On June 2nd, we received news that our family was matched with an amazing little girl named Wendinda.
But this was not the first time I had heard her name.
In November 2013, I had read a blog post called "For God" that was written by the director of an orphanage in Burkina Faso. The blog post detailed on how this 7 year old girl came to the orphanage. It spoke of things that seem unimaginable for a little girl. She had drank lye, which fused her tongue to the roof of her mouth. Subsequently, she had several surgeries to correct this. But, Wendinda does not speak.
The blog post contained heart-melting pictures of this little girl. Photos of a girl smiling and her eyes sparkling. Photos that were unforgettable.
I had shared the blog post on my facebook page. The following Sunday, one of my close friends who has been a tremendous support to us through our christian walk and adoptions, found me. She said "Change your home study and go get her!"
I hesitated. Grant had just turned 8 years old in July and Danil was still 7 years old. I wasn't for sure if I could handle another 7 year old. Would I just be adding more fuel to the fire? And then there was the issue of her not being able to speak. "Am I the right person for this?" I asked myself. I know how to sign the alphabet and the word popcorn, not exactly qualifications for raising a girl who doesn't speak.
I thought, "Perhaps there is another Mom out there who would be better for her than me."
Now fast forward to Easter Sunday. I was sitting outside at my Grandmother's home and decided to pull up my Facebook account. There was a message. The message asked if we would be interested in a 5 or 6 year old named Wendinda. She seemed typical but does not speak. I was to call her the next day. My heart raced. I looked around and couldn't find Kevin. Surrounded, by family I read the message. To be honest, their response was much like mine in November. I found Kevin, and read him the message and his face lit up. He took a breath. You know that moment when you tell your husband you're pregnant and there is a sense of worry, joy and surrender that comes upon him. Well, I'm here to tell you that they same expression comes on your husband's face when you are adopting. On the way home, we rejoiced that we had finally heard something after waiting since January 28th. I researched the name Wendinda on my phone and the blog post I described earlier came up. Was this her? The girl I read about in November? Oh how we hoped it was.
I called Ruth the next day, and she had told me that the adoption authority in Burkina Faso was wanting to know if we would consider her. They believe her birth certificate contained the wrong year and that she was actually younger.
"Yes, a thousand times Yes!"
So we waited. We were told not to get our hearts too attached because until we had the official referral that many things could happen. Easier said then done. Weeks went by with no word. Our hope began to fade.
What if God had other plans?
On June 2nd, I opened my email to find a note titled "Referral for Kruliks" with CONGRATULATIONS!! I exclaimed out loud "WE GOT IT!!" and the kids came running to me.
"What Mom? Is it Wendinda? Is she going to be our sister?"
I cried and cried and as Danil said "She didn't stop crying."
I can tell you at that point, I felt extremely honored by our God. I'm telling you, he knows me. He sees me, even in my weaknesses and still our God has blessed us with this beautiful, sweet, precious gift. I may not have enough confidence in myself but my God does. He knows that with him, I can do all things. I felt the same way after I brought Danil home. I stood at a conference worshipping God and all I could think is "Why me God, why did you make me the luckiest girl on the earth?" I am not deserving of such a gift.
And it's not only a gift for me, it's a gift to our family. The other night, Kevin was tucking the boys in when Danil asked a question.
"Dad, what does blessed mean?"
Kevin answered "It means when God gives you something, Can you think of a time when you have been blessed?"
"When God gave me a family." replied Danil
Kevin spoke "Grant, what about you?"
"When God gave me Danil." replied Grant.
When some people think about adoption, especially special needs or older child adoption, they say
"Why would you do this TO your children?"
and I'm here to say,
"Why would you NOT do this FOR your children?"
(Wendinda eating Jello)
So here begins the process to bring Winny home. It's hard to say how long it will take. Adoption is unpredictable. As for now, we are saying that if all goes well she will be home by the end of the year. Abbey thinks a sister would be a great birthday present in October. I agree, don't you?
