Celebrating His Great Work

For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will — to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the One He loves. Ephesians 1:4-6

Over Memorial Day weekend, our faith family here in Texas honored us with an adoption celebration. Here are photos from that special day, and a song that is very special to our family. I'm numbering mercies here, today, too. There are far more, of course, than ever make it on this list!
  Mandi Mapes / This Love / P E M MA by jamesjosephaudio

982. My hand on her head, after so many, many months of prayer and uncertainty.

 983. Anytime my EG gets a chance to play with Mrs. M's E (they share first names!)

 984. Friends like this who are willing to get up in your business in the name of Love...she serves and blesses and glorifies God. (she has two sets of adoption-blessing twins!)

985. Friends like this who prayed and labored with us through the long, hard months, and then watched the younger four while we finalized the adoption Back Home in May

986. Balloons with AH's name on them - a special touch that meant a lot to her, to us

987. The Body of Christ: several members seen here, all of whom have loved our family deeply, faithfully (that's Miss C in the plaid, who's been my right hand gal this summer; She's standing by her dad, who leads our Sunday school class, along with his dear wife, in the balloon photo above this one)

988. Others sharing our joys and pains (Mrs. M on the left; my friend S on the right - she's also been blessed through adoption)

 

 989. Christ followers who take care of needs...meals, baby holding, understanding

 

990. The adoption party itself - such a thoughtful, beautiful celebration on a warm, sunny night

The next few photos show our family gathered around opening the amazing and generous gifts our friends gave us...

I really think there must have been a "think y'all will have more kids?" joke here...

This gift was awesome - it's a large, metal, cursive word "Family" with small hooks on it. Our friends painted 6 tiny picture frames in happy bright colors, put a photo of each girl in one of the frames, then hung the photos by coordinating ribbons from the "Family" wall hanging. I've finally figured out where to hang it in our living room - I'm excited! What a beautiful and creative gift.

Almost got all of them in this shot! Oh, and you can see the rosebush one special friend gave us - it's planted and thriving in the yard now!

Sweet photo, yes?

 Everyone gathered around and blessed us with words of encouragement, then we prayed and released the special balloons with AH's new name on them

J & J, our friends with the two sets of twins, gave us this very sentimental treasure of a gift...having the girls' hands pressed in clay, marked with their initials.

Another neat, really personalized gift celebrating our new and improved family!

Last of all, we ended the day with an impromptu sleepover. We heart spontaneous get togethers! Thanks for letting her come, Mrs. M!

Thanks for taking the time to check out this photo album of our special day. I am so thankful for God's kindness to us - in sending Jesus, in giving us AH, and in pouring out his love on us through His body, this Family, these friends...I don't have adequate words!

Thank You, Lord!

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Getting very close to the 1000th mercy here...when it hits that big number, I'll be doing a special giveaway and hope to pull you into sharing God's mercies in your own life...a kind of celebration here, for His glory, thanking Him for His goodness!