Meetcha Day Sunday January 30, 2011

How do you write about something that is one of the greatest days of your life? I choke up when I see these pictures and remember this incredible day. It reminds me of the moment when each of my biological children were born. You go through something so intense, so difficult, and then so beautiful, something beyond words. Adoption brings feelings every bit as difficult, intense, tender, and full of love. Beyond words.

Let me start by saying that all of the photos in this post were taken by Wes and Nina Mullins. Two people we consider dear and true friends. We love and admire these two. They are good people and very talented. They came with us on this special day and not only took these photos, but took video. Thanks Wes and Nina! If you are looking for photographers, we definitely recommend.
When we arrived at the orphanage, we were invited into the Director's office. I was just anxious to meet the kids, but we survived the extra 5 minute or so wait. We then were escorted out to the entrance of where the children stay. We watched as they all piled outside together. We immediately spotted our two children. Tears of joy and giant grins could not be held back.
Then they began to approach us.





After all the initial greetings, we played together.
We hugged and kissed lots and lots that day and even more on the days following. The more we hugged and kissed the more natural and comfortable it felt.
All of the children in the orphanage were the best children you would ever meet. Extremely sweet, good, gentle, fun, smart, talented, grateful and loving. We fell in love with all of these children and it breaks my heart that we cannot bring each and every one of them home! The boys often flocked around Steve and girls flocked around me.
I promise you that you absolutely can love an adoptive child every bit as much as your biological children.
One thing I know from this trip, like I know the sun will rise tomorrow, is that we were definitely supposed to adopt these children. It is a miracle God led us to them. They are extremely special. They will touch every life that has the gift to know them. I pray we can bless their lives too.
Every child deserves a chance to have a home, a family, food, clothing, love, and a mom and a dad to love and care for them. I have much more I want to tell you. I will tell you more in future posts. I hope you don't get sick of hearing about it!

But just one more thing now before I wrap this up...
When we were leaving a boy who I can't tell you enough amazing things about and who I bonded to so much while there asked me if we would adopt him too. Talk about ripping someone's heart out! I could not tell him yes. It hurts so much to think about! I have had dreams about these children since we have left. About taking them all home. I know I can't. I hate that feeling! When he realized I could not take him, this was his second request: "Will you bring us shoes?" These children have the most awful shoes! They are all rubber, cheap, trashy, broken, worn out, rubber. They are slip-ons. They share. They play soccer in these shoes. I told him "Yes!" He then asked me a few times to make sure we were clear, "15 shoes for everyone". Of course I agreed. I traced all of their feet. I want to buy a nice new pair of tennis shoes for each of these children to bring back. Think of it! These children have probably never owned their own pair of shoes. New shoes, NEVER. Nice shoes, NEVER. This would be like Christmas Day times 100 to them. They would be so thrilled! If you are interested in pitching in so we can do this, drop me a line. If you are interested in adopting one of the most special children in the world, call me ASAP!