ordinary extraordinary thursday - it's a girl!

It's hard to put into words what happened on Thursday.  In some ways everything changed. In some ways nothing is different. We drove to Gadsden, Alabama, a judge signed some documents and now Zoe is officially a Cash.  3 hours there, 20 minutes in the courtroom, 3 hours back.  It was well worth the drive (and the Cracker Barrel breakfast on the way was delicious). 

This picture (below) makes me laugh...I was standing up with Zoe (cause she was a little fussy) and then we were supposed to swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth - I actually have no idea if that's what the judge said...I just said "I do." (but my face is saying "I've never done this before..." - and I love that Caroline is holding up her hand - granted it's her left hand but she is holding it up nonetheless)...but I don't think we were supposed to be standing up...

...but wonderful Nick stood up with me.  (as he does.  i love him standing with me...and me standing with him.  together with him is my favorite place to be.)

And then our lawyer told us we could sit down :)

I had imagined things a bit differently - the courtroom was much larger in my imagination (think something from a John Grisham novel/movie).  There definitely would have been a little lady in the corner typing notes (think Ethel Beavers from Parks and Rec).  And we would have made more vows (think wedding...love and cherish 'til death do us part).

It was all rather simple (as we had been told!  Fabulous Emily from Lifeline had assured us that "this wasn't a day for surprises" - the judge was making official what had already been decided).  We were asked our names and occupations...a couple of seconds later our lawyer (that's funny to say...we've never had a lawyer before!!) gently and calmly said "I'm watching the judge as he signs...Zoe Grace is officially yours."  

And that was that.  Lawyer Bob and Judge Junkins started talking about football.  

We took some pictures.  (well, mainly Sweet Libby, Bob's assistant, took some pictures)

And then...a tremendous thing happened.  Judge Junkins gave Zoe an elephant.  A sweet gesture, for sure...but, even more than a sweet token of this special day, that elephant is a Holy Reminder that God is and has been a part of this entire adoption process.  I've loved baby elephants for a long time (part of the reason behind my blog header)...and come to find out, Zoe's birth mama loves elephants, too....and somehow God used elephants to confirm her decision to choose us as Zoe's parents. Maybe some day I'll know the significance of the elephants that have been a part of Zoe's life and Melinda's decision to choose us...maybe someday I'll get to hear the whole story.

Yes, she is officially ours. But by all Kingdom measures, she has been ours all along.  She became ours when Melinda chose us to parent the baby she gave birth to. She became ours when she came to our home from the hospital.  But REALLY really, she is His.  His design, His creation, His beloved baby girl, His delightful daughter....we're just the lucky ridiculously blessed ones that get to share life, home and love with her.

Zoe Grace Cash.  I like the sound of that.  ZGC.  Those are some lovely initials.

All day Thursday I couldn't get one of my favorite African Worship songs out of my head -- "Great things He has done, greater things He will do.  Unto the Lord be the glory.  Great things He has done."

Here's a link if want to listen to it and get a taste of African worship (this is the only version I could find on youtube...I wish I could share a version from our friends from the ship - no offense to this version but Koffi and George and Emmanuel and Clementine do it way better!) Unto the Lord

If you happen to love that worship, here's a link to Some more favorites

We came home to balloons on our fence and later our community group gathered to celebrate Zoe's last name being Cash...and there was delicious food, fabulous fellowship (including a certain dave-o in Australia!) and fireworks - along with some thoughtful gifts shared!

I hope our neighbors have forgiven us for the noise.

And life has continued on as usual.  Nothing has changed.  Everything is different.

Surely there will be more to come.