Three years ago today, Dave, Carmen and I boarded a plane in Guatemala and flew home.
We didn’t choose international adoption because we wanted to “save” a child. We wanted more children in our family. But, the day we brought Carmen home, I remember thinking that she had just been given a huge gift. She landed on U.S. soil, became a U.S. citizen and started the adventure of a lifetime.
We were given an even bigger gift. We just didn’t know it yet.
I wonder what Carmen was thinking. We looked different, smelled different, sounded different and were complete strangers to her. She went from the Land of Eternal Spring’s balmy weather to freezing cold.
Yet, she soaked up our attention and love. She stared with huge eyes at everything around her. I loved seeing her world open up right in front of her eyes.
Three years ago today was one of the best days of my life. I hope it was one of the best days of Carmen’s life.
Carmen, thank you for giving us such a huge gift these past three years. No one else in this world could have changed us like you have. You’ve never spoken a single word yet your life is a testimony. You are the best example of God’s love that I can think of. We love you despite your complete inability to do anything for us and that is exactly how God loves us.
We love you!
Lana
Your love for Carmen is such a testimony for God and the unconditional love he has for us. I am very blessed to have found your blog. Carmen is as blessed to have you as you are to have her. Thank you for sharing your journey!
Stephanie
Thank you, Lana, for showing us all God. Tears are filling my eyes as I read your message. There’s nothing impossible when God is in it. I see God holding Carmen, face to us all, at His chest. Carmen is held like a mirror for all His children to view His love. What an awesome God…….
Amen Lana, and thank you Carmen. Love you Honey. I hope you all have a great day. God bless. In Christ, Joe
I just can’t imagine what would have happened to Carmen if it wasn’t for you and Dave and the Lord. God put her in your lives for a very special purpose. I agree with your friends that you have shown us a little bit of what God is like. An unconditional love that this world very rarely sees. Thank you for your love and care of Carmen.
As a fellow GuateMama, I remember that day with a lot of happiness and butterflies. Congratulations to your growing family!
P.S. I LOVE the picture! You’re both SO talented!!
Wow, what a post! A bit over 10 years ago I stepped off a plane in Atlanta on a flight from Moscow with a new daughter who was 8-years-old. So many, many people said to us, “You saved her.” I just couldn’t understand that thought. You said it best when you said, “We just wanted more children in our family.” 10 years of tears, struggles and, most importantly, growth have brought us to planning a graduation – not in the ‘earned enough credits to go on to college’ sense, but ‘you’ve tried really hard, given your all and have done your best’ sense.
Your graduation planning won’t come. I’m so sorry for that. However, your tears, struggles, and most importantly, growth have given ALL of you, Carmen included, so many things more important than ‘credits’. To try really hard, give your all and do your best for another beautiful creation of God is something worth more than anything else.
Thank you for sharing. I appreciate that you allow us to know your heart!