Monday, December 07, 2009

Two Years Ago Today...

I saw this face for the first time. I would have NEVER imagined that she would not be home yet, nor that we would not have any idea at all when she would be home. Adoption is hard. It downright stinks sometimes. But for those adopting from Haiti, you know that it is different than other countries...it is indescribable. I heard one woman, who was adopting from Ethiopia, state that she was very eager for her kids to come home because they had been at their orphanage for almost six months (her kids were coming home within a month of her saying that). I know that any amount of time in an orphanage is too long, and I know that any wait for any child or any adoptive parent is too long, but there are kids who have been in institutions for years. Some perhaps have spent their entire lives there. Patricia has been at her orphanage since March 2006 and Philippe has been there since March 2008. Too long. They have been matched with us since January 2008 (Patricia) and March 2008 (Philippe). It is crazy to me that the entire time Philippe has been there he has been matched. Lord have mercy on all the children MATCHED with families and still languishing in orphanages and even more, bless the children waiting for a match.

Lord, we plead with you to move the paperwork mountains for all the kids who are waiting for their mommies and daddies to tuck them in. It is hard to even pray to ask to bring these kids home because it feels like the prayers fall on deaf ears. But we ask anyway. Even though it feels impossible. Even though we sound like broken records. Even though our faith is small. Even though...

13 comments:

Jill said...

It is awful really. Why DO these kiddos stay so long in orphanges when they have been matched with loving parents. It's inexcusable really.
You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers. Let's pray these kiddos home!!

Mommy to Samantha & Madison said...

Dawn & Lee,

My heart just breaks for your family. It is so incredibly hard to wait and so unfair to both the children and their waiting families. Reading your post brought tears to my eyes, and I will continue to pray that your children are home with you soon where they belong!!!!

Kathy Cassel said...

It is long, long, long. ANd makes no sense. I've been out of parquet A YEAR and here my file sits in second legal. All these kids should be home.

Unknown said...

Praying with you and looking forward to the day we can rejoice with you when your family is all under one roof! I can only imagine how hard it is for you to know these children for two years and nearly two years yet still not be sure when you will be able to bring them home. It is sad for them and for all the waiting children.

kb said...

It has been almost four years since we committed to adopt our daughter.
Praying with you for mercy and movement... with the faith of a mustard seed.

kayder1996 said...

Yes, makes me crazy as well. I was just thinking today that I feel like I'm caught in some strange adoption Neverland where I try not to think about Conleigh and her process too much and focus on what's going on here basically because if I did think about it, I'd be an emotional mess all the time. But then I feel badly because I don't focus on her and because that lack of focus is somewhat intentional.

frogglet said...

I know we have only been waiting 8 months and I can not imagine 2 years. I quickly see our wait for Burundi going over a year and it panics me. I am so sorry, I hope they are all home soon!
I just don't understand, there are so many kids that need homes and so many loving families that want them and yet governments and paperwork keeps them apart. There is no word to describe the frustration.

Take Care,
Cora

ps thanks for stopping by my blog

Rachelle said...

Praying that you have all you kids home soon. Tough stuff.

Dan and Karen said...

It's so hard to understand all this, isn't it Dawn? P and P would have such better lives with you here with all the love and support you and Lee would give them. We'll pray along with you that the mountains of paperwork are moved and time waiting will be short.

Karen, Dan & Danika

Dawn S. said...

Kayder - you put it into words for me and also validated my weirdness. I think about them and pray for them every day (Olivia sees their picture and says "P!" haha!)But I do find that I have to CHOOSE to block it out so I don't go psycho. XOX to all. thank you.

Maddy and Zeke's Mom said...

I am so sorry that your wait has stretched so long to bring your precious kids home. I stand in agreement with you in prayer. It's so hard to understand sometimes what God is doing in the midst of this. I know that He is faithful & in the end His grace is sufficient for us.

Jennifer said...

sigh.............................

Difference2This1 said...

Praying today that God moves that mountain of paperwork. We watched our best friends go through an extremely difficult Haitian adoption that tested their faith to the extreme. Praying God continues to give you strength to endure until all your kids are home.

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