Wise Choice

I've been going back and forth on whether or not to post about this situation here, but I really need to write tonight and this is my place to write. My mom tells me I should just get a journal to keep the private stuff off of the internet. Wise words--but for some reason I feel no need to keep most things in my life private. Why? I am who I am. Our family is what it is.

I'd like to ask for prayer for a big decision that needs to be made. I've always had a special place in my heart for Bright's 3 older brothers--since I learned in March that their family would like for them to be adopted as well. But there was really nothing I could do to help them. I didn't have the right friends/contacts in Ghana. And honestly I was obsessed with getting our own already adopted son home. So when they pop into my heart I say a quick prayer and try to shove the thought of them way "back there" again quickly enough not to let guilt set in.

Bright's 3 older brothers are 5is, 7ish, and 10ish. The local orphanage where they live will not take them because their home is close enough that the boys run away from the orphanage. This was a problem before...but not now. Now I have a friend who would be willing to take the boys in if an adoptive family were found.

The ironic thing is that if Eric and I would have known Bright had a (then) 4 year old brother who was in need of adoption we would have adopted both him and Bright together to start with. We were approved for 2 children 5 and under and hoped for biological siblings! But we didn't know. Our eldest (Taevy) needs to remain the eldest so it isn't possible for us to adopt the two eldest brothers.

The other night I was working through all of the old messages in my inbox and came across a bunch of photos that a volunteer sent to me of Bright's brothers. They were from last summer, when they came to the orphanage for school during the day. Just the 5 and 7 year old. When I opened those pictures it hit me like a ton of bricks. I couldn't tuck the emotions way back inside of myself and look the other direction. Bright's brothers have such a strong resemblance to him. His youngest brother's head...and eyes...and nose...and lips...and even facial expressions are seen in my house every day through his baby brother Bright! My heart broke, and I knew I had to do something.

So our family is faced with a difficult decision. Do we adopt Bright's 5 year old brother even though there are lots of (earthly) reasons not to? Major medical issues going on in our family...major financial issues going on with our family. And the fact that Bright has only been home a month. What is our responsibility in this? What is our responsibility to Bright? And to his brothers? Now I am in a position to be able to work with people in Ghana towards the boys' adoption. I cannot turn my back on them.

I have put this decision in Eric's hands. I know it's from God if HE decides we should adopt Bright's brother, because Eric has said he really doesn't think he wants anymore kids! He is praying about this though...this is a little different. This is Bright's brother. This is sweet little Wise.

Please pray that if we are not able to adopt Wise that I will be able to find a family who can adopt all three boys and who lives close enough that all four brothers can maintain a relationship throughout life. Please pray that if we do adopt Wise the Lord would sling doors open for us to bring him home and will make it perfectly evident that this was His plan.

And this is a post that I'd really like to hear your thoughts on. Leave me a comment--or a paragraph--or a page...if you like!

Thanks,

Anita