Treasures

I have come to appreciate and love the German word "Schatz" more than ever since becoming a parent.  To me, there are few words that capture the love of parents for their children better.  I had never really thought of the meaning much before having kids; it was more of a nickname to me, like Honey, or Babe.  But I love the meaning of "Schatz" - my Treasure.  Sometimes I just want to engulf my children with love, protection, nurture, and all good things that parents can and should provide.

My heart is simultaneously happy and sad with some of our friends, the Millers.  They are in the process of adopting two boys from Ethiopia.  A couple weeks ago, they flew over, knowing they would bring at least one of their boys home, but hoping they would be able to have all the paperwork completed in time to return with both of them.  Tonight, I had the privilege of meeting their little boy, Noah.  He is 8 months old, and the sweetest little guy.  It made me so happy to see him held by their loving arms, knowing that he had spent the previous 8 months in a foster home in Ethiopia (which is not much different from an orphanage, with 50 or so kids and only a couple rotating care takers).  He is finally HOME.  He is loved.  His parents (and siblings) respond to his cries.  (His mother told me tonight that he is a very happy child, but terrified of being alone.  If they happen to leave the room and he is left behind, he will start SCREAMING "like his legs are being cut off" (in her terms).  They scooted his crib right up against his brother's bed (with whom he shares a room) so that he can see his brother when he wakes up and isn't alone (since he's used to being surrounded by 49 other kids at all times).  And he probably learned to scream like that (that's the only cry he knows) since that was the only way he would get any attention.  Isn't that just heart-breaking?!  And yet, his sad story has now taken a delightful turn. 

His brother, Jonah, on the other hand, is still in Ethiopia.  He is 16 months old, and there are complications with his paperwork so that the Millers aren't sure when they will be able to bring him home.  He is also in a foster home, and doesn't seem to have much of a bond to any caregivers.  His mom said he has some issues with eye contact (they got to spend two weeks with Jonah when they were there to pick up Noah).  Can you imagine going through the process of anticipating a child, completing the tedious paperwork, jumping through all these hoops, getting there and, most likely, feeling a tremendous love for this unknown child, playing through all these scenarios in your head of what it will be like to know him, to have him in your home, to introduce him to his siblings?  How you just long to love him and provide him with all he needs and more?  And then you have to leave him behind in a situation that is far from ideal for a young child.  Just hearing some of these details made my heart so heavy for these people.  I don't know how many people read my posts, but will you please pray for little Jonah with me, and for God to speed along the paperwork and complications and find resolution to this situation?  I can't WAIT to see little Jonah with his parents!!