Annalyn's Letter

I wrote about Rachel a while back--- her transformation a testimony that she is where she was always meant to be--- but we also have Annalyn who joined our family through a disruption nearly three years ago. She too has come so far. She still faces challenges that we are working through together, but she too is living proof that children who are not doing well in one family, can and most often times do well in another home.

Just the other day, she wrote us this letter.


Dear Mom and Dad,

I have known you guys for a long time. I am thrilled and overjoyed that God put me in this family. I know there is no other better family that I know of. You guys do so much for me. I am very sorry I don't always try my best and I am sorry. There is so much in the future that I can't wait to do with you. There is so much I have and haven't. Thank you for everything you do from cooking to giving me and the rest of the family your love. When I leave you, in about 8-11 years, I will always remember you and everything you do for me. Thank you for being the best parents that you are and everyday I am touched and feel good to succeed in my honoring you. Yes, I mess up, but I get right back up and keep on going because of your encouragements. I love you and have had wonderful times together and can't wait for the next time. I love you so much.

Your daughter,
Annalyn

Often times, I do need to remind myself that this is her heart because deep down regardless of some of the things she does, I believe that this is how she truly feels. This August will make three years that she has been a part of our life and with little baby steps, she is growing up. Since we didn't go to Russia to actually adopt her, I have always felt like a part of that connection was missing. Perhaps, she feels it too. Never being able to visit the place that our daughter lived for the first six years of her life has always left me wondering what she was like back then, where she lived, who her friends were, and who took care of her. Oh how I wish it could have been us who first adopted her. How I wish it could have been us who first saw her beautiful smile when she found out she was getting a family. But that is water under the bridge now...... and it is us who get to see her beautiful smile for years and years and years to come. Recently, a fellow adoptive Mom started a ministry for orphans where Annalyn was born and it has inspired me to think about visiting there sometime and exploring Khabarovsk with my daughter.