3 years!

It's hard to believe that 3 years ago Saturday (September 27) I arrived home with my daughter! To think back on these 3 years is nothing short than amazing. To see how much she's grown & learned just astounds me! God is so good!

We're at a point now where she's learning about expressing her feelings, and I have to admit I just LOVE this time! You have no idea how many times a day I hear the 4 best words..."Mama, I love you!" How great is that?! I remember back at the orphanage when I first met Emelia...I had been in Ukraine for close to 4 weeks & was an emotion wreck (to say the least). I was sitting in the directors office listening to the director, the doctor & the translator all talking in Russian faster than I could think! Suddenly Luda, my translator, started rattling off the medical "issues" they said Emelia had and I had NO idea what any of them were! Suddenly the door to the office opened and this tiny little girl toddled into the room in a little green & white checked skirt and top and walked right over to me. I scooped her up and just held onto her. She planted her nose right on mine & her arms went around my shoulders and patted my back with her tiny hands. She wouldn't move her face away from mine so I really had no idea what she looked like! :-) I just kept feeling her pat my shoulders. After about 3 minutes the director had the care giver take Emelia out of the room & back to her group and they all looked at me and said "Yes?! You mama?!" I shook my head and said "YES!"

It amazes me how the Lord's hand was on the entire situation, through all the ups and all the many downs. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that our Lord created Emelia to be my daughter and for that I'm eternally grateful. I know there are times when I fall short at being the mother Emelia deserves, but I also know that grace flows freely & I'm still a work in prgress. I want her to alway know that there's nothing I wouldn't do for her. I love you peanut!