We have some exciting news to share!
Last
summer we hosted an orphan from Ukraine for six weeks. When we set out on the
journey, we had no idea how this boy would affect our lives or our hearts. We
knew for certain that we were done adding to our family. We went into this with
our eyes wide open and hearts sealed shut. Finished adopting, but with a heart
for orphans, we wanted to do our part. We would host him, love on him, share
the Gospel with him, pray for his future, fill him up with all the goodness a
family could give. Provide him with the experience of a life time. And when his time was up, we'd send him back
with shoes, warm clothes, school supplies, and toys.
Well
this boy came in, with his heart wide open, and completely steamrolled our
excellent plan. He soaked up all the love we gave him and returned it tenfold. HE
GAVE US the experience of a lifetime. No matter what he had to offer, he gave as
hard as he could, all the time. The most eager child I have ever met. This boy
filled OUR love tanks up. He fit right into our family like he was the missing
piece of a puzzle we didn't even know existed.
On
the day he left, I gave him a photo album of his time with us as a keepsake. He
was so happy that he fought back tears. And that suitcase that I was so excited to send
him off with wasn't so exciting to me, or him, anymore. What I was once so happy to be
able to do for him, was literally making me feel sick to my
stomach. But I did it. I lovingly and tearfully loaded him up
with lots of stuff to take back with him. All that *stuff* I jammed in there felt like I was leaving him with the leftovers. Leftovers of our time spent together as a family. Leftovers suffice when you are starving for a meal. But once you've had the
meal, the leftovers never taste the same.
So, our
once sealed-shut hearts were busted wide open by an 11yo boy from an Eastern European
orphanage. He unknowingly crept in there and has made his home inside.
We
would like to not only have him in our hearts, but also in our home. We want
him to be our son. Our kids want him to be their brother.
We are moving forward to adopt him.
Unprepared,
but very motivated, last month we began the process to bring him home. Adoption from
Ukraine is very expensive and we are asking for help. We will be doing various
fundraisers in addition to our "You-Caring Fundraising" button on the
side of the blog, where you can donate any amount. If you cannot give, please pray along with us for a smooth and uneventful adoption process. Also for patience and peace for our future son.
