The Final Chapter - 17th June

     The aim of this blog was always to share our story; as with all stories they must come to an end. I have thought long and hard over the last few months as to what will I write when the final blog entry is made? I can't say that I ever came up with the perfect way to wrap up a journey which began in September of 2011. It is a tall task to bring to closure something which has been so open for a while, the seemingly ongoing process of being interviewed, approved, interviewed some more, more approvals, waiting, waiting some more, matching, more approvals, etc...  If you have followed along you know the drill, BUT through it all we knew, we knew this was not only our desire it was the plan of the Lord for us to walk this journey. We are so thankful to Jesus that He has chosen us and built our faith as we carried on in this process.

     I'll tell ya what we have not walked alone, never have we felt more of an entourage than when going through this process. Our church family has been amazing, whether that be supporting us in prayer, doing practicals, simply hanging out and providing some distraction and ultimately totally accepting our girls as an integral part of the church. They love going along, they love being held by various people, they love dancing to the music, they love going out with the other little ones, it is another place of safety and home for them. How we could have done this without such a caring church is a question we've not had to answer.

     Our family has been wonderful, it's not easy getting to know 2 little girls over SKYPE especially when about 10 minutes is the max for any semi-inteliglible conversation but that getting to know them is exactly what Grandma and Granny have done. It was great spending such quality time with both in the USA on our trip in April. Beyond G and G we also were able to introduce the girls to wider family like Aunts, Uncles and cousins, we don't have many since we come from small families but they know who their family is, even if thousands of miles away. They also have built many great memories with our friends in Indiana. Next time we visit will not seem so foreign to them, they've been there and done that.

     We have entered the delightful space of children's parties, playgroups, nursery and playdates. It's all fun, and getting to know so many new wonderful people has been a real life-giving aspect of it all. it's weird to not fit in, I'm sure you've been there, but what a feeling to fit in, and we're now right in the centre of parenthood and hanging out with other mom's and dad's. Sharing stories, ideas and invites to this and that. School starts soon, another girl going to nursery starts soon, it feels like we are blazing through the stages, but we are attempting to savour each and every day.
 
     There are some really significant people in the girls's lives, one of them is Aunty Lizzie. Hard to believe that we have shared a house together for nearly 6 years now. We've lived in three different houses and created home, now we share a home together with two little ones who love to curl up and watch a nightly video before bath, who enjoy going to the allottment and wandering into Aunty Lizzie's bedroom on Saturday mornings.
 
     We also need to give a shout out to our two social workers L and L. We started with one who expertly walked us through the home study/interview process up to the panel. Then after she left on maternity leave we had another wonderful worker who walked us through matching, another panel and visits to see the girls and encourage us. They have been great to work with, and we have much respect for the work that PACT does. (Parents and Children Together)

     I've always thought of this journey metaphorically as a cycle race like the Tour De France, sometimes pedaling so quickly to make up time, sometimes seemingly struggling to pedal up a hill, and other times keeping a regular pace to stay with the pack. Now it feels like that tour is over, instead of a grueling race with many stops and starts, we're actually out on a family bike ride through the country side. No urgency, not really a route plan, rather enjoying the view and stopping along the way to relax in the meadow or even have a picnic by the road. Maybe we should go for a family ride someday, let's wait till the girls can ride a bike.

     Blessings to you all, whether you've followed our journey from the beginning or have read this as a first taste, it has been great to share our story and encouragement along the way. I want to end by stating once again the truth of Psalms 68:6 that God truly does set the lonely in families.