seventeen months old today

Seventeen months old today! Where does the time go? It seems like yesterday when we first heard all about our little 10 month old, yet there are days when this wait has felt like years instead of months. We're so ready for you baby girl! Love you.

care package - eating cake with my friends

Last weekend we decided to send Lilah another little care package through 'ladybugs and love from above'. We wrote a letter that Angela translated and sent to the orphanage staff, along with a cuddly panda and some money. The money was sent so the orphanage could buy a cake for the children to share and enjoy!

We decided on a cake because we wanted Lilah to have a little celebration while we too were celebrating our letter arriving. I thought we'd be celebrating together, however Lilah is a little bit ahead of the game, as we haven't received the letter yet! I also read in a few places that the orphanage staff (and children) really like to get cake. Here are the pictures to prove it all happened and they enjoyed the yummy looking cake.

More pictures here.

mmm, possibly my first taste of cake!

If there is a consolation prize when you don't get 'the letter', getting more photos is definitely at the top of that list! Our little princess looks like the belle of the ball in her little dress! She gets sweeter by the day! Just when we think we can't love her any more than we already do; a deeper love swells in our hearts. When I look at her, my eyes fill with tears and I feel my heart tighten - she takes my breath away.

if ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed

We've been waiting for our letter seeking confirmation awhile now and I've been thinking a lot about my faith - the wait has felt so incredibly long and I constantly need to be reminded to 'have faith'. On Sunday past I stood in for one of the Sunday school teachers in our church. When I was told the lesson would be about Sara having faith in God and His promise, I realized how much I needed this lesson myself.

Hebrews 11:11 - Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.

Faith is not just a mental thought; it's a mental thought that leads us to act and to obey. It really isn't until times of trial that our faith is tested; but we know it's these times that we are made weak, so that ultimately our faith in God will be stronger. We are so blessed to have a faithful Father in Heaven who knows our every need, and has promised in His Word that He will never fail us.

He knows the exact date and time our daughter will be placed in our arms. His perfect timing won't be a minute too early or a second too late, and I believe that with all my heart.

Matthew 17:20
If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

Mark 9:23
Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.

Mark 10:27
And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.

comfort shopping and ladybugs

Sometimes you just need to do something to clear your mind and relax. That's what we did yesterday when Colin picked me up early from work. We even ordered two baby gates, so it wasn't all frivolous spending! Our little Lilah is going to look so sweet in this outfit; children's clothes are adorable. This little skirt reminds me of a ladybug, albeit a reversed one! Ladybugs are a universal sign of good luck, especially in the China adoption world. You can read more about it here. I don't believe in luck myself, but I do believe that the Lord has blessed us beyond measure. I also know that some day soon the pain of waiting will be behind us, and we will be saying, she was so worth the wait!

The Ladybug

When strolling through the garden
You should chance to see
A ladybug out walking
Please say 'Hi!' for me.
For a ladybug is a good bug
And she helps the garden grow,
She's supposed to bring good luck
So be sure to say 'Hello!'

choice gleanings - today's reading

We didn't get the much anticipated letter seeking confirmation today - maybe next week. It's not a good subject to mention at the moment, lots of emotions. This reading was on the choice gleanings calendar website today though and it certainly helped. The amazing thing is that our Lord knows the end from the beginning, and His timing is always perfect. We just need to trust and be patient.

giving thanks for all our blessings

II Corinthians 9:14
Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift.

Today in Canada we celebrate Thanksgiving. We have much to be thankful for: our salvation, our family and friends, our health, our safety, and our daily needs that are continually met. We can't help but reflect on the past 6 months and praise our Heavenly Father for our precious daughter who we hope to see in 6 weeks. Every day we look at her picture and say 'thank you'. It humbles our hearts to know that she was placed into our family, not by chance, but because the Lord meant it to be this way, even before the foundation of the world. The Lord has richly blessed us. Thank you seems such a tiny phrase to say, but in our hearts it means so much more.

not a necessity, but it sure is a lot of fun!

This is a purchase we will be sure to have fun with in China and with our little Lilah! I hope to enroll in a photography class some time in the next few months (when things settle down a bit). I'm pretty excited about my new 'career', I have a feeling that being a Mummy is going to be a lot of fun!