Oh Happy Day!!

Okay, so the record says that 1800+ of you checked in yesterday. (Jeepers, you guys – it was Christmas…who’d of thunked??!!) Please forgive for no post. This mama was so tuckered, it was all I could do to do what had to be done to make the day filled with our normal Christmas traditions.
I had not slept on the flights, cause little Miss wasn’t sleeping either (which time zone wise was wonderful – really). And with no sleep for her, I couldn’t leave her sitting there on a flight filled with Chinese speaking people while I doze…..so I was awake….and then by the time I got in to the hotel in Albuquerque it was 1:30 AM….and Emma was up and in the shower at 5:30am so we could hit the road for home….she wanted to get to a doctor (if possible on Christmas Eve)…..(she did and has a horrible case of strep)…..so four hours of sleep left not much in reserve….thank you Jesus for adrenalin. I know, right?
We were on the road for home at 6:30 am, it wasn’t even really completely light out yet…..I told Dw about 8:30 that we were already 2 hours into the trip….so stinkin’ fun to be almost home….and we pulled in about 10:30am….
Jubilee giggled everytime I would tell her as we drove in the truck that we were going to see Baba and all the kids. As much as she understands, she was tickled to pieces!! I (Emma felt too yukky) sang Christmas music as we drove and she watched intently as I was singing away….I know, I know, probably thinkin’ – wow mama, I sure hope you don’t sing in public!! (Not to worry girlfriend – your mama knows better!)

Baba and the kids and Grandma and Josh were waiting in the driveway jumping up and down as we pulled in honking our horn for the last mile or so!! *giggles*
We all snuggled for a few hours and then had to head to the Christmas Eve service where many of our friends gathered to meet Miss Jubilee. She was lively and animated chattering away in Chinese….
Daddy spoke on God’s unconditional acceptance and deep love for each of us. When he had left the front row to go up to speak Miss Jubilee (who had been sitting comfortably on his lap during worship) started squawking loudly. He soon called her up and showed her to the packed crowd. Through tears he talked about his instant love for this precious little one who so desperately needed us and has waited so long for us to come. I’m not sure how many dry eyes there were after that…..she worked the crowd – for sure!!

Christmas Eve at church…. The kids have a tradition of sleeping Christmas Eve in a fort…..even Jubilee was game!
Excited much??So very content…..she’s just one of the family…….

We have always had a tradition of the kids lining up on the stairs to head down to open their stockings…..Autumn came over early to join in the full day….

More pictures to follow…..as we unwrap Christmas Day and Jubilee’s first birthday with us!

49 thoughts on “Oh Happy Day!!

  1. Not too many dry eyes here, either. Good grief Linny, you've got me absolutely BAWLING at my desk! Luckily I am the only one here in the office tonight so I'm not scaring anybody. 😉 I keep scrolling up and down and gazing at these pictures. It is REAL! She is HOME!!! "Thank You, Jesus" doesn't even begin to cover it but it's all I've got so I'll just say it over and over again. God is so good. SO good.

    Sarah

    P.S. Please tell Emma I sure hope her throat feels better ASAP!

  2. Glad you are home safe and sound with all your sweeties!!! Jubilee is right where she belongs!!

    Happy 8th Birthday Jubilee!!!

    I think she may have been part of my you know who's most recent conviction. More later!!!!

    Love ya!

  3. 1800+ WOW!! Well, some of us checked multiple times just because we wanted to know that your Christmas wish had really come true and that your sweet Jubilee was truly home!

  4. so so happy for you! I am sure you are exhausted but thanks for the update. It's great that Jubilee is feeling so comfortable with her new family already. I pray Emma is feeling better soon.

  5. Praising God with you and for you.
    So glad you are home. Now it is the time for time and sleep adjustments. Enjoy your snuggles.
    Sending extra hugs & loves for transitional times,
    Barbara Lyman 🙂
    Marysville, WA

    ps glad Emma saw the dr. … get well sooooon!

  6. Tears have rolled a lot as we have followed your last 2 weeks. What a picture your family is of how loved we are! I am so grateful for the privilege of watching another miracle unfold, deepest thanks,
    Brian and Megan

  7. Oh – I just love this!! Praise be to God! Jubilee looks so small on Grahams lap – I can not wait to see her grow, grow, grow!!! Merry Christmas Sanders family, Merry Christmas!

  8. Oh – I just love this!! Praise be to God! Jubilee looks so small on Grahams lap – I can not wait to see her grow, grow, grow!!! Merry Christmas Sanders family, Merry Christmas!

  9. I think I checked in 200 times, but certainly understood why there was no post!!! But see, you were on our minds the whole day!!!!I couldn't wait to see a picture of Jubileee with all your kiddos!!! Praise God!!!!

  10. I can't believe I'm looking at these pics and reading these words! it's a miracle! It was just Thanksgiving and you were saying how you wished Jubilee would be home… and now she is. sending you all our love and hugs and kisses!!!!

  11. Oh My Oh my – Thank you Jesus!
    The look in your sweet girls eyes as she looked up at her Daddy is so priceless.

    This post brought me to tears- it is so joyous! i is a moment we have all been waiting for- it is proof that dreams come true!

    I have been waiting for your post! So I'm not sure if I was counted in on this- I have you on my blog and was checking constantly!! Thank you for posting!!

    Merry Christmas to all of you!! God Bless you all sweet and wonderful friend!

  12. How wonderful it is to hear that your sweet family is together again, and just before Christmas tops it all off!!

    Have a fun-filled first family Jubilee birthday!!!!!

    Lots of love to you and yours!
    Jenn

  13. Oh my sweet friend–I have tears of JOY!!!! Look at that sweet little angel in Daddy's arms–where she belongs. NEVER to be without her Daddy again. So amazing. Such redemption!

    Sharing in your joy tonight.

  14. Linny Jubilee fits so perfectly into your family. I got chills all over seeing pictures of her home with her family. She is exactly where God meant her to be! Merry Christmas!
    Mom to many precious gifts from God also.

  15. Congratulations! She is such a beautiful girl and so lucky to be in such a loving family.Praise the Lord that she's finally home and she looks like she's enjoying every minute of it. I love the big smile on her daddy's lap! Have a blessed New Year.:)

  16. I can tell ya' there's not a dry eye here! We are so stinkin' excited for you guys to have Jubilee home before the end of the year! ONly thing better is if we could've traveled together!
    What a very Merry Christmas. Thank You, JESUS!

  17. And so another chapter begins…
    What a beautiful homecoming story – hopefully Emma will feel better soon!
    I'm wishing you much peace and strength during this adjustment period!
    Love, Barb

  18. What a beautiful story!!! God is so good and this is a miracle that many will be talking about for a LONG time! Glad to see everyone settling in to their new surroundings!!!! Beautiful absolutely beautiful!

    Blessings, Lisa C.

  19. TRULY one of my very FAVORITE posts of yours this year!! It's SO wonderful to see Jubilee home and just content being one of the family! Wonderful, beautiful, warm, touching, PRAISE THE LORD worthy!! photos! 🙂

    Blessings and Hugs from MN!! <><
    ~ Tanya

  20. These pictures are the best! Look at the JOY on Jubilee's face! Oh my goodness gracious. She's home and she belongs…it looks like she's been there all along. My heart is so happy for you all. God bless you and keep you! Prayers for beautiful bonding days ahead! 🙂

    Worthy praises to our God for all He has done!

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