Christmas has come and what a wonderful time to celebrate family and friends. What a wonderful time to celebrate the birth of Jesus as well! There has been a great deal of discussion and prayer around "Sunshine". My whole family is excited about her eventual arrival and this Christmas has shown that the anticipation is high. We realize that the holidays without her are quickly disappearing. She received her first Christmas present from Mom-Mom and Pop-Pop, a heart bracelet that reads Sunshine on the front and LYF (Love You Forever) on the back. She also received her first Christmas letter from Pop-Pop (tear). This is a Ruiz Christmas tradition where Mom and Dad write love letters to all of the children and grandchildren providing encouragement and speaking directly to how special each one is.
It has been over a month and a half since my last post. I apologize for taking so long to update the blog and our progress. Some of the best news that we have to share is that our Dossier was completed last week and sent to Albania on Friday, December 21, 2007. This is great news because it means that all of the paperwork that we have been working on for the past several months has now been validated and approved by our agency. Bethany Christian Services is very thorough with the paperwork and makes sure that everything is done by the book. Albania has never declined an adoptive family or requested more paperwork in the past once they are approved by Bethany.
So with the new year comes the waiting. Even though we are confident in the Lord's timing, it doesn't lessen the truth in what a wise poet once said:
The waiting is the hardest part
Every day you see one more card
You take it on faith, you take it to the heart
The waiting is the hardest part
1 comment:
Hey Deb and Ray.. I am always checking back on your blog to read the update on your newest family member! The Lord keeps you on my heart and mind through this process.. I keep you in prayer like many others. I also feel like I am to check back about IYC. I thought the Lord was leading me in a new direction a few months ago, but whenever I try to figure out what God has in store, the picture gets flipped upside down again :) so I've decided to stop trying to figure Him out and instead walk in faith and trust in Him! I do feel like I want to go on another missions trip, so I'm sure He'll shine light on the direction I am to go. Please email me updates on IYC and dates that it is this year.. I can't seem to find the website from last year so if you can send that link too, that'd be great. My email is krlepley@gmail.com -- I'm looking forward to hearing from you.. and I'd love to have an opportunity to chat sometime.. my passion to go into youth camp ministry has been refueled and I feel like I am to talk with you guys for some reason.. believing it is the leading of the Holy Spirit of course. Hope all continues to go well.. looking forward to hearing of your celebration of Sunshine's arrival also! Love and blessings, Kelly Lepley
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