Happy Referralversary!!!!

It was one year ago today that we received the phone call that would forever change our lives. "This is your referral call", the best 5 words I had heard all year from Terra. They had a baby who was 3 months and 7 pounds. She said he was absolutely beautiful. Mark and I were both at work when we got the call. Of course as soon as the email came through with the pictures I was out of there and drove to Columbiana so Mark and I could look at his pictures together. It seems so surreal looking back. I can't believe it has been a year. There were so many ups and downs on our journey but through it all God never left our side. We grew stronger and close together as a couple through every delay and disappointment. We saw so many lives changed through people following our journey. Many people who didn't even give adoption a second thought before now. The biggest change though was in our faith. We grew stonger and closer to God as the entire process was completely and totally out of our hands. It was definitely a God thing! With each delay not only came frustration but also an opportunity to show what it truly means to have faith and totally trust in our Lord. In that totally and completely trusting the Lord came a beautiful baby boy who is sleeping as I write this in his crib upstairs. It was all so worth it the first day we got to hold this tiny little gift that God has placed in our care. He has truly blessed our lives and the lives of those around us through this baby boy. Below is a comparison as to where Daniel was a year ago compared to now. What a difference a year and a whole lot of love makes. God is so good to our family and I am so looking forward to see what he has in store for us this year! Daniel has an amazing God story to tell and I am sure God has great things in store for him, I can't wait to see his journey! Enjoy the pictures:

Referral picture:



1 Year later:




We love you little man can't imagine life without you! You are such a joy and we are truly blessed to call you our son. God has done amazing things in your life so far and only has much more in store for you. Your smile lights up a room and your kisses make us melt. We waited so long and prayed so hard to hold you in our arms and here we are one year later, you are home and we are truly blessed to have you call us mommy and daddy! We love you!

Thank you God for this amazing journey you have put us on. Thank you for the most precious gift of a son, of Daniel. This all happened with and through you, and we are forever grateful. Thank you for never leaving us along and guiding us through the entire journey. Your hands held us everytime we cried and everytime we danced with joy. I can't wait to see what you have in store for us this year. You are truly an amazing God and I am so blessed to be called your daughter! We love you, Amen.