This time last year, Galen and I wondered: “What will our life be like this time next year?” We had guesses, hopes and thoughts of what 2007 would bring and as we look back at it, we are thankful.
It h
as been a great year – so full. We are thankful. It started out with four months of me flying out to Vancouver every week for classes and Galen coaching, teaching and being a student. In the meantime, we were trying to wrap up our homestudy. We knew we would become parents at that time, but would have never imagined the amazing little man that would walk into our life and change it forever!
Highlights of the year would be Brooke, Bill and the boys coming out for a visit and meeting our little niece for the first time. Galen taking the boys to Haiti while I stayed home and watched Abby advance further and further in her hockey career as she won bronze at Nationals! My parents and Care came to visit, which was a huge blessing!
When Galen returned we signed off on our homestudy and he ended up being very sick for about a month. It was a little stressful, as he lost a lot of weight and was quite pale. I am thankful he got better. We heard about Gwissy for the first time in June. I will never forget that day. The moment I heard about him, I knew he was our son. I remember Abby and I eating lunch (Galen was in Calgary working for his parents) and crying with happiness/nervousness/fear/anticipation!
July flew by – every week we heard new details about the little boy who would become our son. And we were able to talk to the foster parents for the first time by phone. It was extremely emotional for both Tracey and I. Words cannot even begin to express all that was happening in our hearts when we learned that we were both believers in the ONE, True Creator!
August was an awesome adventure – everyday! I had the amazing opportunity to go on a trip with Dwayne, Wes and Brian to two Native communities. It was such a great experience. I met wonderful followers of our Father and made some wonderful friends (like the Trapper family). Galen and I cannot wait to go back to those communities someday soon.
Following the trip I flew right to TO and went straight to meet our little boy. It was a moment that will be etched in our hearts and minds forever. He was even more amazing than what we had imagined. It was tough having to stay in ON for so long, but I am so thankful that we had this time with my family. It was a gift.
We were pretty shocked to be pregnant so fast, yet so excited and felt so happy because we knew that Ngwis was going to be a great big brother. It was heartbreaking to lose the baby and have so much lost in that pregnancy. We were devastated, but felt overwhelmingly blessed by the Father that He would orchestrate that my Mama would be here during this time. How He does know what we need. We would not have made it through without her and a wonderful community of friends who we love like family that cared for us so well. It was a huge blessing. I am still pretty moody and my body is still recovering from the pregnancy and surgery, but I am just so thankful for life.
So, 2007! When we were talking about what the year would hold we would have never thought we would become parents of 2 children. We are thankful that Phoenix is with the Father and in the arms of my Grandma. There is still “a little hole in our hearts” (as my mom says about her little grandson), but we are thankful that we have Gwissy here with us. It has really helped in the loss and grief process.
2008! What will it hold? We are so excited to see the new adventures that God has in store for us. We are thankful for the life and work that He has given us to do. We hope to be faithful in all those things that He has given us. We cannot wait to see Ngwis continue to grow into a little man, to see more guys come in to play for Galen and what happens in their lives.
A few things that excite us: seeing Abby continue to move up in hockey, Care coming to college here in the Port in the fall. Hopefully having another baby when I am brave enough (although I have been told by several women who have had an ectopic pregnancy, that it is a lot more painful than childbirth, so that is comforting)! Galen continuing to work away at his MA (which he is over half finished – and only doing it part-time! I am so proud of him!). I am hoping to finish my thesis for my master’s and hope to start doctoral studies in the fall. So, I cannot wait until this time next year to look back and see God’s hand in our life and how He led us into many more adventures!
So, to all our loved ones: thank you for blessing us with your encouragement, friendship and love. We are overwhelmingly blessed to have such wonderful people in our life. Our prayer and hope for all of you is that our Father will show you great and mighty things and the wisdom/discernment to see those things.
With much love and cheering for you in 2008,
Galen, Dale and Ngwisoooxxx
