Comments on: A Walking Billboard

By: Aubrey

Aubrey — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 05:02:49 +0000

Thank you for this excellent post!! I was sent to this blog by Heidi. I appreciate your openness and honesty! You put everything that we feel so often perfectly in words. Congratulations on your precious one!! What a blessing for each of you!!

By: momma

momma — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 03:54:13 +0000

That was beautifully written. You are right on target and I’m so glad you chose to deal with it now. We could not be more excited about Josiah! I tell everyone I have 3 grandsons and I’ll be so glad when all three are here together. I really admire all the energy, prayer and thought you and Casey put into parenting these precious boys. Praise God who loves and adopted us for bringing Caleb, Jacob and Josiah to our family. I pray that our interactions will always point them to Him and bring glory to His name! love mom

By: Lee Lee

Lee Lee — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 21:15:30 +0000

Great information that really made me think…I will share it with the family, too. Thanks!

By: Allan

Allan — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 15:23:07 +0000

We look forward to your return with this baby boy. Thanks for sharing your concerns and Lindsay and I will do everything we can to honor them.

I think you’re right about Josiah belonging to you as much as Caleb. And in another sense, Josiah doesn’t belong to you anymore than Caleb does. As you pointed out, the only “belonging” that matters is to our Father by whom we are also adopted. Our children are only “ours” in the sense that we are assigned to them and they are ours to serve. It might be more accurate to say that we belong to them, since through obedience and love we give ourselves to their service; similar to the way that we belong to our spouses except that this commitment is one-sided, reciprocated by our Father who has given Himself for us.

You guys are great and are approaching this just right. It’s a blessing for Lindsay and me to be a part of it.
Allan

By: Grandma Syble and Grandpa Picker

Grandma Syble and Grandpa Picker — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 02:43:25 +0000

Thanks so much for sharing what will help us when we do and say things to parents who have adopted children. We have several couples here at West Side who have adopted, and we know this will be helpful for us. We know you two will make wonderful parents for you new son, as you are for Caleb. God bless you with happy memories of the first time you see little Josiah. Our love to you both, and God bless you with safety on your trip.

P.S. We saw a picture today of Carol and Glen Adams little grandson that their children adopted from Ethiopia. He is about a year old now. Their childen live in Virginia (I think you know them).

By: Grandma Syble and Grandpa Picker

Grandma Syble and Grandpa Picker — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 02:26:14 +0000

Casey and Mary Beth,

Thanks so much for sharing things that will help us to know better how to do and say things for a precious adopted child. We definately want to do what is the right thing. We have several couples here at West Side who have adopted children, and it will be helpful for us to know better how to say things to them also.

I know God is pleased that you are so concerned to be good parents, and we can tell that you are letting Him lead you in that direction. May God continue to bless you as you love and train your two sons to love God and His Son, Jesus.

By: Heather

Heather — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 01:34:34 +0000

Rejoicing over your upcoming adoption!

Heather

By: Ken

Ken — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 00:57:08 +0000

Excellent Post. It’s a challenge talking with other people at times and you’ll get uninvited comments and questions from total strangers. More like will happen to Mary Beth than Casey. I’ve never had comments but my wife gets them all the time. It’s clear to me that women are viewed as more approachable about theses things.

Generally, we remove any snark from our answer, specifically because the kids pick up on how you react to probing questions. No need to give them the sense that Mom/Dad view have a problem with these things. Depending on the questioner, tone, location, etc. We’ll decide on the spot on how to address the situation.

I have been in situations with my mother who, as a social person, was sharing too much and I needed to politely cut her off and remind her that some family stuff isn’t for sharing and that when Bex gets older it’s his story to share and he’ll be the one to make those sharing decisions.

As for item #4. My response to the “he’s so lucky” sentiment is that, no, in fact, we’re the lucky ones.

And…remind friends, family, and people who probe…that there are many ways to build a family…and there is no single correct way. Families are built on love and not dependent on blood.

By: Grammie

Grammie — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 00:41:44 +0000

Thanks so much for the lesson! I know sometimes I say things before I think them through and I promise to do my best in the future. We are so excited for your family and we will love Josiah just as we love Caleb! You will be as you always are in our prayers as you make this trip.

love,
Grammie