She's how old????

Gracie is 1727 days old today! :). That's 56 months, or 246 weeks or 41,470 hours old (at the time of this writing) except I don't really know what time she was born. She was born on a Tuesday (or Monday over here).
We will celebrate her birthday for the FIRST time in 98 days! What a party that will be!!!! Our birthdays are exactly 100 days apart on a calendar.

I'd like to think I will see her again before she's oh say .... 1750 days old and I'm (never gonna repeat that number)old! :P

A glimpse of the divine

Merry Christmas little one!

How I long to teach you about Jesus. He was a boy who was born into this world as an outcast. Born into a poor family and despised by those with earthly power. Thought of as insignificant and yet evoked fear from the many who didn't understand Him.

For all of time since He came, those who come to know Him gain an understanding of the love that could only come from the One True God, the Creator of us all, the Father of life.

I think we're all supposed to pass on to others a glimpse of the divine through our own spirit that is tempered with God's love and grace. Very few people are better able to do that than a lowly orphan who is so eager to share joy with others.

You don't even know it yet but you are already doing that. Being used by God to better my life and the lives of those who love you and those who will come to love you with time. Given the chance, you will dispell the myth that is fear from those who don't understand you and the gifts you have. Of that I'm certain.

He was never born "just a boy" as you were born "just a girl", but you will also be used by God to bring joy and love to the lives of people who need it.

I can't wait to teach you about Him. It's His birthday tomorrow. He gave you and I a gift on His own birthday. He came here for all of us and He is still here now, allowing us to see a glimpse of the divine through the blessings and love of those around us.

I can't wait to tell you all about Him!

I love you immensely,

Mama

I've started to feel that same ugly feeling of doubt again. Is it ever going to happen? Will the judge find favor in me? Am I just going to freeze to death in Siberia?

I was told that I shouldn't expect to hear anything until after January 10th. It seems the Russians like to enjoy their holidays for a long time. Actually, I'm not sure how many holidays they pack into that timeframe, but it's too many as far as I'm concerned. My girl is waiting for her mama. She has no idea if I'm coming back. I wonder if the workers remind her of me and tell her that I'm coming back for her.

Christmas is a season of hope. I've believed that all my life so I guess that's just what I'll continue to do. Hold onto faith and hope in a promise that I've been given. I'll be going over to get my girl the minute the say I can and if you all would be kind enough to say a prayer for me that the judge would find favor in me. that he or she would realize that Gracie will be an incredibly loved and happy girl for the rest of her life. She didn't ask to be born with an extra chromosome, didn't ask to be left at the hospital or live the better part of her first 5 years in an orphanage, but I think if she could ask for anything, it would be to come home with her new mommy.