my heart for what breaks yours. Open my eyes to see past the selfish world I live in to see your World, your people, and to be your hands and feet. Let me be the light.
To God be the glory, evermore. 

"Who will go? Who shall I send?" and I said, "Here I am! Lord, Send Me!"

-Isaiah 6:8

One Year Ago

A year ago today,

we had no idea the blessings in store for our family.
We had just started to talk about the possibility of adding to our family.

We had given God the 'green light' {Like He needs one!} and we were ready to go. Wherever, Whenever, Whoever, and However He saw fit.
We prayed and prayed for days on end that God would direct us to the perfect child. If that was His will. If not, we would wait.
A year ago today,

a little girl was in China waiting for Hope, a family, and the chance of a future.

Little did she know, God had a plan

Little did WE know, God had a plan

Through circumstances that surpass our wildest dreams and imagination, God placed this special little girl with our family.

We are coming up on a year since we saw Ainsley's face for the first time and fell so helplessly in love and we cannot help but fall on our knees and praise the ONE who so perfectly orchestrated our miracle girl.

We could not be more thankful to call her ours!

Ainsley has been in our arms for almost 5 months now and here are a few before and afters.
SEE what a family can do? What LOVE and care can do? Our girl is living proof that miracles happen, because she is one.

In China
13lbs
Home
25lbs
In China
Unable to speak or use legs
Home
Doesn't stop talking and RUNS everywhere

In China
Seen as 'Worthless'
Home
Seen as PRICELESS

These are just a few of the many wonderful things our girl has overcome.
Hallelujah. To HIM be the glory, evermore.

Mother's Day

Mother's Day is the day when we celebrate one of the most influential people in our life, our Mother's. They are the people who in most cases, bring you into this world. They are the heroes, the fixer of boo-boos, the kisses good nights, the shoulders to cry on and the ones who make everything okay.
Here's the thing though, some don't have one. Some will go to bed without a kiss, without the knowing that someone loves them unconditionally, that someone is there who will do anything for you. They don't have that and my heart breaks for them.
This morning I watched as my Mom snuggle with Ainsley she held her, kissed her and reminded her of how loved she was.
She didn't have that last year and she didn't have a hope of that. This year though, she has that and she is thriving. They say love will do some crazy things for you, and it couldn't be more true for the little girl who stole all of our hearts 5 months ago.
Hallelujah.
Today is not about Ainsley though, it's about my Mom.
She is strong, courageous, works so hard, a pleaser, a giver, a lover, loves Jesus, my best friend and so much more.
I am so thankful for my Mom and for the love and grace she shows me everyday. She is more than I ever deserved and I am overwhelmed at how blessed we all are.

Happy Mother's Day, Mommy.
I love you bunches :)

Referral Day

5 years ago today it started out as a normal day. I was in 5th grade and was patiently waiting to hear about the sister I had in China, but didn't 'know' yet.

Given, our agency had told us to be prepared, but they had told us that 3 times before when we were skipped. Getting my hopes up, I learned, was pointless because it would only end in tears and questioning.
I didn't get a phone call or text from my mom all day so I assumed that we hadn't heard anything because she would have said something, right?

I came home from school literally jumping to find out. We walked in the door to bright pink and lime green balloons, 'it's a girl!' signs, and my mom waiting on us. She never waited on us.
I knew we had gotten some information.
We sat down and my mom announced "We got the call!"
We were all completely thrilled. Here's the best part,

3 weeks earlier as we were waiting my Mom asked us all to draw a picture for Anna Grace. I drew a lady bug with seven spots that said "Seven spots so you're seven months old" at that time in the waiting process, most babies were about nine months old and from Hu*an. I drew this picture as just a freak limb thing. I claimed it and I knew in my heart she would be 7 months old, but my parents weren't so sure.

Long story short. My mom announced
"it's a little girl. she lives in Xiushan, China and...well, she is 7 months old."

Squeals galore and excitement beyond belief. It was surreal.

It is still surreal to think that it was all FIVE years ago. Unbelievable.
oh how ridiculously blessed we are.

happy referral day, Anna Grace. We love you our darling girl and are SO blessed to call you ours.