A Heartfelt Hello and Return to Two Week Worship

Hello my dear friends and readers. I’ve missed you all so much! I never intended to completely remove myself from the blogosphere for almost two months – but life has changed so much for me!

I would like to sincerely thank every single one of you who have sent me emails, messages and prayers. I plan on responding to each of you. I got pretty behind on checking emails and messages on my blog and on twitter and just sat and cried as I read your words. Thank you so very much!

The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense. ~ Proverbs 27:9

Josh and I brought Phoebe home from the hospital on September 11^th. She was two days old. Sometimes I still just hold her and watch her with disbelief that she’s really lying here, looking up at me. I’m in love. She is now 1 month, 3 weeks and 4 days old. Her two month birthday is coming up soon and time is flying by.  I haven’t quite figured out how long you’re supposed to gauge age by weeks before you can start using months. We met a couple at the adoption agency’s Fall Festival Get-Together who told us their daughter was 25 months old. I’ll probably be the same way. I think when you’ve wanted something so desperately for so long, you want to make sure that every single day is accounted for – because every single day is an appreciated blessing that will never be taken for granted, and could never be carelessly lumped into something so random as a month or a year. Every day is an entire day that is full of smiles and cries and burps and gas and silly faces – complete and all consuming.

Praise God, who did not ignore my prayer or withdraw his unfailing love from me. ~ Psalm 66:20

Phoebe’s birthmom, and our hero, Brandy, is doing wonderfully. I am so proud of her. She was back in school after being out only one week. She has accelerated her course schedule and although she entered high school as a junior this September, she will have enough credits to graduate in May. She’s already started looking at colleges and has really stayed focused forward. She truly is one of the strongest and most beautiful people I have or will ever know. Phoebe’s got some mighty tough girl power genes in her! We’ve seen Brandy almost once a week. There have been a couple of two week spans, but we facebook and text and send her updates and pictures inbetween get togethers. We truly love our extended family and I’ve come to think of Brandy’s mom, Kim, as a sister. This beautiful lady has a lionheart of courage and unconditional love for her daughter.

But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name Be joyful in You. For You, O LORD, will bless the righteous; With favor You will surround him as with a shield. ~ Psalm 5:11-12

I have been working on some blog posts and hope to be back on schedule starting tomorrow with Prayer Vigil Friday. I’ve been catching up on all of your blogs and tweets. My goodness a lot can happen over seven weeks time! It feels so good to be back in touch.

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. ~ Psalm 148:3

Lots of love and big big hugs! xoxo