sweet little zemma leigh

At the end of May, my family welcomed a precious new addition to our family. My niece, Zemma Leigh finally came home. We have been fervently praying and anticipating her arrival for what seems like forever. And her homecoming was sweet, beautiful, and something that I'll never forget...and will forever be grateful that I got to be a part of. It worked out that the kids and I were able to be in St. Louis when Luke, Laura and Zemma walked off of the airplane. It was so cool- we had a whole crowd of people there celebrating with Luke and Laura. I don't think that there was a dry eye in that terminal as we all stood around adoring this little girl. MiMi (Luke's mom) got to hold Zemma first (that was very gracious of you mom-- I know that it took everything in you to not scoop Zemma right up!:)) And then my mom held her, followed by us Aunts and then the Grandpas. She was so sweet and cuddly with all of us. (Except for when she popped Aunt Becca in the nose with a big smile on her face...and Luke quickly said "She's waking up!!!!") I got to spend a few days in Bolivar getting to know my little niece before I left the kids with mom and flew back to GA to go to our student camp. It was so fun-- Oh how I love that little girl!!!! And wow- adoption is such a beautiful and amazing thing. I've been reading a book by Russell D. Moore: Adopted For Life. It is a great read- one that has caused me to stop mid-sentence and just praise God for His adoptive redemption for me. Anyways- here is our Zemma- who has finally come home- who we all love so much- who is such a beautiful picture of what our loving Father does for those who confess Christ as Lord and Savior: He has placed us in a family and called us His own. AMEN!!!!!