I Have Kept All of These Things In My Heart. . .

"They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child.  All who heard the shepherd's story were astonished, but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often."  Luke 2:17-19

For five months, our son has been in the care of a stranger, in a country thousands of miles away.  Very rarely, once a month at most, have we caught a glimpse of him and even less have we been told about his growth or development.  

So, you can imagine, that we cling to every update we are given, in hopes of learning more about our Tyson.  

When you cannot hold your child in your arms and care for them personally, all you can do is pray.  

We have prayed that since he has entered the foster home, that his foster mama would hold him regularly. 

We have prayed he would be loved.  

We have prayed that his foster family would interact and play with him.

We have prayed he would be healthy.

Every picture and every word that has been spoken of our Tyson, I have held close to my heart.  And though our son is far from the Savior that Mary birthed so many years ago, I resonate with the short passage where Mary's motherhood is so eloquently described.  "She kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often." 

What few things I know of my son, I ponder them often, and because I have so little information about him, it makes me appreciate those small glimpses of him so much more. 

Today, a fellow adoptive parent who is currently in the DRC, kindly offered to visit the foster home where Tyson lives. 

She met his foster mother and the other children who live in the house. 

She said it is VERY evident how much his foster momma loves him and cares for him.  He is healthy and so very happy. 

In these months when I could not be there to hold my son, another strong, courageous woman has done that for me.  

She has loved my son since he was a few days hold.  Given him the gift of attachment.  He has been held.  Rocked.  Feed regularly.  Loved. 

I have kept all these things in my heart and think of them often. 

Next week, I will meet my son and hold him for the first time.  I will be taking him from the woman who lovingly cared for him for the last five months.  I do not take that lightly.  

As a foster mom, I understand what is about to take place next week and it breaks my heart. 

I am OVERJOYED to meet my son.  I am OVERWHELMED at the thought of how well he has been loved by another family until we could get there.  And I am OVERCOME with sadness that I am breaking a bond between him and the woman who loved him first. 

Thankful that one day I will be able to share with Tyson just how very loved he was by all three of his mommas; the one who made the ultimate sacrifice so he would have a chance at life, his loving foster momma, and me. 

I have kept all these things in my heart and think of them often.