Table for 4

Things are definitely looking a little different around the house.  Most noticeably to me is our kitchen table.  I use it a lot.  All of our meals, some snack times, crafting, quiet time, folding laundry... the list goes on but in a nutshell that's my "get it done" area.  It seems to be where a lot of life happens in this house.

But after this past weekend, it has a different feel.  It's now a table for 4.  There are two chairs and two highchairs now.  It's amazing how changing one little thing just makes it feel so different.

We put Zoe's picture in a frame with a pretty bow, and it sits on her highchair tray.  We also taped her picture to her crib.  Zoe's picture came with us to House Church when we celebrated her first birthday.  And her picture came with us to Mimi and Pops' house for Thanksgiving.

It started off as something for Arella.  We wanted her to get used to the idea that Zoe is always with us.  She can point to Zoe's picture when asked, and it's sometimes followed by running to the map and pointing to China (Ni-na in Arella speak), which is sometimes Russia but that's pretty darn good for an 18-month-old!  Sometimes she doesn't want anything to do with this Zoe character, this sister person.  Other times she kisses her picture and tries to hug her.  She waves good night to her picture on the crib before naps and bed time.  She may not understand what's happening, but God is readying her heart.

I think, though, that all of us being able to see Zoe's face so often in the very places she will soon be living and playing in has kind of helped her move into our hearts already.  Not that she hasn't been loved and longed for this whole time, but I think without realizing it, we've already incorporated her into every part of our daily lives and routines.

We've been preparing a place for Zoe, like Jesus is preparing one for us.  "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also." John 14:3

Jesus is breaking our hearts for what breaks His.  And I guess this is how we will begin to try and follow the example He has set for us, because this is what He is doing for us:  "I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you."  John 14:18

4 more days until we begin the next part of our adventure to turn that picture into a real little girl...