Never Ending Paperwork and Everlasting Love

People say that Isabella is blessed to have been adopted but make no mistake, it us who has been blessed and gifted with this child. As I sit here watching my beautiful child sleep and worrying about our final appointment with the embassy tomorrow, I have peace. I have peace not that the appointment will go well (because it likely won’t) but a peace that only God can give. I have peace that there are hundreds of people praying for us right now. And I have peace that no matter what paperwork the embassy requires, this is my child, chosen and protected by God until he gave her to us almost 3 years ago. I knew it the moment I saw her. My child, with her wild hair in ponytails and her easy smile. My child, with the mischief in her eyes even when she is not causing mischief. My child with a squeal of laughter that all the neighbors can hear. My child with unmatched stubbornness. This child that God has blessed me with.

It is us who has been blessed and not the other way around. It has been said that adoption is the only trauma in the world where it’s victims are expected by the whole of society to be grateful. This is true of my child also. Isabella has lost two mothers in her short little life. She has a birthmother who cared enough about her to know that she couldn’t give her the best life. A women who wrapped her in a quilt before giving her up. A second mom who rocked her, feed her, wiped her tears and loved her for 3 years. She lost those moms and she never knew a dad existed before coming to our family. No, she has not been blessed but has lived through more tragedy than she deserves. But as I watch at my beautiful child, I am reminded of God’s greatness. He too has felt the tragedy she has lived through. He too felt her pain. And then he gave her to us to help her heal and to love her just as any mom loves. Regardless of how many more meeting we must go to our how much more paperwork we must get, I am her mom and am so very, very blessed to have this title.