I think it's amazing the way God works his miracles. Several months ago several friends connected me with a fellow member of our Church who currently lives in Ghana. His name is Stephen. He met his wife while attending Utah State. They moved back to Ghana after living here in Utah and in Alaska. He is an entrepreneur who has started a new business. He and his wife Sonja are also tireless Humanitarian workers doing so much work for those who are less fortunate.
We also have made friends with a man who works with Jeff who also is from Ghana. His name is Thomas. We have been humbled by these loving, giving people and their friendliness and kindness towards us.
By a miracle when I emailed Stephen he was here in Utah doing translation for our Church's General Conference. Thomas had invited us to a party where Stephen would be as well as other Ghanaians at his house in Bountiful. We met some wonderful people. We enjoyed their food and learning more about their culture and people. Jake had a bunch of kids to play with so he loved it too.
Stephen talked to us at length about our adoption, places to stay, etc. He was more than gracious and kind to people who were perfect strangers to him weeks before.
By the end of the night, we had exchanged numbers with several of the people there and felt adopted into their little group. Our adoption classes teach us that it is really good to have a mentor for our child who is of the same race to look up to. We found several living here which put my mind at ease.
This journey this year has been a phenomenal growth experience for me and for Jeff. Our testimonies have grown and our faith in God and his miracles increase.
The only down side was seeing all there beautiful children and thinking of our child(ren) there we are going to adopt. My heart aches to know who they are and for them to be home with us. Are they being well-cared for? Are they hungry? Do they feel alone? All these things that are beyond my control. I have spent many sleepless nights thinking about them, longing to hold them close to me and be their mother. I am an impatient person. I hate waiting. International Adoption is not for everyone. There are so many obstacles to endure and the waiting is so very hard.
I have had several people say; "This has to be harder than trying to get pregnant." Since I have been in both places I can tell you it is not. It's very hard. But after years and years of trying nearly everything to have another biological child, waiting for the "sure thing" although it takes a while, does not hold a candle to infertility.
So we wait and we pray. We pray for everyone involved in helping us adopt from our agency. We pray for the children we are planning to adopt. We pray for patience. And we pray for those who have not accepted the fact that we are adopting young children instead of waiting years and years and years to adopt a baby. Heavenly Father never wanted us to do that anyway. We have had multiple confirmations to adopt young children and that is what we are doing and we know we will blessed for following his counsel.
Me, Stephen and Jeff
A wild game of Table Tennis
The man in the suit was from Nigeria. He is a bishop there and works for the
LDS church in the travel department. There is a picture of him in the November Ensign. He was missing his family terrible that night with all the kids around.
Jake trying to get in the action
Jake and some of his new friends
The fam with Thomas and his wife Katrina. They have a lovely home a were gracious hosts.
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