Meet Judah: Team Twenty One's Plus One
Our first ever family photo!
But let's be honest, I cannot wait till it's a real one with him rightly wrapped in our arms.
We got word that our LOA is on it’s way! So now we can show you the beloved face of our son, Judah. These are the very photos that nudged our hearts to want to know everything we could about him. The ones we've spent hours staring at with hope, anticipation, and oh so much love in our hearts.
"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen" (Ephesians 3:20-21).
We’ve had a long time to talk about all the possible names for our future son/daughter. We had a list ready to go. But then when we discovered this face on the Waiting List, there his name was – Judah. (this is the American name given to him by the agency, he also has a given Chinese name). *and yes, we plan to keep his Chinese name as his middle name, but we have to wait to share
So our next step out of curiosity was to look up the meaning of this name. Here’s what we read:
Judah = “To Praise”
Cue the tears of wonder and affirmation that this name is just so fitting for our new son.
So our dear Judah, if you look back and read this one day, may you know that yes, the opportunity to be yours is a most wonderful reason to give you a name that indicates the very thing we do when we think of the gift of your life – to praise the Lord.
Judah you are already our joy; your name was ordained by your creator, as is everything about the story He is writing for your life. It’s true, we already love you more than you know.
Now to address the next commonly asked questions: his age and why he’s so darn cute!?
Judah is 3, and wait till you hear the story about his birth date! Hint: Judah will fit right in with Team 21. Friends, God is in the details!
Judah also has albinism. <--- Click link to learn more. So his precious platinum hair and bright blue/lavender eyes (no, not red – that’s a myth!) are only second in delight to THOSE CHEEKS!
I know there will be so many questions, and we hope to answer many of them some day. And others, we trust you understand we will leave for him share one day if he so chooses. Just know we think he’s absolutely a treasure and we can hardly believe we will be his SO. VERY. SOON! No exact date yet, but things are moving along swimmingly. So very soon we will start our lives as a family of four and we simply cannot wait to have the pitter patter of his feet around these parts.
Also, so many have graciously asked how they can help and/or what we need. While it’s true we really don’t have “need” for anything, and there is still much we don’t know that we don’t know; we humbly realize that while it feels a little awkward for us, people want to help. So after some encouragement, we decided to start an Amazon & Target wish list. Here we’ve listed a variety of items that have been recommended to be helpful in Judah’s transition home, supplies that are helpful for his daily needs related to his albinism (namely hats, sunglasses, sunscreen), getting his room ready, as well as items we’ll need for travel.
Here are the links to each registry:
And as always please know your love, support and excitement is gift enough to us. All our love and hugs to each of you sweet friends!
Joyfully in Christ,