never once.

As I stood in church on Sunday, singing the words to Matt Redman’s Never Once, reminders of the pain and the heartache that we experienced over the past two years flashed in my mind. Memories I had partially forgotten in these three months of struggling to find our footing in this new normal of hectic schedules, doctor’s appointments, healing hearts, jealous siblings, boundary setting, bedtime chaos, and pure exhaustion.

The tears began to fall as I recounted the ways God was there every single step of the way. How HE was faithful in the battle.

Now that we stand on the mountaintop, we can clearly see just how far we have come. We can see how His hand was on our family even when we didn’t understand what was happening. We can see how He worked all of the pain, all of the tears and all of the uncertainty for good. Even though there were many, many scars and struggles along the way, our hearts can joyfully say that never once did we ever walk alone.

Tomorrow is the three month mark of Sylvie joining our family here at home and I can still hardly believe that we are all here together. As I watch her become more and more comfortable in this new place, as her vocabulary continues to expand {she is talking non-stop!}, as I watch sibling bonds grow deep and as laughter continues to replace tears, I am grateful.

The fact that we went to the pumpkin patch as a family this weekend as if it were the most ordinary thing in the world is beyond me. Every “normal” thing that we do is extraordinary these days. These four little people being here together makes it seemingly impossible to take moments like this for granted.

Just a glimpse of her sass…the hand on the hip. It’s just too much.

He picked this one himself and was very proud, rightfully so.

A family photo with all of us smiling is impossible.

This morning, I was reading through my journal and these verses caught my eye. They were the ones that spoke to my aching heart as we waited in those final weeks for word on if Sylvie would be issued her exit permit. We knew God was moving. We knew He was in control. Yet, anxiety and fear were high. These verses were my lifeline in those weeks.

“…for I will fight those who fight you, and I will save your children. … All the world will know that I, the Lord, am your Savior and Redeemer, the Mighty One of Israel.” {Isaiah 49: 25-26}

Long ago the Lord said to Israel: “I have loved you my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love, I have drawn you to myself. I will rebuild you, my virgin Israel. You will again be happy and dance with tambourines.” {Jeremiah 31:34}

I will turn their mourning into joy. I will comfort them and exchange their sorrow for rejoicing. {Jeremiah 31:13}

I am counting on the Lord;
Yes, I am counting on him
I have put my hope in His word. {Psalm 130:5}

Everyone will see this miracle and understand that it is the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, who did it. {Isaiah 41:20}

Be silent before the Lord, all humanity, for he is springing into action from his holy dwelling. {Zechariah 2:13}

Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for a child she has borne? But even if that were possible, I would not forget you! See, I have written your name on my hand. {Isaiah 49: 15-16}

I continue to pray these verses for all of my dear momma friends that are waiting for their babies to be under their roof. I’m praying as their arms ache to hold their little loves who wait half a world away. The battle is not over yet. It is unseen but it is very much real. Please continue to pray for justice for the precious children who wait for their families. Thank you, sweet friends.