"I know the Lord is preparing me and my family for something and I feel as if I am standing, on the edge of a path, but a boulder is blocking the way", I earnestly said to a friend. Little did I know my family and I would soon embark, on a journey, which would present many hills, detours and curves.
Two days later, I held in my hand a phone message given to me at the school I teach. Hmm…, I thought, I will be able to call during recess. The piercing tone of the bell jolted me back to the importance of the call from him, The counselor rapidly "Nancy I know you are getting licensed in foster care and there is a fourth grade girl, Brittany, who will be going into foster care today, if we don’t find a home. Would you be interested in taking her in?" Immediately, I realized the Lord was removing the boulder. Without hesitation, I said, "Yes, we will…oh wait and let me call my husband." He agreed and the path became clearer.
Hours later I stood at the old fashioned local theater, trying to catch a glimpse of Brittany, who was taking a field trip that day. I tried to pick out the girl who was to come into our home. "There she is," the counselor pointed out and stated emphatically. A tall figure appeared wearing a bright pink coat and pink pants. Bangs covered her forehead, and dark hair lay on her shoulders, she was taller than all the other students. Then I said, "Brittany, my name is Nancy; and I have come here to meet you." My words seemed to fade away like clouds blowing beyond the horizon. I nervously looked around, as I felt the clock ticking faster than my heart. "Brittany, can you go swimming with my family tomorrow?" I said gently. Her face was buried in her coat, and a small nod emerged. Brittany then disappeared into a sea of children.
The next morning, my husband and I were sitting across from a lawyer. I softly said, "We would like to become legal guardians of Brittany." "Brittany has been tossed from place to place", the lawyer related the facts as if it was a grocery list. Consequently, Brittany became our daughter.
Our next challenge was to take Brittany swimming, and to mention, "By the way, you will be living with us." At her apartment, standing before me was an elderly woman, her temporary caretaker, stoically watching us leave. During swimming, Brittany came up behind me and hung on. In a whisper Brittany said, "Can I live with you? I need a home." There it was, the Lord laid it out before me. I said assuredly, "Let’s go and pack your bags."
Six months have passed, and we are in the process of adopting Brittany. Adjusting to family life has not been easy for her. Since her life was centered in the apartment, and her caretaker did not drive, her experiences have been sorely limited. The common encounters of a typical American child had not been part of Brittany’s life. She had never gone bowling, to a carnival, or to a birthday party.
Each day has been filled with inquisitive conversations and scenarios. Brittany woke up one morning and asked emphatically, "Who is God?" I replied, "God loves you and He is here with you making sure you are safe." Brittany and I then memorized the 10 Commandments. One day she came storming into the kitchen, "Who is this Moses guy anyway with all these rules; I would like to meet him," she said and stomped out of the room.
One night I bent down at her bedside and said, "Brittany, I read some verses out of the Bible, and they made me sad. I opened my Bible and read, "The Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command with a voice of the archangel and with a trumpet call of God …. After that we who are alive who are left will be caught together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air." " Brittany," I said, "our family will be taken up with Jesus, but I am not sure that you will join us because I don’t know if you have accepted Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord." That night Brittany accepted Jesus into her heart; only knowing the 10 commandments.
We have faced many difficult issues as a family, and we have learned to leave our troubles at the foot of the cross. Our path is rocky, but to learn to love unconditionally as Christ loves us is an invaluable lesson. Brittany is now part of two families; our earthly family and the family of God.
