If a picture says a thousand words, these pictures take a few words to explain. Paul and Tracey have been eagerly awaiting the phone call to come pick up Leizel Joy for nearly six months now. It has been a soap opera of expectation and disappointment.

Yesterday morning they called early to say that, again, it looked hopeless. And then by eight-thirty, only three hours later, they called back to say they were in the car on the way to the airport.

We have the joy of hosting them in our home, and it is a cherished privilege--they, having already adopted Leizel Joy's older brother from us this time a year ago, have become dear friends. You can't help, with the time of year and the miraculous way that this adoption has come together, but analogize with the birth of Jesus--the unlikely fulfilment of every expectation.