While going through Angel's school work earlier this week, I came across this page in her workbook. I read through all of the blessings she had written down, deeply touched by each one ... these things that SHE feels are blessings in her life.
And then I saw it ...
The bottom left "rock" ... the blessing that has now become such an all-consuming, amazing part of my life. Of our life.
"aDoPtion"
I started to cry.
Almost 2 years ago when DH and I made the decision to adopt, I had no idea how far reaching that decision would be ... how much it would affect our kids in ways I didn't know possible. Sure, I thought about how awesome it would be to gain a daughter and sister. How it would stretch the older two and ask them to give even more of themselves as they welcomed a third sibling. And I put a bit of thought into how it would strengthen them and how wonderful it would be to celebrate another culture in our home. But for some reason, I never thought about how THEY would feel that adoption was a blessing.
I was totally wrong. This "rock" that DH and I know to be a miraculous blessing is now seen as a blessing by our kids too. It's inspiring ... truly inspiring, to watch their faith develop.
When we chose to walk this path of adoption, it was unchartered territory but we *knew* it was where God wanted us to be. Angel and Lovebug happily supported the decision with "faith like a child," they didn't question it and were excited to bring their baby sister home. And now, not only do we have a new daughter and sister to love, adoption is a blessing to us all.
Today, I am so thankful for adoption and how it has changed our lives. Sunshine, we love you baby girl and are so excited to watch you blossom into the person God intends for you to be! I am also thankful for Orphan Sunday (see the short video below) - I hope & pray this day makes people more aware of just how many orphans there are in the world. WE CAN ALL MAKE A DIFFERENCE, PLEASE SHARE THE LOVE!
"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." John 14:18
downright awesome!!!! i love it!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat post Nicole! And I know exactly how you feel. I have been so amazed to see how this adoption process has affected Zoe, my oldest. To see how she loves her sister and the changes it has wrought in her. So thankful that we for this adoption journey. God is so incredibly good! :)
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