The Waiting Child

The Waiting Child
-Debbie Bodie

I saw you meet your child today
You kissed your baby joyfully
And as you walked away with her
I played pretend you’d chosen me.

I’m happy for the baby, yet
Inside I’m aching miserably
I want to plead as you go by
“Does no one want a child of three?”

I saw you meet your child today
In love with her before you met
And as I watched you take her out
I knew it wasn’t my turn yet.

I recognize you from last year!
I knew I’d seen your face before!
But you came for a second babe.
Does know one want a child of four?

I saw you meet your child today
But this time there was something new
A nurse came in and took My hand
And then she gave my hand to you

Can this be true? I’m almost six!
And there are infants here you see?
And then you kissed me and I knew
The child you chose this time was me.


Well, we are sure that you are all wondering what is going on!
As you know by now when we originally started the process we had originally thought that a 3 year old would be a nice age, and when we had our homestudy done, the lady helping us encouraged us to go up to 5. Many times Doug had said how about up to 10.
I was more hesitant about an older child than he was, but had done some reading about it anyway. In the last half year, the process in Ukraine has been becoming more difficult and receiving referrals for healthy children between 3 and 5 was not happening on a regular basis. We had been reading this and preparing ourselves. In September, as I mentioned before, the National Adoption Center stopped taking new applications all together. We had started the process in February and had been given our November travel date in July. This trip was meant to be. A lot of chit chat on the internet had encouraged families to wait and try again in 2006. Up to this point, we only paid money out for our legal fees here, we could have decided to ‘try again later”. A lot of people end up doing their paper work over again because it expires after a year while they are waiting for a travel date. Like I said, this trip was meant to be. Anyway, the month before we traveled we had talked a lot about the possibility of the child/children being older than 5. God was preparing our hearts.
On Monday, during the appointment, I was at one point just looking out the window. With six binders full of children, 100’s of children that were not very healthy, I felt like I was shutting down. At the end of the second hour, Doug had seen a boy as cute as anything with a great big smile, adorable. He showed it to me and I looked at the birth date. He was 9 years old. I can honestly say that I felt so peaceful about this sitting in the chair. We told the counselor that we would like more information. His diagnosis was healthy! God is so good, he knew that we were not coming back for a second appointment!
We had intense anxiety until we were finally able to meet him. You can’t always trust that the diagnosis or picture will be the same as what you were shown before. We were sitting in a room and his teacher brought him in. He was adorable, and although we were told not to “feel” too much, Doug and I both knew he was our son. He was just a shy little boy in a school uniform. We were able to take a walk with him and play ball, put a Lego together (Nate’s favorite when he was a boy!) and see his classroom and bedroom. He told us that he liked table tennis!
After talking to the counselor, teachers, pediatrician, and orphanage Director we felt like we wanted to say yes right away, but we knew in our heads that we needed some time to think and we wanted one more visit with him. We had that visit today and Lord willing we will be able to bring our new son home soon! I know that you are all shocked at this point!
In our hearts we feel that this is just right for our family. Nate is still the king, being the oldest and Rachel is still the princess, and daddy’s little girl and he will be the prince. His name is Valera and he is a neat guy. At the orphanage they said he is a nice, kind boy and doesn’t fight back if someone picks on him. He does not have any siblings and his mother died when he was 3. His grandmother was taking care of him, but she could not afford to keep him. He has been in the orphanage since he was 6. The orphanage is for school age children ages 6-16. They have lessons during the day and playtime after school. Believe me, they do not have much, but they have structure, meals and friends. They all learn to read and write and to take care of them selves. They also know a little English. They learn to respect their elders.
We had a wonderful visit with his group today, these children are so beautiful, it really breaks my heart. They absolutely love Doug’s camera and I-pod. In Ukraine, they are allowed to learn about God! They sang some Christian songs. They knew about God and that Jesus was born on Christmas. Each Sunday they are able to go to the local church for worship.
I could go on and on, but we are truly happy! I might have thought that I wanted a small child, but God knew what our family needed. Valera will have a great older brother to shoot hoops with and ride 4 wheeler with, go fishing with, etc. It really makes a complete family circle. Every one will be able to relate and love him. That truly is what he needs, a family’s love. It will take a while to adjust and learn the language, but anything is possible with love! God is good!
The process isn’t complete and final and that in itself can be stressful as well. Please continue praying that things go smoothly and that we can come home quickly. We love you Nate and Rachel!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LISA!

Love, Doug and Glenda

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

I hope that whenever I give a gift to a child, that child knows the gift does not come from me, but from God, the source of all good gifts.—S. Truett Cathy