Our own adoption...

These last few days we as a family have been reflecting a lot on our own adoption. Being in this process of adopting Kaylee Grace has really made our own adoption into our Father's family so tangible. Kaylee slept in our bed last night (she will probably sleep with us for a while - for as long as it takes for her to attach and feel safe- she just needs that constant security). She did great - she woke up a few times in the night - I could tell because she would pat and rub the covers over and over (self soothing). Each time I would start patting her little bottom, letting her know that she doesn't have to sooth herself anymore - that's our job now. So overwhelming to think that she has never had anyone to comfort her - and so sad to see her trying to comfort herself...but SO OVERWHELMING to think that the very One who created her RESCUED her, has now placed her in a family where she will be forever loved and forever taken care of --- a family who lives across the world from where she was born --- a family who was never even considering adoption. He opened our hearts and broke them for what breaks His Heart in order that this sweet child would have someone to love her and take care of her. So overwhelming. All night as I'd wake up with her I was just flooded with God's AMAZING love-  incomprehensible! I continually see the parallel with our own adoption -  we were once fatherless; sure, we had an earthly father...but not a Father who could Save and Rescue us from eternity spent in hell. At first, we didn't recognize our need (just as Kaylee doesn't recognize her need for a mommy and daddy and a family- she has only known life on her own). We were the same way - we thought we could do life on our own and didn't know that the Comfort and Peace of our Heavenly Father was SO MUCH MORE than we could have ever had on our own. I will never forget the time in my life where I finally learned the love of my Heavenly Father --- that He loved me so much that He sent His one and only Son to die for me - to die for my sins. When we got Kaylee yesterday she was just  filthy - poor little thing! I could tell she felt so much better to have had a real bath where she got fully clean! We were once filthy too - covered in our own sins - but when we accepted the love of our Heavenly Father and the gift of Salvation that Jesus alone brought through His death and resurrection - everything changed. He washed us clean - took our sins as far as the east is from the west... And we will never be the same! For Kaylee, everything has changed... she will never be the same! She will learn that she can actually just be a baby and she doesn't have to try and make sure her needs get met - everything will be taken care of for her as God has provided an earthly father and mother and family. One day she will have the opportunity to accept the love of her Heavenly Father as well...a Father who knit her together...a Father who has carried her since her birth. One who will never leave or forsake her. She will be introduced to His Son Jesus who died to make a way for her to live eternally with her Heavenly Father. Our #1 prayer is that she will accept this free gift of Salvation by making HIM the Lord and Master of her life. Scripture tells us that "if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord" and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved" Romans 10:9. Confessing Jesus is Lord means that we make Him to be in charge of our lives; our Master - we recognize that we can't do life on our own and we surrender to Him -we accept that He is the Way to eternal life, we accept that He is in control. We are praying that as Kaylee learns to accept our love that she will, in the very same way, one day accept His free gift of love and Salvation - for truly nothing else matters!!!

Sidenote*** Brodie got back from the paperwork meeting last night and I told him we needed to try to get some more liquids in her. He said he'd hold her while I used the syringe to get some juice/water in her. She was completely out and had been sleeping very soundly so we hated to wake her up but we knew she needed liquids (her diaper was still so dry). So he held her and I gently put the syringe to her lips - it barely even touched her and she clenched her jaw together and started pushing and squirming away - Brodie couldn't believe how STRONG she is! I'm telling you - it is crazy. He could barely hold her still! We got some down and she was fast asleep before we even sat on the bed with her. AND...her diaper is wet this morning! So that makes me feel much better!!!!! We are PRAISING HIM - FOR HE IS MORE THAN ENOUGH! It is 6:30 am here and she will be waking up soon - praying for a great day of her feeling loved and feeling safe enough eat!!!