Preparation

Your deep brown eyes that can soften any heart

Your beautiful curls that flow down your back

Your unwavering love for your family

Your eyes that see beauty in everything 

Your snuggles in the morning

Your sweet "I love you's" throughout the day

Your innocent prayers at night

You have taught me, stretched me, and loved me more than I could have ever imagined. 

Little beautiful one you are deeply loved, now and forever. 

How do you prepare a 3 year old to leave the place she has called home and has been deeply loved to move into her new home and new environment that she doesn't fully remember. To be back with her mom who we have prayed for each night and yet has only seen her 2 times a month for an hour each, to move with a mom who now speaks a language she no longer understands, to a place that I can't protect her in, a place she imagines much different than it will be. We talk often of when she will return home. We speak of a time when her mom finds a place that is safe and will know how to keep her safe. But I can't make promises. I can't promise her safety or that I can come get her when she is wishing I would. I can't promise everything is going to be ok because I'm not confident it will be. I can't promise she will be able to come back here to play, that she will see Allie, Jake or Izzie again.  This journey involves so much fear. Every step of the unknown involves fear. Last Sunday at church I was encouraged in the sermon that even the disciples that walked alongside of Jesus often had fear or were terrified. I'd like to think if I personally saw the miracles Jesus did I would step in faith confidently knowing He would always be there, but I know I wouldn't because I am no better than the disciples, who when they saw Jesus walk on the water were terrified. So now I can come before Him being honest in my fears because I know what His response will always be. It is the same as it was for the disciples hundreds of years ago, "Take courage, It is I, do not be afraid". As I look into Little Lady M's eyes I can't help but have these verses come to mind;

35 For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. 36 I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’

37 “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? 39 When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’

40 “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters,[f] you were doing it to me!’(matthew 25:35-40)

It is He. He is behind those deep brown eyes and He is the one that moves and protects. So, yes, I can confidently say to her through these next 30 days she is with us that I promise Jesus will be with her always. In the dark nights when she is afraid, in the moments of not knowing what is next, He is with her. I pray now that the truth and promises we have poured into her, the nightly prayers I hear her heart pray will go with her, will comfort her in those times where I know fear will be gripping her heart. 

This Advent has special meaning this year. Each day we read about a new promise or a new characteristic of who Christ is and I get to hear my eldest have a deep understanding of Him, to the others who have the sweetest childlike faith of who Jesus is to them. The joy in their eyes brings excitement to this season as we prepare for the birth of the most amazing baby of all who brings the biggest promise with Him. 

Join our family as we pray over Little Lady M in these next 30 days. That her heart would be prepared, her mom would be prepared and that satans grip on these families would be loosened. Jesus came to overcome and I will be praying that over her daily.