This Is Your Son. Bring Him Home.

As Eileen and I begin this adventure I can't help but feel that we have been working and moving toward this long before she and I ever met.  It began in earnest over two years ago when we met a young woman from Ukraine.  We were able to tangibly see a dramatic change in her and in us during a short 5 week period.  It continued over this past summer when a feisty young woman came to visit from Latvia.  It was not an easy journey with D during the first part of the visit but by the end there was no doubt she was a part of our family.  Peter still misses her very much.

During our adventure this summer many people read our blog and laughed, cried and shared our frustrations along with us.  Many people contributed financially, spiritually and made D feel welcome.  They made her feel loved and like she had a family!  Everyone involved in one way or another had an impact on this young woman.  So much so that after she was back in Latvia she messaged us saying that she missed America.  This coming from the girl who at the beginning of the trip begged to go back as soon as possible.

We heard from many people who thought we were nuts to put up with some of the nonsense we experienced along the way.  Despite the trials we persisted in showing and giving love unconditionally.  I admit there were plenty of moments of frustration and doubt whether it would work.  But I held fast to the belief that God put her in our crazy, unconventional family for a reason.  Sure enough, God's plan was better than anything I would have come up with.  Love triumphed over fear.

In early September we heard of a young man in Latvia who would soon become too old to adopt.  Many of our friends were advocating for him.  We did not know much about him except that he had a very tough life, had made some bad choices but, after being loved in a demonstrable way by people being the hands and feet of God, began to turn his life around.  I felt drawn to him and we asked about him with our friend Ali.  We couldn't do much of anything until mid October so we had to sit tight.

In the meantime, it appeared as if another family was interested in our guy and we were genuinely happy for him.  He would have his "forever family" after all.  However, by mid October the situation had changed for our guy and the window of eligibility was almost shut!  It was as if we could hear God saying, "This is your son. Bring him home."  Phone calls were made, emails were flying and papers were completed in a matter of a few days.  Those papers were filed with the authorities just in the nick of time and our guy's ineligibility clock was stopped!  Phew!

This will be a long process.  There will be many peaks and valleys but we are resolute in our belief that this is God's plan for us and for our family and for our guy in Latvia.  Who knows? We may even be fortunate enough to be blessed with two new additions to our unconventional family.  Wouldn't that be sweet!

PS - Due to the strict rules about the process we cannot mention his name or post any pictures of him but when it is all said and done ...