This past year I've also taken care of a two-year-old little girl named McKenna. She is such a happy easy-going little girl, and it feels like she's part of the family. We're going to miss her quite a bit next year! When I first started watching her she was barely one year old. We literally watched her grow from a baby to a toddler. This morning as I was dropping the girls off at school she said in her baby voice, "Bye Kinsey! Bye Keira! Have... a.... day!" She is so sweet. :)
Stephen's job is also changing, both at the church and in his band. We are excited as he moves into a greater role in international missions among other things. This is something that we are both so passionate about and excited to work together on! As we move into the summer season, when the guys will travel for 5 weeks of camps, I can't help but think about what God is doing in the band. Not only is the dynamic changing with a new band member and new band girlfriends (which we're very excited about!) but we're also encouraged to see God continuing to mold and shape the band's vision to be more and more for mercy, justice, and compassion. Not that the band was ever about the guys just trying to be rock stars or anything like that, but you can just see God continuing to grow and mature the vision and the purpose of it. I'm so thankful for this group of people and the blessing that it's been to consider them family. :)
Certainly the biggest change to come is that we will be bringing home the boys in just a few short weeks! We won't know the exact date for our embassy meeting until a week or two before we travel so we still have at least one or two weeks before then. In some ways it makes it hard to plan since we don't know when we're going yet, but we have so much peace about it. God has been so faithful to guide our steps this far, and we know he will continue to see this through until completion. It's been so amazing to see him working in our lives along the way not only to provide for us but also to strengthen us and our marriage. I've heard quite a few comments from people about how they'd be afraid to adopt because it seems so hard, and I keep thinking, "You're missing out!" Truly it has been an incredible privilege for us. Not only do we get to bring home two precious little boys, but we've also gained courage and insight and perseverance, and our faith has been strengthened. Yes, it's very hard, but the best things in life always are. It is an experience that I wouldn't trade for anything in the world!
So this is a new season of change for us. We move forward confidently, knowing that God is guiding our steps and our hearts as we have continued to ask him to do so. Perfect love casts out all fear so we continue on boldly yet prayerfully with much thankfulness for the many many blessings that God has given us. It is only by his grace.
