My heart is so happy when my van is full. I already dream about the day we outgrow our table for 6. My soul is most content when I am home with my family, cleaning, playing, children chatting, counting down until Daddy comes home.
I have always wanted a large family. Adoption is not a back up plan for me. Everything about adding children to my family excites me. Of course it will be hard. Of course, none of it comes without loss and pain, on both ends.
But losing Thao made me realize my passion for the fatherless even more. Even though Thao was sick, we tried to find answers in every way possible. Even though no one here on earth could help him, he had a whole team of people trying their hardest. Even though he fought harder than anyone, he did it with us fighting right there with him. He lived a full 5 years in our family. Loved more than I knew possible before he was born. Actually, he taught me how to love unconditionally, how to forgive with no strings attached. I learned to look at the world through his eyes.
So many children don't get this chance. We didn't give Thao a trip to Disney or let him watch all the movies his friends were watching. We didn't even get to give him what he really wanted, a barn with chickens and goats. But we gave him what is most important to any child, a loving family and hope in Christ. I strongly believe that every child deserves a chance at a loving family.
They don't need their own room.
Or a brand new bike.
Or a vacation.
Don't get me wrong, none of those things are bad. All I'm saying is these kids, well, all they want is to belong. Most of them have no one. Nothing. And truly, no hope.
Many children living in orphanages will eventually (and by that I mean by their 4 or 5th birthday) get moved to an adult mental institution where they are expected to maybe live 1 year until they die.
80% of children in Congo will die before their 5th birthday.
There are ways to help without committing to adoption. I get it, many families are not ready to adopt. I'm definitely not saying you should.
But, there are children in our community that need a home while their parents sort things out. The ultimate goal of foster care is re-unification. The classes are free (and are AMAZING by the way!)
An even shorter commitment is that of hosting. Children from places like Ukraine, get the chance to spend a few weeks with a family. The goal of hosting is to help them to understand what a functional family is like, and possibly give them the opportunity to meet a forever family. Children like sweet "D" are available this summer.
Or is adoption pulling at your heart strings? I just want to encourage you, asking questions is free. And sweet babies like Otto and Octavian are waiting. Just waiting.
As we wait to bring our children home, I pray that we have the privilege to watch other orphans become someone's children. I pray that we watch our community surround children in need of family. I pray that sweet "D" gets to play his harmonica in a family that welcomes him as their own.
It's not too late, friends. My house isn't huge and my family is loud and chaotic and fun and I promise you, far from perfect....
...but I also promise you this, whatever children we are blessed with, we will love like crazy.
I have always wanted a large family. Adoption is not a back up plan for me. Everything about adding children to my family excites me. Of course it will be hard. Of course, none of it comes without loss and pain, on both ends.
But losing Thao made me realize my passion for the fatherless even more. Even though Thao was sick, we tried to find answers in every way possible. Even though no one here on earth could help him, he had a whole team of people trying their hardest. Even though he fought harder than anyone, he did it with us fighting right there with him. He lived a full 5 years in our family. Loved more than I knew possible before he was born. Actually, he taught me how to love unconditionally, how to forgive with no strings attached. I learned to look at the world through his eyes.
They don't need their own room.
Or a brand new bike.
Or a vacation.
Don't get me wrong, none of those things are bad. All I'm saying is these kids, well, all they want is to belong. Most of them have no one. Nothing. And truly, no hope.
Many children living in orphanages will eventually (and by that I mean by their 4 or 5th birthday) get moved to an adult mental institution where they are expected to maybe live 1 year until they die.
80% of children in Congo will die before their 5th birthday.
There are ways to help without committing to adoption. I get it, many families are not ready to adopt. I'm definitely not saying you should.
But, there are children in our community that need a home while their parents sort things out. The ultimate goal of foster care is re-unification. The classes are free (and are AMAZING by the way!)
An even shorter commitment is that of hosting. Children from places like Ukraine, get the chance to spend a few weeks with a family. The goal of hosting is to help them to understand what a functional family is like, and possibly give them the opportunity to meet a forever family. Children like sweet "D" are available this summer.
Sweet
"D" keeps getting overlooked and is STILL waiting to be chosen. Imagine
him with a genuine smile on his face after a life changing summer in
America? We only have till this WEDNESDAY to find him a host family. He
is described as the "heart and soul" of any group of people. He
participates in concerts, plays harmonica, and the , and he sings nicely
too! Open, trustworthy, smart, clever, and active!
Or is adoption pulling at your heart strings? I just want to encourage you, asking questions is free. And sweet babies like Otto and Octavian are waiting. Just waiting.
 |
| He needs a mama to hold him. |
 | ||
| He needs a family to belong to. |
As we wait to bring our children home, I pray that we have the privilege to watch other orphans become someone's children. I pray that we watch our community surround children in need of family. I pray that sweet "D" gets to play his harmonica in a family that welcomes him as their own.
It's not too late, friends. My house isn't huge and my family is loud and chaotic and fun and I promise you, far from perfect....