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| Our Sweet girl from the Ukraine ("L") |
After a wonderful summer (on our trip out West with the kids), and then saying goodbye to L at the end of August (which was one of the most difficult things we've ever done together as a family), then beginning another year of homeschooling, we are now in a new season! One of my favorite...celebrating Christ's birth. It's a joyful time for our family, a season we all love dearly, but God has brought us a bit of extra joy this season! After hosting "L" this summer, we knew there would be a possibility of hosting her again during the Winter, but we weren't sure of the opportunity. Finally, the opportunity presented itself and after much prayer, family meetings, and consideration, we decided to open our hearts and homes to her yet again. We knew though that we did not have the finances to pay her way her (which is part of the hosting process). Surrending our hearts and homes to the Lord, we believed if it was His will, he would provide. And of course He did!
What a sweet, sweet blessing when others give their hard-earned money to bless your family and someone they don't know very well (or at all). We are always overwhelmed by the generosity of others. What an abundant God we serve! So, God provided the finances, and we have been busy preparing our hearts and home for our sweet "L", yet again.
Today was the big day...she arrived at the Atlanta airport, with the rest of the kids from 2 orphanages that were going to be hosted. I can't help but grin like a little kid on Christmas morning, as I type this! My heart is so full! I have really been unable to process all of it this time around...until today. We have been so busy with schooling and life, then preparing for her return, that it didn't really sink in that we were doing this again until I began to see planes landing in Atlanta. I'll admit it...I then got a bit giddy!
As we waited at the International Arrival Terminal for the kids, we weren't sure what to expect. Does she know we are hosting her again? Will she be happy about it? Will she be excited to see us? Will she hug us in return (not always a guarantee with orphans, especially teenage orphans - they are much more guarded)? We told ourselves and the kids to not expect excitement and not expect our love to be returned (because that's just how it is sometimes). We kept reminding ourselves that "Christ died for us...while we were yet sinners". He didn't wait for us to be "loveable" and "perfect" in order to love us and sacrifice for us. We are to love others, whether they receive it or not. Much to our DELIGHT, she was overjoyed to see us! Our sweet children ran through the ropes to greet her...and the love was returned! Oh praise Jesus! What joy that brought this protective mama's heart. It seemed we picked up right where we left off. How grateful we are!
On the drive home, I watched my kids watching her play a video game, and the silly grins on their faces were absolutely priceless! There's no amount of money in the world that could have bought that happiness. The love in their hearts was just oozing out of their smiles and their precious eyes! You could just see how much they all missed her and how overjoyed they were that she is with us for a few short weeks (4 weeks, to be exact). Looking back (on the way home) and seeing her rest peacefully in our car, made me so grateful that God allowed us to have her again. I couldn't stand the thought of her "starting over" with another family, learning to trust all over again, maybe feeling rejected by us, having another family have to learn her likes and dislikes, etc...or even worse, the thought of her still being in a cold orphanage this time of year, without a family to love, and a warm bed to sleep in. My heart breaks thinking of it.
There have been times I have wondered, "Did we make the right decision doing this again?" After all, it was so, so hard last time (in the midst of it, and especially at the end). Our hearts were so torn apart saying goodbye to her at the end of summer, and she was "rejecting" our love (or so it felt, but I'm sure it was simply a coping mechanism). It was so difficult to see my sweet children's hearts being torn in two...giving goodbye hugs and having them sloughed off. Once again though, we were reminded of the rejection our sweet Jesus endured for us and from us. So thankful He didn't give up on us. So, God has given me such wonderful confirmation tonight that 'Yes! We are being obedient to His call in hosting her yet again'. He opened the door, and we simply walked through it. Then we are the ones who are blessed with JOY UNSPEAKABLE! Only my God can do that!!
We know there may be some tough days these next 4 weeks. There may be days we don't all like each other, and days we are crazy frustrated, and days that we want to love on her and she needs space (did I mention that we fall hard and fast? LOL). But today is not one of those days! Today, we are all delighted to be together again, and all 5 of us are madly in love with her and oh-so-thankful for this opportunity to love on her for 4 more weeks!
Teach us to love the way you love us, O Lord! May "L" feel the love of Christ while she is here, and may it transform her spirit and make her want more of you. Thank you, Lord for exploding our hearts with joy and love!
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