Within the adoption process, there comes many more, “best weeks of your life,” which include meeting your child for the first moment, meeting their gaze, having them rush into your arms or clutch their tiny fist around your finger, they were ready. “Oh wow,” you whisper, feeling the weight of this joy, this honor.
Another time comes where you are reunited, and a moment in a courtroom makes it all permanent, your very own, hearts erupting in joy.
But this week.
We are packing new things than we have before. We are packing bottles, healthy things to go in that bottle, baby and girl clothes for 5 days, and swimsuits for the hotel pool, food, and diapers, and formula, and basically, everything we’ve ever wanted to give them. Hoodies and jackets, leggings and jammies, toys and games. It’s surreal–joy.
And once our week is done, and our car pulls up onto our driveway from the airport, we will all of us, get out of the car, and they will, for the very first time, be home. As we open the front door, and lead them into their living room, oh, they will know this room well soon, as we walk past the kitchen…
Maria, a little girl who has never had anything of her own, will turn the corner to a little pink room. And she will go into her own room for the first time.
As her shy eyes look around the corner for the first time.
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| Thank you Whitney |
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| And the clothes, oh the clothes, we love you friends. |
This room represents many things to us as her parents, but one thing is her safety. She is now safe and protected.
And this will start a whole new best week of our life.
And with the joy this trip brings, it also brings with it a mingling of other emotions that I don’t even want to give space to. When we set out to adopt two children, many more nestled their way into our hearts, their futures uncertain.
When we began this journey, and knew we would be traveling many times, it almost seemed like there wouldn’t end up being that last trip, but here it is, and as we begin life with our family, our children start the road of healing, I realize how it means goodbye to so many.
I am almost in tears about how good God is. I can’t believe how much of my time I have spent not really knowing it, you know? I wish I could scoop up everyone one of those darn kids and tell them how loved they are…I guess i’ll just start with my two.
You are so blessed! What a beautiful family you will all make. Safe travels and take care.
Kim from Australia~!
xxx
Your posts are so heartening and full of feeling.
Bless you!
oxox
Crying tears of joy. So happy for this moment. Praying for you, my friend across the miles!
My heart and my prayers are traveling with you! Can’t wait to read the post when you all are finally home!
Your adoption journey has been so inspirational. You all will be in our prayers this week!
Will be praying for you and your family! Enjoy the moments with them!
Pat and Katie
St. Louis
Safe journey guys & bug hugs for you all.
Lou 🙂
So happy to see this post and will be even happier to see the first post when you arrive home with your gorgeous children. You are an inspiration!
-Alyessa
Portland, Oregon
I am praying for safe travels and God’s strength and peace as you make this final journey. Much love, Marj
This is such a precious time! I remember it like it was yesterday…and not three years ago.
As a mama to an “older” adopted girl, my ears are always open. Please reach out if I can help! (It’s exhausting in the beginning and gets easier after about six weeks.}
Godspeed! All joy!
Joyful tears slipping down my cheeks. God is SO good and forever faithful. I can’t wait to see the pictures and read updates as your kids settle into their new home. Blessings on you all!
I’ll be praying you across the ocean both ways; I’m so excited you’re almost done and have so enjoyed following your journey. Best wishes and God bless!
Holly
So excited for you and for your two new love bugs to start their new adventure in a family full of love!!
Keep us all posted. My heart is singing for your amazing adventure!
So happy for you and your family. I am anxiously waiting for your posts over the next few weeks as your new lovies learn what it is like to have a family all their own. Good luck!!
aaahhh! It’s so exciting. blessings upon blessings on your growing family. xo
Such joy for your family. I can’t wait for you to bring them home! I’m so excited for you.
I wish I could go adopt all of them- reading your story has brought adoption and orphans to a much more central part of my brain. I am grateful for that but it breaks my heart too. I keep thinking of Psalms and how many times it talks about God being a father to the fatherless, and how comforting and awesome he is. I hope so many more of the children from those orphanages are adopted by families that will love them, save them, and teach them about their heavenly father.
Oh how Maria will love her home xx