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- That we are coming to get him SOON! - As we scramble around preparing to take 9 people to China, he has no idea that we are coming. In fact, he has no idea who we are at all. The package that we sent him (which included pictures of us) never arrived, so he's never seen our faces. It seems so strange to think that one day he will wake up, leave the only home he remembers and be handed over to strangers who look and talk differently. As excited as we are for him to join our family, it breaks my heart to think of the fear he will likely experience.
- What a family is - Our precious boy has been so blessed to be in a wonderful foster home with approximately 15 other children; however, he has no idea what it's like to have a mommy and daddy. Often children who have been in institutions happily go to lots of people and are content to be fed, changed and snuggled by just about anyone. To an outside observer, it may appear that these children are flexible, easy-going or well-adjusted; however, these are actually signs of a deeper problem: attachment issues. "Attachment is a close, trusting tie between two people; or in particular, as the reciprocal relationship between an infant and his/her primary caregiver as consistently providing emotional essentials such as touch, movement, eye contact and smiles, as well as the basic necessities such as food and shelter" (Adoption Parenting). Typically, this occurs naturally between biological children and their parents, but adopted children may have had experiences or losses that can interfere with this important process. Elijah, like most orphans, comes from a hard place. In his short life he has been abandoned by his parents and lived in two orphanages. It will be our job to teach him that we can be trusted, we are "his people", and that we will never abandon him. Part of our teaching him this will mean that Sven and I will be the only ones holding him, dressing/changing him, and feeding him for awhile. Though we are so excited for our friends and family to meet him, we ask that you understand this and support us in it.
- How very loved he is by people who have never met him - How is it possible to love someone so much that you don't know?! I don't know the answer to that question, but I know we do love him so very much. Through months of praying specifically for him, hearing our children pray for him and talk about him, staring at his pictures and watching videos of him laughing, he has become our son. Someone is missing and we cannot wait to bring him home. Though the process has been difficult, it has been beautiful. Much of that beauty has taken form in observing this same love develop for him in the hearts of our friends and family. I type through tears as I think of the texts and calls saying you are praying for us or asking if there is any news, thoughtful gifts given to him and us that are representations of your love for him, offers to help as we worked on paperwork/errands or as we prepare to travel have touched us in ways we cannot adequately express. I cannot wait to not only tell him how much we love him, but that he has so many people waiting at home to tell him the same thing. Speaking of which....
- He's in for a seriously long trip home, 18 1/2 hours to be exact ;) - We have been asked about visitors at the airport. We certainly welcome friends/family to come and meet Elijah when we return. Obviously, we may be tired and a little disheveled looking, but I'm sure familiar faces will be a welcomed sight. If you're interested in coming, just message me for details. Our friend, Jeni Deason, has offered to be the point of contact for these details while we are gone.
- There is a God who loves him very much. Though much of his little life has been hard, God has never left him. He has orchestrated details that have left us speechless and we cannot wait to tell Elijah all of the wonderful things that God has done as part of his story.
