It's November--- and the cliched Thankful posts have begun.... But it's one cliche I enjoy and wish I could hang onto longer into the year. I'm not making a commitment to postwhy I am thankful each day... I don't need one more thing to try and keep up with each day. But today I will tell you a couple of things I am thankful for.
Today is orphan Sunday. I'm surprised at how many people don't know that. But then I remember that, to many people, adoption is not a calling. For me it is. And God continually places friends and family members in various stages of the adoption process in my life. I have learned so much and am so encouraged by their stories. So today I am thankful that my favorite "orphans" are adopted and living forever in loving homes.
First, of course, is my nephew, Micah. For Craig and I Micah has been the single most influential person in our adoption journey. He alone helped me to truly see the need for foster parents and families willing to foster-to-adopt. I could not imagine my family without him, nor could I imagine Whitlee growing up without him for a cousin. He brings so much mischief and joy to our family. And while our fostering plans are temporarily on hold (that alone will take numerous blog posts), I am thankful God used Micah to open my eyes and heart to the orphans within my own community.
Second, I have to thank sweet Henry for all he has taught me. Henry's parents became my friends in the earlier stages of their adoption journey. I was thrilled to learn of their impending adoption and blessed to walk alongside them in the journey. But what impacted me most in Henry's story is SEEING a parent's ability to unconditionally love both a biological child and a heart child. I have told myself over and over that I can (and will) love all my children completely regardless of how they join our family. But after having Whitlee I began to doubt my ability to love ANY child as fiercely as I loved her. Yet only weeks after Henry was welcomed into his parents' lives, they learned he would be a big brother in less than 9 months. His parents' hearts were overjoyed, yet their love for Henry never diminished. They have become the embodiment of "love makes a family". And once again I realize that God strategically placed Henry's family in my life specifically to reassure me in an area that caused me to fear the adoption calling.
And it appears my opinionated toddler has decided I've blogged long enough!!maybe this post will get finished one day... But most likely I will have forgotten my words by the time I come back around.
