It was looking rough this morning, but against our better judgement, we took the whole crew to the Transition Home (TH) to meet L and B.
Here we are on the famous TH porch where all AWAA families meet their kiddos.
I won’t lie. We were a little nervous. Not so much that we would like them or they would like us, but just how are you supposed to act when you meet your two new kids who are teenagers? There aren’t exactly a lot of YouTube videos on this. It’s not like you can coo and gush over them like you would a baby.
So they way it happened (and it happened fast) was that B went right for Patrick with a teary hug. We know that she is the last of her group of close friends at her orphanage to be matched with a family so this was obviously a big day for her. L and I hugged but you could tell he was trying to play it cool.
PJ and Mia presented them with small care packages we had brought. Then started about ten minutes of awkward questions. The real fun started when we pulled out games and crafts.
One of B’s friends was part of a Welcoming Angels program last year and has pretty good English. She did a great job translating and making B feel at ease. We did a bead craft, played cards and cat’s cradle, braided hair, and she presented Grandpa and me with bracelets she had made.
Her and Mia became fast buddies and she’s great with Ty.
Meanwhile, L, Patrick, and the boys played soccer. Man, they are good! After they pooped Patrick out, L and his friend taught Patrick a new card game.
Where was Ty? Amazingly, he generally stuck close. He did meet up with our friend S who spent a month in Baltimore last spring to play some soccer.
B and L both have limited English but seem eager to learn more and both enjoy school. B likes math and L is into social studies, geography in particular.
Patrick and I were talking afterwards how the whole thing is surreal. If you’ve ever been in student ministries, it felt like first contact with new students. I don’t think it’s sunk in that they get to come live with us in a couple months.
Due to the kids being under the weather, and Patrick having schoolwork due this week, we opted to lay low this afternoon. The schedule really picks up tomorrow with court coming up on Thursday so we need everyone well!
Melissa, I am so thrilled for your family I think I could cry! What wonderful gifts you will all be to each other! Peyton enjoyed looking through the pictures with me too and was excited to see Mia’s new big brother and sister 🙂 She asked lots of questions!! GOD’S BLESSINGS to your family for comfort, peace and good health! I will keep you in my prayers and will anxiously be waiting for the news that you have passed court!
So wonderful, Melissa! I can’t wait to meet them. Praying for you all. You and your family are such a blessing! Love you!
Many prayers for you all, please give B our love and tell her we are so thrilled for her to be going with you, and that she will be able to keep in touch with our girls once we get them home too. Are you overnighting in Dubai on your way home?
Much love and prayers for good health and smooth travel
Kris and Bert,
We will pass the message along. We are going through London on our way home. Maybe our paths will cross on Embassy. Any word on a court date?
What a magical moment to hold these kids in your arms. I’m glad that you all were able to go to the first meeting and that there was some good connections. Love you all and praying for you! Thanks for the update!
xo – mom
Big tears over here! Happy, happy tears. So proud and thankful for your family Melissa. I just ran into Shane at Wegmans and we were talking about you and I couldn’t wait to get home to check your blog. That picture. Those hugs. Man. Praying for ALL of you! Please tell “S” that our family says hello and congratulations on his new family!!
Will do! I think S’s family arrives tomorrow. I’m psyched. He played soccer with Ty for a long time on Meeting Day. That boy has a lot of patience!
Lord,
Would you grant this family perfect health on Thursday – please remove the children’s fevers and do not let anyone else get sick. You are the God of the universe and I ask that you let them pass court the first time around. Lord, make the transition of these teenagers into the family as smooth as it can be, full of grace, and I pray they will come to know you, either for the first time or more fully, through this process. Amen.
Thanks for making me cry! What a blessing to be covered in such prayer.