A Happy Homecoming for our Friends!

I've mentioned before that we are part of a wonderful small group at our church called Orphans' Hope. Many of the families who are part of our group are adoptive families, and it is so exciting when we get to celebrate a new adoption within our group. On Friday, our dear friends came home from Kazakhstan with their two beautiful newly adopted children. Our group and some other friends gathered at their house to welcome them home.

It was so exciting to see their minivan approaching the house:

But this was the moment when I couldn't hold back the tears... Mama getting out of the car with her son:

It was like the best block party ever!

Lots of hugs!

Here is Mama with her sweet baby girl:
And Papa with his beautiful son:

Welcome home, friends! We're so blessed to be a part of your journey, and we look forward to getting to know your newest family members!

On their way to Addy!

These are our friends A and A!  They are leaving in just two short days to go to Ethiopia where they will pick up their newly adopted daughter, Addy. Addy is almost two years old, and she is a beautiful little girl.

A&A are part of our small group through our church. Our small group is called "Orphan Hope", and it is comprised of several people in our church who have a heart for orphans. Many of the families are adoptive or foster families. 

Brian and I have been absolutely blown away by God's generosity to us. We are thrilled that He brought us to a church where a group like this exists. We feel so supported by our friends in this group as we journey through our adoption process.

Last night, we gathered as a group to have a little send-off for A&A, as they prepare to leave to bring Addy home to live with her forever family. Someone brought cookies with the stripes of the Ethiopian flag!

It was a wonderful time of fellowship, of hearing what miracles God has done to bring Addy home!

And a sweet time of prayer together.

We can't wait to meet Addy, and we're thrilled that our future kids will have an Ethiopian friend to know and grow up with right here in our town!

To read more about A&A's adoption journey, visit their blog!