Today is a day we celebrate being Thankful. So Frankie, as I think about you today I look back and remember the journey that has brought our family together.
- I am thankful that I had some aweful struggles in High school and that through that time a response to that was a trip to Haiti that changed my life.
- I am thankful that fertility issues came as we struggled to have children. Through those struggles a true heart desire for adoption was placed in our lives.
- I am thankful that I was able to journey with an intimate group of girls through the book, “To Be Told.” It was very painful to dig up my past failures but it opened new light to my heart passions that have always been there but I never knew how to articulate.
- I am thankful that I had a chance to “return to Haiti” this past May. To go back.
- I am thankful for the Livesay family who were so kind to listen to my heart for adoption in a group of many people and for them to prompt a time where I could come and visit Heartline… the place you call home.
- I am thankful for Heartline and the 18+ years God has called the Mchouls and their team to embark on the life and sacrifice God has called them to. One of them is to have a children’s home that you live in.
- I am thankful that we started the process of adopting through Haiti.
- I am thankful that when it was time for a referral that you were the son chosen for us. I am thankful I saw you on my visit not knowing you would later become my son.
- I am thankful that so many people have given of their prayers and support as we gathered our dossier.
- I am thankful that people we love have been able to come and see you and love on you.
- I am thankful that just this past week, a dear family called and gave me a “ticket” so that I can come and see you. How do you say thank you for the opportunity to meet you for the first time.
So Frankie, it’s a long journey yet to come for us and until you will be able to call our home your home but I am so Thankful for the journey. Why? Because I know one thing to be true. That in the midst of my deepest, darkest struggles God has always been there and when I get to look back on it I’ve always been able to see His awesome hand at work as He intertwines my story and our families story together.
- So I am thankful for the wait. The two year wait.
It’s already been one of the hardest things I’ve had to mentally stare down in the face but I am thankful. Because that just means amazing ways God is going to continue to prepare and bless both us here and you in Haiti until we get to be family. I am looking forward to seeing His plan unfold for us along this wait. Thank you Frankie for coming into our lives and for already being such a sweet blessing to us. We hope and dream that as you one day get to look back on you life and the journey God lead you on that you too will have a list of many things to give our God thanks for.
Wow. Great post Kim! We are looking foward to your visit.
Merry Christmas!
Hi Kim,
You don’t know me but our daughter, Allison, spent time living with the McHouls a few years ago while working in the children’s home…their daughter was Allison’s maid of honor in September!! This past Spring, she, along with two of our other daughters, worked in the children’s home again. She fell in LOVE with Frankie! She was wanting to adopt him herself but her fiance thought getting married first would be a good idea! haha!! Frankie has been on her heart and my heart since.
I just mentioned him to her the other day again (she’s married now and lives in California…we’re in Michigan) and she said he had a family… I was just googling some of John and Beth’s stuff and came across your blog and am so happy to find Frankie’s family and thrilled it is a great one!!!
I just want you to know that I totally understand the road you are going down because we adopted our daughter (Emma too!) from Liberia, Africa five years ago. It took 17 months. She was about 10 years old when we got her. I know every picture is precious…every detail is precious…. I will see what pictures we have of him and send them to you somehow. Do you have an e-mail address? One of my kids will have to do it cuz I don’t know how.
Merry Christmas!!! God bless!!!