Matthew 11:28-30 - Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Joshua 24:15 -
Choose this day whom you will serve; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Love of a Father

The love of a father is (or should be) unconditional.  It knows no end.  Prior to last fall I had known the joy of a baby or small child coming into our lives five times, and I didn't think it was in the cards to be blessed that way again.  But then God sent a little inspiration, a lot of grace and a big bundle of joy my way.  It has been a long time since I posted because November and December were consumed with the great Ukrainian adventure:  Bringing home our little Julia.

Every time I walk through the house and see a little pair of shoes, a child's toy that wasn't there before or the little blond haired, blue eyed angel herself crawling around our family room, I pinch myself wondering, "is this real"?  It's real all right.  When I tuck her in at night or watch her gobble down her dinner I am so thankful she is with us.  We've got a long road ahead of us and much to learn, but that's ok.  I'm glad to be along on this ride.

This little girl has got my heart wrapped around her little finger real good.  Here are some of the faces that have been lighting up our days for the last month.

The joys of pajama time...

Playtime with Julia...





Oh the days in Kharkov (city of her birth)...




And the final days in Kyiv on the way home, captured by her loving older brother:




Those are some of the many faces of Julia and I'm so glad they are in my life.  Little Julia, know that you will always have the love of a father in your life from here on out.