1000 gifts in 2 years!

Today marks 2 years since we brought our girls home.  Just yesterday I got an email from a friend who is in country waiting to pick up her little boy.  There is so much up in the air, and they are not sure what will happen next with their adoption.  I can remember those days so vividly.  I remember our week in Ethiopia, where Esteban and I prayed together every night, begging God to work some detail out for the next day.  Day by day, until the day we were scheduled to leave, He worked miracles on our behalf.  I don't think I ever had greater peace, than on the day that we finally boarded that plane, to come home.  Home would look far different than had when we left, but I can barely remember those days now.  Even though Esteban and I spent 6 years (of which I would NOT trade a day) on our own, these last two seem just as long, and filled with as many highs and lows.  These young ladies have certainly changed us both, and continue to push us toward the God who brought us all together.

Today I am thankful for two years with my girls.  Two years of life as a family.  Two years of learning, growing, crying, praying, laughing and learning. Two years of God's amazing faithfulness and grace.

I am thankful for Layla and...

560.  Her constant growth in the English language!  She uses new words all of the time, and with complete confidence!

561.  Her openness and honesty.  My trust in her continues to grow more and more each day. She is very open about what goes on at school, with friends and in her mind.  This is something that has gradually built over time. 

562.  Her love for what is right, and how she is not afraid to do it.  Several times there have been issues at school, where I may have worried about what she would say or do in response to a situation. However, she has surprised me by making the right choice without me having to say or do anything!

563. Her carefree and easy way of life.  She loves people, and her social world is really the only one that matters.  This has it's pro's and cons...but I am thankful for how God has wired her.

564.  Her budding evangelist's heart.  She talks often about her friends needing to know Jesus, and how she talks to them about the things of God. She is often nervous, or doesn't know what to say, but she is growing in this area.  The one thing I am most thankful for is that she is unafraid to talk about her God.  The rest we are working on.

565. Her help.  I can trust her to watch over the little girls that are with us right now, help clean up, cook, or basically keep the house running!  She is going to make an awesome wife one day!

566.  Her continued health. This is something that we are still walking through with her, but she is growing stronger and healthier by the minute.

567. Her strength. Layla has a great internal strength that I admire.  I know that there is often much more than I know or can understand behind her beautiful brown eyes.  As she becomes more aware and more open, I pray that she will begin to peal back some of those layers with us.  This is my hope for the next years.

I am thankful for Maya and...

568. Her passion for everything......justice (mainly her own), truth, God, her friends,....this little girl is filled with a zeal that I wish I could bottle up!

569.  Her tender heart.  Maya may talk like a tough little lady, but her heart is quite fragile and breaks easily.  She grows very attached to those she loves, and does not part from them easily.  She has high expectations, that when they aren't met, can make her sad for quite some time.  She is learning to grow a somewhat tougher skin, but I love that her heart is so soft!


570.  Her silly ways.  Maya loves to laugh and have fun.  She loves to play, and her whole world is about entertainment and fun!  She would do well to live in a home with 10 other girls who she could play with all day long! Sometimes, I wish she could just be happy to play by herself or just relax. While we are working on that, I do love how much joy she gets from being around others!

571. Her studiousness.  Maya is the classic school girl. She follows rules, studies hard, and wants to get good grades. The teacher in me loves this!

572. Her honesty.  Maya says it like it is!  You very rarely have to question her thoughts or opinions. I love that she doesn't often care too much about what others think!

573.  Her competitive, stubbornness.  Maya loves to win. We have to really watch that this doesn't get out of hand, but I love that she has some drive in her!  We talk constantly about the sin of pride and how it can often get in our way.  But, Maya has a certain strength and determination that when bent the right way, will make her an awesome leader one day.

574.  Her obedience to the Lord....even when she doesn't want to be obedient.  I have watched God work in this little girls stubborn heart over the last two years. She is much quicker to repent, and ask forgiveness than she ever was before.  She is growing spiritually right before my eyes, and I am so thankful to God for her new walk with Him.

I am so thankful for my girls, and all that they embody. While we are often left clueless as to how to parent them, I am thankful that our Father is also their Father...and a far better parent than E and I  could ever aspire to be.  He knows them, He loves them, and I believe that He is working in them until the day they are made complete in His presence! I am thankful for these last two years....every single day of them!

Joining Anne and Michelle!