Last night as a dusting of snow began to cover our now quite cold and frozen yard we had some new friends from our neigborhood over for dinner. Their names are Jonathon and Mary Jo and they have a son named Thomas who is 6 and a daughter named Maya who is 2-1/2. It was a very fun and enjoyable evening. We have a unique affinity for this wonderful family. You see, it was just this past January when they experienced what we are about to experience. Their "gotcha day" was January 10, 2005, when they traveled to China and first held Su-su in their arms and welcomed her into their family.
We actually met this family at an adoption seminar last November. It was one of those strange converstions where you introduce yourself to someone and eventually ask where they live and three or four exchanges later you realize that you live around the corner from each other. Well, they were obviously much further along in the process than we were, and so we have the good fortune of asking them lots of questions and gleaning as much knowledge and information as possible about our upcoming trip to China. It was a neat time of sharing and listening. That was the main purpose of the evening last night. However, what received was much more than that. We were blessed to get a small glimpse of what it is going to be like around our house very soon. We got to see little Maya (Su-su... she still prefers this nickname from her orphanage) run around our house with her brother, Thomas. We watched her smile, and laugh, and play with our kids. We were able to see Madelyn (soon to be big sister) sit sweetly in a chair as Maya combed her hair and played beautician. And I watched my boys, who I am so pround of, play with her and include her and watch out for her. This scene provided all the warmth we needed on a cold winter night in Chicago.
The countdown continues. In less than two weeks another beginning will occur for us on this journey. We will leave this frozen ground for a far off place where we know winter is beginning to set in as well. Your Momma and I, and your brothers and sister have so much we want to offer you, Gwen... but the greatest thing that we have for you is the warmth of God's love that we promise to give you every day. We are coming for you... and we know that we are the fortunate ones. We could see it but for a moment last night right in our own home.
1 comment:
Scott, your comments on your neighbors' visit have me in tears. All I can say is that we are all so looking forward to your return from China and for the way God will continue to work in our family. Love, Mom E.
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