Sunday, December 11, 2011

Adjustments, Alvin and Anticipation


So we are 5 days from us all being a family together again. From my talks with Shonni and Kalyn, they are more than ready to be home. This has been an emotionally challenging and draining trip. Not quite the “adventure” we had all hoped it to be. Noelani and Clive are still going through adjustments which are trying. Noelani; breaking out in hives, being difficult, testing the limits and resistant to bonding. Clive; loving and bonding, but also clingy to Shonni at times, to the point he makes her carry him everywhere, and yet not very nice to Kalyn. He does well in the hotel room, but becomes unruly in public.  Should any of this come as a surprise? These babies are coming from an orphanage environment and into a very strange world they no little of. The fear, anxiety, stress in these little ones must be enormous. We pray for the love of Jesus to shine through, His wisdom to know how to parent these children, their hearts to be softened, His peace to reign.

On the home front, all is essentially well. The kids just finished watching “Alvin and the Chipmunks – the Squeakqual”  - what more needs to be said? We are working to keep the house picked up and clean, to have no further injuries, and to keep the peace (we have had a few “negative attitudes” but overall not bad. We’ve been watching lots of movies, playing Kinects (even with Jace and Karlie over the internet), doing crafts, and just getting ready for mommy, Kalyn, Noelani and Clive to be home.

I think we are all anxious about the weeks that lay ahead with our new family, the holidays, traveling, and beyond. I am sure there will be more adjustments, not only for the two new little ones, but for the rest of us as well. But isn’t that what He has called us to? Not a life of ease and comfort, but one of risk and challenge? Stepping out in faith which more often than not will mean difficulties? It is in those times that we get to see God move and learn to trust in Him and not in our own efforts. For it is only through Him in us that we can accomplish anything.

We greatly appreciate your prayers and your notes of encouragement and support. 

Steve



8 comments:

  1. I pray the Lord will be with your family through those adjustments. Blessings to all of you!

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  2. Thanks for the update, Steve. We will continue to pray.

    We had a very difficult adjustment time with our kids when we were in Ghana, so I can so relate.

    Praying for you all, as you bring these precious children home.

    Question for you: How do you play Kinect over the internet? We just bought our family a Kinect last month, and our kids would love to play with their older siblings across the country. Would love to know how that works ...

    Laurel

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  3. I'm praying that when they all get home, they will feel safe and peaceful and will really be able to settle in quickly.

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  4. Continuing to pray for you all.
    Blessings
    Renata:)

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  5. Praying for strength for all of you. God is in it all...one moment at a time is enough for us, as His grace is sufficient in each moment.

    believing God for wonderful favor and testimony of His faithfulness in the midst of it all.

    Kimmie
    mama to 8
    one homemade and 7 adopted

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  6. PRaying for all of you and sending you all love and encouragement!

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  7. Dear family!

    I'm sad to hear the difficulties Shonni and Kalyn are facing with Clive and Noeliana, but yes, as you wrote, it is not strange. they must been in so much distress and anxiousness..
    We pray from here over all of you!

    Blessing, Josee
    (Netherlands)

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  8. praying praying praying! have been and will continue to. I love reading your hears..what a hard trying time and yet..that the love of Jesus would shine thru you to these little scared babies...praying for that, and for each of you as you all grow as a family to embrace them. darci

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