From my childhood through college years, my Grandma and Grandpa Russell blessed me and my entire family countless times. Whether it was taking us out to eat at Bob Evans or Cavis Grill, listening to us as we shared our heartbreaks and triumphs across that circle table in their kitchen, coming to our rescue when our cars broke down, or offer financial help when there was a music camp to attend or college tuition due, giving was in the very nature of WHO my grandparents were. And as I matured and began to realize the sacrifices my grandparents made to help me and our family, I became less comfortable with the taking of their time, their love, their help and felt more guilt about receiving this love in the form of help. Perhaps it was my pride. Or perhaps it the fact that I felt I could never repay what they had given to me throughout my life. Often, I just did not want to become expectant of gifts without having a truly grateful heart. In moments of my protest of receiving yet again, my grandmother, true to her Victorian roots, would simply say, " Just say thank you, graciously." And I would mumble my grandmother's phrase, STILL feeling guilty about needing to depend upon them for their help. Since last writing, many HUGE moments in our adoption process have arrived. Our dossier was finalized, approved, and sent to China (which is DTC or "Documents To China). After being accepted and received, our documents became officially "LID" (Log In Date). At this point, China is reviewing our home study and full dossier and translating it into Chinese. The next critical step will be when we are sent our LOA (Letter of Acceptance). Our journey is moving fast, and with that speed fees are coming more quickly. Our family's adoption journey to bring Jonas home once again finds me and my family in the position of being the receiver of the love and help of our family and friends. And we are humbled and so grateful for these acts of love, but again, as the dear friends and family come alongside us, I, at first, feel so strange and odd to be again receiving such beautiful help. I often feel that this is OUR journey, one that we selected. And then God gently reminds me that THIS is what it is all about. This journey has NEVER been about me. And it is not JUST about bringing Jonas home and into our lives and hearts. These selfless acts of love, this giving, thinking of others before self are what life was always meant to be about, LOVE. And sure, my family is in the midst of an incredible and scary journey to bring a boy into our family from China. This makes us appear to have "giving" all figured out, but how many moments have passed when I had the opportunity to GIVE and did not? Even the other day, when a man, coming from dumpster behind Little Ceasar's Pizza asked for a dollar, there was a hesitation. And even though I didn't have any money on me, as I drove away I felt God gentle nudging that I could have offered to buy him a pizza or a pop. I know my friend Dennis Cook lives this way EVERY SINGLE DAY. You know what is NOW happening as each person comes alongside us and gives so freely? I find myself more inspired to be a BETTER giver myself. Their example of love and sacrifice motivates me to look and see how I can give more time, more effort, more of what I have to give to others. These angels on earth cause me to stop and look in my mirror and consider whether I truly live my life for others or for my self. And so Tammy Ward, Jennifer Kornago, Anne Thueme, Mary Viney, Mark and Val Maher, my dear McCulloch and Varty families, not only are your acts of love bringing Jonas home, but they are also changing the very fabric of who I am, and I'm sure who Amber, Logan, Scout, Quaid and Sawyer are. And I know that this list will grow and grow as friends and family come alongside us to climb this mountain and help an orphan boy in China find his forever family. People often remark how our adoption is changing the world, but your acts of love are doing exactly that. Giving has the power to inspire more acts of love. And as my Grandma Russell would want me to say, with a most gracious and grateful heart, "Thank you."
3 Comments
mary viney
7/12/2016 09:13:42 am
Someone once told me, too, don't protest when given a gift, just say thank you. Sometimes that is hard to do!
Reply
Mom McCulloch
7/12/2016 09:31:20 am
Never feel quilty at what Grandma or Geandpa ever did for you James .. They loved you and your brothers more then you will ever know.. (Just because I was their favorite that also helped just kidding) We all want to help bring our Jonas home and as we hope help like grandma said say thank you and take it graciously or her other statement in life was I would say you don't have to do that and her replay was yes and I don't have to take the next breathe Only grandma ! We love you and we are excited to welcome Jonas into
Reply
Jennifer Kornago
7/13/2016 10:36:39 am
This was beautiful, and rang true for me as well. I have trouble asking for and receiving help, though have learned there are those who do it simply out of love. And your family is loved.
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
"Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the EAST and gather you from the west" Archives
March 2017
Categories |