Her Injured Heart, to Anna

Sweet Anna,

I wish I could tell you how precious you are to me and the rest of the family.  I wish I could instantly help you to love yourself.  Because you deserve LOVE!!  I don't know that you've ever felt what unconditional love is, but you will feel that when you join our family.

The other day you were very upset about "lying and stealing."  You said things like, "I'm horrible!  I'm horrible!  I don't deserve love by anyone because I'm so horrible."

Oh baby girl, no.  You deserve ALL the love!  Jesus loves us no matter what we do, right?  No matter what!  Well, that's how we love you as well.  You will make mistakes, like we all do.  But you will also grow and learn that certain mistakes just don't benefit you.  Also, what has been labeled as "stealing" in your home (taking foods and such) is just a symptom of your heart that is hurting.  I believe that you will conquer those food issues!  And if not, we will still love you.  Always, sweet girl.  Always.

Update 4-12-2021

 Well, things are moving right along!  We are on the last piece of our homestudy before the homestudy interview.  About 10 more things to gather but it's nothing we haven't done before.  What complicates it is that we are trying so hard to prepare the house for arrival day!  We are getting new flooring throughout the house and doing other updates as well.  We are also refinancing our house to have more available income to care for our family each month (and because interest rates are low!).  It's A LOT.  But will be worth it.