Gratitude

Wow. Words cannot express the gratitude we're feeling for the outpouring of support we've been getting from friends, neighbors, and even people I've never heard from before. Your words of encouragement are more meaningful than you might imagine.

It's amazing how important that web of support is, isn't it? A couple of years ago we came very, very close to losing the younger of my two sisters, who suffered a major heart attack shortly after the birth of her fourth child. She was given CPR for forty-five minutes and shocked with a defibrillator almost two dozen times; then she was in a medically induced coma for several days. The support we received from friends and family -- and eventually, from hundreds of "strangers" (friends of friends of friends...) was amazing, and so sustaining. It makes a difference to know you're not doing something so big all alone.

Now, we're having a similar experience...but in a much more positive context. We have no illusions about the challenges involved in welcoming Alex into our family...we spent about an hour on Sunday night with our social worker going over the range of possible manifestations of reactive attachment disorder...and if we were trying to take this on all by ourselves, I would be much more anxious. But it feels as if God has sent us many, many companions -- from adoption and medical experts to friends and more distant supporters -- to support us on this journey. God is good (as Joanna is fond of saying!).

We have raised $750 from 26 contributors since beginning the giveaway yesterday. Thank you all very much! The giveaway runs until October 22.

Peace,


Jerry