There’s a little girl who runs around the house chattering away….in English. There’s an expectant mother preparing a bassinet and tiny little clothing for a new baby girl. There’s a husband working hard every day to care for them in their little home. There is an auntie smiling as she wakes to a little visitor whispering in her ear, ‘Can I kiss you, Ana?’ and placing a kiss on her cheek. There is a grandfather who pretends to steal the little girl’s nose and who delights to hear her say, ‘Play with me, Dyedushka.’ There is a little church filled with wonderful people who welcome this little family. There is a lovely school and wonderful people who love the little girl and her mom. They love to listen to the little girl as she recites the pledge of allegiance…’Sofia, please tell me the pledge one more time?’ There are so many wonderful people who have prayed and blessed and cared for this family—–far beyond anything they ever expected.

We look at them, six months into their move to America. The little girl who met us at the airport chattering away in Russian stepped firmly and unhesitatingly into our lives. There has been no looking back. She told her parents she wanted to come to America and dance with   Ana and Carolina and she has done all of that — and more. She is still chattering away…only now, it’s in English.

And there is the grandmother, Baboushka. that’s me. I’m the one sitting here  crying with gratefulness as I end my year praising God  for all of this. We’ve come a long way from a couple of years ago when we sat on one side of the world praying, and they sat on the other side of the world grieving. And tomorrow, when we sit down to dinner and begin a new year together, we will thank God for all of this.

My heart is overflowing. What hope, what marvelous hope this speaks of! In our darkest days, we do not see the future. We cannot imagine what God will do. We cannot imagine that a little family will enter a country with a few suitcases, and six months later be settled in their own little place, around their own Christmas tree, eating at their own table, and looking forward to a new life…….. You see, you must never give up. You never know, do you, what God will do. We must not step ahead of Him. We must let Him accomplish His work.

It is good. Very good.