I have a particular affection for those on the waiting list as our girls were on this same list just last year. It seems unfathomable that my sweet little girls once sat waiting, hoping (and they were hoping) for a family to "pick" them. What an awful thing for a child to have to hope for-that they are good enough, cute enough, young enough or healthy enough to be desirable and worthy of a family. My husband and I met 3 of the children that are on the waiting list-two of which have been waiting since at least September when we first saw our girls. I've seen the children who still wait standing eagerly beside the visiting adoptive families, hoping to hear their name called to come and get a package from home. I've witnessed first hand their disappointment when their name is passed by. How does that feel??? To know you have not been placed. After a while, it would be hard to keep hoping. Do they conclude that they are undesirable? Do they start to believe that they are unlovable?
The children waiting with our agency range in age from 1 month to 10 years. The first one that captured my heart has the most beautiful smile and gorgeous big brown eyes. She is six years old and was just so sweet when we met her. She was friendly and excited to have visitors. She is a full orphan and desperately needs a family of her own. **ADOPTED**
The other kids that we met were a brother and sister age 11 and 9. I remember my husband playing baseball with them at the care center and how they all cheered each other on. The older brother seemed protective over his sister, a relationship that I observed over and over again amongst the sibling groups. They tend to stick by each other's side-the last remnant of a family. Older child adoption can be a scary thought for some. I know that it comes with its own set of challenges, but I can say that the benefits far outweigh the trials. To see a child with true joy as they experience little things like soap, hot water, socks and shoes is priceless. To see them realize that they are safe, secure and loved is an amazing gift. **These are the kids that STILL wait.**
We have never met the last little one, but he has also captured my heart. He is a teeny tiny newborn boy with cleft lip and palate. I worked for four years in the neonatal intensive care unit and have taken care of many babies with this anomaly. They've always been special to me. A baby with a cleft lip is a little scary for some to look at. If you've never seen the deformity, it can even be a little shocking. The good news about this type of defect is that it can be repaired with remarkable results and the children usually do amazingly well. This little boy is only about 3 pounds. He needs to get home to his family as soon as possible. Ideally, before he is six months old-the age at which the surgeons prefer to do the corrective surgery. The faster this little one is home, the better his outcome will be. I do have additional information and permission from our agency to share it for those that feel like they might be the family (or know of a family) that this sweet baby needs. **ADOPTED**
I'm praying specifically for these four children and ask that you all do the same. God knows exactly where these kids are destined to be. He knows exactly who their families are and He knows exactly which parents these children need to help them grow into the people they were born to become.
Maybe that place is your home? Maybe that family is your family?? Maybe those parents are you???
Defending the fatherless,
Jessica
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