Dear Lydia,
You are on my heart and mind constantly this past week. We really thought that we might get the incredible news that we were granted guardianship of you. But it looks like we are in for a longer wait. According to the Indian court website, our case went to court on Dec. 31, but it hasn't changed that date. We have heard nothing... It is very hard waiting for this last step! Actually, it is a step that will set off a chain of last steps leading to travel. We rest in Christ alone as we wait for you to come home.
What are you doing today? Has anyone whispered that you have a Mommy and Daddy in your ear? Do you know that each day is bringing you closer to a world that you have never known? We look at your pictures all the time and talk about you lots. We just switched around the bedrooms and have decided that you will be by Daddy and Mommy's side for awhile. We want you to know that we are right here whenever you need us. Anna is still excited that one day you will share a room with her. You have several Christmas presents waiting for you and beautiful little clothes! Aunt Marci sent down bags of clothes for you and we found a tub in the attic of Anna's old clothes. Daddy always teased me about keeping all those clothes, but I knew you were always in my heart! So, just wait until you see your beautiful little baby dolls! I even have a gift for you for when your much older hidden away! So, we wait and we pray and we are eager for the day when meet you face to face. We love you little one!
Let me tell you little one how God has connected our hearts to your home country... It hasn't been too long ago that God gave our friend, Tom a dream about a town in Indiana. He saw a town that was calling out to him. After a few weeks, he and his family drove over to the town to pray and just see what God was calling him to. He came in contact with the minister's wife whose husband had been seriously injured about the time that God gave Tom the dream. The husband and his brother are from...Nagpur, India. These two men came and shared at church. They have a ministry to train pastors to head into the north of India to preach the Gospel. Several have been persecuted and some have died for the Gospel to go forth. My dear little one, these men speak your language and said if we needed anything to just call them. They also have a ministry in your birth village. We will always love and pray for your birth family. Just before Christmas, God connected our church family to a family who have been missionaries in...Nagpur for five years. They were able to come and share at church also. They know your city, dear one, and have many friends and church family there. We are hoping to meet some of them and possibly stay with them when we travel. Daughter, they will be able to speak your language and help us communicate our love for you. Such blessings! God has led each step of the way and continues to provide every detail down to people who speak your language and know your city.
Today as I write this, your Uncle Ben and others are in India just a few hours away from you... They have been there for a couple weeks preaching the Gospel. They are seeing many coming to Christ and believing in the message of the cross. God is moving mightily in your homeland. It is harvest time! We love India and are amazed at how God continues to connect us to a people on the other side of the earth. We can't wait to hear the report of all that God is doing right now!
As we begin 2011, we hope and pray that 2012 will bring you being home and adjusting to life in the crazy Illinois cold! I have promised our dear friend Sunita that I will dress you warmly and keep you cozy! (She knows first hand that our house is a little chilly!)
We are doing all we can to make each step to you go as smoothly as possible, but it just takes a long time. One day soon sweet daughter...one day soon...
All my love to the daughter born in my heart,
Your Mother
