I haven't told many people this time about my upcoming adoption. People already shake their heads and wonder why the crazy lady is adding to what has been termed "a mega family".
The why isn't important. What is important is the who.
The who is Maria. The who is Sofia. These are two little girls, half way around the world, who have lived in institutions for their whole lives. No family, no visitors, no party dresses, no Sunday school, no hope. Maria is now 8 years old and Sofia almost 10.
Maybe the why is hope. Maybe that's what I can offer to them, besides being part of a mega family. I can offer them hope. Maybe that is what is driving me....and it's not just hope for them. This is a rotten time to be traveling. spending money, bringing home extra mouths to feed. But by defying the world economy and forecasts of doom, adding to my family now is a sign of hope that life goes on. An act of faith that I am doing the Father's work.
What I've learned over the past 19 years of taking in orphans, is that being part of a mega family has many advantages. Always someone to play with, always interesting things going on.
Big family dinners are not just for Sundays or holidays. Big family dinners are everynight at our house.
People also ask about the future. What if something happens to me and here is this house full of children without a mother? Yes, that's an unpleansant thought, but are they no better off than if they hadn't joined this mega family? They were orphans without a family. They will have each other and my extended family and friends that have become their extended family and friends. And anyway, who says I'm on the way out? I have a plan just in case, but I'm not planning on leaving this earth until my work is done. Just read through my previous postings to see that this mega famly has been brewing since I was a little girl. I didn't just realize my dream and then plan on checking out! Things are just starting to get interesting!
The only down side of this current journey is that I will have to leave these kids behind for two weeks. That breaks my heart. But if I reframe it for all of us, it will be a learning experience. We will all grow from the mom being gone for two weeks. I'm not real sure on that one, am I?
My dossier is in the girls country right now getting translated. Once that is completed it will be submitted to the government and I will be given permission to come to meet my daughters. I'm hoping to go in mid to late September, after school begins, but not too close to the holidays. I'm hoping to not be gone during anyone's birthday, but with this many kids, it's always a possiblity no matter when I go.
