Minus 2+

Christmas is our favorite time of year. We love celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ and gathering with our family and friends. The time together to fellowship, open presents, reflect on the year we had and to love one another is some of our most  precious traditions.  We set traditions to instill in our children and to carry on warm memories of years past...it's a priceless gift. 

Several Christmases ago in NYC, one our favorite traditions is seeing The Tree!

My heart, however, can't help but wonder what about all those who don't have a family this Christmas.  There are 147 million orphans in the world who have never been wished  a "Merry Christmas" by there mom, dad, a grandparent, aunts or uncles.  They have never had the opportunity to rush out to the tree to see if there are presents for them, sip hot chocolate by the fire or to have the Christmas story read to them.  Both AJ and I have been so blessed to have had and continue to have such memories made each and every year.

My heart  cries for those who don't get to celebrate Christmas with a family to call their own.  147 million children in the world won't be able to this year, but with our homestudy complete and our fundraiser underway I am believing that next year there will be at least minus 2 from that huge number!


 AJ and I are working tirelessly to qucikly finish our dossier to China in order to get one step closer to meeting our children.  We completed our visits with our social worker last week and our homestudy report is complete.  We have sent our hundreds of cards to family and friends announcing our adoption.  We are humbled my the immense support and joy everyone has provided in our adoption journey.

This is what our "pregnant" looks like!!! Lots of paper, cards, paper, fundraising and more paper!

As you are getting ready for Christmas this year, take a moment to really be thankful for all that you have and the family in your lives. Never take a moment for granted...remember there are 147 million little ones that would give anything to have a family to love!  Keep the orphans around the world in prayer that they may have the best gift there is ...a Forever Family. This song just makes it all so clear!  

We wish you all a very BLESSED and JOY-FILLED Christmas!

 God is good and we are blessed!
 
Love,
AJ and Suzy

 
I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you

John 14:18