Many lasts and many firsts

As I go through this week thinking about the fact that in a few days we will have three children, I have been mindful of all the things Charis will be doing for the last time. Friday morning, she will make her trek to her school for the very last time. She will take her last bath at the orphanage, eat her final meal prepared by the nannies, go to sleep in her green bunk bed, wear clothes and shoes shared by many others and wake up without a mommy and a daddy. Very soon, she will experience many firsts! She will wake up WITH a mommy and a daddy. She will be a daughter...OUR daughter! She will be a little sister AND a big sister! She will have her own clothes and shoes. She will sleep in a hotel. She will fly in an airplane. She will go to a zoo. She will swim. She will tour some of her own country and travel to an entirely new one. She will be hugged and prayed over and kissed and held. She will be listened to and smiled at and loved on and focused on. She will live in a house...actually, a home! Oh, it is so close now.

Over the next few days, weeks and months, our family will walk through many lasts and walk into many firsts. I imagine some of these experiences will be beyond amazing. But, I am certain some of them will be more than difficult as change, even good change, brings its share of uncertainty. Bring it on, I say! This is what we have been waiting for and we know that we will be supported by friends and family and our Lord. I find comfort in knowing that when we ask for wisdom from God, He gives generously and without reproach.