I'm Feelin' the Love

Lots of fun stuff going on around here. Well, not the hurricane. Oh, I mean tropical storm. Isn't it interesting how school was cancelled and all and then hardly even any rain yet. Oh well, at least we have had a restful day at home.

I wanted to tell a funny story about Jungo and Hiyato(the Daly's student). Both Japanese students spent Sunday with us and we took them out for lunch for Chinese food (they love Chinese food). It was all 7 of us and the two of them. It was a crowd and they looked around the table and just laughed at all of us. After lunch we headed home and they decided they wanted to help Matt mow the lawn. They put some of Matt's shorts and lawn mowing shoes on and went outside. I went out to video them playing some basketball and teased them about wearing their shorts so low. In response to my teasing they pulled the shorts up really high like old men. It was so funny. Then they started helping Matt mow. They were running around and videoing eachother and laughing as they mowed the lawn. They have now officially experienced America, ha ha. It was really really hot, but they had a lot of fun. Something completely captivating about these guys. It has been such a blessing to our family to get to know them. Jungo says he is coming back next year. We all hope so. On the way home the other night he was counting how many days he has left here. He said he is not ready to go home. I'm so glad he has had a good time and I hope that he really will come back to visit us. We will miss him.

Ok, here's where it gets mushy...a letter to my Davie girl about her first day of school.

August, 19, 2008
Dearest Davie Doo, my little Shorty Patootie,
It was your first day of school yesterday. Although you couldn't tell it, I was full of mixed emotions. I was nervous and excited for you. As is our general habit, we prayed in the car on the way. You asked Jesus to help you not to talk babytalk and to help you be obedient and kind. You were thankful and excited to be going to school. When we got to school Mrs. Chesmore was so kind and posed for a picture with you and then took one of us together. When it was time for me to leave you confidently said goodbye to me without hesitation. You were a girl ready for school and all that it has to offer. I left and walked toward my car close to tears, but telling myself to trust God and offered another quick prayer on your behalf. I chose to look for the good in the situation and trust that your daddy and I had sought God's will in this and so the tears remained unshed. I had several things to do so I went about my business for the morning.
I pulled into the carpool line at 12:57 and waited for the line to move. As I pulled close to the pickup place I spotted you in your red shirt waiting in line up against the wall. Almost at the same moment you spotted me and your face lit up. It was precious. You began waving to me and telling all the kids around you that there was your mommy. You were absolutely delighted to see me. I want to save that moment and savor it. You delight in me as your mommy. You know what, I delight in you as my daughter! You are my dream come true. God's good gift to a woman who wanted to adopt for a very long time and your precious self was more than I knew to hope for. You are God's "beloved grace" (the meaning of your name) and a reminder to believe Him for the impossible. As you climbed in the car you couldn't wait to tell me all about your day and I couldn't wait to hear it. You made fun things and then you said in all enthusiam, "oh, there's my best friend!" and I said, "really, what's her name?" And you quickly answered, "I don't remember." to which Catherine and I laughed. You did have a great day and your teacher said you did just wonderfully as she saw me in the line. I am so proud of you and I know you will do well. You love to please and you just have a grateful heart so every little thing is fun to you. I'm so glad you are my girl, Davie Anne, and I love you with all my heart. Thanks for loving me so freely and may our love get us through the years ahead. Regardless, I want to remember your precious face the moment you saw me and the delight you experienced in me as your mom for a long long time. I think it is etched in my mind...you with your red shirt and red bow and huge big smile and your jumping up and down in excitement "My mommy's here! My mommy's here!" That is a moment I wouldn't want to have missed. Not for anything.
I love you, Momma
p.s.remember, you're my girl for good.

As I write I am reminded again how Davie's enthusiasm rewards my heart like my enthusiasm warms my Heavenly Father's heart when I show the same adoration to Him. I want to love Him like that...so that I just can't wait to be with Him. I want to shout to all who will listen "That's my Daddy! That's my Daddy!" Do you mind if I end this post by telling you that "That's my Daddy and I am so thankful that He rescued this child from a hopeless life and made me His very own!"? I hope not, cause I just can't hold it back. Have a great night and stay out of storms...love, js