One Foot in Front of the Other

The title of tonight's post is credited to Daddy who today, when asked during hour 2 at the passport office in Ezra's hometown how he was doing, replied, "I'm just putting one foot in front of the other."

It's big. 

Adding a new child to your family is so big, on so many levels.

Then you add two at once.  And the multiplication factor is out of control. 

But that is where we live.

Daddy gets points off the scale for today's strong and steady approach to events that caused tears to spill down my face randomly.  He's my hero.  He quoted scripture to me, he held me close, and he reminded me of God's faithfulness in our lives.  Man, I love that guy.

The kids enjoyed tremendously a visit to the big foster home/orphanage where Ezra has lived the past four years of his life.  They played with babies, they played with toddlers, they played with some other foreign kids who live here too.  What a sweet mercy that was for us while Magpie, Daddy, Nehemiah, Ezra and I slogged it out at the passport office.

Some really interesting questions were asked of us.  Unusual we thought, in a way, during the passport interview with the local official.

When we finalized Ezra's adoption this morning, the head of the Civil Affairs office, asked me why we have adopted so many children.  She especially wanted to know why Ezra...since he will need a different kind of care...using a wheelchair...  She said, "it must be some sort of religion reason, or something?"

I was emotional at the time. 

But I told her, "Yes, we believe that this is what God wants us to do.  And we are afraid of the unknowns in the future sometimes...but we have faith and trust in God who takes care of us and who will take care of Him."  Then this woman hugged me.  I was so shocked, I don't think I've ever been spontaneously hugged by a stranger Here...it's just not done.

Daddy kept telling me over and over again..."it is going to be amazing to see the miracles that are going to come in this next chapter of our life."

Nehemiah did better today overall.  He got more into a "go with the flow" attitude.  He is a kid who loves to be touched, so this is a great blessing in working on beginning our relationship.  Even though I can't say, and he can't understand what I want to tell him...he can feel me rubbing his back, kissing the top of his head, holding his hand.  He is really, really smart.  He did so well with Daddy today too, laughing a being tickled, walking hand in hand everywhere.  Still some crazy man stuff, but overall, we were so encouraged.

Ezra was shut down all day.  This is not uncommon during the first weeks of adoption.  He just sort of glazed over and slept as much as he could...I'm sure just trying to cope with all the changes.  In four years, he's never really been outside of the orphanage.  Playing at the playground has largely been his exposure to the outside world.  Now he is dealing with all of it...new family...new siblings wanting to constantly engage him...a Momma and Daddy of his own....and a world of people/smells/sights/sounds/foods...he's never known.  What a staggering thing for a boy of four.

Not unlike The Bruiser who had been institutionalized for two and a half years before we got him, Ezra has a long way to go with his development.  He has lived in a room of mostly babies, no real older children, and has been cared for like a baby for that time.  The care he has received is the best imaginable care through a private foster home/orphanage...but there is no substitute for family...

I am so thankful that God gave us the experience with The Bruiser to now have known and seen just what sort of healing comes in family.

The highlight of my night was seeing Ezra wheeling around in his new wheelchair that is being loaned to us by a foster home in Beijing.  He was so independent, so strong, and clearly loves the freedom that his new wheels bring him.

Hopefully we'll take a train back home tomorrow.  This is the plan.  However, there is some trouble with getting train tickets due to the Tomb Sweeping holiday...praying for a good turnout at the ticket sales place!  Ready to get home and try to figure out our new lives all together.

Thank you, more than we can ever say, for your prayers and support.

Below:  Ezra watches and listens as The Singer "reads" a book to him tonight.