The End Really Is Just the Beginning

In February, we celebrated being in our adoption journey for three years. Some days, it seems really hard to believe that it's been that long. Other days, it seems like we've been doing this forever. 

We so look forward to bringing Sophie home in just a few months, but I'm starting to realize more and more that this "end" of this part of our journey is really a beginning to something that will change our lives forever. I long for the day when Sophie comes home to be a part of our family, and I just can't wait to love on my little girl. But I also know that when she comes home, that's when the hard work begins. The hard work of helping her to get adjusted to a new culture and a totally new life. The hard work of helping her to grieve multiple losses as she leaves all she's ever known in China and makes the transition to living in a foreign place. I do look forward to bring her home, but at the same time I'm a realist. Our adoption journey has been hard, and it will continue to be hard. But God who keeps reminding me that it will all be worth it, and that's what I hold on to as I try to be faithful to him and follow his Spirit daily.

If everything goes as planned, it looks like we'll be traveling to China in May. We still have some hoops to jump through with Homeland Security and the U.S. Department of State before we can make our travel arrangements, but the end, I mean, the beginning, is closer than it's ever been.

This is a recent picture of Sophie from the orphanage. She looks so happy and healthy, and those chubby little cheeks tell me she's eating well. We sent the orphanage a list of questions about Sophie and her likes and dislikes, and they told us she's not picky when it comes to food. She will fit in just fine in the Johnson family.

Right now, we're knee deep in yard sale mode as we get ready for our Adoption Yard Sale for Sophie this Friday and Saturday, March 14 and 15, at our home (311 Raintree Drive in Indian Lake Forest) in Hendersonville, Tennessee. So far, over 25 gracious families have contributed items for our yard sale, and we are again humbled by the generosity of our friends and family. Our Adoption Yard Sale for Sophie is from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on both days, and we'd love for you to stop by and see us. 

Our precious daughter Bethany will be selling some homemade sweet treats at the yard sale, and it would mean the world to her to sell out of everything she's made. So make it a point to stop by her little table and get a little (or a big) taste of something yummy. She'll even have some gluten-free options available.

And we are so grateful for our friend, Leah Tomlinson, an independent consultant at Thirty-One Gifts, who will have a table at the yard sale this weekend. Leah will be donating all of her profits to our adoption efforts. So, stop buy and check out her table at our Adoption Yard Sale for Sophie on Friday and Saturday. If you're not able to make it this weekend and would like to purchase some of Leah's great items, you can do so on her website at mythirtyone.com/leahtomlinson. All you have to do is click on "Place an Order," and then click on "Sophie's Sale." 

And finally, this is the progress of our Puzzle Fundraiser! Kind donors have purchased 26 of our 1000 puzzle pieces so far, and for that we are truly thankful. Any funds raised through our Puzzle Fundraiser and Yard Sale will go towards our travel expenses for our trip to China, and our orphanage donation and legal fees while in China.

You will be able to purchase puzzle pieces at the Adoption Yard Sale for Sophie, and you can do so on our blog page as well. If you'd like more info about our Puzzle Fundraiser, please check out our previous blog post.

God continues to amaze us through so many people who simply love us well, and we only hope our thankfulness and appreciation shines through. We love and appreciate all of you, and we are humbled that you would join us on our adoption journey.