A reason, a season, or a lifetime

I have gotten that email a million times, i'm sure you have gotten it too. About how some people come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. And that regardless of which one it is, God has put them there for a reason. If i have learned ANYTHING throughout this adoption process, it is that God absolutely brings people into your life when you need them, and it is always for a reason. Whether that may be to help you in some way, or to teach you a lesson, there is a reason! I have also been extremely blessed in my life with amazing friendships that have been lifelong ones. For example, my friend Jessica, in the picture with me at the finish line of my first 1/2 marathon.

We have been friends since high school. There have been many things in life that we have been through together. She is truly a friend who i can talk to about anything and always get honest answer. She gives amazing advice, and knows me incredibly well. She has been a tremendously supportive friend since the day i met her. You KNOW someone is an amazing friend if they will get up crazy early on vacation.. AT DISNEY.. to come see you run a race where they probably won't even see you, because you're running with about a million other people!!! BUT Jess and her mom were there.. cheering me on, AND by the grace of God we did find each other. It was so awesome because my family wasn't able to come and having such a wonderful friend who was there JUST to share this once in a lifetime event with me was amazing. Something that i will never forget and always appreciate.

However, this latest amazingly selfless gift deserves more then gratitude and i will never be able to express how much i appreciate her kindness and friendship. I have had a hard time throughout this process with how to talk about what i am doing. People tell me that i am doing something wonderful for Lola, and that i am so great. However, i am not at ALL going through this process to be told i'm wonderful or that i'm saving her life. Because the truth is that she saved mine the minute i picked her up. I am doing this because she is mine, she just happened to be born in Uganda and it was my destiny to find her there. It was hard for me to share this video because it is about me and i have tried my best to make this as little about me as possible. However, I am sharing this video because I really want to help honor Jessica's birthday wish. A wish that means more to me then she will ever know. Please take a minute to watch Jessica's video.

Many people have asked how they are able to make a donation to the fund that she is talking about at the end of the video. The link to her donation page is
http://www.indiegogo.com/Bring-Lola-Home

I had a really good friend say to me one time, when i was freaking out about the expenses that would come with adoption, and therapy, and life, that if it is God's will... it is God's bill. AND this entire process has been a true testiment to that statement. Everytime i would start to worry about where i was going to come up with the money for the next part in the process, something or someONE has appeared to support me whether that be financially or emotionally. I can not even imagine where i would be if it wasn't for the amazing people God has brought into my life prior to, and during this process. I am forever grateful for the incredible friendships i have been blessed by as a result of my beautiful little girl. This is another reason i can tell you from the bottom of my heart she has changed my life already!! I can not WAIT to have her home to meet each of you and watch you all change hers as well.