For those waiting....The Last Christmas

I share a love of Christmas music with my dear friend Mitzi who is patiently waiting for the birth of their 3rd child any day. This song reminded me of her today as well as many others I know of who are waiting for referrals, court dates, and paper work to move from one desk to another (Green Family)so that their children can come home to their new family. This song from Six Pence None the Richer called The Last Christmas is about the last Christmas without their child that is to be born later in the spring. May the Lord extend an extra measure of grace to those who are patiently waiting on their children to arrive by birth and adoption this Christmas.

I remember last year wondering if our longed for children would be home the next year by Christmas...praying that they would be and now here they are celebrating Christmas with us for the first time. Last Christmas seems so long ago and all of the agony of waiting seems to be a distant memory once you are home, holding them and loving them, but when you are in the midst of waiting at times it is unbearable. Unforeseen delays were the hardest for me to take and it seemed I would break...then after much prayer and encouragement from my sweet husband I would get back up and trust the Lord even more to move the current mountain(reason for delay) in front of us at the time. He was always faithful to give us the strength and perseverance to press on and He continues to do so as we raise our children.

It is also hard to believe that it has been one year ago since starting the blog. I have loved sharing our journey with friends, family, and friends of friends. I look back at this past year and stand in awe of what the Lord has done. We look forward to 2009 and all that the Lord will do in us and through us. Thank you sweet family and friends for walking along this journey with us.

Christmas Piano Recital

Emily and J.Michael have been hard at work learning their pieces for their Christmas Piano Recital. Their piano teacher Miss Sarah Hulin(she is the one sitting directly behind the kids in the video) has been teaching them piano in our home. She has been a tremendous blessing to our family and a great encouragement to Emily and J.Michael to pursue excellence, practice diligently and to be challenged by trying more difficult pieces to play. J.Michael played "Psalm 1 and O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" and Emily played "Amazing Grace, My Chains are Gone and What Child is this?" . Emily also did the arrangement for What Child is This which was challenging for her but it turned out beautifully. Great Job! I am so proud of both of you and your willingness to share your gift of music with the residence of Silverado Senior Living Center. It was truly a blessed night. Silverado Senior Living Center is a place for seniors with memory diseases. Most of whom we visited were unable to have coherent conversations with us but the music blessed them and seeing the little children and being hugged on brought smiles to their faces. We were so blessed to be part of this ministry...thank you Sarah!

*remember to click pause on the playlist music in the left sidebar so you can hear the video

I apologize for the shaky footage in advance...I had a little helpoor. Nana you may need to have your doggie bag handy!