light of life

Today we had one of the bigger birthdays in Casa de Amor history. That's saying a lot when we've probably had well over 150 the past few years!

The first time that a caregiver has put on the birthday for a child she is adopting...

Only our second "twin birthday"...

I think I can safely say it's the first birthday in my life that I've shed tears over. The pain and heartache that won't go away because we are not holding Gabriela, and yet the great joy and celebration over Gabriel's beautiful life and first year.

Here are some of the many many pictures of the 3 hour fiesta!

I think there will be some of me with Gabriel when I get some of the pictures others made, and hopefully of the prayer. A dear friend of Casa de Amor, pastor of the church our kids attend and an adoptive mother herself, led a powerful prayer time over Gabriel's life.

I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD. And they worshiped the LORD there. I Samuel 1:27-28

As I cut the cake the only way I could keep my composure was thinking that somehow, surely, God made sure that Gabriela ate cake today. Don't you think?

A huge thank you for family and friends who sent e-cards, called, and emailed to support us through this bittersweet day I've dreaded since January 23. I love the verse Elizabeth sent, also from Psalm 56: For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life. Amen!

And now I am grateful for a busy weekend that I need to get back to. Otherwise, now that the busyness of the morning airport run/birthday party is wearing off, I'm thinking ENTIRELY too much......