Last Tuesday, July 27th, we received an email from the orphanage, with answers to the questions we'd put inside our care package. Most of the answers were routine...they did provide the name of a good friend and a couple of caregivers she is close to, so it would be great if we could keep in touch with them.
However, the most interesting, yet heartbreaking info. was regarding her abandonment. I had originally posted the details here, but after thinking about it, I have deleted it, for her privacy. I would certainly never want to do or say anything to hurt her, or to divulge TMI, that is so private and personal. I don't quite know how to process all of that, but pray with time, Emma will be able to share what she remembers. Helping her grieve and process all her emotions will take a lot of time. We pray for healing, on all levels, that Emma would realize we love her, and intend to keep her forever, that her place in our family is permanently secure. From what we've read, many adopted children struggle with these issues all of their lives...fearing rejection and repeated losses. We know that God alone can perform miracles, and so we pray for those to occur in her mind.
As the days wear on, and we anticipate our meeting her, the emotions seem so overwhelming. It's nothing for me to just break down in the car, in public, at home, at church....pretty much anywhere, at this point. As I've said before, this wait for her has been so much more difficult, I guess because we know at her age, she may still fear never being adopted, and that one more day in the orphanage, is one less day she has a family.
The day we board that plane could not get here soon enough! We are waiting for our Article 5, a Hague Convention approval, and then the CCAA will issue our Travel Approval. At that point, our agency will begin making our flight and hotel reservations. We really hope to travel in September....we shall see!!
We're all excited that the time for youall to meet sweet Emma is getting closer! Praying all the final details come soon. Can hardly wait to see pictures of you hugging and holding her!
ReplyDeleteHey Stephanie... I met someone last week who had adopted several older children and was telling him some of your story. He recommended the book "The Connected Child" by Karen Purvis. Just wanted to pass that along, you might've already heard of it/read it, but I figured I'd share, just in case :)
ReplyDeleteStephanie, I'm glad you received this information, even though I'm sure it's just a small piece of the puzzle. Over time, I pray that you will be able to put together all of what you learn about her and from her. She will come to realize that she is loved and cherished when she joins your family. I know it will take time, but it will be so worth it!
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