A Letter to Our Girls

It is 3:45 am. I couldn't sleep tonight. Actually in this last week, before we even heard that you were truly our girls, I have been woken in the middle of the night. It used to happen in the early days of our adoption journey. In the days when we first made the decision to adopt. Too excited to sleep properly!

It's hard to believe you are really ours. I keep thinking of my trip that is coming up and of things I "could" buy for you (if you were only ours) cross my mind. And then I remember that I can buy it. You *are* coming home. You are truly ours!! This is hard to comprehend.

I know that today - a day of great joy and celebration is also a day of unfathomable sadness for your Enat - your Ethiopian Mummy. I cannot begin to imagine how it felt to sign the adoption papers. I can believe from the fact that she held onto you as long as she did, that she dearly loved you.

I can only imagine and wonder at the conditions of her and your lives that brought her to a point of having to give you up. I have the deepest respect and admiration for your Enat. I can only believe that she knew she was giving you the best possible chance for a future. For this we will be forever humbled and grateful.

She has blessed us with immeasurable happiness on this day.

We haven't even met you, but yet, we are in love with you! I know every little feature on your faces. We watched videos with delight, as we saw your little characters come to life. We sat awestruck and full of joy at seeing you in action and not still on photo paper.

Your new Daddy and I never dreamed we would ever have the privilege and pleasure of having daughters. But God knew better. You were his beautiful little Ace cards that He kept hidden until the time was right - when we thought our family was complete.

Probably right about now you have been told that you have been adopted and that you have a new family in Canada. I wonder what you are thinking? Mesai, you are older. Are you sad? Do you understand what this means? Are you excited? Or are they just words that you have heard repeated by the caregivers in the Transition Home. Have you and your little friends talked about what 'adopted' means? I have tears as I write this, knowing what a profound day this is for everyone!!

A day of immeasurable happiness for us, is also one of sadness across the world. I can only pray that God has been preparing you and Gadisae for this day. I can only hope that your little hearts are ready for the adventure that awaits you. All the way around the world, 12454 km away, there are eight people who have been waiting and praying for you for the last ten months. We shall continue to pray as we anticipate the joyous day when we finally come face to face with you and can hold you and drink in all that you are.

We also pray for your Enat. That God will fill her heart with the most reassuring sense of peace and joy at the future she has blessed you with.

Jeremiah 29:11 - "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

It is our heartfelt prayer that she know that God has His hand on her two little girls, and that He has chosen with great care, where they are to be raised. Canada may be your new home, but Ethiopia will always be your birthplace and your heritage. We will do all in our power to keep your country, culture, and language alive for you.

God bless you as you make this journey to join us.

We love you.

Mummy