Update live from Ecuador (Nov. 10, 2009)
Informed that my sister-in-love and I would not get to see my nephew until Wednesday when the official paperwork was completed, we were blown away when our host asked us first thing this morning, “Would you like to go see Edison?”
Absolutely – tears began to fill our eyes at the thought.
She warned us that the psychologist wanted to evaluate how he would react to being with us and that if he struggled, we would not be allowed to take him with us on our errands. Sharing that he had not been himself this week, and that he hadn’t smiled in days, the orphanage was preparing us for a possible disappointment.
Is that not a miracle? Is that not a picture of peer, unadulterated joy?
What a privilege to experience this moment of sheer grace. I’m not a “crier,” but I was sobbing like a baby and just couldn’t believe the picture of this forever child coming home where he belonged, close to his precious mommy, while daddy and siblings wait patiently for them to hurry home.
After I finished hugging and kissing all over that sweet face, he reached for me and stroked my cheek and loved on me as well. The Lord has knit that love in this precious child’s heart and no skin color, language barrier or “paper signing” can change the fact that within minutes he was reaching and calling my sis in love, “Mama,” and me, “Tia Jen.” He smiled and giggled all day long and cried when we had to leave at the end of the night.
Two more days, sweet boy and you’ll never have to leave again.
I’m so thrilled to finally introduce you to my precious new nephew. The passport was officially given to us after an eight hour struggle to receive it (and many more details still need to come to fruition before we can leave,) but he’s all ours (yes, mine included 🙂 )….
Edison Matthew…..
I’ve mentioned in past posts that this precious blessing is a special needs child. He is one of those gifts where the Lord allowed one extra chromosome to form. The medical field named it Downs Syndrome, we call him, “Miracle gift from God.”
I can’t wait to share with you the specific calling that my brother and sister in love received four years ago to pursue this blessing as their own after meeting him on a short term missions trip when he was just six months old.
It’s an amazing story that needs to be told.
How absolutely AMAZING! GOD BLESS you and your family! (or as I can see, He already has)
Congratulations to your family! What a wonderful post – you made me cry!
This is so beautiful and what a miracle! I am wiping the tears as I read…Keeping you in our prayers that all continues to go well and you are home with that precious boy very soon!
oh how God’s plan unfolds! to see that light in the face of a little one is certain proof that love… His Love, is all we need. sounds like this is an amazing adventure… and a beautiful story!
He is beautiful! Those pictures are priceless.
Praying that the next step in bringing that sweet boy home is easy and flawless.
AHHHH!!!! How wonderful! What a doll, I can’t wait to meet him in person. Will pray for you and your sis in love this week, my friend. WOW!
Praise God for His perfect way! Isn’t it a miracle that this little boy was yours all along, but just by a different route! I said a prayer for all of you. Thank you for shraring this beautiful and personal story. God bless little Edison.
Continue to let us know how he is doing.
Yvonne
How amazing! I’m so excited for you and your family!
~Liz
I can’t wait to hear more of this story…adoption is dear to my heart. I too, was crying as I read it and looked at the pictures of Edison’s sheer delight. He’s a beautiful child.
Whenever I read an adoption story, I always have to think, “And some people call this the easy way to have children!” Not hardly!
Blessings to you all and much prayer!
Wow. Wow. What a beautiful picture! I’m just a mess here. Wow. Congrats! And bring on the story! 🙂
Precious, precious picture. A moment captured forever.
I am so happy for all of you. What a gift to have that sweet boy enter your hearts and lives. Can’t wait to hear more!
I nearly choked on my granola when I saw that picture. So beautiful! (Now I want to go to Ecuador!)
Wow! Beautiful picture! Thanks so much for sharing that with all of us! I will be praying that God will work out every detail to His glory and that all three of you will be returning home quickly! I am so excited for you all!!!
Those pictures say it all! What a blessing you are to each other!
Jen, he’s just beautiful! And the joy on his face at being in his Mama’s arms!
I’m all choked up!! So amazing!! What a sweet, sweet little boy!!
Precious photographs. Special parents for a special-needs child. Perfect combo.
Jen, what an amazing story! I saw where you were jetting out of town, can’t wait to hear all the details of this wonderful trip. Be safe!
This gave me chills – SO beautiful! God is so good!
Oh I am so happy for your families. He is a wonderful, sweet boy. Jen, many blessings to your family. Can’t wait to hear the whole story.
The picture does say it all. All I can say is Praise the Lord!
Looking forward to hearing the rest of the story.
What an awesome picture, Jen! It brought tears to my eyes…I can’t imagine what you and your SIL must have been feeling. Congratulations! Edison looks SOOO happy:) May God bless him and your family!
I’ve just recently been following your blog but had to comment. What a beautiful picture capturing a moment of pure love between mother and son! It brought tears to my eyes this morning.
A witness to a miracle! Clear view of Gods hand! Awesome news 🙂
This is amazing! I am tearing up looking at the picture and reading your words. My prayers are with you as the process is completed and you bring him home.
My eyes filled with tears and my throat got all choked up as I read this post and looked at the pictures.
What a blessing! It’s as if he already knew you two…. 🙂
((hugs))
Laura
Congratulations! What a blessing! You made me cry too! I hope the remainder of your trip goes well & pray for a safe return home. He is a beautiul treasure!
Jen, we have a special needs grand child. Her name is Hazel (Hazie) and she was born with spina bifada. She is paralyzed from her lower rib cage area down. She just turned two in September.
Your post had me bawling because I am so thrilled for Edison to be receiving a family that already gets it as far as what a tremendous blessing these special babies are. There just are no words. I am so happy for all of you.
Hugs, Bonnie
That is absolutely amazing. God is so awesome.
Hallee
WOW!! What an amazing picture. And what a blessing to be a part of such a special event. Congrats to your entire family!!
This is indeed a God deal! I just love it ~ and thanks so much for sharing.
CONGRATULATIONS Tia Jen!!! He is beautiful, just beautiful! I hope to meet him someday…maybe he and Ethan can become best buddies!!! {{{HUGS}}}
~Kristen Faulkner (River Oaks CC)
Beautiful story! I am a crier, and yes, I am crying over this one. I look forward to hearing more.
WOW! What an amazing testimony of God’s love. We too were called by God to adopt a precious boy from Ukraine who just so happens to have an extra chromosome. We actually rescued TWO children Marcus and a 4 year hold little girl with Ds, Macey. We GREW By 2! We doubled the size of our family earlier this year. I am rejoicing with you during this time of pure excitement. May God continue to bless your family and allow you the oppurtunities to share with others the need for adoption of special kiddos just like your nephew.
Blessings,
Meghan
http://www.thenewdickinsonfamily.com
WOW! What an amazing testimony of God’s love. We too were called by God to adopt a precious boy from Ukraine who just so happens to have an extra chromosome. We actually rescued TWO children Marcus and a 4 year old little girl with Ds, Macey. We GREW By 2! We doubled the size of our family earlier this year. I am rejoicing with you during this time of pure excitement. May God continue to bless your family and allow you the opportunities to share with others the need for adoption of special kiddos just like your nephew.
Blessings,
Meghan
http://www.thenewdickinsonfamily.com
What a beautiful, beautiful picture!
Jen, it’s an amazing feeling to know that God has brought another piece of your family to you. What an awesome event that you were able to experience. It’s indescribable. We are looking forward to another moment like this in a few months…I hope our photos capture it like yours did. What a treasure. Best wishes for the trip home. Prayers and hugs to you all. Thanks for letting us all share the joy.
What a sweetie! He is going to bring so much joy to your family. Safe travels =)
He is so beautiful! You are all incredibly blessed. But, you already knew that! 🙂
Prayin for you guys all week! Praise God and welcome to #11 to the VE family!! Love you guys.
Yay! Wow! Oh my goodness, what a wonderful picture and wonderful day and sweet, sweet boy. I am so glad he gets to come home with you guys! I’m excited to hear the rest of the story of how this all came to be! God is good.
Wow, I am amazed at this wonderful post. The pictures do tell the story. God is so good. I can’t wait to hear more of the story. Blessings to you and praying for everything to go smoothly.
Thank you for sharing your joy with us. It’s written all over your faces. Beautiful!
What a sweet picture. Bless your family for having a sweet and tender heart for what the Lord wanted. What a blessing!!
What a sweet face – can’t wait to hear more about their story.
Oh Jen…I am speechless, thank you for sharing!
There are tears rolling down my face after reading this. Thank you for letting us share this incredible journey with your family.
Miss you!
K
Love your blog and love this miracle! “With God all things are possible”. Can’t wait to hear more of the story!
Not a cryer either but I have happy tears in my eyes for you guys right now!! Congrats!!
So awesome!!! Congratulations! My daughter has Ds and she rocks the universe. I’m so excited for y’all!
CRYING wow, this is amazing!! Blessings to you all!
Oh honey, that is so precious!!
Congratulations to your sister-n-law and all of her family (immediate and extended). I was just wandering through blog land and came to your blog. I was born in Quito and spent my first 18 years there as an MK. I’m now the mom of 3 adopted kids, and hopeful I will someday be able to take them back to what I once called home. Also, praying about whether God would have us adopt an orphan in the future.
God bless,
Deb
Congratulations! We have always referred to Downs Syndrome as ‘Ups’ Syndrome because they tended to be so joyful and full of life.
What a beautiful story! I couldn’t hold the tears back when I read the part about being in the trash bag and found by the carpenter. Wow! Isn’t that so true of all of us. He is absolutely precious and what a joy he is going to be to your family:)
Love and prayers
~Jewel
Lucky little guy! Kids with Down syndrome have so many opportunities here in the US … but we still have a long way to fight too with regard to society’s perceptions. Congrats to the new mama!
I just got linked to this post by a more recent one you wrote where little Edison went missing. Such a great story! Unlike you I am a crier and am now dabbing away the tears while I’m at work.
Did he happen to come from Casa de Fe in Shell?