Together At Last
kimnjed
September 28, 2015
Our family of seven is together at last. Vladik and Jed arrived from Ukraine on Thursday night. The wait is over!! After months of loving our Vladik and leaving him behind a gate, he is out and ours forever. We are so full of joy.
So it’s been 4 days home together and I’m just in awe that he’s really here.
Vladik sitting at our kitchen table. Vladik shooting hoops in the driveway with Seth. Vladik shopping with us at Winco. Vladik on the carousel. Vladik at church. Vladik NOT at Romaniv.
He loves to play, watch cars, and take showers. After 15 years of constant filth and neglect, he just beams when he knows he is clean.
It’s like a dream.
He’s doing awesome. Of course, there are adjustments to be made and there have been a few tears, as we all process yet ANOTHER transition, but in general he just fits us like a glove. This is a love that has grown and developed over two years, so there is a lot that is natural about it.
I’ll talk more about the details of his adjustment later in the week, I just wanted to let you know that he is home and we are blessed. I can say with complete honesty that we are eternally grateful and humbled that God gave Vladik to us. He is a precious soul that has been hidden away for far too long, and we are the ones who get to watch him come to life. It’s the best thing ever.
Every day, multiple times a day, Vladik asks each member of our family if we love him. “Mama, do you love me? Papa, do you love me? Addy, do you love me? Ezra, do you love me? Hava, do you love me? Seth, do you love me?” When we answer that yes, we love him forever, he laughs and claps his hands with joy. That love, that belonging, all of our Boys deserve that. My heart breaks that even though Vladik is out, they remain.
A wise adoptive mama friend said this, and it is also my heart’s cry:
“I have become convinced that to be indifferent, to do nothing, to ignore, to refuse to act, to stand back and allow broken and wounded populations to continue to suffer…this is the great sin of our lifetime. We are a generation of emotionally paralyzed people, and thus our behaviors become paralyzed. We spend so much time waiting for a sign, a signal, a calling…that we forget to DO. This simply must change. We as humans, as fellow travelers in this life, in this moment, must work, and work HARD to change what is unjust. The moment is now. Stalling has only ever cost us liberties, time, and lives. The procrastination just isn’t worth the price.
GO and DO.
Change the world.
Change a life, and in so doing change YOUR life.
Pay attention to the brokenness.
Give generously.
Love big and refuse to look back.
Even when it is hard, you will never regret it”
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Love it…love you.
*Steve Bittner/DirectorNorthwest Student Services, LLCP.O. Box 667Corvallis, Oregon 97339 USAMobile: 541-760-2027www.nwstudentservices.com info@nwstudentservices.com SKYPE: steviethevagabond*
Praise the Lord! What a great God we serve!
I am so proud of you and your family. I tried to post on the internet last time and it would not work, God bless you and your family. What I love the most, you still have your bright happy face. Thank you and your parents for the privilege to be part of your life.
*Mike Hill* *Santiam Christian School* *Math and Bible Teacher* *Phone: 541-619-0917* CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This e-mail transmission and any attachments accompanying it contain confidential information belonging to the sender that may be protected. The information is intended only for the use of the intended recipient (s). If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution or the taking of any action in reliance on the contents of this information is strictly prohibited. If you have received this transmission in error, please notify the sender by reply e-mail, and then destroy all copies of this transmission.
It’s so crazy to see him doing Salem stuff! Family stuff! Happy stuff! Yes and yay and can’t wait to hear more!
There’s a special place in heaven for loving people like you. Thank you for this!!! <3