All this way for just one boy?

I have tons and tons to blog about tonight...so I'm going to start in the order of what I think is most important for me to communicate to our dear family and friends...

As we are staring down the reality that tomorrow night we'll have our 7th child, Isaiah, in our lives forever, many thoughts sweep through my mind in the midst of the hustle and bustle.

From the skeptic onlooker of our life we often hear the questions..."Why would you adopt another one...you have so many?!"...or "Isn't this a great deal of money, effort and emotional strain to willingly bring on your family?"...or "You came all this way for just one boy?"

We have to answer...yes...all this way for just one boy...

In life, we are so often confronted with major problems, epidemics and social issues that we cannot get our minds around. Too often my response has been to shut my mind down to the reality...close my eyes...and try to carry on as if I know nothing...

In my work for a wonderful not-for-profit that ministers to the needs of children in numerous countries, we constantly have to combat the fact that many people often think..."there are so many children in need of help!" "What difference can I make?!"

There are millions of orphans in the world. Children. Young...vulnerable...in need. Clearly, though some of you may think we have a million kids...we know that we cannot FIX the problem of children who need families and we're not trying to...were just bringing home the children that God has told us to...

We've come all this way for just one boy.

He was born on 12/26/05 with a strong heart, good mind and a problem with one eye. His reports say that he loves to jump...he's picky about his food...and he is very clever. He, through no fault of his own, has no family of his own...or he hasn't had one...until tomorrow.

We began the process - 9 months of waiting. Spent hours on paperwork. Wrote grant requests for hours to dozens of grant groups. We've prayed. We've held fundraisers. We've taken time away from our work (thanks to our marvelous employers and friends.) We've hauled our very big, very conspicuous family half way around the world and we're "spending" a great deal of money (that GOD has richly provided) for just one boy.

I was thinking today. I am so glad that God did not see the needs of humanity...our separation from Him and say to himself "the need is too great...I cannot make a difference." Instead, He went far beyond what He's asked us to do...He sacrificed His son...for me.

I am nothing special. I am just a number in the universe filled with people...but He came for just me...and you...because He believed we were worth it...

I marvel at how adoption continues to deepen my understanding of the mysteries of God. Particularly the relational, sacrificial side of God.

When Isaiah looks in our eyes tomorrow afternoon at 3 pm, he will see that he was worth it to us...and to ALL OF YOU who have loved, supported, encouraged us to come all this way for just one boy...