Meeting our kids!

This last week, as we "re-entered" our world here in PA, my heart is so heavy for the three children we left in Ethiopia. We arrived in Addis on Saturday, but were not allowed to visit the orphanage until Monday morning. As we pulled up to the orphanage gates, the anticipation of the children who lived behind those walls was overwhelming! The gates were opened and children were everywhere. Would we recognize ours? Finally, we saw E, our 10 yr old daughter, sitting on the steps with her friends. She came over quickly, and gave us each kisses, gently on the cheeks. She was so sweet, she also went to the other parents in the group and kissed them! We were not sure at that time if she knew we "belonged" to her--the social worker then took her aside and we brought out our photo books. We were then told that S (our 13 yr old son)and B (our 6 yr old daughter) were sick from a parasite in the water, and had been taken to the clinic. So while we were sharing our photos with E, they brought S back from the clinic. Poor little guy, he had a HUGE smile on his face, but his eyes were glazy and he was so quiet! As we stood with him a few minutes, he began to get dizzy and almost fell to the ground, so scary:( The staff took him back to the clinic, and we were once again left to get to know E and the other kids in the orphanage. It started to rain, so we were ushered inside the small lobby. The kids all gathered around us, but E was quite possessive! She created a little area for just us to share the photos, and to talk with the social worker. She showed us around her home for the last 1.5 years, introducing us to all of the staff(I must say that they LOVE our E! They all said that she is "theirs" and I can see why), showing us each bedroom and the kitchen. After an hour or so in walked B, with that same glazed look on her face! She also was smiling ear to ear, and just sat on my lap while we showed her the photos of our family. The poor thing was then taken upstairs to her room for a nap. S also then returned, and I made him sit on my lap too! He was still so sick, but was so small and weak, it didn't matter that he was a 13 yr old boy! His friends were also gathered around, but he could not stay long, for he also needed sleep. Lets just say that E, who is described as VERY quiet and shy, had us all to herself most of the day! She wore my jewelry, drew a picture with me, showed all of her friends her photo book and had many pictures taken. It was hard to leave my 2 sick kids that day, but as I watched them sleep in their little bunk beds, I knew that they were well taken care of. The rest of the week is a blur! We visited the kids again 2 more times--each time they were feeling better and played more. The last day S played soccer with Nico, he was so excited, it was clear that they could speak the same language! He talks a lot with his eyes and when he says "yes" he has this precious "gasp", like he is excited all the time! E and B loved blowing up balloons while Marco made animals for them. We met their English teacher, and he told us what wonderful students they are. They read to us from their English books and were so proud of their work. (Remember my biggest fear of the language barrier???--God's got it covered:) We created wonderful first week memories, and told them as we left that we were going before the judge to ask if we could be their parents. They seemed to understand, but of course the hard part was leaving. Until we meet again--we have their gentle kisses and hugs, their whispers of "I Love you" in our ears, and their last waves as we drove away. Final thoughts--as we walked into the orphanage that first day, one of the staff members approached me immediately. She told me that she needed to ask me something. She asked if we were Christians---I responded yes, that we are. She replied that they have been praying for a family for these kids for so long, and she is so grateful for us "taking them". Taking them--are you kidding me? We also have been praying for so long, and just needed God to direct us to them! How can you describe that feeling--they are ours! They just fit, like they have been missing from our family for all this time! Isn't that crazy?? They are nothing like us! They are very small, very quiet, very obedient. We are big, loud, and a bit crazy! Their social worker says that they just need a family to bring them out of their shells. That is US!! Thank you God for finally, after so many years of praying for our hearts and door to be opened to YOUR plan, allowing us to be the family for these three precious children, halfway around the world. Amen.