Thoughts from Russia

My apoligies for not blogging.  I would love to be sharing many stories of being with our new children, but there are none to share.  The children had to return to the orphanage last Friday.  At that point it was thought that I would be able to see them frequently.  I'm definitely learning not to make any plans.  Plans change often.  Plans change quickly.  The children have been gone for a week and today is the first day that has seemed discouraging.  Perhaps it is because we may get to see the boys tomorrow and I'm afraid to be hopeful.  Perhaps it's because I was so excited to get to help our host deliver a birthday gift and candies to a waiting child and we just learned that the orphanage will not allow our visit today.  During the summer months, the orphanages 'close' or have minimal children living in them.  The children go to live with families while the orphanage undergoes repairs and cleanup.  Visits with the children can be complicated during the summer months.  

On Wednesday I had opportunity to tag along with Jackie Payton to pick up their new son, Jacob.   It was so exciting.  First, the director of this orphanage is precious.  He has such a love for the children.  We found this when he supervised the trip that brought our B to America to be hosted in Michigan.  I may feel a little attached to him because he was there in our borrowed home when we asked B if she would like to join our family.  It was great to visit with him again.  

This is the first adoption from his orphanage.   Can you imagine?  It was such an honor to be there as Jacob shared loving hello hugs with his new pappa and intense goodbye hugs with the man who had cared for him for the past 7 years.   I'm at a complete loss for words to share.  (Maybe if I could quit crying it would be easier ;-))  As Jacob stood on the steps of the orphanage prepared to leave,  it occured to me that there were no children there to tell him goodbye.  They were all in homes for the repairs of the orphanage.  Jacob would not see those he had grown up with, perhaps ever again.  There were no goodbyes.  No 'see you laters'.   Just Jacob standing alone on the steps.  

What if he was the last child to leave the orphanage rather than the first?  Will there be a day when there are no more children living without families? What if there are no children to fill the empty halls because each child has been united with a forever family to love him, care for him, help him through the hurts and celebrate the joys in life.  What if?

By the way, Jacob didn't stand alone on the steps long before his new pappa had him in another bear hug and they were wrestling their way to the car.