Fall of 2004

The empty bathroom stalls seem to cry out as I frantically slam open each door with great intensity.  But where is that crying coming from?  Door numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 . . . nothing.  Finally, the last door slowly pushes open.  The crying has stopped and so does my heart.  A toddler with Asian-like features looks at me.  I scoop her out of the filthy, ragged car seat that has been shoved into this tiny, insignificant bathroom stall. I walk out with her.  My husband and boys are waiting but not surprised at the gift I hold.  We try to get help from the mall security and the police, but no one wants to claim this child. Why?  Can’t they see that she doesn’t belong to us or does she?  Later that evening, this childlike angel is placed inside my son’s crib.  She cuddles up to him, and they fall asleep.  And I . . . well, I wake up from the dream . . .

A year before we decided to adopt our first daughter Juliese, I had this dream.  I am often reminded of it when I think about how many other orphans in this world are not so fortunate to have homes like our daughter.  It is my heart and my prayer that as we travel this “Journey for Joelle” that many lives will be touched by partaking in this miracle of rebirth: adoption. It is also our prayer that many others will be challenged to not just help others adopt, but to prayerfully consider where do they fit in to the Lord’s plan of taking care of the orphans?

In you the orphan finds mercy.  Hosea 14:3

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 10th, 2010