Last night I asked myself that question when I was putting Emma, my 5 year old daughter, to bed. She snuggled up to me and put her ring finger and pinkie on top of my hand...just enough to know I was close. She tossed her head, brown curly cues flopped onto the pillow pet that my head was laying on. I literally asked myself, "who is this precious little girl? When did she become mine (ha!) and when did she become so big?"
While scratching her back, I was overwhelmed with sorrow as I thought, yet again even that very hour, about the moms from Newton who had their loves ripped away. I was overwhelmed with gratitude that my little love was next to me. And I was overwhelmed with the fact that she is OUR responsibility. No one else cares for her needs like we do, and no one else hurts when she hurts, like we do.
Sun set last night. Sun rose today.
We all still got to wake up and live another day together in the Snow household. Blessed.
Griffin and I cuddled on the couch with his favorite truck book this morning (I never realized I would one day memorize all the different kinds of trucks that exist out there! Welcomed relief, however, from the names of all the My Little Ponies.)
My brain hit repeat and once again I was overwhelmed with my love for one of my little loves. I told him about his brother in Africa and how, if he is born already, he is not cuddling and learning about trucks.
Who is that child? Not sure yet.
But the point of all this is that no matter who he is or when he joins this family, he will fit right in. I am sure I will be overwhelmed with sorrow for his buddies we can't bring home with us. I am sure I will be overwhelmed with gratitude that he got to leave, and come with us. And I am positive that I will be overwhelmed with the fact that he is another peanut we are responsible to raise and point to Jesus.
Thank you God for trusting us with these little loves. What an honor.
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Julius
Julius is our Kenyan friend. He's 36-ish and lives in America for 6 months out of the year, and goes back to Kenya for the other 6. He's been doing this for about 4 years.
Julius loves our kids and smiles the biggest smile when he sees them, even when our 2 year old Griffin gets startled, jumps, and runs out of the room when he hasn't seen his dark Kenyan buddy in awhile. ;) Julius calls Griffin "sir." He politely stands by his chair & won't sit at my kitchen table until I'm seated. He always wants to know how I am, and he doesn't judge our family because we live abundantly different than he can in his hometown. He is the most grateful and simple person I may ever know.
Tonight at our family's kitchen table Julius told my girls he has never had electricity in his home, and has to go outside to go to the bathroom. He told them the PRIVILEGED kids in Kenya get to eat only breakfast and dinner everyday, consisting of Ugali, a type of bread. They couldn't believe it. He is the firstborn son in his family and the caretaker of everyone, as his father passed away when he was 14. Julius works hard. He doesn't complain. He has learned to be a competitive runner to win money for his entire family, & sister Caro, who has 5 kids and nothing to offer them.
By the end of the night Griff wanted to hug his buddy and the girls wanted to know when he'd be back. :)
Tonight we were blessed by our friend and learned more about Africa, the family structure, and the insane number of kids who need help and homes. We are ready for the day we will bring our little son home.
Julius loves our kids and smiles the biggest smile when he sees them, even when our 2 year old Griffin gets startled, jumps, and runs out of the room when he hasn't seen his dark Kenyan buddy in awhile. ;) Julius calls Griffin "sir." He politely stands by his chair & won't sit at my kitchen table until I'm seated. He always wants to know how I am, and he doesn't judge our family because we live abundantly different than he can in his hometown. He is the most grateful and simple person I may ever know.
Tonight at our family's kitchen table Julius told my girls he has never had electricity in his home, and has to go outside to go to the bathroom. He told them the PRIVILEGED kids in Kenya get to eat only breakfast and dinner everyday, consisting of Ugali, a type of bread. They couldn't believe it. He is the firstborn son in his family and the caretaker of everyone, as his father passed away when he was 14. Julius works hard. He doesn't complain. He has learned to be a competitive runner to win money for his entire family, & sister Caro, who has 5 kids and nothing to offer them.
By the end of the night Griff wanted to hug his buddy and the girls wanted to know when he'd be back. :)
Tonight we were blessed by our friend and learned more about Africa, the family structure, and the insane number of kids who need help and homes. We are ready for the day we will bring our little son home.
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