I am sitting here in Ukraine watching the sun rise on
Thanksgiving Day.
This American
holiday is not recognized in Ukraine so it is “business as usual” here.
Our family back home celebrated
Thanksgiving a week ago before we left for Ukraine, so I am content with
business as usual on this cold wintry day.
We had court 2 days ago. We have done this in Ukraine 4 times before. Each court has been different; with
different judges and prosecutors and different philosophies. Out of all our adoptions, this one
seemed to be most focused on the children. All the
participants, from the judge to the jury, seemed to be genuinely
interested in our particular family.
Most of their questions of us and the children were about
relationships. I remember one
particular judge 5 years ago just wanted to talk to Gabe about the economy and business opportunities
in America. Then another was just
in a big hurry and went through the motions. This judge was so personable and, well, insightful. I am thankful today that she was our
judge and that Lewis, Sam and Bella are now our children.
I can even say now that I am thankful for the 2 months it
took to get to this place. Yes,
without complications, we should have all been home by now. But I can see how God used this extra
time to weave the hearts of us and our children together more tightly. Each phone conversation and
facebook message over the last
month has brought enlightenment and deeper attachment. We have stories to tell. Shared memories of meals, blunders,
adventures and even arguments. We
have become a family.
Our first weekend in Ukraine I had asked my kids what they
were most thankful for and they had replied “being put into the
orphanage.” That answer resonated
deep within my soul. It was an
answer, a moment, that God used to refine my ungrateful, untrusting heart. Three orphaned children, with little
exposure to the gospel, recognizing the sovereignty of God in their
suffering. They knew that without
the orphanage, there would have been no redemption. I see life a little bit differently today because Lewis, Sam
and Bella are in it.
Lewis’ name was chosen by him with suggestions from us. Lewis is my maiden name. Gray is Gabe’s grandmother’s maiden
name. Lewis Gray Davie, we give
you the heritage of a family.
Forever. We chose as his
life verse: “Behold, children are
a heritage from the Lord.” Psalm
127:3.
Sam’s name was chosen by him. We added to it and came up with a name that suits him
perfectly. Shaun Samuel Davie, you
are a gift to us. We chose as his
life verse: “…and she called his name Samuel, for she said, “I have asked for
him from the Lord.” 1 Samuel 1:20.
Bella chose her own name as well. We suggested Izabella which she was happy with and then she
told us to choose a middle name.
The day I was looking up Sam’s life verse, I turned to the book of Ruth
and there was Bella’s middle name.
Ruth 4:14: “Then the women
said to Naomi, ‘Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a
Redeemer.’ Izabella Naomi Davie, you have been redeemed.
Each of these children emphatically rejected any notion of
keeping their Ukrainian names. They
are new creations. They know
it. And they desire to learn how
to be a Davie. What a beautiful picture
of the Gospel. God has used and
will continue to use all 10 of my children to remind me of His grace. Grace that is with you in
suffering. Grace that
redeems. Grace that
sanctifies.
And that is business as usual in Ukraine on this beautiful
Thanksgiving Day.
