Many Thanks

     First, I want to thank my Lord Jesus for putting each and everyone of you in Blossoms life. Weather you have been there on your knees for years or just began praying. You have been a blessing. It is doubtful that during this lifetime I will meet even a few of you personally. In Heaven I want to hug each and everyone of you and introduce Blossom to you.
     I want to give a special thank you to my new (well it has been 7 mos. now) friend Annie. Annie you have been given a great gift from Jesus. He has made your heart huge with love and compassion for these special children. I know I am only 1 person out of ???? who visit your blog and e-mail you often. You have always taken time to get back to me with answers and encouragement. One day I would like to see your knees. Why you ask because I bet they show how much time you spend talking with our Father over these children. Annie you are an amazing person and I hope one day that Blossom and I can meet you face to face. Thank you for caring for Blossom and not loosing hope that I was out there. We just had to wait for the Lord to open the door.
     I would like to thank my children Nathan, Erica, Matthew, and Jessica.  I want to say thank you for accepting Blossom as your sister. Thank you for being patient with me, as I am sure at times I was at best difficult while getting things together. You all have been encouraging and have given me a hug when I needed it. Each of you has spent time praying on behalf of Blossom. You all amaze me in your compassion towards others that are less fortunate. Thank you again, Blossom is going to be getting a bunch of wonderful brothers and sisters.
     Thank you to my immediate family. The Lord has truly blessed me with wonderful, wonderful  family. As you read in The Journey begins my sister in law Diane has gone above and be on the call of duty to help me move along in this process. Diane and I have spent countless hours working on fundraising, praying, and talking about life with Blossom. If Diane had not listened to the Lord I suppose this adoption would not be happening. I want to say thank you to my brother Gary. You have helped get those handyman chores done around my house. You have always been available to bounce ideas off of and have always come to the rescue when something has broken at my house.  Thank you for being in my children's lives. Blossom is getting a pretty cool uncle.
     I have two very special friends that have been in my life for over 24 years (OUCH that makes me old)  the word friend does not seem to apply. Keri and Russell have been a part of my family since before any of my children were ever thought of.  Together they both have listened to me ramble, complain, rejoice, laugh, cry you name it they have heard it. And yet they still love me. Amazing. I know you will accept Blossom into the family just as my other children.
     There are people out there called the silent warriors. They do not like all the fan fair and such. They pray, donate and watch from afar. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for helping to bring Blossom home.
     To every nanny and anyone who has helped raise Blossom in China. Without your love and care Blossom might not have survived in life. You all have spent nights up with her while she was sick. You have taken her to the Dr.'s when she needed. You have held her when she is happy and sad. Although I don't know your names, you hold a special place in my heart. I lift you and your families to Jesus and ask him to watch out and protect you. I pray blessings over each one of you and the children you care for.
     I know for sure I will never meet Blossom biological mother. I can not imagine the pain and agony she must have been going through when she left her baby. She knew that she would never see her again. She had to make a tough decision. She chose to leave Blossom at a hospital. With all the places a person could leave their baby Blossoms mom chose a place where she could receive health care. Blossoms mom left her with formula and a blanket in a place were she could be found right away. It was Christmas day 2005. It must have been freezing cold. I am sure Blossom mom stood in hiding watching to make sure her baby was found. I am sure her heart was breaking. To Blossoms mom thank you for caring for her and making sure she was placed were she was found right away and brought in out of the cold. Thank you for leaving her with formula, as at that age a warm bottle is comforting. You gave me a great Christmas present and I wish I had a way of letting you know how Blossom will be doing in the future. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
     Last but certainly not the least, I say thank you, thank you, thank you, to our Lord Jesus. This journey has been one for the books. Lord I have grown leaps and bounds over the last year and a half. Thank  you for your unending patience with me. If it were me I would have given up along time ago.  Lord you are so good, you just listen to it all, you listen to the RAW feelings the whole kit and caboodle. I have spent so much time with you Lord I can't believe I still have a voice. We have laughed and cried together. I have been stretched in more directions then I thought possible. My faith has increased ten fold. Thank you for taking care of Blossom for the first years in her life. Thank you for putting people in her life that care about her. Blossom is a Blessing from you Lord and I thank you for allowing me to care for her until she one days meets you face to face.