Paul & Diane Wood are saints. Well, technically, Paul’s a deacon, but those who know he and his wife like we do believe saints is more accurate. They have continued to bless our entire adoption process since day one. They have asked about the progress when even I had forgotten we were in the middle of it. They have prayed at all of the right times for our safety, patience, and God’s will. They have housed and fed me when I needed that mental break right before our trip. Paul even got me into a golf tournament where our team placed third and I got the shirt I wore on Registration Day. They are interwoven into our family in so many ways.

Paul sent me an email early this morning that I felt I needed to repost here. It is another example of the Christian love we have pouring over our journey that will keep us steady and on track. Thank you Paul and Diane. You know the FOUR of us love you.

Scott and family (all four of you)

While reading the blog, I got to thinking(trouble for us all). The Catholic Church usually has something for every occasion. So I went digging in to my Book of Blessings and found the following which I pass along to you all.

The blessing ceremony has a reading from Scripture: Mark 10:13-16 (very appropriate in my opinion). And they list 5 others that might be used depending on the circumstances.

The actual blessing is as follows:

Loving God, your Son has taught us that whoever welcomes a child in His name, welcomes Him. We give you thanks for Alexis Lin Floyd whom Scott, Monica and Christian have welcomed into their family. Bless this family. Confirm a lively sense of your presence with them and grant to these parents patience and wisdom, that their lives may show forth the love of Christ as they bring Alexis Lin up to love all that is good. We ask this through Christ our Lord. AMEN.

I then got to thinking (still more trouble) about birthdays. Alexis now has two – her actual birth day and her birthdate into the Floyd Family. Double party.

Continued safe and blessed travels.

Paul and Diane.

Photo Credit: Vladimer Shioshvili via Compfight