Life Changers

These children changed my life forever.  I wish you all could have met them. 

The boy in back, on the far left?  He's got a melt-your-heart grin and loves little kids.  Whenever we would arrive to visit them, he'd run out to hold Lil Bit and offer to help me carry the diaper bag. 

The other tall young man, on the back right?  Watching him with a soccer ball is amazing!  Watching the joy he gets just from riding a bike or having someone to kick a soccer ball around with is priceless. 

The young lady in the pink?  She has such a sweet spirit and just loved to being here on their cultural exchange program; she also like chocolate milkshakes! 

The one in the purple dress?  She was playful and sweet; she loved Lil Bit, too, and hung out around him whenever possible.  She also loved to snuggle any pet that came near. 

And the one on the far left in the gray tee, kind of sandwiched in the middle?  He reminds me of Aladdin (yes, the one from the Disney cartoon).  He had a smile that warned you he was up to something, loved to play tag and chase, and was just precious.

Even before we knew we were starting the adoption journey, I knew there had to be more than we were doing.  James tells us that true religion is taking care of orphans and widows.  I had been able to overlook that verse for thirty-one years.  And then I met these kids. 

The first night I met them, I came with a pot of chili and a tray of cornbread.  They were all so cheerful and thankful it humbled me.  Then we went skating with them and it was amazing -- we couldn't understand any of their language, but smiles, joy, hugs ... those things need no translation at all!  I find myself looking at the things I used to need and realize they were simply wants.  Compared to what these children have (and don't!), my life is one of over abundance.  My children and I pray for them by name every day, as well as call out for the 100,000 orphans in Ukraine that we have not met.  I ask you ... will you do the same?