And he's off!

Todd is currently in the air, on his way to Lome, Togo...via Casablanca, Morocco and Accra, Ghana. We have never been more excited about a trip than this one!

When we first began this particular part of our journey, we did not even know if the baby was a boy or girl! We just knew it was our baby. Then, we found out she was a girl. My arms just ached to hold her close to me, to sing her to sleep, to comfort her. I could not believe how much love I had for her without ever seeing her.

There have been times when my heart has ached so much, the Lord has reminded me of His heart for His children. His heart aches for those that are far from Him. He desires that ALL would come into a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ...to be adopted as FULL sons and daughters.

We are praying, not only for our adoption to go through quickly, but also for the nation of Togo to come into a full understanding of what it means to have a "spirit of adoption". That the Togolese people would come into that saving knowledge of Jesus Christ...that they would be "adopted" as full sons and daughters. That they would walk out in that reality. That they would know the love of The Father.

The Lord has used Isaiah 62 to speak to us regarding our daughter. Here is a portion...

"Foreign countries will see your righteousness, and world leaders your glory.

You'll get a brand new name, straight from the mouth of God.

You'll be a stunning crown in the palm of God's hand,

a jeweled gold cup held high in the hand of your God.

No more will anyone call you Rejected,

and your country will no longer be called Ruined.

You'll be called 'My Delight' "...

-The Message

Please be praying as Todd goes to our daughter. Please pray that

*God would go before him and prepare the way

*Gabrielle would recognize Todd

*Todd could clearly communicate our love and appreciation to the family

*the Togolese people would come into a greater understanding of God as their Father

This journey truly is amazing!