My Friends Are...

My friends threw me (really Giana) a baby shower on Sunday.  The day was beautiful in so many ways.  100 pounds of donations were collected for the two orphanages in Ethiopia where Giana has lived!  From Crocs to nail clippers to crayons, friends and family donated generously.  Some things even had sweet notes attached to the kids and were wrapped with ribbon and tissue paper.  Here in America we take for granted the simple things of childhood.  In an Ethiopian orphanage where 5 kids sleep to one bed (I have pictures of this!), bubbles, play-doh and toy cars do not abound.  They are grateful.  Over the last 8 months I've gotten to see pictures of the kids playing with the adoptive parents who visit the orphanage.  Their smiles are priceless, not only because they are getting some cool stuff, but because they love to be loved on.  As the parents hand out hugs and smiles and care packages and have the children try on clothing, you can sense the excitement and the joy.  Now in two weeks it will be our turn to bring donations, take pictures for other families and love on the kids and babies who are still waiting for someone to bring them into a family.   

I can't believe this time has come.   We will finally meet our daughter face to face.  Dina gave me this beautiful piece of art, painted by our friend.  Galatians 1:15 is the verse God gave me for Giana.

And did I mention the baby girl stuff?  A beautiful green blanket knit by Claire, cute little outfits, baby board books, toys...wow, I was overwhelmed with a whole bunch of love, all wrapped up in pretty little pink packages!  Boys, I'm sorry, but girl stuff is WAY cuter.  And I don't think the boys had anything monogrammed.

Lord, thank you for the gift of friendship.  It is very amazing and beautiful how you knit lives together, sometimes for a short season, sometimes for life.   Through friends, You constantly show me yourself, your goodness and grace and love and steadfastness.    In Jesus' name, Amen