Last year on this date . . .

Last year on this date, February 14th, Derek and I were in a courtroom in a small Ukrainian village, requesting permission for the honor of becoming parents to two tiny orphans.  Last year on this date, the judge did not grant their adoption.  He sent us away.  He insisted that we needed to provide more paperwork.  Lots more paperwork.  Last year on this date, we were crying out to God, and scrambling to produce the paperwork requested, and trying not to panic . . . trying to remember to trust that the God of the universe did not bring us all the way around the world only to slam the door on this adoption.  Last year on this date, many of you, my dear readers, joined us in prayer.  Thank you, friends!  Thank you, Jesus!  Last year on this date, two little boys spent their last day as orphans.