China said YES!!

"O Glorious Day!" The Hardings have LOA!!! This is a HUGE milestone for us! This little document came to us today via FedEx from the land of China! LOA means "Letter of Acceptance." It officially says that Todd and I are, in the eyes of China, Asa's parents! He is ours and we are his! A family has been created from miles and miles away! How I love this little boy I have not yet met!! Did you hear that?! I have NOT YET MET! But he is mine. On the LOA it says that he is a "Foundling." In about two and a half months, he will no longer be a "foundling" but a Harding! Wanted. Treasured. Loved. Chosen. He will have brothers and sisters, a home, a bed, and most importantly a Mommy & Daddy who have prayed and prayed and prayed for years, FOR HIM!! This my friends is such an answer to years of prayer. As I was talking to a dear friend last night, I could barely contain my emotions as reality is beginning to settle in for me. I NEVER, EVER pictured that I would be at THIS day. That THIS day would be possible for my family. We have been trying to add to our little family for a very long time, and God is revealing His great plan to us, and I do have to say it is overwhelmingly GLORIOUS! And, I think the biggest answer to prayer for me is knowing without a shadow of a doubt that Adoption is NEVER plan B. It has always been plan A for The Lord! My heart longed to know that I could love Asa just as I could my very own biological children, and He has shown me so clearly, and given me the blessing of knowing love through the eyes of Jesus Christ. How He sees us, as His adopted children. But, most importantly, is how He knew before the foundation of the earth who's Asa's family would be. I'm so humbled that The Great I AM would choose me, to be even a small part to a glorious story. Watching the Scriptures play out, right before my eyes, is just incredible. So, we are coming Asa Josiah!! So very soon, I will be holding you!
Isaiah 12:4 {NLT} " In that WONDERFUL day you will sing: "Thank the LORD! Praise His name! Tell the nations what HE HAS DONE. Let them KNOW how MIGHTY He is!"

Happy 3rd Birthday Asa Josiah!!

This week started off much like most of my weeks. It was Monday, and I had scheduled a lunch date with my dear sweet friend Diane. We had had to reschedule due to our involvement with DNow weekend. And to be super honest, I almost again rescheduled our lunch date, because 1. I was exhausted from running a half-marathon and 2. having 23 sixth grade girls at my house all weekend. I just wanted to put my house back in order and take a nap. But, because I do love my lunches with her, I succumbed. But, I was going to be rebellious and NOT wash my hair for this occasion, and I may have shown up in yoga capris. I show up to Albany's hot spot, Olive Garden. Upon arrival, I greet my sweet friend, and we go to our table. I was on my phone by the way..(Uhhh RUDE!) and when I get to the table, I see balloons, a cake, and 3 of the sweetest friends sitting there!! I was completely unsure at what was about to go down, and I asked what any other person would ask..."Who's birthday is it?!" And in my brain, I was like" DANG did Diane tell me it was someones birthday, and I forgot. Plus I didn't have a gift!" But, in a matter of seconds, I was advised by my dear friend and "queen of deception & trickery" Emily, that this was for ASA!!! I think I stopped breathing. I was completely overwhelmed that they had thought to do this, and I just felt so humbled and thankful that The Lord has placed these sweet sisters to walk by my side during this season of life called Adoption. These people get it. Understanding that every single thing you have to cling to with your child is worth celebrating. That it is important to uplift and celebrate WITH you! And maybe sometimes they just enjoy seeing me squawl like a crazy, adopting Momma. Who knows. But, I am glad they do either way! It was so wonderful, and we ate cake. Fassstttttt forward to early this morning!!! March 5th. When I woke up, Todd wanted me to check my email just in case we had received anything from China regarding the birthday party we sent to Asa. We had prayed last night that Asa would be blessed, and happy on his birthday. We also prayed that he would be extra specially loved on, if only just for that day. And wouldn't you know it. We serve a FAITHFUL GOD you guys. Faithful. We had six photos and a video waiting for us!! It was a little like mass chaos getting those photos and videos downloaded at 6am trying to get the kids ready for school! But, oh what a treasure they are to a waiting Mommy's heart. A treasure! Just to see his sweet, sweet face. He has lots of hair now, and he looks so healthy! Our lives are so about to change with this sweet little guy. We are in LOVE with him. This will be the very last birthday he will be without a forever family. Here are the treasures of the day! He is the crowned Prince in the following photos!!

And the most perfect videoooo!!

"Nevertheless, the HEART of ASA was WHOLLY TRUE to The LORD, ALL of his days." 1 Kings 15:14