My hands are trembling as they hover above my computer’s keyboard. The words won’t come. There simply are no words to describe the emotions I’m feeling today. The fact that I am typing this post is an absolute miracle orchestrated by a Mighty, Faithful, Merciful, Powerful and so very GOOD God.
Our daughter, SYLVIE {I can finally type her name!!!}, is COMING HOME!!!!!!!!!!!
God has carried us through every single moment over the past 602 days since we said “yes” to our precious daughter. Every, single one. The mountain top moments, the dark steps through the valley, the tears of joy and the gripping tears of despair… He has been right there.
He has whispered His promises over me, He has carried me when I was too worn and weary to lift my eyes, He has covered me and protected me. He has provided for my every need: every single dime spent on our adoption has come from His hand, He has surrounded us with a faith community of prayer warriors who have battled beside us for our daughter, He physically removed our girl from a place of darkness into a home filled with His love and His light. He moved me to get on a plane last August and visit our sweet one even when we thought the trip seemed untimely… now, looking back, I can see His hand and His beautiful timing.
I have clung to a truth on this journey: my God never authors pain. I believe this with every fiber of my being. It is the nature of who He is. For this reason, I will not ever say that the long journey was His perfect timing. I don’t believe He wanted her away from my aching arms and heart for 602 long days. I will never believe that, no matter what theology is used to argue this point.
What I do believe is this: He will turn everything {everything!} for our good and His glory. He will use a dark, hard, intense spiritual battle keeping our family separated over two continents and He will transform the tears of sorrow into tears of complete and utter joy. He will give grace in abundance, He will move hearts to give in order to care for His precious children, He will use this war that satan meant for destruction and turn it into a love song for His beloved. He will do it in a way that causes us to shout His praises. As my dear friend, Rory, said today: “We have SEEN victory with our own eyes! Let us never forget that.”
The fact that she is coming home is a miracle. An absolute miracle.
The fact that I wrote these words just four days before we heard the incredible news that my Sylvie-girl will be IN MY ARMS again, is a love song from my Abba Father.
The fact that we sang this song for the first time ever during worship on this past Sunday morning, is a reminder that He is in every detail.
The fact that He gave us this verse as His promise for this journey, makes me fall to my knees in awe.
Y’all, she isn’t just coming home at some point in the near future. She will be home TOMORROW. She is getting on a plane as I type these words. Her foster momma was given permission to fly her home. If that doesn’t shout God’s goodness, I don’t know what does. Her foster mom will stay with us for several days to help with the transition and immediate medical appointments. I am blown away by His ability to accomplish more than I ever thought possible.
The battle is not over yet. Hundreds of children and families still await this incredible day. I will continue to plead on their behalf and I ask that you continue to, as well. She is leaving behind many, many friends that need to be reunited with their mamas and daddies and brothers and sisters. I am praying that this is the beginning of the mountains crumbling into the sea!!!!
I cannot possibly express my deep, deep gratitude to every single prayer warrior reading these words. So many of you have prayed for our Sylvie alongside us. Your words of encouragement here on this blog, your cards in the mail, your texts, your emails, your flowers, your surprise dinners, your necklaces, your photos, your voicemails… you have carried us with each word and prayer and outpouring of love. I am forever grateful and would love to hug each and every one of you the next time our paths cross, whichever side of eternity that may be.
Oh, and, I promise to post a ridiculous amount of photos and videos. Don’t worry one second about that. 🙂
In the meantime, you can finally watch the video I made from our trip last summer… enjoy the overload of adorableness!!!!!
Oh My Word! I cannot begin to imagine your happiness right now. Congratulations to your entire family. –Rhonda
I am so happy for y'all! God is faithful! I'm looking forward to the updates.
Tears! Praise God! I'm so incredibly happy to read this today:) Praying they have safe travels!!! I can't wait to see more pictures and video:) Congratulations!!
Oh happy day! This is the most exciting news I've heard in months! Please post pics tomorrow! I am so happy that this is finally happening! Safe travels Sylvie!!!
Praise God!!! I'm so thrilled for you!
Tears!!! I cannot imagine how happy and relieved you are!!!! So happy to finally see this post!!! God is good!!
I just found your blog a couple of moths ago and I am so happy I did because what a wonderful blog post to read today!! Cannot even begin to imagine the excitement at your house right now:) I will be praying for safe travels for your beautiful girl and her foster mother as well as peace and patience for all of you as she adjusts to her new home. Congratulations!!!
Hi,
I found your blog through another from Kelly's Korner. I have never commented before, but have followed along with your journey. God Bless you & your family! You must be over the moon.
Florence
I'm speechless. Really, truly speechless. What an incredible blessing and what a faithful and loving God we serve! I can't wait to see you reunited with your baby girl!
Praise God! Crying tears of joy for you – Jennifer
Yep, I'm crying. Finally!!! Overjoyed for you all. What a day tomorrow will be.
He is Faithful indeed.
So exciting! Congratulations, she is beautiful!
We will probably never meet here on this earth but I have thought of you and prayed for you often. I have no words to describe my happiness for you. God knew the plan for Sylvie and your family. It is so hard to trust God's timing sometimes but we must remain faithful and steadfast. Praise God your family will soon be all toether under one roof! Prayers for you in this next step of your journey.
How did I miss this earlier? This day has been good. So good…. I'm talking about pouring in blessings good! Prayers prayed were answered today. I wish I could correlate any thoughts right now but my heart is busting up with happiness. Wow! God is good!!
Wow! To say I have prayed for you and been encouraged by your story is an understatement! Hopefully these comments will give you something to do tonight while you can't sleep! Her beautiful room is ready and the fun sister outfits are ready!! Claire Tyler, TX
I am honored to call you friend, and I'm so happy God allowed our paths to cross 🙂 This journey has been amazing to witness, and I have tears of joy for you! God is faithful!!! I cannot wait until she is in your arms!!
Congratulations! She's beautiful. God is so Good!!!!
I have followed along now for several months and have just been heartbroken reading your posts about these babies waiting for their families. Well today when I saw your post title, I got chills! I am so happy for your family and am so thankful that God has blessed this sweet Sylvie with such a wonderful family. God bless and enjoy your family time!!
Thank you, God!! What wonderful news!! I am just so happy for your family, and especially for that little girl that finally gets her family. Congratulations and best wishes!!
Oh my goodness! !!! This is amaaaaazing! !! I am so happy for you!!! It looks like Sylvie and Charlotte will be in their matching outfits in no time! !
I am so moved. Congratulations, my dear! My heart swells in happiness!
I'm reading all of your beautiful words through tears!! Thank you all for the outpouring of love for our precious girl. I'm overwhelmed and humbled!!!!!!
God is so good so happy for you. I got chills reading this!
Praise The Lord! I've got tears in my eyes! Thank you, Lord!
I didn't even mention how beautiful is she! She is so stunning! So, so happy she'll be home soon!
Ahhhhhh! Yay! I'm so happy for your family. Like many other followers, I have been doing a lot of praying for your family and the other families waiting to be reunited. So excited. 🙂 I love your openness and your outward faith. It is so refreshing and encouraging.
Oh, your video has made me all teary! I am so happy for you and cannot wait to see all the wonderful pictures and videos to come with Sylvie tucked into your family with the boys and Baby Charlotte!
Rejoicing for your family with happy tears. Our God is so good!
Oh God is so good. I'm at work crying right now. It helps my faith to see you bring Sylvie home. I know you're enjoying her sweet face right now.
I'm so, so happy to see this wonderful news! I'm crying tears of joy for Sylvie and your entire precious family! God is SO good!
I'm so happy for you guys!! Such a blessing and an answered prayer!!
WHAT??? Oh my goodness – this absolutely overwhelms my heart. God is SO GOOD!
I have been following your blog since Give1Save1. My family was a Give1Save1 family in May 2013 and since that time have hit so many numerous bumps in the road in our adoption. My family knows that God has big plans in store – I have been encouraged so many times by reading your words. Your blog and your faithfulness been a blessing to me and it is absolutely THRILLING to watch His story unfold in your family. Thank you so much for sharing your story. How incredible to watch prayers be mightily answered!
God bless you all. Enjoy that baby girl!
Congratulations! So happy for you!
I was so honored to be able to witness her homecoming. It was such a highlight in life to see what God can do. She is such a precious girl and I think of y'all and pray for you daily. <3