Today has been a VERY emotional one.

We have had the delight of receiving several pictures and some videos of our precious children along with the other children whom they are in the orphanage with. Each time we see all the faces, we pray for them and give each child a piece of our heart.

One precious little girl grabbed our hearts as she was very malnourished. My daughter, Mallory age 10, fell in love with this little girl and eery time we would watch a video of the kids, she would ask us to pause it at the spot when this precious little girl would come on the screen.

We had the great privilege to meet this little girl's parents, as they were visiting family here in Boise. We met for coffee and they shared their story with us. They also showed us pictures of their sweet little children who are in the same orphanage as Malachi and Mercy! To our surprise, their little girl was this precious girl whom we had fallen in love with through video. The little boy they are adopting is her older brother. It was surreal to think that our kids are in Africa together right now. That we are on the same journey to bring our children home. 

Last week, our friends told us their little girl was in the hospital with malaria and typhoid. We called on friends and family to pray. Their little girl was fighting to live through the sicknesses.

Last night, their precious girl, Annalise, went home to be with Jesus. Our hearts are broken for them as they suffer the loss of one of their children. They are grieving right now, and we ask that you pray for them as they grieve the loss of their child! They now await the time when they can go and hold their son, Annalise's brother and comfort him. He has suffered another terrible loss in his little life. Please pray for him as he tries to understand all of this. Our hearts rejoice that Annalise is no longer suffering, but they are also broken by the fact that Annalise never got to be held by her loving parents. Thankful that she is now held in the arms of her loving Savior!

Please pray for the health and safety of each of the children in the orphanage. They do live in Africa and sickness abounds. Pray for their amazing caregivers who are loving on them and giving them the absolute best care that they possibly can give to them.