As I reflect on 2013 I can hardly believe all that we've accomplished. It has been one of the busiest years I can ever remember. A year of great adventures and dreams coming true, but it's also been insanely stressful, not leaving much time for reflection. This verse (one of my all time faves) sums up our year quite nicely.
Psalm 40:5 Many, O Lord, are the wonders you have done, the things you have planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare.
His deeds certainly are too many to declare...with each date on our timeline He began to reveal His plan for our year. Many of the points below were filled with heartache and frustration...I had lots of questions, but through and through He continued to provide in crazy miraculous ways...like funding our entire adoption and allowing for us to bless others who also have a heart for adoption. You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples. Psalm 77:14.
Here's a look back at 2013...
Dec. 31,2012-First referral:(
Feb. 5, 2013-Second referral:( Still waiting for our daughter
March 13, 2013-FOUND OUR DAUGHTER
March 17, 2013-Sent LOI to CCAI
March 22, 2013- Pre-Approval
April 1, 2013-Letter of Acceptance (LOA)
April 4, 2013-Ethan eye surgery
April 10, 2013-Katie eye surgery
April 22, 2013-I-800 Provisional Approval
April 22, 2013-I-800 Provisional Approval
April 25, 2013-PDF from NVC
April 30, 2013-Article 5 drop off
May 13, 2013-Emergency Consulate Closure...Article 5 pick up delayed by a week
May 21, 2013-Article 5 pick up
May 22, 2013-wait for Travel Approval BEGINS
June 17, 2013-Travel Approval
June 26, 2013-Depart for China
July 1, 2013-Gotcha Day
July 13, 2013-Back from China/11th wedding anniversary
And the rest is a blur filled w probably 15 trips back and forth to Tampa and St Pete, 3 rounds of blood work, visits to pediatrician, x-rays, orthopedic specialist, pediatric ophthalmologist, orthodontist, 5 surgeries, evaluations, speech therapy, kindergarten for Gavin...if you would have told me I could have accomplished this while also working I would have laughed, but His word told me otherwise...
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
As I write I am watching my kids play together...Chloe sporting the Mr Potato Head glasses saying her new favorite word, "hiiiii" while Ethan drives his boat around on his toy truck. Gavin creating jellyfish out of water bottles and trash bags close by:) Each one unique and perfectly planned for us. We are blessed...beyond measure. Six months ago today we laid eyes on our daughter...it was the highlight of 2013...and the climax of the journey God laid before us. Yes, many were the things He had planned for us, but great the wonders....NONE can compare!
15 trips back and forth to Tampa and St Pete, visits to pediatrician, x-rays, orthodontist and more? I agree, 2013 was a busy year for you and your family. But it all paid off as you found and took home your lovely daughter. Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteBrent