The holidays are here and Cameron is on vacation a lot this month and next. This means little action over here : ) There are a couple of neat things going on though.
We attended a matching event a couple weekends ago. Basically anyone in the state that is adopting is invited to attend. These events take place all over the state on different weekends. This one happened to be in Greenville so we decided to try it out. There were 5 families that signed up to attend so 5 adoptable kids were brought in from around the state. Before we went Josh compared it to a used car lot and I thought it would be much like speed dating, which it was.
Each family was in charge of a station (candy apple making, picture frame decorating, etc.) We were stationary but the kids rotated stations every 20 minutes or so. In the end, we spent about 20 minutes with each child. All of the kids were between 12 & 15. I didn't like this about the event - wish it were all ages. Anyhow, this is how it was set up.
We enjoyed spending time with the kids and we realized just how incredibly different each one was. One boy (13) was extremely quiet and hardly looked up. We just about had to pull every word from his mouth. He was polite though and did make an effort to make eye contact at times. As we talked to him I wondered what pain he had experienced in his short life. The same age as Anna but what a different life he's lived. There were two sisters who we visited at the same time. They share little in common besides a love for fashion. One has a boyfriend and the other can't stand him. They were a hoot. There was another girl - very outgoing, fun, talkative, seems to enjoy life regardless of her circumstances or history. She is a beautiful person.
THEN . . . there was Delton. Delton is 12, turning 13 this weekend. He was the last child we spent time with. From the beginning of the event I couldn't wait to meet him. His light was shining brightly in that room! He was full of life, talkative (much like Isaac - I could imagine them in their room at night never shutting up!), fun, FUNNY, and he shared so much about himself. He loves to write and draw. At one point I joked that I could tell he has a great sense of humor and he replied that he could tell Josh did, too. Spot on : ) He was the only one that really asked us any questions. When he found out we have kids and that we have a son he smiled from ear to ear. The thought of having a brother . . . so simple.
He doesn't play video games, he doesn't play sports - his fosters haven't signed him up or bought him any games. That was heart breaking. What engages him? Who engages him? He attended another matching event previous to this one. They made frames there as well. He lettered the top of his frame 'My Perfect Family'. The frame is still empty of course. He longs for a forever family. At one point I had to excuse myself from the table and retreat to the restroom. We had asked him what he wants to be when he grows up. He's not sure. He doesn't want to grow up too quickly because adults have a lot of stress and worry and 'I've already dealt with my share of that' he said. It was absolutely precious and it broke my heart - in HALF! He has such a simple desire - a family. A family! A sense of belonging, security, to know someone is there for him forever. He's been in foster care for 10 years - 7 foster homes and 4 therapeutic placements. According to his worker he has few 'issues'. I would like to know more about why so many foster homes. Did they return him or did they have their own issues that prevented them from keeping him?
We have requested our PPA be sent to his worker and she has emailed me a couple of times with some information on Delton. We really didn't plan on adopting a child this old or even adopting just one child. Of course, it's still too early to tell if things will work out. We are confident God will work everything out in the end and we want only His will to be done. It will be. No doubt. If you will pray for this adoption, please pray specifically for us as we endeavor not to try and control any part of this process. Also, please pray for Delton and for Mia and Fonzie. We are sure they are not part of our adoption anymore but we still think about them and wonder 'what if'. I wish I could take in a dozen kids. Maybe we should open a home. Hmmmmm . . .
