Help all the mommies and daddies not to be sad...

What a blessing our First Fridays group is. Though we have to travel over an hour to the meetings, it is well worth it. First Fridays is a meeting the First Friday of each month (duh!) for families who are adopting or who have adopted from China. It's a wonderful time of fellowship and support.

This month, a professor from Kennesaw State University joined us. He played songs on his Erhu or Chinese violin. You would recognized the sound if you heard it. It only has two strings, but still has so much range. Though I haven't picked up my violin in years, he let me play the Erhu and I was able to play a scale after only a few attempts. The first sounds reminded me of my early violin lessons. Mom, the screeching must have gotten to you so badly as it was bugging me in just those few moments. Sorry 'bout that!

The main presentation was by a father who has adopted two little girls from China. He reminded us to pray for our children even though we don't yet know who they are. His oldest daughter said a prayer for the waiting families there. "Help the angels to play with the babies and help all the mommies and daddies not to be sad." I was crying, but I wasn't sad.

Stork Alert

This just in: Child matches are arriving for those with log-in dates through November 1, 2005. That leaves 282 log-in days ahead of us. We're anxously waiting with J & A to see their little one's face. Congratulations to all who will get that precious phone call this week.

Welcome Home HunnyB!

With a little fanfare from the USO and a balloon bouquet from me, HunnyB walked out of the airport and back into his life here at home. We've been enjoying our time together, taking long walks, holding hands and eating at all of our favorite restaurants. I'm happy to report that our transition back to couplehood has gone well, and we're loving our life together.

Thank you to all of those who gave us love, support and prayers during this deployment. This time has changed me. I've always considered myself a patriotic person and a supporter of Soldiers. I want to continue to put my thoughts into action where I can.

Now to get down to some serious waiting for a referral!!!!

So close, yet so far...

I'm thrilled to report that HunnyB is back in the USA, but not yet home in my arms. It's a funny feeling, like I can almost reach him but not quite. Hopefully, he'll arrive safely home later this week.

Magic Eight (months LID) Ball

Stork Alert: Unfortunately this month's stork was sickly and weak. He was only able to carry referrals for two days of log-ins. Referrals arrived for those with log-ins through October 26, 2005. This leaves several of our friends just beyond the cutoff. My heart goes out especially to J & A as they come to terms with waiting yet another month for that precious picture. We're praying that you will have peace, my friends.


Today is also the eight month anniversary of our log in date. In honor of our eight month anniversary, I thought I'd ask the Magic Eight Ball if we would see when we might expect a referral. With 288 log-in days ahead of us, this is the answer I got.

SSG Matt Maupin ~ Not Forgotten

You've probably noticed this little image on the sidebar of my blog. Or you haven't. Either way, today I'd like to ask you to notice it.

Today marks three years since the capture of then-PVT Matt Maupin. Read the AP story here. Three years later, he remains the only reservist listed as missing in action/captured.

If you would, please take a moment to say a prayer for this Soldier, his parents, family and friends, and all of our military, civilians and contractors serving our country at this time.

Holy Week

I spent a little time this week remembering Holy Week. As the Vicar at church said, the Biblical word for remember connotes actively thinking of, not just like absent-mindedly remembering where you left your keys. Palm Sunday is a joyous day, as is Easter. The days between commemorate the last week of Christ's life, including his death and dessension into hell where he bore the total weight of the sins of all mankind. If you celebrate Palm Sunday and Easter without remembering the days in between, you may lose sight of the depths of Christ's sacrifice. This year I made a conscious choice to try to really remember Holy week, rather than glossing over the days between the Hosannas of Palm Sunday and the joys of the Resurrection.