Never the same

Something happens when you adopt a child... you are never the same.
I know I can't describe what that is, but I know it is something that God does.
He changes your heart. Opens your heart...to a child, a life, a precious soul.
I wondered if we could love a child that was "not our own." Of course even when we started having more than one child, I wondered how we could love another as much...but we did. I think with adoption it happens at different times with different people...some have a deep love even before they meet their child, some the moment they see them, and for others it is a gradual process. But it happens...God opens your heart and gives you love for a child that is now "your own."

Just the other day my son said, "it feels like Joshua wasn't adopted" ..meaning he felt just like his brother. My daughter said, "I don't think of Lily and Sean as having Down Syndrome Mommy...they are just my sister and brother!"
Its happening in their hearts. They loved these children before we got them...in fact they begged us to go get them and prayed hard. Still, it wasn't quite what they expected. They didn't anticipate how much (total) help JOshua would need, that he would cry or squeal loudly at night sometimes, that Lily would bite (at first)spit and cry stubbornly when she didn't like something, or that Sean would laugh mischieviously, get into everything, and be loud and silly early in the morning. But they are learning about God's love...which is unconditional and patient and giving. They are noticing ... that Joshua is happy when he is held and paid attention to, that LIly lights up and smiles when she is picked up and tickled, that Sean loves to wrestle and be a part of the family happenings, and that our family is blessed to have them in it. They....we....are growing in love. ITs not always easy but it is good!

The other thing that changes is that you can't forget...what you saw and what you know, the orphans you couldn't bring home and the many others you didn't see. Your heart is happy for the child you were able to give a home but still aches for the others still waiting. You want to do more, to help the many other orphans.

God's given our children this love for orphans...and a heart to do more.
It is a precious thing to me, and even more so, to the Lord whose word says that "Pure and undefiled relgion is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress..." Their hearts are being made more like His.

THat is why our sweet daughters are still working to help orphans. THey helped get their sister and brother home but that is not enough. THeir hearts ache for all the orphans on Reeces Rainbow. Their hearts ache for little Ethan, who is six but is less than 20 pounds. That sounds impossible in our well-fed american baby culture, but it is his reality. He has Downs and other medical issues and is believed to be too sickly to get the surgery he needs....unless he is adopted. Well now a precious family--who have a heart for special needs orphans--is working hard to get to him. They already have brought home three children with special needs...one this past year (who nearly went to an institution) and 2 the previous year (one had already been sent to the institution).... they are an amazing family that God has given a great love for needy children and a willingness to obey his calling to care for the orphan.

You can read about Ethan's condition here The Malones have a travel date of January 31st for their SDA apointment. They still need quite a lot of money to complete the adoption
($12,000 or more) Lets help this dear family to raise the money they need. Every prayer, every dollar, every time we spread the word...matters. It is incredible that this little boy is still alive...it is a miracle...and that is what is needed for his family to bring him home, and God can use each of us to be a part of it.
He will never be the same and neither will you!

If you'd like to help Ethan, see Haylee's post below, or visit their blog at:
www.laciesbracelets.blogspot.com (can also click the picture of the bracelet at the top of this blog)