Christmas without Viktorija

When I woke up this morning I asked God to give me the strength to focus on all of our many blessings and not the fact that our daughter was not here with us for this special day. It turned out to be a wonderful day with many reminders that God is very much in control. We spoke to Viktorija before my family arrived to have Christmas lunch with us. She sounded good. She laughed after we sang to her, "We wish you a merry Christmas". She told us she had been to church today and that she was also going to church tomorrow. It is "family day" at her church. Mike told her she could carry a picture of us with her, and that we will be with her in heart and spirit. She liked that.

We then called Viktorija a second time today after all of my family was present. They each were able to say "hello" to her and tell her that they loved her. This is the first time she has heard anyone else's voice (besides ours) on the phone. After we told her again how much we love her, and said our goodbyes, she said, "goodbye my family, I love you" to all of us. Of course, this was a touching moment. Not to mention, she has the sweetest phone voice...ever!!!! Wow, do I miss her! I want to hug her and never let go. But, even with all of hte emotions that I am feeling, I feel very much at peace in God's timing. Next Christmas will be extra special:-)

A lovely lady that my mom works with (whom I've never met) sent a gift for Viktorija. It was a lovely snow globe with a generous monetary gift attached. As I shed my tears, my family sat quietly in amazment at the kindness and generosity of this wonderful lady with a heart for orphans.

This was another reminder to me of how God knows our needs and how He uses many different people to meet those needs. It wasn't just the monetary gift, it was the love behind it that moved me so much (the love of someone I've not met...yet, and the love of our ever present Lord and Savior).

As I sit here quiety pondering this beautiful day, I think of the greatest gift God gave to the world...His very our son. "For God so loved the world, He sent His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him, should not perish, but have eternal life". The greatest gift of all! I am humbled and so grateful for a love such as this. As much love as I feel for our daughter, God loved us even more. It's difficult to imagine. But, I'm so thankful!!!!!