Family of 9

Though we haven't been very active on the blog lately, we have not been sitting still! Trips to buy groceries. Trips to church. Trips to the doctor. Trips to the library. A trip to Kenwood Mall to make Eleanor happy--red bean milk tea (they even have a menu in Chinese)! And last week, we finally made it to Jungle Jim's International Market. We are so grateful to have this right around the corner. Both kids were able to find some things they recognized and are enjoying very much.

We've also been working on getting the kids outside for sunshine and exercise. Having one who lived in an orphanage and one living in a very populated city, I don't think either of the kids were used to spending time outside for recreation. If you happened to drive by, you might find us outside bumping a volleyball or shooting baskets. We also love to sit on the porch swing. 

With school in full swing, relaxing on the porch doesn't come as often now. We're inside hammering our flashcards, copying English words, and playing ESL games on the computer. 

Your prayers are still very much appreciated as we navigate this busy life. Each of us has different things we are working through, and are grateful for the Lord teaching us through them.

Summary of the Adoption Process

I ran across this blog post this morning and it is SO GOOD. Good for everyone. Good for those of us in the middle of things right now, good for others who want to know more about what we are going through, and good for Christians everywhere to be reminded of the truths in the last few paragraphs.

Keep in mind, as the author says, that every adoption and every family is different. We're fluctuating between stages 1 and 2, and though we haven't had too much of the "hysterics," we have seen enough to relate and understand. And probably more is still to come.

Below is a quote, and here is the link for the entire article. The author communicates things better than I could, or even have time for.

"Is adoption easy? No it is not. Is this simple? Nope. Complicated and long-term. Will bonding be immediate and seamless? Maybe, but probably not. Will you struggle with guilt and fear that first year? Yes, but you shouldn’t. You’ve agreed to partner with God in some difficult, heart-wrenching work, and it’s no kum-by-yah party. Give grace to yourself; God already has.

Anything worth fighting for is worth fighting through, and adoption is one of them. I can hardly think of something closer to God’s character, who is the “Father to the fatherless, defender of widows — this is God, whose dwelling is holy.” Certainly, we are his difficult children who spaz out and pull away and manipulate and struggle. We distrust His good love and sabotage our blessings, imagining our shame disqualifies us or that God couldn’t possibly be faithful to such orphans.

But He is. We are loved with an everlasting love, and it is enough to overwhelm our own fear and shame and humanity."

The Truth About Adoption: One Year Later  

by Jen Hatmaker