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The past year has been overwhelming, and there just aren't enough words to express our thanks to all of the people along the
way who have provided unexpected support at just the right moments along our journey to becoming Araceli's parents.
Thank you to the birthfamily for choosing us and trusting us with your precious baby girl. We promise to protect her
with our lives, and to raise her in a home where she knows the Lord, follows her dreams and knows the meaning of unconditional
love. We never cease to be amazed at God's love and provision in bringing all of us together as family.
To our parents and siblings, thank you for gracefully tolerating the words we left unsaid, allowing us privacy and giving
us support just when we needed it. Thank you for being so excited and accepting of our new daughter, loving her as though
she was born to us.
Thank you to the social workers who not only moved us quickly along our path, but provided counseling and guidance during
times of bewilderment and uncertainity, when we wondered if we would ever be parents.
Thank you to Dan, Rich, Melissa and John for writing amazing reference letters on our behalf, and for forming a circle
of prayer, friendship and protection around us during delicate times. Dan, thank you jumping on a plane on short notice to
help pastor Araceli's dedication ceremony, and for your friendship and advice when we suddenly found ourselves parents. Melissa
and Shawn, you have no idea how blessed we feel to have you in our lives--thank you for arranging meals for us, listening
to us, making sure we are fully equipped new parents, both spiritually and materially. You are a dream come true. Jeff,
thank you for opening up your life and sharing your adoption story with us. We are praying that your dreams come true as
well. Then there are my loving friends who intimately understand *exactly* how I feel because you've been there, done that:
Christy, Lyn, Carola, Cyndie, Eva, Karen, Leslie, Heather. You inspire me with your strength and unbelievable courage.
Thank you to our bosses and co-workers who took on our responsibilities without complaint, without much notice, and for
the loving way you have responded to our journey toward parenthood.
There were many random people along the way, and we're sure we can't thank you all. Thank you to the Red Cross nurse
who went against protocol and passed on the all-clear results from my donor blood screening so that I didn't have to get stuck
all over again during the physical. Thank you to the manager of the building we stayed in New York, for offering loving advice
and a basket full of fruit for hungry new parents.
And most of all, complete and total praise and thanks to God for your immeasureable blessing in this little girl, the
daughter you planned for us. Every time we look at her, she makes every struggle we've ever had worthwhile. Already, we
cannot imagine life without her, and we promise to honor your blessing by raising her to love and respect you.
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