A daughter's tribute

There is no doubt ... I would not be doing what I am doing today if it were not for my parents ... their lessons in life; their words of wisdom; their unconditional love and support and encouragement ... it has shaped me and prepared me for the here and now ...

... and it continues to do so ... across our great divide.

Mum and Dad ... I thank you from the whole of my heart ... for showing me how to live and how to love ... how to persevere, to always keep growing... and to treasure life! 

I miss you. I will always miss you.  

Thank you for being my greatest friends ...

xx

Two sleeps!!

Oh my!!

My life is about to change in the most phenomenal sense! Two sleeps and she is in my arms. In my life... in my every thought, my every move, my every decision.  

I am so very excited ... and, forgive me, so very scared all of a sudden ... now that the time has arrived. I am no longer responsible for just I  .... I now have a little life to consider ...

... I know this is not news to the majority of you .... you, and trillions of others, have gone before me! 

But she has come from such an amazing place.... her life has been in the safety of Gentle Hands, in the loving care of her caregivers, in the company of her 'sisters' and 'brothers' ... it's all she has known... and she arrives to just me... I pray I can fill the loss of this. 

My girl.....
how can I possibly have fear in my heart when I have so much love in there!

Bea's room finally ready.....

Pictures at her bedside in Gentle Hands...... a reminder during her last week!

And so it is ...  on to this new season ..... may it bring me much growth ...  that will allow me to be the very best that I can be for Bea ... 

The time has arrived....

I have an official date that Bea comes to live with me... it is on her 5th birthday!! ... November 1st!!! A week 'n a bit... 

I have started taking her out on 'dates' ... she is so overwhelmed at first but, thank God ... it always ends up in joy and laughter!! :)

I acknowledge this is going to be a challenging journey ... she has never spent any part of her life outside Gentle Hands loving care ... she has never had a mother and I have never been a mother ... but since this door has opened up, I realise I have never wanted anything more in my life.  

I'm out with you ....
but I'm still not too sure about all this!

But I do like cupcakes, so you may be okay!!

Warming up to a friend ..... after an hour of softly softly!!

And then.... friends for life!!

Manila traffic..... means long long taxi rides to and from anywhere. 

I am going out with you... again.... but I'm still not so sure!

And I do not like elevators!!! 

My very first swim.... 

And no, no, no!!! I am not getting in!! However, fun you make it look!! 

Oh! It is fun!! 

At the end of the day...... I just pray I am good enough for her! 

Surprise!!! For you.... for me!!

I am to be a mama ... a mum!! a mom!!! a mummy!!!! 

I am utterly and completely overwhelmed ... I had no idea this is something that would happen ... I thought that door was so very closed!!! I came to Gentle Hands as a nurse only ...

... and then a month ago, out of the blue, Charity asked me if I would consider fostering a little girl called Bea (pronounced Baya)... 

Wow! I fell in love with Bea on my first trip to Gentle Hands. There is always one that captures your heart! She was THE ONE!! 

... and suddenly I'm being asked if I would be her Mama!!! ... oh, how my heart swooned ... my mind never had a chance :) 

My first encounter  ... two and a half years ago! 

.... And my heart for her has never changed....

Before I knew our future! 

I hope to give Bea the kind of life my parents have given me ... a life filled with love, of encouragement, and of unconditional support ... a life that has given me the confidence to always follow my heart. A life that has brought me here today.

I could not have asked for anything more. They will be my forever role models.  

I hope you will continue to follow me in my 'Gracious Journey' ... as a nurse, as a missionary ... and now as a mother! 

You never know what lies ahead ... even when you think that road does not even exist, it can suddenly appear!! I am a testimony to that, this day.