These five kids act like any siblings do. And that is the joy in it. They are just siblings. Four different biological mothers. One incredibly creative God. One big family – blessed to be a blessing.
We are getting to know each other. The Momma that Abe knew in China isn’t the Momma he is getting to know here at home. This Momma has four other children and the normal responsibilities that all moms have (but I am trying to just sit on the floor, too, so he knows I am accessible). I am so blessed to have had that special time with him in China. It allowed my heart to bond to his and allowed ME to start attaching to HIM. Those tender moments will fuel the relationship that he and I will have. Wouldn’t it be great to have a housekeeper, cook, driver, teacher, etc so that we could just play with our kids? :o)
Abraham loves his Daddy. I could tell from the moment I saw him that he must have had a special relationship with one of the assistant directors (or something) that was a man. I also realize that Abe is right at the age when a boy starts to pull away from his mother and cling to his father. It’s natural and it is so healthy – but is a hard time for any mom. A good friend of mine reminded me of this (something I learned with Austin and then read about again in Dobson’s “Bringing Up Boys”) right before I traveled, so thankfully, it is fresh in my thinking.
My four other “peeps” (my term of fondness for my children) are beginning to feel out their roles in our family and their relationship to their newest brother. Ashleigh and Amy are both typical firstborn personalities. It is fun to watch them nurture Abraham and direct him. Austin is just thrilled to have a brother and is enjoys playing with Hotwheels and building towers with blocks (and destroying them!). Anna and Abe have very similar personalities :o) and it is fun to watch them. Right now Anna is annoyed by this new brother that is taking her things away. Reminiscent of a certain little girl about 15 months ago… I am afraid that once they learn their dance, they will team up together and cause much havoc and chaos!
Our family feels very “normal”; as if Abraham was always meant to be here. That’s a good feeling.
I don’t want to miss this final opportunity to mention something very dear to our hearts. Obviously – adoption has a special place in our hearts and in our home, but the statistics about orphans are staggering…
143 million.
Many are true orphans – children without a mother or father. Some are temporary orphans – children in our foster care system. Every single one of those 143,000,000 children need a forever family. Most of those children will never receive that forever family – a mother and father – on this side of eternity, BUT every single one of those has a heavenly Father that desperately wants for us to tell them about Him.
I am challenged by the work of the foster home we visited.
These people are providing a family for many children in the here and now. But they have also introduced these children to the Father. They know that they are loved and that God has a plan for their lives.
All because two people were obedient to a calling.
Why do I blog from China? There is a story to be told. I want to preserve it for my son. Our prayer is that God will use this blog to bring much glory to himself. Not through the words of it’s author – but in calling people to respond to this picture of the gospel. Adoption is an opportunity to experience the gospel. Ephesians 1:4-5 says that “before the creation of the world… In love, he predestined us to be adopted as his sons”. Before the creation; before the fall of man – he chose to adopt us. Adoption was his plan from the beginning. He wants to take us as his children and love us unconditionally. He wants to give us the same rights as his own son – Jesus Christ. Adoption simply means: to take by choice into a relationship ; especially : to take voluntarily (a child of other parents) as one's own child.
Thank you for following along. It’s been quite a journey… and yet, only the beginning.
