Reflections

At the end of this week we will cross the 3 month mark for arriving home with our precious son. As I sit and reflect today on all that God has been teaching me through this adoption, many things come to mind with so many mixed feelings. My heart is full of emotions I guess it is kind of like after pregnancy when all you hormones are changing. Waiting through the process, all the papers, all the forms, all the fundraising and the long physical journey to China was exhausting and challenging but it taught us to have lots of patience which we would need on the other side when we got home. During that long wait (5 years praying) and another year in the process God also builds a love that goes so deep for a child you have never met. It is hard to explain but that love is built day by day while you wait and wait developing again a deep love to carry you through the transition home. Then all of a sudden all you had dreamed of is in your arms and he doesn't understand a word you are saying and looks in your eyes searching for what is to come. We were blessed with smiles when we met but it is not always that way. Our son has done extremely well transitioning but it has also been hard. I think many on the outside think that when you bring an older child home they will just blend right in and life goes on. In ways that does happen but there is also so much more. Just the normal things of adding a new child to the family takes place even when they are older but there is so much more to learn. How does a family work, language, love, respect and how to interact with others plus all the past history that you don’t know about that can influence so many current situations. These things take so much time and struggle to grow through. Normally as an infant so much of this is learned gradually as you age but for us it is like having a toddler in a 7 year old body going through developmental stages each week. This is very challenging but yet so beautiful at the same time. It is amazing to watch God work and teach and grow in such huge leaps in such a short amount of time. I hear often that adoption is not for the weary. Many times it is said in the waiting period but God uses that time for preparing for what is ahead. Just as raising any child is hard and at the same time the most amazing journey so is adoption. Watching God graft a child into a family and teach them about His love is one of the most incredible gifts I have been given. I am so thankful for those who have stuck by us when we returned trying to be there and understand what is still hard for us to understand at times. I pray they will also glean from God’s blessing on this incredible journey. We are so thankful for each day He has given us together as a family. 

VBS

We just finished a week at VBS. It was a long week with many late nights but it was amazing!  All the kids loved it and had a lot of fun. It was an incredible week for Cargan. I wasn't sure if it would be too over stimulating, but he did great. He was so excited to go each night and couldn't wait to get to his class. All week long during the singing he would just sit and watch. He wouldn't even stand up with the other kids. Last night was the highlight of the week. Cargan had been studying every move and word. At singing time he was in the isle signing and doing every motion. He had us all in tears. It was priceless. God is working in this boys life! Here is a clip of him singing.

August 1st, 2013

August 1^st is a special day in our house. One year ago today we sent a pack of papers to China requesting to be Cargan’s parents. It was also a special day because we were requesting it on his birthday. Now a year later we are able to celebrate his birthday with him! It was a precious celebration. He was so excited to be having a party. He counted down the days. What he didn’t expect was all the presents. My mom arrived first and set out her 2 presents. He was amazed there were 2! He cautiously looked at them wondering if they were for him. He asked if he could open one. I told him after everyone arrived he could open one. We set out ours then more were set out when other family members arrived. As soon as the last person arrived he pulled me to the presents asking to open one. Pierson gave him the gift he had gotten and Cargan was thrilled. He went off to play a little with his new toy and then came and pulled me aside. He took me to another room shut the door and with those sweet eyes put up 2 little fingers. He was motioning asking if he would be aloud to have one more present. I explained to him that after we ate “noodles” (his favorite) for dinner he would open up all the presents. He was so excited and began jumping up and down yelling “Yay” . We had a beautiful first Birthday celebrating with family. Here are a few of the highlights. 

Eating noodles.

Not too impressed with the clothes in the bag but he liked the hangars.

Captain America ...

but Superman is stronger!

First Birthday wish.

             We are so thankful for our precious boy God has so graciously grafted into our family.