6 months...a whole 6 months that Marcelo has been in our family. Six months ago we came from Ecuador with this little boy that only spoke spanish, wouldn't open any of his Christmas presents, was scared of all his new surroundings, and many more things that I know about and things that I hope he will share as he gets older.
I had no idea how my life was going to change. I have learned so much. It has been such a blessing to have Marcelo in our family. We are all better people for having him in our lives. I love this boy. He has no idea how much I love him and all that I go through for him. I have enjoyed looking at all his growth he has made.
I feel like there is more trust, love, light, joy, security, and peace in his life. He loves his siblings. He loves playing with them. He loves playing school, riding his bike, going to church, singing songs, playing house, writing his name and letters, and he loves his Daddy.
Marcelo is a hard worker. He folds clothes, sweeps the floor, does a great job cleaning up. He enjoys doing dishes, but I really don't have him do that very often. He can be the one who will listen just to be the first to listen. Marcelo is kind and very gentle. He puts up with a lot with his brothers.
So, as I look at all the wonderful things that have happened in the last 6 months and all that I have been able to discover about Marcelo...it is bitter sweet.
It has been the hardest thing I have ever and am going through. I have been tested and tested and rejected and...you name it I have delt with it. I am left very mentally tired so much of the time. When one thing seems to be getting better another issue comes up, and there is the whole two steps forward one step back thing. I have gone through emotions that I never even knew I had. I have had weaknesses come forth that I'd rather them stay down deep. It has put strains on relationships and have tested the strength of them. I could go on and on.
On the flip side...I feel like those relationships have become so much stronger and united. I feel like many of those weaknesses have become strengths of mine. I have learned to continue to reach out (which is still hard at times..many times) when it all seems to be rejected.
My favorite thing in the whole experience is calling upon my Heavenly Father and seeing on a daily bases his help, answers, guidance, and love. I am not perfect and I make so many mistakes with this whole new life of mine. But, I know my prayers have been answered. Heavenly Father is so kind and loving and aware of me and all that I go through and all that I feel. I know He is aware of Marcelo. I know I have recieved guidance to such little things that have been hard to do, but has made huge differences in our lives.
Teaching a little child such basics that a baby learns has been rewarding. Marcelo is learning still, but has come so far in knowing what a family is all about.
Our relationship is still growing. We have good days and bad ones. We are still learning to trust eachother. He still tests me like no other, but I feel like everything is on the right path. All that we have been through was needed to go through and still need to go through more. I wouldn't trade it or even change it. This is all shaping us to become the people God wants us to become.
I know through the Atonement of Christ all will be healed, hearts will change, and that happiness and love will only grow. It just takes a lot of work and time on our part. Everything worth having
is worth the work....right :)