Category: Adoption
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The gift of having a voice
A sense of peace engulfed me. I had reached the bottom and faced my fears. Then I pushed away from them. Too often we fear of speaking up. We’re afraid of unforeseen consequences. But most often, the inaction brought on by fear has far dire consequences than any act of courage. Yesterday I was an…
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Do I trust my emotions?
I rely on them often. They are an engine of eloquence, of drive, of courage. I have learned to slow down and pray, commit my overdrive to God. But then I go for it. I speak my mind. I take action. I make decisions. I am an emotional activist. And in my youth I learned…
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Despre așteptare
Ca un vulcan, ca o tornada, alimentata emoțional, imi adâncesc picioarele in tărie, citind Psalmi, rugându-ma neîncetat, apoi imi fac curaj sa înfrunt lumea, pasivitatea, si nedreptatea. Am așteptat, din respect, dintr-o încredere oarba in sistem, datorită unei echipe dedicate care mi-a câștigat încrederea. M-am rugat si am crezut. Am crezut ca prin credința putem…
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Letter to my youngest
My sweet younger daughter, Whom I haven’t met yet, but my heart knows you. My prayers are not in vain. Your heart is precious. Your life matters. I pray with passion For our reunion And in the same breath I submit my dream to God; May His perfect will be done In His perfect timing.…
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After ROM
I’ve lost steam in the past. I got discouraged as things didn’t change or people didn’t respond as I had hoped they would. Aware of the difference in my enthusiasm and vision as I return from a couple of inspiring conferences, and the outcome of my attempts to do something, I started small and I…
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Ohrid
The tall mountains of Macedonia are rolling stubbornly in the clouds. There’s a blue haze of heat and humidity layering the peaks, in darker and lighter shades. We left Ohrid. Jackie is sleeping, dreaming of hugs and laughter. She has adopted an army of aunts and uncles. She has had memorable connections and conversations, has…
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Optimism & Altruism
Two essential qualities in parenting. We come into marriage with an average dose of altruism. Whatever we’ve witnessed growing up, and how we’ve been challenged to get involved in the family life or in our community. Self-sacrifice gives forth its fruit over time, so it has nothing to do with instant gratification. Unless we got…
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Mă frământă…
Așteptăm. Așteptam de un an si jumate. Dupa un sistem care merge parca inapoi. Iar legea este doar parțial puternica sau de folos. Neinformați, dezinformați. S-au simplificat legile si s-a scurtat teoretic timpul de asteptare, pentru parinti si copii, însă in realitate toate lucrurile se desfășoară mai greoi parca. Toate astea in contextul in care…
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“God listens to our heart’s wishes”
Jackie wouldn’t admit how painful her fever felt. On the contrary. She smiled to put us at ease. We didn’t pray for her to get better. I must have prayed for her as she seemed half asleep. In the morning, she gleefully exclaimed she doesn’t have a fever anymore, quite convinced that God listened to…
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A case
The more I know or the more I understand about something, the less reactive I am. A week ago the media exploded about an adoption case in Romania. Sorina who is 8 years old, and has been declared adoptable 4 years ago but 122 families didn’t go through with her adoption. She was eventually matched…
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Choices and other gifts
We make choices for our kids. All of the choices at first. Then we start involving them in the decision process. Eventually they learn to think for themselves and decide for themselves. We asked Jackie if she wants us to be her mommy and daddy. She was there years old. She said yes with a…
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Wishes and wants
“I wish you hadn’t changed my name” she says while playing with dolls. Not even looking at me. “I’m sorry.” I respond. She’s heard all the explanations and reasoning before, when she got obsessing about names. Like most 5 year olds with vivid imagination and creative spirit. Thinking of a name for her sister might…