Look into the eyes of my precious ones in Ghana

I was missing them and wanted to write more and share more about them . It has been 3 weeks today that we said good bye. I hate good byes to my children...They are all ours now and that is a peace and a joy for us but it is tough being apart. This good bye for Sandra and Jr was difficult....they are ready to be home with us. I have said good bye to them 3 times since August and I have treasured each trip I have made and my visits with them.  This last trip in March they really opened up to me and shared. their heart and some of their sadness too. Sad because they were so poor that they did not have life experiences that even other Ghana kids have had. I am not a newbie to adoptions...I have done this now for 31 times and you think it might get easier for me during the times of waiting but it does not. I ache to hold all my children and to be able to kiss them goodnight each nite but we have to wait.

We are very close to bringing Sandra and Jr. home. It should not be anymore good byes for them and perhaps not for the babies too. The older two are ready to join their family. I hate they have to wait   as I have hated how the embassy handles these adoptions now for many of the families I know. I am worried about our John David. He is the one on the left. They are about the same age ... at least abandoned around the same time a week a part. John David is about the size of a newborn. I'd guess around 9 lbs. He swims in the 3 month size. He does not get enough nutrients and refluxes most of them. His tongue is tight and his hands stay shut most of the time. Jabin is doing well. Obviously the sooner he comes home the sooner we can teach him and stimulate his environment to help him . My ache for my babies is to be able to nourish and provide for their care . It is tough having them grow up as we wait for the process to continue but we know God has all of this in His hands. Actually thru the past yr and a half I have a peace about these 4 children and their adoption journey.

Eyes tell a lot to me about people...especially children. Often I bond easily with just a child's picture and looking deep into their eyes. My older two, Sandra and Jr are bored and wanting a life with opportunities. They were loved but know that you can't eat love or get anywhere just with that. We will keep in contact with their family in Ghana but this family can't take care of them. Mom can hardly take care of herself. Both of them are very smart and probably want to attend college some day. Possibilities are not high they could do this in Ghana or even make a living to sustain themselves. They have sweet and normal spirits of young teens. They have dreams and desires for a family. Both have not lived in a family setting for awhile because there was no food or care for them. They have compassion...the afternoon we picked them up , Sandra was down in the town visiting a friend. Her friend, was living with her grandfather, who was now very ill and taken to the clinic. Sandra was worried about her friend and trying to help her. Who will take care of my friend, who will help her now...were some of the questions she asked me.

My babies eyes show such a need for stimulation...they are held and taken care of but not like a family does. I saw delays that can be brought up to age appropriate behavior. They want forever love and even they desired to have food and to be held and rocked like all other babies. Soon it will be but for now we pray.

I look into the eyes of all my children and recognize the pain and hurt they have lived thru before they came home...some more than others . Now I see joy, a peace and a settled spirit that comes from knowing they are loved and cared for. We have our struggles but everyone does and the only way we believe to overcome them or walk thru this journey called life is by having our eyes focused on the eyes of Jesus...just like Peter when he stepped out of the boat. We try to keep our focus on Him who renews us each and every day.