3 months ago tomorrow

3 months ago tomorrow our lives changed forever. It was on November 9,2009 that we were taken to a run down hotel in China, which also housed some government offices, where we would meet our new son face to face. He was scared, not sure of what was happening. We were scared, not sure how all of this was going to work out. He was told we were his Mama and Baba. I am sure as he cried out for Mama that I was not the Mama he wanted. He grieved. He grieved hard for his foster Mama. She must be an incredible women to have raised such a wonderful boy. We slowly began to win him over. We had toys, we had music, we had french fries. We had love and time.


3 months have passed. It is hard to believe that it has only been 3 months, in some ways it seems like he has been part of our family forever. In 3 months, we have all begun to learn what it means to be a family of 7.


Jonathan has been introduced to the all powerful God who loves him very much. He has learned to sing the BIBLE and Jesus Loves ME. He has been introduced to the concept of prayer.

Today, when he cries for Mama, I know I am the Mama he is looking for. He is one incredible boy. He's so resilient yet we know he remembers some of what he left behind. He is still learning to trust us; to trust that we will never leave him. This is made evident as we enter his church classroom each Sunday and the tears just start to roll down his cheeks if we leave his sight for even a moment. I believe he is remembering being left by the only other mother he knew and being left in a room full of kids never to see her again. Trust is something that is earned. Each day we are earning Jonathan's trust. Each time we answer his cry. Each time we come running when he calls. Each time he asks for a huggie and we respond with a big hug and kiss. Yes, Jonathan remembers some of what happened in China 3 months ago. We try and help him remember by looking at pictures. By looking at the photo albums made for us. We look at the pictures and relive those days with him. We don't want him to forget where he came from. We don't ever want him to forget the day we became a family. We don't want him to forget his heritage.

A few weeks ago, we attended an International Dinner hosted by Bethany. Jonathan was so proud and excited to put on his Chinese outfit. He looked so handsome.




We have been asked by our local Bethany Director to share our story at an information meeting. She was impressed with Jonathan at the International Dinner. She was impressed with how well he got around on his crutches; impressed with how adjusted he seemed; and (quite bluntly) impressed by how normal he is. With the exception of missing a leg, Jonathan is just like any other 3 yr. old!

So many people are scared when they begin the adoption process. Afraid of the unknown. We were! Jonathan is a great example of a success story. There are so many other children out there who need a loving home. If you know God is calling you to open up your heart and home to a child who needs a family. Don't let fear stop you or you could miss out on the biggest blessing ever.