The Call to Adopt
Thursday, October 29, 2009
The call to adopt is much more than getting a child. It not only involves that particular child, parenting them through life but also hearing the cries of the other orphans. More than eight trips to orphanages has imprinted the need of orphans on my heart. Yes, it’s left many, many heartprints.
I remember well my first trip into the orphanage at
And then the time came. It was Christmas Eve. The other adoptive parents and I celebrated with a small, straggly Christmas tree thanks to our Russian friends. Many of us had left family members at home in order to complete the adoption process. I thought about them on the other side of the world. I had eaten well. Russian borscht and bread. I watched the clock longing for the time to pass quickly so that I could get my little daughter. The plan was that at midnight we would quietly leave with our precious newly adopted children. At long last the hour arrived. My heart beat with excitement as I was led to the nursery that night. They brought her to me sleepy and so beautiful.
I dressed her quickly and very quietly so as not to disturb her. Then the signal was given. The door was opened and we walked out into the Russian winter. Cold winds blew against my face as I walked sheltering my little six month old baby girl. At that moment I looked up into the night sky. Snowflakes were falling all around me. It was Christmas. And in my arms I carried the greatest gift. My child. I’ll never forget that moment.
But while my heart was so uplifted that night almost seventeen years ago, other little children slept. They still waited for someone to come and get them. They still yearned for a mother’s arms and a father’s tender care. Day after day, they wait.
The call to adopt has changed my life. I still hear those cries. I still see those cribs. With the rest of my life I long to help the ones who still wait to come home.
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Pumping Up Your Parenting
Monday, October 19, 2009
Are you needing a lift today? Discouraged in parenting your adopted child? There are three things which you can do immediately which will make a huge difference.
1. Change your thinking
Focus on what is going right instead of what is going wrong.
All too often we discourage ourselves by our own negative internal dialog. Pay attention to what you are telling yourself.
Intentionally start speaking the truth.
2. Change your energy level
Start moving. Exercise. Walk. Run. Swim. Whatever you enjoy doing, begin to do it. Research shows that exercise changes the brain chemistry. It will change not only how you think but also how your body feels.
3. Change your resources
Most people are doing the best they can with what they have.
If you are needing to be pumped up get the input of an expert. Parenting can be the hardest thing you ever do. Get the help of an adoption parenting coach.
Call today for a free consult. Don’t go through one more day feeling discouraged. Call 540-825-1134. You’ll be glad you did.
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It's All about Trust
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
I remember 17 years ago when I began exploring adoption. I had no experience, knew nothing about the adoption process and had never been a mother. What I did have was a longing to be a mom and to parent my own little child. Many reasons led me to look into international adoption and within 6 months I was traveling to
Questions arose again and again. How would I do this? How would I do that? I remember this very large Russian doctor looking down at me and asking, “How are you going to parent this strong child?”
I could feel my heart pounding as I responded. Stretching my full height I looked up into her steel grey eyes.
“I will do fine.” Yes, I remember that glare and the questions in her eyes. I glanced down at the tender little baby in my arms. Strong? Hmm, what did that mean, I wondered. But I knew deep within that I would be given all that I needed to parent her. I trusted in the One Who had guided me to that point.
Today my delightful daughter is a bubbly 16 year old. She continues to delight all who know her. Strong? Well, yes she is passionate. Those she loves she loves fiercely. Her loyalty is unusual. Her inner strength remarkable.
Each step of the way I have trusted that God would direct me and teach me. And He has. Those who parent do not need to know everything but knowing that One Who does makes all the difference. He continues to weave His Plan of love in the lives of our children. Yes, we can always trust Him.
Do you have doubts about your ability to parent? Give me a call today at 540-825-1134.
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