JOY

The Definition of JOY according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary is:
1a : the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires : delight b : the expression or exhibition of such emotion : gaiety
2: a state of happiness or felicity : bliss
3: a source or cause of delight

This word has came into my head more times than I can count since we have added Seble to our family.  She is simply pure JOY and brings it to our house so many times a day.  We laugh at her antics, her faces, and simply the things she does.  The kids too are happier when she is around-laughing and talking to her and they think she is just so funny!
My heart has to wonder what our home would be like now if we hadn't have chosen adoption.  If we hadn't gotten all of the maddening delays (that at the time seemed so pointless) to bring us to this baby girl.  I wish every family in America could experience this feeling of bringing a child into your family-there just are not words to describe it all.  It is a journey, an experience and one that has forever changed Adam and I as well as ALL of our children. 
I think about ALL that we would be missing-all that others are missing by not taking the chance, by not stepping out in faith and giving a child a forever home that they can find love in.  People tell us all the time that she is so lucky, but I have to say that WE are the lucky ones, we have been given a gift like no other, one that will forever give to us gifts that only she can.  One that amazes and astounds us each day from the intensity of the love that we have for this girl.  It isn't something you can describe-it is like trying to tell 1st time parent's before they have a child, what they will feel for that baby...you can't describe it and they can't feel it until it happens....and when it happens, it sweeps you away.
Seble was made to be ours!  It was God's plan all along and why she was created-to be part of our family and He knew it was the plan since the beginning of time-wow-that takes my breath away. 
There isn't a day that goes by that I don't remember the gift that has been bestowed upon us-there isn't a day as of yet, that I don't think of Seble's birth mom and pray that she has peace, that she knows deep in her soul that Seble is loved and happy and healthy and thriving.  I wish I could tell her this myself, thank her for her amazing sacrifice, but I may never be able to this side of heaven.  I pray that she finds Jesus and allows Him to comfort her and guide her.  I wish we could have been able to meet, but it wasn't meant to be and we only know what we know of Seble's story-how she is a tough little fighter that wouldn't give up her will to survive and that God in his infinite plan and wisdom protected her for us and for HIS glory. 
Thinking of this whole story, brings me to tears as I can't comprehend that our joy is coming from someone else's loss and that she was made for us. Thank you God for this beautiful gift! And if you are EVER considering adoption, or even if you haven't-think about it-it is one of the greatest gifts we have been given!!