In May we were blessed to be able to send a care package to Leah. This is NOT an option for most parents adopting internationally so we consider it an incredible privilege. We had lots of fun picking out special outfits and little toys to send to our sweet girl. Moriah also picked out some adorable super soft fleece and my mom helped her make a blanket for Leah.
Moriah and Mamaw's sewing project
Ready to pack the box
Mailing the box
Leah with her gifts from us
June
In June we got this adorable video of Leah playing peek-a-boo. There really are no words to describe the cuteness. Just watch!
July
In July we had the privilege of spending the day with 3 wonderful families who have adopted through our agency in Taiwan. It was so fun to visit with them and watch our kids play and laugh together. Also visiting that day were Sara and Ashleigh, two of the ladies who live in Taiwan and care for Leah. They are affectionately referred to as "the aunties" by many of the adoptive families. We loved having them in our home, as did our kids, and it was such a blessing to get to know them better, to hear about their ministry, to pray with them and of course to hear stories and details about Leah. Learning more of Leah's story and how she came to the orphanage revealed to us just how completely God has had his hand of protection on Leah since her birth. We are so incredibly thankful for his watchcare over her and that he has placed loving, godly people like Ashleigh and Sara, among others, in her life.
Taiwan Xi En family
August
In August Leah turned 11 months old. In our monthly update we learned about her newest milestones and developments.
1) She is a very happy baby.
2) She loves to smile and laugh
3) She can say "hi" and "bye"
4) She is standing alone and has taken a few steps
5) She LOVES music and often "dances" when she hears it
6) She LOVES books and often chooses them over toys
7) She LOVES Elmo
As you can probably imagine, waiting to have Leah in our arms is hard. Very hard. I know that God in all his goodness will not allow this difficult season to be wasted. If we allow Him, he will use it. He'll use it to make us more like him. There is absolutely nothing I can do about the waiting, it is out of my control. So...I can choose to just survive it OR I can choose to let God use it. To teach me, to mold me, to change me and to allow me to reflect more of Him. I can choose to let it be a gift. Oh I know, I'm making it sound really easy. But it's not. It's a daily moment by moment surrender of trusting in His sovereignty, in His faithfulness, of continually acknowledging that his ways are better - so much better than mine. Better than my hopes, my dreams, and yes, even my timeline. My prayer is that I can live out in my heart what I know to be true in my head.
But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. Isaiah 40:31
~Angela
