Arrival at Orphanage & Meeting Our Children!!

August 7, 2013

What do you do when you watch the car ferry draw close to the shore of the island that holds children that you have never met? 

            Stand. Wait. Watch. Wonder. Pray.

What do you do when the van finally starts rumbling down the bumpy road and then finally slows and turns into the house that holds the children you have never met?        

            Tell the butterflies in your belly to calm down.

What do you do as you walk up the stairs to the room where all the children are laughing and singing?

            Tell the butterflies in your belly that you really were quite serious. 

What do you do when two of the little faces you have longed to see peak through the closed door and four of the little arms you have longed to grasp reach up to be held and two of the little voices you longed to hear call out with delight, “Mommy!  Daddy!”

            Cry.  Laugh.  Reach down and hold them.  Cover their heads with kisses.

What does an eleven year old girl do when she is filled with too many emotions all at once?

            Cry.

What do you do you find your little girl overwhelmed and crying?

            Kneel down beside her.  Open your arms as her caregiver slides her into your lap.  Bury her face in your dress.  Smother her with kisses and gentle words.  Tell her you love her.  Wipe the tears from her face and tell her Mommy is here. 

What do you do when she finally lifts her head to you?

            Look into her overwhelmed little face, introduce her to her daddy and brother and watch a small smile spread across her face.

What do when you look up to see the littlest one climbing on Daddy’s back all full of giggles?

            Catch Daddy’s eye and exchange a look of wonder and joy. 

What do you do when the middle one quietly slides up next to you? 

            Draw him closer and kiss the top of his head. 

What do you do when the oldest child jumps up with a giant grin and without hesitation grabs Reuben’s hand to show him around?

            Catch his eye and laugh at his amused/confused/astonished/excited expression then nod saying, “go on.”  Imagine that he must be trying to find a category for “sister" in his brain.

What do you do when you see two new brothers pouring over pictures together on the iphone? 

            Thank the LORD for mercy, grace, and budding new love.

           

What do you when they make beds up on the floor of your room just so we can all be together?

            Snuggle them as Daddy reads from the Jesus Story Bible.  Give them hugs and kisses.  Tell them you love them and that you are thankful for them.  Then do it all again, just because you can. 

What do you do when you finally crawl in bed after days of very little sleep and a roller coaster of emotions?

            SLEEP!

What do you do when first thing in the morning the smallest one climbs into your bed and lays her head on Daddy’s chest?

            Watch with wonder as a smile spreads across his face as he draws her close.