5 Months!

5 months ago today we committed to our precious Zoya.  We were different people 5 months ago.  Our entire life perspective has changed and I would never want to go back.  In the past 5 months we have learned to trust more, worry less, WAIT a lot, cheer other people on, love eachother better, and open our hearts to others in need.  5 months seems like it has been 5 years...really it has NOT gone by fast at all. 

The biggest lesson for me this far has been that it is okay to ask others for encouragement, support, prayer, help.  Shawn and I are both very independent people who have always taken pride in the fact that we have accomplished so much on our own.  Obviously we realize there were many people who helped us along the way to become the people we are, but prior to this, we would have rather done things on our own...privately...without EVER asking for help from others.  During this journey we have NEEDED help in so many ways.  We have needed friends more than we ever needed friends before.  We have needed financial assistance to make this happen.  We have needed prayer like we've never needed prayer before.  We have reached out to people and the response has been nothing short of amazing.  I always knew I had lots of people who cared, but I never knew just how much they cared.  I have been so touched and astounded by the many people who have helped us on this journey in one way or another.  All of you are part of Zoya's story and we are forever grateful to you for that. 

5 months ago I could have never imagined how I would feel at this very moment.  Having just got our travel date to meet Zoya, so many things are going through my head.  More importantly, so many things are going through my heart.  I don't know yet how to write the words that describe how I am feeling at this very moment.  It is definitely a feeling I've never known before.  I don't think I'm prepared, or ever could be, to meet Zoya.  I pretend I am prepared, but I can only imagine what those first weeks getting to know her will be like.  I keep praying that God will prepare our hearts, and hers for our meeting.  How do you prepare for such a life changing experience? You don't.  You just fly by the seat of your pants, soak up every single second good and bad, and know those first moments will only be the beginning of so many more moments to come.