Dear Jubilee Promise

Dear Jubilee Promise, 

Two years ago, Christmas Eve, Emma  you and I arrived home from Ch*na. {And two days later - December 26th you turned eight years old!}

Waiting was your big ol' daddy, who kept weeping that you/we were finally{!} here.

Two years ago you, sweet girl you looked like this.


Sad.


Alone.


Empty eyes.

Bone thin.


32 pounds and 8 years old.

We had no idea it would take almost two years to bring you home.  We worked soooo hard to get you home as fast as we could, but our home burning down had cost us so much time: re-filing, and re-filing again! ugh

And the while you waited.  

Finally, Emmy and I were able to go.  We couldn't get there fast enough.  You walked into the room at the orphanage and you were beaming.  You kept looking at me and saying, "Mama!  Mama!"

Someone had told you we were coming!

This past year brought some remarkable changes for you!  

Finding out you are severely hearing impaired - whooooa!

No one had known.

No one had even suspected in all your eight years!

How was that even possible? 

Then we found in June that you have a very, very, 

very rare chromosomal uniqueness.

And we couldn't be happier that you are you.  

We wouldn't change one thing about you.

You smile and laugh all day long.

Life is a party for you.

And we get to be at the party every.single.day with you.

Your name {Jubilee} was picked by the Lord and whispered to mommy's heart probably about the time you were being born.

And for eight years mommy waited for the Lord to fulfill His promise.  {Hence, your name: Promise.}

And that Jubilee part?

Fits you girly-girl to a tee.

You are jubilant about life.

And the people you meet?

They all love you.

How could they not?

{If someone ever didn't like you? Clearly it would be their problem!}

***

Jubilee Promise -

You are our girl.

Through and through.

The only regret girly-girl is that we couldn't get you home sooner.

The deep grief in our hearts is that you had to live eight stinkin' 

years without us. 

As I looked into your eyes sweet baby girl these last two years I have wondered what exactly you had to endure and what was locked away in your memory.  

I am so thankful that you have begun to talk about Ch*na with me.  I am thankful that you have begun to share your story.  

Little bits.  

Painful pieces.  

Grievous moments.  

I am so sorry girly-girl.  

You didn't deserve any of it.  

{Nobody does. Not.Ever.}

Oh sweet Jubilee, we are so thankful that you are home. 

Forever protected from yuky stuff.

Forever safe.

Forever loved. 

Thankful girly-girl for the joy and jubilation 

you bring to our family.

Thankful that your unending smile is seen 

around our home all day long.

Thankful for your tender spirit.

Thankful for your helpful heart.

Thankful that you are ours.

Forever.

Happy 10th Birthday Jubilee Promise!

You are our precious treasure and we cannot ever thank the Lord enough for allowing us the privilege of being your family.

We love you to the moon, to Ch*na, to Africa and back!!

Mommy & Daddy and Abigail, Ryan, Finley, Tyler, Sarah, Baby, Autumn, Karl, Emma, Josh, Graham, Savannah, Liberty, Isaiah, Elizabeth, Elijah and Ruby Grace

xo