09/11/2013

 

Kayaking in Canada with Daddy!

 

Six months .......................... half a year ................................ an eternity in the life of a new adoptee.  "What are they saying now?  I don't understand.  What did I do wrong?  Why are they laughing?  When will I be able to tell them how I feel?"

Can we keep them daddy?

     As adoptive parents we do our best to empathize with our newest loved ones.  We try to put ourselves in their shoes and help them adapt to their radically changing lives but we always fall far short of the perfect parents.  For many of us, that gap can be miraculously bridged through God's love and the gentle, guiding hand of the Holy Spirit.  On those difficult days when life deals you too much; when one, or all of your children seem to be aligned against you, it is this peace and guidance that we reach for.

First Time Horseback Riding

The adoption journey is not for the meek and it is definitely not for the faint of heart.  There are days when you feel like you will burst with the overabundance of blessings you have received and then there are the other days.  The days when you ask yourself what on earth you have done?  You remember those "friends" who told you , in no uncertain terms, that you would ruin your "other" children; that you were insane for taking on "someone else's" problems.  Perhaps you even had a family member who took it upon themselves to "speak up" for the rest of the family.  On these difficult days we must lean on our piers within the adoption community and most importantly lean on God.  We are not concerned about what the "nay-sayers" think, we are only concerned about what God thinks.  We have been called to a specific purpose and there is no greater joy than this.  Everyone has a different calling in this world but we few know the joy of healing a broken heart.  The joy of reaching into the darkness and ransoming a life.  Romans 8:28 reminds us; "We know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."  In your times of struggle remember to lean on God and to lean on  His people.  You are NOT alone!

Dad, check out my hat!

     Our beautiful daughter, Caitlin has been home for six months now.  It is difficult for me to imagine where the time has gone.  It seems like just yesterday we were in China, meeting her for the first time.  Gone are the dirty looks, replaced mostly with smiles and we even get a fair bit of unsolicited affection.  To my utter amazement, she rarely even brushes off the "daddy germs" anymore if our arms accidently touch while doing homework:)

Sisters at the hairdresser with cousin Angela

     Caitlin's journey of growth and love has been fascinating to watch unfold.  She is a young lady with an incredible strength and unquenchable spirit.  Her language skills are quickly developing as are so many other areas of her life.  As she gains a level of comfort within our family what has amazed me the most is to see the development of a leader in our household.  She is quickly becoming an example to the other children in various aspects of her life and has even had the courage to share with us some of the horrific experiences of her past.  If she has accomplished this much in six months I cannot imagine where we will be in a year.  Please do not misunderstand; she is by no means perfect - but she is perfect for us.

     Thank you Lord for bringing this incredible child home to our family.  Thank you for all our children.  Your are truly awesome!