loved and celebrated

{i HATE this picture of me...but i love these women even more!}

we've been in our shepherd group for a little over a year.
i'm not sure they were fully aware of what they were getting when we arrived.
they, obviously, knew we were bringing along 4 kids
{all the kids play in the basement during our study...so the number of kids you have matters!}
and they quickly discovered we had just begun the process to adopt 2 more.

they have supported us from day 1.
asked questions. prayed for us.
helped in SO many ways with that huge yard sale we had.
listened and cared during this past season of "darkness" for me.
have jumped in with both feet in the new "hope" ministry we've started at our church.

and...when they heard that we got our approval last week, the ladies quickly contacted pat and planned a night out to celebrate with me.

i am so humbled by them. by their love and support.
they didn't ask for any of this {this=all that we've brought to them just by being "us"}
but they have carried and loved and celebrated us each step of the way.

we have been SO blessed by them.
and are so thankful to Him for bringing us together!