“It’s a thing to see when a boy comes home.”
―John Steinbeck
It was beautiful, y’all. Saturday night the Wood family became a party of FIVE! 😀
What a blessing to be able to see them walk through those doors together and introduce Samuel to his sisters for the very first time! I’ll never forget it. The bubbles, the banners, the baby I saw in Haiti just 3 months ago…it was all so Good. So meaningful. So just-what-I-needed-to-see.
Adopting your child from Haiti (or anywhere, for that matter) might not happen overnight, heck, it might not even happen overYEAR, but it will happen. And when God says, “Pssssst. Hey, you. Look at Haiti…part of your family is over there“, you go get your family. You don’t decide not to because you don’t want to wait however-many months or years. You don’t decide not to because you’re afraid to fly. You don’t decide not to because you don’t think you can afford international adoption. If it’s something God’s calling you to do, you go get your family.
Sure, you pray about what you Heard, and you talk to people you trust about what you’re feeling, but if the Answer is still loud and clear, you just go.
You complete mountains of paperwork. You schedule and make time for appointments. You go to seminars, and watch webinars, and read and read and read. You save funds, and raise funds, and borrow funds, and stress about funds. You forge forever-friendships with other adoptive parents because you will need them, and they will need you. You feel excited AND frustrated, simultaneously, almost every single day. You fight fears, LOTS of them, and when it’s time to travel to meet your child, you might even take strange medications to prevent mosquito-borne illnesses. Unless you’re me, and taking pills is one fear you’re still working through. 😉 And unless you’re at a hotel, you eat, sleep and play in hot, open-air rooms without AC while you’re in Haiti bonding with your babe. At night, you hear gunshots, or fireworks…you’re really not sure. You feel more scared and more alive than you have in your whole life. You fall in love at first sight, and feel sure you’re eyes will never see the same. You leave your heart in Haiti for an extended and mysterious chunk of time, and you look forward to the day you get to bring it back home with you every. waking. moment.
BUT. When God plants a seed in our hearts- whether it whispers biological birth, or adoption, or foster care, or ANYTHING, really- I think we have to let it grow. No matter how long is takes, or how difficult it might (temporarily) feel, or how far it stretches us in the process.
Inside that tiny seed, lives the roots, branches, bark, trunk, leaves, twigs and fruit of that tree. You can’t see, feel, hear, taste or smell any of that yet; nevertheless, it is all inside that seed. The moment the seed is in your hand— all of that is in your hand, too, from the root, to the bark, to the fruit! All you have to do is to push the seed into the soil. And what makes anyone plant any fruit seed? It is the belief that in the seed, there is the tree. So, believe. To have a seed, is to have everything. -C. JoyBell C.
The same God that fixed the sun in the sky and spangles stars across every black velvety night told me my son was in Haiti, so that’s where we will continue to go. And, y’all, it’s a thing to see when a child comes home. 🙂
This post is such a blessing to me! My husband and I are in the process of adopting our daughter from China. You are exactly right that each day is frustrating and exciting but we are pushing past the fears to go get our girl. I am beyond amazed that God would call us to adoption and His hand is all over this adventure. Prayers for you!
I have been praying for you and Kevin, and Sweet Pea ever since this sweet adventure began. You are loved!
I found your blog through IG and I am so glad I did. Your story is so amazing to me and I love watching God’s plan unfold. I pray for you and your family often and I cannot wait until I get to read that you’ve brought your son home. You seem to be an incredibly strong, loving and wonderful woman, your son is lucky to have you.
I recently found your blog as well and feel so blessed to have done so. My husband and I have 2 girls through naturals means after after years of infertility treatments (still covered by insurance) we are not sure what are next steps would be. Ironically, I had this vision that God would bless me with another child and I was going to name him Samuel!!! I just have to trust God right now and the next steps for our family. I feel so strongly that another child belongs in this family and thank you for sharing your adoption success story. This is exactly what I needed to read today.
Layla, praying that the day you bring your sweet p home is not too far in the future.
This post was so beautiful and touching. My husband and I are in the very start process of thinking of expanding our family, and we’ve already discussed the possibility of adoption. Its á tough and long road, and I have so much respect and love for those who have been/are on that road. Many prayers and strength during that time!
Layla…I have been following your beautiful blog for a long time…since before you started this adoption journey. I don’t usually comment but this is something that is so dear to my heart. My son and daughter-in-law have been on the same journey here in the UK. It took them well over two years to go through our legal process here and they eventually were successful in adopting a little brother and sister. The children had been in care since birth and had been fostered separately so had never met each other. They brought their little daughter home just under 2 years ago and her brother was united with her three months later. My granddaughter is now three and a half years old and her brother is two and half. They are truly the joys of our life and so worth the wait. We love them more than words can say and they have made our family’s life complete. Had it not been for my son and his wife persevering through the mountains of paperwork and legal hurdles and being patient these two precious little poppets may have grown up separately instead of spending their childhood together in a loving family unit. I don’t have a blog but I am on Facebook if you want to see some family photos of the Munchkins…I never use their names on social media. We also have another granddaughter Grace who is my other son’s daughter. I love them all equally and forever. I am so pleased that your adoption journey is almost over…just know that however long you have to wait it will make that time when you eventually ‘bring your boy home’ so much sweeter. Sending love to you and Kevin. Sweet ‘P’ is a lucky little boy. xx
Oh Layla, that is beautifully written. Thank you! It applies to really anything that the Lord is calling us to do. Praying that you, Kevin and Sweet P are a Party of Three very soon. ??❤️
Beautifully written, Layla! Love the smile on Samuel’s face, and isn’t it amazing how much he looks like his sisters?! Praying and believing God’s perfect timing for the homecoming of your sweet boy!!!
I just LOVE this…there are no words to express how wonderful this is. And I can’t wait for it to be YOU!!!
How wonderful! Congratulations, and I hope you all have a wonderful life together. God bless!
This post made me smile and cry at the same time. May God make your remaining days in this process shorter, so that you can start your Happily Ever After.
The picture conveys it all! Simply beautiful!
I LOVE that you listened to God and went to get your child from Haiti!
God bless!!
Oh how I look forward to seeing YOU AND KEVIN AND SWEET P in this picture. A picture of a lovely brand new family and this inspirational post = happiness.
Beautifully written.. I can’t wait for you to have your son home with you.. It will be here soon and you will never be able to imagine your life before him. All the best.
~Lisa
What a beautiful family! Cannot wait until I see pictures of Sweet P’s homecoming!!
So well written. When God asks you to do something you chose to do so or your free will kicks in.. Took me awhile to really understand that. If he has truly told you then of course it will be. I also adopted but you and your husband are having to wait and be extremely patient. Patience
another virtue God taught me. So thrilled you were there to see this family with their sweet child. Praying this wait is over soon for you both.. God Bless
The smiles! Need I say more!
Love your blog. Honestly when we were looking at county’s to adopt from time was a factor for us. We had a 20 year old (bio) and a 3 year old (Korea) and we were 46 when we were looking at travelling. We could not do multiple trips and could not be gone many months like you had to go to Kazakhstan. At the time China had a very fast timeline. After we submitted our dossier we got a referral in eight or nine months and traveled 6 weeks later. So for us China was the best choice but if Haiti or Ethiopia at the time would have been just as fast we would have gone there.
Thank you, Andrea. 🙂 And I’m so glad you heard God whisper “Look at China”…and that you went and got your family! XO
Such a beautifully written, God centered post. He knew exactly who to send sweet P to. Sending prayers of patience and grace to surround you.
Amazing and wonderful! Thank you for sharing!
So many happy goosebumps and tears in my eyes while I read this! So, so happy to see Samuel home and looking forward to the day your boy is home too!
Wonderful to see Samuel’s party of five!! Looking forward to seeing Sweet P’s party of three!! Praying continually!!
We can’t wait for you and Kevin to have your homecoming celebration!!!
Sweet Samuel crept into my heart when I visited Three Angles and I was touched to be able to follow news of his homecoming throughout the weekend via updates from Nikki. I’m so happy for him and all of his family. Blessings to you all from Lovely and Yvens’ Grandma Kristy.
Simple,without question and beautiful. Prayers to you!
I can feel the love in your words. God Bless.
I like the fact that you emphasis “you don’t do something because you want to, but because God CALLS you to do it.” I think sometimes in our philanthropic culture, we forget that “we” don’t do anything…God’s always moving!!! Thanks for the reminder. Sincerely, Jane Hanlon
Beautifully said Layla..and I like the words..”stars spangled across the black velvet night.
One day, because He keeps His word..this will be your homecoming too..
Thank you Layla! God bless you!
Those top 3 smiles are unbelievable!!!!
This brought tears to my eyes and spoke to my heart. When God plants a seed, let it grow. Yes and Amen. Thank your for speaking through the Spirit, and sharing a word I needed to hear today.
What a beautiful picture ! Congratulations. I noticed at first glance he has your smile!
Oh, that is our Sweet P’s friend, Samuel, Barb. 🙂 His mama and daddy (in the photo) are good friends of ours!
What a thing to see & experience all the best to the new family of 5 🙂
Lauren Baxter | Lovely Decor
xx
“You go get your family.” I bawl. I love your sweet sweet spirit Layla. And your trust. You inspire me oh.so.much. Praying for your journey…thanks for letting us follow along!! xoxo