Three Days

This weekend we had the last of our family Christmas celebrations for the year here in Virginia with my parents and older brother's family. It has been a long stretch of celebrating, visiting, eating, giving and receiving. All of our families have been so gracious and loving to us and to Irina. (Especially gracious with my less then creative gifts and a bit of forgetfulness to boot!) Thank you Spranza and Smith families! 

She loved the plasma car at my parents house.

It is hard to believe that we have only three full days remaining in this journey hosting an orphan. When you hear the word orphan, I'm sure all sorts of images and ideas pop in your head. They pop in my head too. We all have our perceptions and I would venture to guess that it's easier to just not think about it. Our lives are too busy and full. That is how I felt not too long ago. After this experience though, I'm not sure I will ever think of an orphan in the same way. Now there is a face and a name and a personality. A little girl who just wants to be loved. A little girl who has never experienced many things that we take for granted. A little girl who laughs and giggles. And she is just ONE girl out of 143 million orphans in the world today!!

Hosting is a tricky business. I know some of you have thought it unfair to bring the kids here to experience "the good life" just to have to send them back. Some of you have said, "If they don't get adopted, isn't it cruel to have them feel the rejection?" "They must know that adoption is a possibility since some of their friends are adopted after being hosted."

A long walk before dinner with the entire family turned into a game of chase "Papa."

I don't have all the answers. I know that God has blessed us beyond measure with the presence of Irina this Christmas. We have felt His presence mightily too! I hope and pray that He has been at work in her heart as we have prayed together and told her about Him. God is who she needs the most. We pray that He would provide her with a loving family too.

What is next in her story? We still do not know. I have to trust in the One who does. Statistically, I know that the older kids who are hosted have a greater chance of being adopted then the ones who are not. Is it worth the possible pain? I'm pretty sure the kids who have been adopted as a result of hosting would think that it is indeed worth it!

She spent a LONG time creating with Legos.

Irina knows the last day is coming. All along we've had a calendar in her room showing her arrival and departure with a clip art picture of an airplane. She has crossed off the days happily to keep track of time and see what is next. Yesterday, she realized just how soon her visit will be ending. She is sad. She knows she will be going back, but who would want to end this fun adventure? She has had a wonderful time. More food then she's probably ever had available. Lots of attention and love. New exciting experiences. Warmth and care from a temporary host mom, host dad and host brothers. Lots of extended family doting on her. New outfits every day rather then one outfit per week.

Please join us in praying for her final three days here. Pray that we would trust God as He unfolds her story. Pray for  the other children from the Ukraine who will also be traveling back with Irina this coming week.

This scripture encourages my heavy heart tonight. 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, 

and do not lean on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge him, 

and he will make straight your paths.

Be not wise in your own eyes;

fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.

Proverbs 3:5-7

We can trust Him. 

He knows what is best for Irina better then we do!