A sister for Anne…and another brother?

I guess it was during our time of waiting for the status of Norah, that I began to wonder if this journey we were on was going to have an unexpected twist.

I would say most people adjusted well to the news that we were going to adopt a little girl with Down Syndrome. In the end it all fit together so well - what a blessing to have a sister for Anne to grow up with! Someone close to her developmentally, someone that wouldn't eventually leave her behind. Adding one more little girl seemed relatively easy- they would share a room, toys, and more than likely, even some clothes. It just made sense...

But apparently the Lord was thinking differently...Have you ever noticed that He isn't always into life, "making sense"? After some time, we became aware of another little child with DS in the same orphanage –a little boy. And much to my consternation, I was drawn to him as well. I knew he faced the same fate as every child with DS does in this country...life in a mental institution. Some of these places are decent, some are horrible.


After a while, it dawned on me, Oh, you're working on my heart aren't you Lord? At first I gave him the excuse of where on earth is another boy going to sleep in my house? The boys room is full! We just bumped the baby (who is also a boy) out of our room into my office (really just an oversized closet that I dump stuff into). But, after a few more weeks of nudging from the Lord, I realized that was an incredibly lame and shallow excuse. Furthermore, it had become obvious to me that this little guy had made his way into my heart.

So, I broached the idea to my dear husband - who took it pretty well, although at first he was understandably, fairly shocked. He then had to leave for a week long trip - probably good because it gave him lots of quiet time to think and pray. After he got home, I just kept praying and waiting for his answer. But, it seemed like he was taking forever. Then he sent me an email from work that said, "Your answer....There really is no decision to make; He needs us and we need him." And then he had added this verse,

Matthew 25: 37-40

"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.

So there it is...a sister for Anne and...another brother!