It has been another full day. We did finally realize that the breakfast buffet was included as part of our stay so we finally ate a good breakfast. We were off to see Marcelo at 8:30 this morning. He was much more ready to see us and spent the first hour on our laps coloring or playing with cars. It was very relaxing and we can feel him coming closer to us. We played with sidewalk chalk that we had brought and traced eachother as you may be able to see in the picture. We fed the chickens, geese, and even a stray cat some popcorn which he loved. All the other kids were at school, it's the "semana de deportes" which is like field day at school all week long. We went to the school and watched whih was fun. They played basketball and soccer, it was good to know basketball has been introduced.
After lunch we returned and he was waiting for us with a big smile. Marcelo is much more comfortable walking farther from the home and exploring the grounds with us. Yesterday he looked back a lot making sure others where around. Today his comfort level has definitly increased. It's a unique experience bonding with a 5 year old who you only met a couple days ago. And yet the bond and love begins as it does with any child, with sacrafice and hard work. We've seen that love can trancend both language and culture. It's not measured in outward appearances or money. We have been awakened to the need to spend more time and energy with all of our kids. So many times other things take precedent that the kids are the last to receive whatever energy may be left. It was a very good day and there may be a chance he comes to the hotel with us tomorrow and sleeps away from the only home he's know. As we left today he told us for the first time "te amo", "I love you". It was very sweet and sincere and he was much more comfortable as we left knowing we'd return.
Thank you all for your prayers. We surely feel them and need them. May God bless us all especially as we enter in this Christmas season. May we all remember the child born in Bethlehem who taught us that sometimes we have to leave the ninety-nine to go after the one. There are a lot of "ones" out there. We love you all and think of home often. Carry on!
Rich and Jill
6 comments:
Amazing how you relate "time" is so much more important to spend with your kids than any things...lesson for all of us to learn...most of us learn it as we age...so a good reminder. Looking forward to day 3 and the possibility of staying at the hotel with you guys...Should be interesting....Could be like any kids first night away from home at a friends...may be getting up in the middle of the night and want to return..; :) Thanks for the updates. Love ya!s -Big Daddie-
I absolutely love being a part of this journey with you all.......through your blog. Jonathan and I are contemplating adoption in the future since pregnancy has been so hard on my body. I'm so happy to hear that things are going so well and that Marcelo is warming up to you all so fast......he must know how lucky he is to have such a wonderful family who loves him so much already!
Congrats on the new addition....can't wait to meet him next year!
love you guys, lil Z even prayed for Marcello tonight. I am truely learning from your experience. Could use a lot less of "stuff" and more one on one with my children. Thankyou. It's amazing how this one experience is blessing many lives.
We are so speechless to all of this. What loving people you are to bring sweet Marcelo into your eternal family. He is such a blessed little boy to be joining your family. I can't think of a happier, safer, funner place to be!
:) Happiness and Joy!!
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