An open letter

This is an open letter to Isabelle, Max and Keely. For the past few days, the Holy Spirit has been urging me to write you tell you not only that I love you but that I am so proud of you all. From the beginning of this journey that started a few years ago until now, you guys have given yourselves to God’s calling on our family to rescue Maks, Alona and Natasha.

Keely, I remember how excited and supportive you were for the Compton’s and Botto’s adoption plans a few years ago. How we went to Leah’s home coming party at EBC and on the way home you asked if we could adopt a baby like that someday. (I think my response was something like “we’ll see”.) Interesting how God works through innocent children to speak to our hearts!

As the last few years have gone by, I remember you (Isabelle, Max and Keely) praying for other families that we knew where adopting; the Duty’s, and the Vandermeer’s to name a few. How proud I am that you lifted your prayers up to God for these families and others.

When the invitation to look into a summer hosting program came to us, I remember how excited you all were of the possibility to share our home with child for the summer. I remember you guys praying over the list with us asking God to reveal His choice for our family. I remember the excitement in our faces when we learned that Sabina would be coming to stay with us. I remember the letters you wrote, the pictures you drew and the gifts you sent telling her all about our family and how excited you all were to meet her. I remember how you prayed for her nightly. I remember your excitement in sharing with others that Sabina would be coming. I remember the urging to adopt her and my response of “we’ll see”.

I also remember the sadness when we learned that Sabina couldn’t come being replaced with joy in the news that we would be able to host Maks and Alona. I remember the letters that were quickly written, the pictures that were drawn, and the gifts that were sent. I remember the preparations that you all made to get ready for their stay. I remember the prayers that you lifted up.

I remember how welcoming you were to Maks and Alona when they arrived. I remember the friendships you made during their visit. I remember the sacrifices you made along the way; not watching the TV programs you wanted, not sitting in the car where you wanted, not going places when you wanted, not being able to go to sleep when you wanted because you were sharing your room, not being able to sit at the dinner table where you wanted (that still happens sometimes), and many more. All these things were sacrifices you did for someone else. I love you all for your giving spirit.

I remember how you continued to pray for them after they left. I remember how you asked if we could adopt them and your disappointment when we said that we didn’t think so. I remember the letters and pictures and gifts you continued to send them to show them you cared about them and loved them. I remember the joy on your faces when we told you that we had submitted to God’s calling on our family to rescue Maks, Alona, and Natasha! I remember the questions about so many of the details of their living with us. I remember the prayers for them night after night.

I remember saying good-bye to you in the driveway and again at school on Friday morning, April 24 not knowing when I would be home to hug and hold you. I remember every word we have spoke since I have been gone. I remember each of you for all the love you give me. I remember the sacrifice you have made to rescue Maks, Alona, and Natasha and love you for it.

Please always know that I love you and am so very proud of you. I can’t wait to get home and hold and hug you.

Love,

Dad