Reunion Picnic

Yesterday we had the pleasure of attending the picnic/reunion of our home study agency. These hardworking folks have done tons of home study and post-placement reports for families adopting from all over the world. It was incredible to see so many families from so many nationalities. Beautiful God created families full of love and diversity. It made me appreciate this miracle of adoption so much more.

Blame the heat but I didn't get nearly all the pics I wanted to. We made many new friends and got to meet friends I had been e-mailing and blogging with for over a year. I wish I had gotten pics with all of them!

I had the pleasure of meeting a devout family who had committed to praying IF home and prayed very specific prayers for her while in Guatemala picking up their own children. Meeting this family, hugging this woman who had prayed so hard for IF was so moving to me.

Then we met another couple who God used in the lives of so many from our agency. Despite his own anguishing wait, this sweet man kept us all laughing on our weekly chats. He could make us laugh on even the darkest of days. This family waited 18 weeks for their birth certificate. It was amazing to see their daughter, for whom I had so fervently prayed, and to hug the man that God had used every Tuesday night for so many months to bring a smile to my face and ease my aching heart.

We made new friends with a couple and their gorgeous little boy, who's story sounded so much like our own. They long to adopt another child from Guatemala, and like us, pray daily that Guatemala reopens.

Our day, aside from getting a little lost, was perfect! I am so thankful for this journey. As terribly painful as it was, it was also filled with amazing joys and unexpected blessings, like all of friends we have gained along the way!

IF loved the pony ride. She kept stroking and talking to the pony and had to give it a kiss when her ride was over!

Sliding
BFFs Isabella Faye and Raelyn
Daddy and his new pal Alex!
Cheese! Take #1
Two smiles, no one looking at the camera...

Cheese! Take #2
No one smiling...two looking angrily at the camera...
Cheese! Take #3
Two chatting, one picking...no one looking at the camera...

Cheese! Take #4

If looks could kill...

The future Mr. and Mrs.????

The bouncer...

Mommy and Daddy were horrified and calling from the outside for IF to come out! She on the other hand was fearless and didn't want to leave!

Sweet Raelyn, taking a break.

If and her first balloon.

IF with her second balloon!

Cooling off and eating supper with Daddy and Aunt Betsy and the gang at Mommy's favorite restaurant, Crack*r Barr*ll.

IF and Aunt Bebby

Samurai Alex

Chillin before the ride home
Princessas!