Wednesday, January 1, 2014

2013 - The Best Year of My Life!

"I love you Mommy"
Those were the words I woke up to Tuesday morning as we snuggled under the covers.  I can't think of a better way to start the last day of 2013 :)
This time last year, I celebrated New Year's Eve at a friend's house and managed to laugh and smile through all the necessary social interactions.  Inside though, my heart was breaking because a week before I had done the most heartbreaking thing I've ever done in my life:  I dropped Munni off back at the orphanage and had to tell her goodbye.  I will never, ever forget the look in her eyes.
Today, 10 months later after bringing her home, I still have to pinch myself when I look at her beautiful face and see joy in her eyes.
Her life has been transformed and my world has been rocked.
As I reflect on 2013, I am blown away at the goodness of God.  He has sustained me through the most difficult days and lifted me up to highest peaks of pure joy and happiness.
He moved mountains to bring her home.
He provided the best medical care that saved her life.
He sustained me during the hard days of her emotional healing.
He whispered his love and comfort while anxiously waiting for her surgeries to be over.
He led me back to India to find her baby sister.
He opened the floodgates of heaven and poured out blessings through generous hearts.  A village of  people who purchased Spread More Love t-shirts, sent donations, and bought books to help bring Baby R home.
He provided encouragement and hope through emails, prayers, hugs, and shared tears.
He has made the crooked paths straight through miraculously moving Baby R's case- my dossier is sent and I was able to get fingerprinted today, AHEAD of my scheduled appointment.

Today as we were walking into the USCIS building to plead with them to fingerprint me ahead of time, Munni held my hand and skipped as she told me, "Mommy! you and R and me are family!"  I couldn't even answer her because the lump in my throat wouldn't let me.  The wisdom and love she has for R and our family and what it means for Baby R just completely blows me away.

Adoption is by FAR the most challenging, life changing, humbling, faith building journey I've ever experienced.  There are dark, dark days where it seems impossible to hold onto faith.  And then there are days of inconceivable love and joy.  But through it all, I've learned that God will never, ever leave me.  He is faithful and he is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

"I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth.  These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them."  - Isaiah 42:16

It is with this confidence that I look forward to 2014 and the unfamiliar paths before me.  Happy New Year and may the God of peace that transcends all understanding, shower you with his love in the year to come!

9 comments:

  1. Wonderful video! I only hope that I can one day resume my adoption journey and experience the love and a joy that a child can bring. I admire your strength and determination through the challenges and hope 2014 brings your second daughter home. Happy New Year and best wishes for a healthy, happy and fulfilling 2014!
    Hugs,
    Elizabeth

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    1. Elizabeth I pray for your journey often- for healing and that you will fulfill your dream of becoming a mommy! YOU have a beautiful heart!!!!

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  2. WOW. What a wonderful video.
    Praying for an incredible 2014 for you three.
    Proverbs 3:5-6

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  3. Beautiful, beautiful!! I love the video!! :)

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  4. Beautiful, Kristen .... wow -- it has been an amazing year for you both. I love the video - so many precious pictures... I LOVE the last picture of both of you... just gorgeous! Happy New Year!

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  5. So beautiful. I especially love the footage of Munni dancing!!

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  6. What a beautiful year you've had. I know there've been many highs and lows, but your video sums up all the joy in your life. I absolutely love the verse from Isaiah! Thank you for sharing!

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  7. What a miracle year for you! Can't wait to see R's journey unfold in 2014 . . .
    Nancy

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  8. LOVE so much! I can't get over how much Munni has grown, either!! Just love. I keep hoping we will hear something soon.

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