There's No Place Like Home

"See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven. Matthew 18:10

I am so very happy to be back home with my family!  And to return to a clean house was an extra and unexpected blessing.   I heard Bill Haas did a great job holding down the fort on his end as well.  Way to go Bill and Scott! 

Scott did say that it wasn't that difficult to get things cleaned up, especially all the toys, because Cole insisted on calling him "Master Obi One" all week and was willing to follow each and everyone of Master Obi One's instructions. (It seems that at some level the fact that he saw some of the Star Wars movies against my better judgement has had some redeeming value after all)

I am particularly impressed and surprised by the fact that Scott and Maya didn't abandon potty training. I'd say that's quite a feat.  And like many of you told me in the comments, she did in fact get right back on track when I returned home.  

I told Cole that I missed him and Maya and Daddy very much and that I thought about them all the time.  Cole responded with, "I am sorry to say Mom that I didn't think of you all that time, only sometimes, because Dad kept us really entertained doing fun things like bowling, going to the bouncy house, reading books, watching shows, and playing star wars. So, I am sorry for not missing you that much.  I really do love you though."  

Maya on the other hand has told me every few hours since I returned, "Mommy, you left me!  Mommy, you left me and I was so sad.  Why'd you leave me mommy? I was so sad."  Apparently, she made up a solemn sounding blues song about how her mommy left her and didn't come back, which she sung over and over again to Scott during my time away"   

Last night, as I was lying in the kids room, embracing Maya in one arm and Cole in the other, while they were falling asleep, I began thinking of the severely handicapped children at the home for disabled children in El Salvador.  I began picturing myself not just holding their hands or caressing their faces and heads as I did while I was there; but instead I pictured myself taking them out of their chairs and holding them and hugging them as I do my own children.  My heart began to break as I lied there beside my own children knowing that these children were not being held with such loving arms, and I knew that this was God giving me a tiny glimpse of His broken heart for them.  

This morning for our family "Valentine's Day Activity" we each went around and talked about some things that we love about one another.  And when it was Cole's turn to talk about His Daddy, he said, "Daddy, I love that you work so that we can have food and electricity and that you also work to take care of orphans."

Just as Cole said to his Daddy on earth, I would like to say to you Lord, as My father in Heaven: "I love that you provide for all of my needs and that you also take care of orphans. Father, please do cover and comfort those children who are alone and do bring parents to love them as their own on Your behalf!  Father, forgive me for not truly grasping how important are these little ones to you.  Continue to give me more of your perspective and heart for people!  And teach us all to love as You love Lord!     

Comments

[Joni in MN]

Welcome Home Kerry! :-) Sounds like Cole had FUN :-D That's so kewl Maya is keeping up with the potty training... Although it's tough ;-) seeing our 'babies' grow up it sure will make life 'simplier' for You, Scott & Maya once Achieved!!!

Question: looked up "Obi" & learned it means SASH (a tie) that is worn... What am I missing in this BRIGHT child's meaning? :-)

Best wishes for a Happy Valentine's Day!
~Joni

[cindi m.]

Happy Valentine's Day, Kerry, to you and your precious family.

Love from NC.

[Julie in CA]

Praise God for a wonderful trip and return home. What a heartbreaking picture you have painted. Praying for the orphans in El Salvador.

[Diane]

Is it possible to laugh and cry at the same time, well, maybe in the same post!!!

Your son, Cole, just always makes me smile or laugh with his sweet honesty, and, I could just hear Maya singin' her Mama blues song...but, then I continued to read about the precious Treasured orphans. How they would love to be held and loved. I understand how your heart ached for them as mine aches along with yours for the orphan. My daughter who came home at the age of four can never...NEVER...have enough physical contact. She loves to hug, and give hugs, kiss and receive kisses..snuggle...hold hands..you name it and she is right there:)!! I believe she wanted to receive that love from day one as does each and every infant...but, due to being confined to an orphanage and limited caregivers she did not receive the physical contact we all cry out for. I thank you for your time loving on the babies and older children while you were with them, Kerry.

AND....yippy, Maya!!! So, happy to read about her successes with the potty;)

Thanks again, Kerry, for always sharing your heart!

[Sarah]

Thank you Kerri for giving those precious children a voice for many to hear. The way one's heart can completely break, but at the same time overflow in overwhelming, unconditional love for these orphans is straight from God. I still have those thoughts of "who is going to hold them, comfort them, and love them after I have left?". All I can believe is that God is standing over every single crib and bed loving them like only he can.
Thank you for going. I know this was so very hard for you. Thank you for answering His call.