My hubby called me a little while ago and told me that it had been a while since we discussed the importance of today's date.  It was 14 years ago today that we won - by judge's decision - the right to have visitation with my then-6-year-old stepson, Stew. 

Wow.  Fourteen years ago!  I remember that previous winter, Stew's mom had allowed us one visit at her place, but then for months after wouldn't allow us to see him again.  We kept our Christmas tree up from that winter until June when we could finally celebrate Christmas with him.  We got him a Hotwheels race track and a Tasmanian Devil sleeping bag.  Such humble beginnings!  ^_^

Today, as he's 20 years old now and stepping out on his own to be a man of his own life, we just helped him - this morning, in fact - obtain the keys to his first apartment. 

June 1st, 1995, we worked to bring him into our home, and June 1st, 2009, we worked to get him into a home of his own.  Funny how it's come full-circle like that.

Thank You, Lord, for the blessing of my stepson, my darling boy, whom I love and adore.  Please keep Your guiding hand on him and bring him safely into Your fold.  Help him to become the man You have designed him to become, and help us guide him along that path.