Week 3

Transitions can be so hard. I loved my time in Ghana. It was a wonderful experience but I sooooo wanted to be home. Home was the US and Minnesota, and my house and my bed. American food, American laws, American culture... any of it would have made me feel home. More than anything I missed Trent and the kids, but I think that is obvious that you miss family.

So now my girls are here... we are heading into week 3. And I remember week 3 in Ghana. I was alone, no Angelisa and Carmin, no Trent. Just me and the girls. It was hard. I can't say I had joy about it during that week. I was glad to be there with my girls and all the other things that were going on, it was a blessing I was there that week. Anyway, I think of my girls going in their "week 3", I wonder how much they miss Ghana. I wonder how much they would love to smell Ghana and hear Ghana, and taste Ghana. I wonder how much they long to hear their native language or hear someone call out to them with a familiar voice.

Things are going well here. We are going through a transition with lots of ups and downs. A good balance of both the ups and the downs. No unwanted or unexpected suprises... a few good ones, involving suprise hugs or kisses, or some other amazing thing children come up with. Both those who have lived here more than three weeks and those who have lived here less, all very amazing. They all have suprised us with their patience and reslience, while still reminding us they are children each with their own set of needs to be met.

So I think on Week 3 in Ghana to remind me that the girls likely don't feel that they are "home". Likely an unmet need or misunderstood request feels very lonely. I have to say I am a little broken hearted tonight, I miss Ghana for them. Of course I too miss Ghana, but I miss Ghana from the comfort of my familiar home and food. It's not the same.

Tomorrow is Sunday. The girls look forward to church and I am speaking briefly about our adoption in the service. The sermon is about "Ask, Seek, Knock"... that particular process is a God given gift, no so much a challenge for me. I can "ask, seek, and knock" all day... but God has also challenged me to learn patience, we still have a long way to go in that arena!

I hear an announcement from the other room that it is bed time (it's actually WAY passed bedtime, but that's another story)... I must go~!