Meeting the "New" McCracken Family

On Sunday, September 21, 2008 we were privileged to meet the "new" McCracken family. It has been quite a journey watching this Colombian adoption unfold over the past year. I am so grateful Rachel and Adam were so willing to share this adventure with anyone who was interested.

In the afternoon Juan P (Wompy) & Ezzie came by with their dad to visit Jaime & Rob. Jaime and Angie were in the process of making chocolate chip cookies to take to the McCrackens later in the evening. Wompy and Ezzie thought it was great fun to help.

We came bearing gifts for the children. It was so fun to watch them. They are pretty good at sharing and taking turns.
Their anticipation as they waited for the pieces to pop up was delightful.
My heart leaped as I remembered how one of the dreams Daniel had was to have a dad who would play with him.

It was amazing to watch the gift of tongues in action in their home. Both the children and their parents seem to be able to make their wants and needs known. However, there are times when a little extra help is necessary. Uncle Rob took the time to explain the chore chart, the purpose of clothes hampers, how to rinse the dishes and make sure they get in the dishwasher BEFORE they get in the cupboards. Hands on lessons were included.

There is a wonderful spirit of love and gratitude in the McCracken household. What an example they set for all of us!

International Adoption by the McCrackens

For the past year I have been privileged to watch an international adoption unfold. I can't tell you how emotional a trip it has been for me. First of all, because I dearly love the sweet couple who made the courageous decision to do it. Secondly, it has opened my eyes to a whole new world that I hardly knew existed. I have been educated about some of the stupid ideas I had and the insensitive things I may have said throughout the years.

This adoption has been a series of miracles. As I look back, I marvel that the Lord is aware of every one of his children, no matter where they live or what their skin color. It is not chance that these four children (siblings - 8, 7, 6 & 5) were plucked from an orphanage in Bogota, Columbia and placed in Las Vegas, Nevada with parents who will love and appreciate them and teach them right from wrong and about their Savior, Jesus Christ.

I am overwhelmed at the courage and determination it took for Rachel and Adam to follow through despite all the road blocks that were placed in their way from government red tape to financial obligations to discouragement and many others. And they didn't even meet the children until they went to Colombia to pick them up!

Through all of this, I have also learned to appreciate my own blessings, little things I take for granted every day. These children have little or no memory of their biological parents. They had never experienced a hot shower, had never seen a bathtub or a swimming pool. They had never been to an airport or played with bubbles or pinwheels or jacks. The few clothes they had and the toys they played with at the orphanage were communal. And they were happy because they knew nothing else.

Rachel and Adam have been so generous to share their journey in international adoption on their blog. It was fun to follow along each day while they were in Colombia and get to know the children. I can't wait to meet them in person next week.

My hat off to Rachel and Adam McCracken. There are very few people in this world who would have the faith and fortitude to pull off something as wonderful as saving four children from a life of uncertainty -- and to do it under public scrutiny and with such grace. They are my heroes.