Referral!!!!!!!

I have so many wonderful things to say right now, but no words to put them to. We are totally in love with our baby girl. Her name means gift - and that she is.

We got the call that we have dreamed about for 6 yeas, (but never really thought would come)on Thursday morning. The kids and I rushed down to Ryan's office to open the email with her picture and talk to our agency to learn what they know about her.

I have never been so excited to open an email. Knowing that my daughter's face was a few seconds away was surreal. It was love at first sight for all of us. She is amazing. I had thought that I would send her information to an international adoption doctor to get a professional consultation on whether she was healthy... but one look at her and we knew that she is ours. No need for the specialist, THE Specialist made it clear. She is pefectly and wonderfully made. And she is our daughter.

I couldn't think straight all day long as many friends and family I talked to can testify. I could not - and still cannot take my eyes off her picture. I have spent hours looking at her. Crying over her past, praying over her present, dreaming about her future - mostly thanking the Lord for His protection over her and His kindness to give her to us.

Really, I am out of words. So much has happened in two days - so many friends and family have shared our joy with us. I am grateful for all the loving friends we have who have been in this with us from the very beginning, six years ago. I have been learning about Gambella, trying to get to know the place where our baby originated. Maybe I will post later about what I am learning.

But for now, I will end this post knowing that I want so much to be able to express the joy and love in my heart right now, but simply cannot. It is indescribeable.