“When people walk closely with other people,
it’s the grace of God- and if we carry the priority
of loving and serving our friends, we’ll impart life.”
-Zeke Pipher
*****
Thank you for walking so closely with me this week.
I mean…really.
I’ve re-visited the beginning of this post over and over again since yesterday- trying to figure out how to fit the enormous amount of thankfulness and encouragement I’m feeling because of you into one paragraph.
I’ve decided it’s just not possible.
So I’ll be over in an hour to hug you. 🙂
MAN, I wish I could!!! (Local peeps- you’ve been warned) 😀
Seriously though- what an inspiring and encouraging bunch you are! I really can’t thank you enough for the time you take to walk with me here each week. XO
As for whether the t-shirt line will become a full-on new biz (on a separate website, set up for that kind of thing), I am definitely inspired to keep researching/praying about it. As with any new venture, the days and weeks that led up to this (trial) launch were a bit mind-bending (in a good way, but mind-bending nevertheless), and I don’t think I exhaled for a full hour after I pushed the publish button on Monday’s post– LOL! (#nervewracking) I’m hoping to get some more friends on board though, and maybe together we can figure out how to proceed with this adventure!
*****
And while we’re on updates…
2-26 came and went without any new adoption news, but I am SO thankful for the Peace that came along with really feeling like we wouldn’t hear anything before that date. It helped make the three months after our last “real” update (December 11th) feel a little more…expected, for lack of a better word.
Now here we are in March. Whoosh! The first quarter of the year is almost over just like that, and I’m sure it’s only a matter of time until we’ll hear about our consentment letter. There are several other Three Angels families waiting on theirs, too. Maybe they’ll all be signed the same day?
That’s my prayer this week.
That the person in charge of signing those consentments will have everything he or she needs to make everybody’s paperwork official so we can schedule our Embassy appointments and start planning our (group) socialization trip.
I’m so ready to be with my boy, y’all. 🙂
I long to scoop stones with him in the sand rock box outside the orphanage.
I long to dream exactly where he dreams…
I long to cuddle him close, and rub that bowling ball belly I see squeezed into tiny, shared shirts. 🙂
I long to jump off the pages of his photo book and into his story forever.
Praying that those letters get signed, sealed and everything is in order for you and Sweet P to be together forever!
Dear Lord, even now we ask that Your grace and perfect timing be in this family’s life and that you give Layla, Kevin and Sweet P the peace that only You can give, in Your Name, amen.
What sweet thoughts from an adoring mom! I pray that God’s perfect timing will be soon!
Praying for the best for you and your pending family ♥
Oh I’m so happy, excited, anxious, etc! With you!! I pray for an update for you soon & for you to be able to hold your child and whisper ‘I am your Mama’ in his ear as soon as it is physically possible!! (Like tomorrow–I want to send you tomorrow lol)
xo
Thinking of you SO MUCH, Layla!! I hope an adoption update comes asap and that y’all are able to head down and see the little soon!
Your prayers are my prayers. Keeping you close and asking for God’s blessings for you and Kevin.
Your story is so sweet. Thank you for taking the time out of your day to share with us. I hope all your wishes for your boy come true soon.
I am praying for your family! Best wishes from a fan in Salt Lake City 🙂
That last picture!!! Sobbing my heart out over here in England. Blessings and grace that all goes swiftly and your angel babe will be in your arms. Thanking the universe that these avenues exist to bring soul spirits such as yours together with their children. xxxxxxxxxxxx godspeed
L~ oh, me. I’m reduced to tears, again! I agree with Nat- the last picture just unglued me! Praying with you in all you mentioned. God bless you and Kevin, Sweet P, and all who care for him until he comes HOME. I so want to witness every minute. 🙂
Any whisper of the word “adoption” and I get excited!!! I want to scream ME TOO 100x. I am so excited for you.
OK, then I calm down and realize, it is God’s Plan……..His timing, not ours. And I breathe a soft sigh and know that Sweet P is in His hands……….soon Sweet P will be in yours.
My heart just aches with happiness for you, Kev and your family!!!!!!
Soooooooooo excited!!!!!!
Layla you bring tears to my eyes at times with all the love you are able to project with your words. You are amazing and my prayers our with you that you get to be with Sweet P soon.
Hi Layla. We don’t know each other but I wanted to let you know that you and Kevin were placed on my heart the other night, so I prayed for you guys. My prayer was exactly what you just posted about. – that the Haitian officials would have the documentation that they needed and that God would continue to encourage your hearts in the meantime. Remember, He is Sovereign. Xoxo from the snow covered Midwest
I love reading your posts! I am so humbled and grateful to be witness in this journey. Thank you for sharing so much of yourself with all of us. I feel like you’re are a dear friend that I just haven’t met in person, yet! Praying that you will be holding this precious little blessing in your arms soon.
Your post is so touching and heartfelt….sending prayers to you
For some reason today, this just made me burst into tears. I cannot wait for you and your husband to hold your boy!
I am so excited for both of you and pray that God’s plan for your little “Sweet P” will be soon. I can’t wait to “meet” him.
I am grateful to God and the angels that everything is unfolding perfectly for you, Kevin, and your baby boy. I think the day that I see a photo of the Palmer Family together will absolutely be one of the best days EVER! Thanks for who you are, Layla, and for all you share.
Thank you for sharing your story. That last picture…tears & goosebumps. God Bless!
I don’t think I’ve EVER been so antsy for the arrival of a baby (that wasn’t family). Hugs to you!
Always keeping you in my prayers, that you get your consentment letter soon AND that you get to see your boy soon! I’m going to presume that the little hand point to your picture is your boy and, just seeing those little fingers makes ME want to pick him up and love on him. Prayers for all of you waiting for your letters, and for the little ones waiting to meet Mom and Dad!
Just want you to know that you touch so many lives with your blog! Don’t stop talking/writing about our Savior and the many many things He does in your life. You (and Kevin) are His voice and there are people listening.
May God hold you in His hand and give you the peace that only HE can give… and may He hold the hand of the person with the pen, and have them sign the consentment letter soon! 😉
I’ve read about your adoption story for a while now, & I just want to tell you that you are a very loving & godly person who will make a wonderful mom. I know what it’s like to want a child that much, I have a very different story than yours but the feelings are very similar. I remember reading through the book of Samuel (I was a new Christian & didn’t know the story of Hannah & Samuel yet), & God showed me that He would give me a son and He did (I now have 2). What special plans God must have for this special boy who God has chosen to give to you.
T-shirt question: I tried to order two Ts but it only showed one, and kept changing what I could see to the most recent T ordered. I couldn’t see the entire order to make sure both were ordered in the correct (different) sizes. Did anyone else have that issue? I was afraid to hit “order” on the off chance it was wrong…
Hi Krys!
You may have to click “update” in order for it to work. The system has been a little touchy on some browsers, but that seems to do the trick! 🙂 Thank you for trying and let me know if you have any more trouble! XO
Layla, I can hardly wait for you both either. I pray for you and Kevin and the little one. Soon you will all be together and this will be but a moment. God’s timing is perfect. Hang on.
layla,
I am so excited for you and Kevin on this adventure. This precious boy is going to be one blessed little guy! You’ve been prayed for by so many people who have followed along this journey, and we are so excited to hear the great news and see pictures of the three of you together. It gives me chills. You are so deserving and I cant wait!! Love and blessings, He’s got it all under control sister! 🙂
Layla, I sent you a message about a t-shirt idea. Will you look and see? Thanks.
I am praying your boy child is yours sooner rather than later!
Got it, Donna! Writing you back now! XO
Layla – We are in the wait for our sweet girl as well. We hope to be traveling to China within two months, but for now we wait. Thank you for sharing your journey, even at the hard times. I am praying with you that you will hold your darling boy soon. God’s peace in the wait.
I could really feel your heart today. I loved how you shared such special words with the pictures. It will be soon. You’ll have your little one close … not only in your heart, but in your arms. God bless you as you continue on.
Layla,
As someone that seems so deserving of sharing what you have to offer with this special little boy, I pray that your prayers will be answered….. very soon.
Best wishes to you,
Penny
Layla, offering prayers for you today and every day, that God will unite you and Kevin with your son very soon, and fill your hearts with peace until you are together. Love to all three of you as your journey to joy continues!
It’s so very exciting just to read along.
Oh Layla,
The pictures you shared today of the orphanage are awesome but the last one is precious! Too sweet! Thanks for making us a part of your journey! Your family is in my prayers.
I want to cry! Becoming a mom to the most beautiful boy this year has been the best thing I can evee imagine. I am so happy for you!!
I just wanted y’all to know I’m praying, too.
I’m not a crier….pretty much EVER….but every single one of your adoption posts brings tears to my eyes. You’re good people and I wish nothing but the best for you and your soon-to-be family of 3!
Nothing but hearts. I’m sitting here crying at my desk….. <3
Oh my. That last part, “I long to jump off the pages of his photo book and into his story forever.” I just teared up here at my desk. I can’t imagine the anticipation and longing you must feel right now. I hope you get to join his story very, very soon.
The last picture brought tears to my eyes. You are so close! I bet he’s saying “Daddy!” as he points to Kevin. I can’t wait for you to meet him.
yep, that photo and layla’s words made my eyes leaky, too!
sending prayers…lots and lots of prayers for all involved
God Bless you both and praying that your little boy will be with you SOON!
I pray it happens soon for you guys! That little guy is going to know love!
Best wishes! Xoxo
Yes, that last picture. That precious little hand with that sweet tiny finger. Seriously.
Love this post and hope the angels of god will touch the consulate’s pen and the letters will be on their way to you!!
Oh that last photo got my eyes watering!
Praying it all works together. Love to y’all and so excited for your family!!
love you,
shaunna
Look at those little hands! I assume that is your little boy looking at the book??? And I picture you and Kevin taking that walk in your neighborhood, each on one side of him, each holding a hand, and doing the ever popular “one, two, three” and up he goes with a swing. That little hand….joy in my heart.
Yep…that’s his. *sigh* 🙂
Thanks for the reply. I am smiling with such JOY in my heart! You are going to be a top notch mom. You have such a joyful spirit, kind heart, sweet disposition….what a lucky boy. I am feeling such joy for you and Kevin.
You will be awesome parents. It will all work out. My (adopted) sons are 29 and 25. Both adopted at three months. Ted is African American/ Caucasian-Lutheran, Travis has Native American ancestry. They are such a gift even after many years. They have gifts that a biological child would not have gotten from us-Ted is a musician. We can’t hum a note. I forget they are adopted, I forget that it was painful to not be able to have biological children. We are so close. God has a plan and it is good!
Okay, that made me cry. I have never commented on your blog before, but I have read it for a long time. I am so excited for you both, but more so for your child. He will lead the life he deserves and fill your life in the process….and I am still crying.