Kesha Mae had her 1st birthday on Tuesday. We had a party then, but today we received a care package from her new "forever family" in France with birthday presents for her. We had a team here from Oregon, so we all sang "Happy Birthday" to her, and she opened her presents.

For her new mom and dad, it will be a mixed blessing to see their daughter enjoying this special day. There will be no consolation until they hold little Kesha Mae in their arms.

For the team that was here, it was a unique opportunity to see the miracle of God putting a family together for the very first time. As Kesha Mae looks at pictures and receives presents from her new parents, the Lord binds a new family together "with chords of human kindness" (Hosea 11:4).

Volunteers who come here, even for just one day, provide indispens- able, focused care for our children while they wait for the family that is waiting for them. The Tigard team left our children (and all of us) feeling loved.