The Joy of Saying Yes

Aug 16, 2010

One year ago today, we received Daniel's citizenship certificate in the mail.

One year ago, I was overwhelmed with worry, asking God to show me how to parent this little guy. He was resistant to our affections, to our discipline, to English, to every food placed in front of him, to anything new or unfamiliar.

A year later, I'm overwhelmed with love for this little guy.

We sat at the table yesterday as he did homework for the very first time (he was so excited!). He had to draw pictures of 2 items in his house that were circles. He chose to draw an apple and a clock. I then wrote the words on another piece of paper and encouraged him to write them on his paper. He sat with such determination, and quickly & confidently called off the name of each letter as he wrote it with ease.



August 15, 2011

A year later, he's a big kindergartner, speaking fluent English, constantly following his big brother, continually coming to us for hugs and kisses, eating well and growing, learning to read and write, talking about how awesome God is, and repeatedly telling us that He loves us.

I'm thankful that when God led us to this little ball of energy and enthusiasm, we stepped out in faith and said yes. We could have said no, and life might have been easier if we had. But we would have missed out on so much. I can't imagine life without our gremlin. A child who is always smiling and who goes about life filled with joy. A child God has used to teach us countless lessons about our relationship with our Heavenly Father. A child who is fearfully and wonderfully made.

What's stopping you? What's keeping you from saying yes?

May orphan care not be this generation's trendy cause,

but may it become an instinctive action...

and ultimately, an unnecessary effort.