Silver Trumpets : Victory Jar 2014 & Adoption Day!

This morning I'm reading all my victories that I recorded in 2014. It's amazing how many of these I forget as the year passes. These are not only my personal victories but beautiful things that happened which made me feel special and loved. Of course, our "gotcha day" was the biggest so I'll finally be able to share pictures now that it's done. They are at the end of the post. Anyway, I'm so grateful I had these written so I can remember and smile! Random order...

Began visiting a nursing and rehab facility in my neighborhood to encourage the residents there
Completed some projects at work that went wonderful and received praise from my boss
Had my first respite visit and was able to love up on a young sibling group from foster care
Worship God at night under the stars
Memorize a new poem
Completed my photo album for the adoption agency and began submitting homestudy for potential children
Enjoyed the company of two best friends who came over with dinner and prayed with me during an extremely challenging time this year
Secret serving of another
Began zendoodling
Planned a wonderful "Strength Weekend" for me and some close friends to get away and get closer to God
Met my daughter for the first time...
Received gift from church for my daughter to attend teen camp and a teen weekend
Put a hybrid exercise machine together by myself
Made dinner for a couple and served them in my home
Had an funky and unique 40th birthday party at a spa & trendy hotel with friends
I was called "Mom" for the first time by my girl.
Followed God's spirit and left an ill-fitted group at church
Connected with several parents who foster teens
Joined an amazing family group in my church, in my area - their support this year has been incredible
Finished ALL that paperwork for the adoption
Successful sweet 16 birthday party for my daughter :)
Had an amazing July 4th and family reunion to introduce my potential daughter to extended family
Terrific "girls weekend" with my momma
Enjoyed a segway adventure and David Garrett concert with my folks
Joined a parenting/teen class with my girl
Challenged a book in the library of my girl's high school and WON! They reviewed it and decided it's subject matter was too pornographic and pulled it from the shelves
Got a wonderful new treadmill to exercise
Opened up and shared deeply with friends about some fears and hurts from others
Finished Christmas shopping early to help my budget
Started a prayer journal to widen my prayer life
Heard a great message about embracing the full ministry of Jesus "The Great Compassion"
Survived cat dental cleaning and other cat health issues - ha
Great friend traveled to my job several time to have lunch with me and encourage me
Coworker praised me to my boss
Asked my girl if she would be open to us "adopting" each other - she said yes!
Planned annual trip to hometown and got to see an answered prayer of my daughter seeing the passion play with me that I watched as a teen!
Completed the sponsorship of a teen in the Compassion program - Chidodolo graduated on to police school
Enjoyed a day of "healing" - rain, butterflies and special time with God
Decorated for the holidays with my daughter and enjoyed seeing things as she experienced it
Amazing family photo session to celebrate my new family
Adoption Day! Family, friends, laughter and so much joy
Began new family, new traditions, new life!

I'm certain more things happened during the months before the adoption but that I was just too busy to record them. Ultimately this has been a life changing and amazing year! I'm so grateful and in awe. Life is good and God's plans are best.

Introducing my new smart, funny and beautiful daughter. :)