Monday, November 16th, 2009
Our whole family
(You can find the beginning of our adoption story here.)
Part 17
When Talitha arrived, only Abraham and Barnabas were living at home. Karsten and his new wife, Shelly, lived in Boston. Benjamin was in Georgia.
So it was a sweet time a couple of weeks later when all us were together for the first time. That called for a photo.
Ah yes. Family group photos. My children roll their eyes when I say, “Hey! We’re all here. Let’s . . .” They interrupt, with less enthusiasm,”. . . take a picture.”
Those photos become more precious to me now that all our sons are married and scattered. The times when we’re all in the same place at the same time become more and more rare.
Perhaps we don’t recognize the full value of family photos until we have lost one of those family members. I had no way to know, for example, in 1970 that the snapshots during a picnic with my family were the last images of my 16-year-old brother, Benjamin. He died a few months later in a car crash.
Then, two years ago, we lost our granddaughter Felicity. She was stillborn and there never will be a photo of her being enfolded by all of us. So now our whole-family photos will never be completely whole.
Each photo is a record, a reminder, of the changes in a family. I’m thankful that many changes are happy ones. Right now, there are 2 grandchildren who aren’t yet with us in a whole-family photo.
Well, here’s our whole family the first time we were all together with Talitha Ruth.
I think this is a good place to end this series. But what do you think about a new series? The new one would be about becoming a multi-racial family (and maybe a little about adjusting to having a girl).
Yes, Please. For my own selfish reasons.
That sounds GREAT! I've loved this series a lot. My husband and I have a heart for adoption but not the budget for it at the moment. We also live as missionaries in Tanzania and it's hard to adopt here but not impossible. We've looked into it and are open to the idea. The one thing that scares us the most is the racial aspect mainly in how the child will feel growing up "the only one" in the family black while we're all white. So hearing someone's experience with this would be helpful. :)
God has been moving so many of us into multi-racial families, I would love to hear some of the victories, challenges & experienced from a mother & sibling perspective! This series has been something I have looked forward to each morning, thank you for sharing your family an heart with us!
I have enjoyed this series so much! Thank you for sharing. A follow up series would be great… I say go for it!
yes please!
Another enthusiastic vote for YES! I have so enjoyed reading your adoption story! We are praying about starting to Fost-Adopt soon and the need here in CA is for families who are open to children with mixed ethnic backgrounds. Any help/suggestions/wisdom you have to impart on the topic would be thankfully received :-)
I would love to hear more on having a multi-racial family
Yes please, I can hardly wait!
I would love a follow-up series! My husband and I just started our family by adopting our first son, Levi, who is black. We're planning to continue adopting transracially, so we love to hear personal stories of families who are farther along the journey! I have loved reading your adoption story.
How can we do anything but respond by pursuing adoption…with no preconceived expectations. Thank you.
I would also love it! We have 5 kids and live in China. We just brought home our sweet baby girl from Ethiopia, about 4 months ago. We've got so many cultures happening in our family, we'd love to hear your perspective on it. Share away!
I would love to hear that new series!
Just today my husband and I officially began the process of adopting two children from Rwanda!
And tonight I read your entire adoption story.
It was such an encouragement to my heart and a confirmation from the Lord that beginning our family through transracial and international adoption is honoring to Him and reflective of the Gospel.
Thank you so much.
Please, please! I can't wait to read it!
I feel that bittersweet feeling whenever we take a family photo knowing that without our son Evan, we will never have a "complete" portrait.
Thanks so much for sharing your story with us…Can't wait for a new series!
Noel, I love this series! Thank you. I couldn't help but smile when reading your post about presenting the case to John in writing. Your argument about the ripple effect proved true in our case. We have are currently in the process of Ethiopian adoption & your story was, I believe, the main "seed" which God used to start it. Blessings, Jeff.
p.s. my wife is "on fire" about the process & is blogging about it at: http://blissandbumps.blogspot.com/
We have loved reading about your journey towards, and through, adoption. We say "Yes" for a series on your new ideas. God has gifted you in a way that your writing touches people deeply and it seems there are many who are hungry for some advice on the struggles and joys of adoption, especially inter-racially.
God's grace has been evident in your family with the addition of Talitha.
Eeek – can you delete my last comment, it has my families blog on it and I didn't mean to link to that one! I'm so sorry – my public blog is http://www.likeawarmcupofcoffee.com
:/
Yes please! : ) A new series would be great. We're another multi-cultural family and would love to hear what you've learned, experienced, etc. I'd also love to hear from Talitha if she wants to add anything to the story!
My face is soaking wet with tears from reading your adoption story. Praise God for your example and the legacy you are leaving for your brothers and sisters in Christ! I truly hope you will write more.
We will be foster-adopting soon (Lord willing) and I just can't thank you enough for reaffirming for me that we don't have to be totally "qualified" in the world's eyes to adopt. God is more than qualified to equip us when He calls us.
Yes! Keep sharing! We are on the mission field and in the process of adopting twin boys. We received them when they were 9 weeks old. now they are 2 years old. James is active and a live wire. Jerard is blind, developmentally delayed. God has taught our family so much about His love through these two boys. Pray our adoption process will be finalized soon! Thanks for your blog, Noel!!!!!
This series has been so encouraging. My husband and I can really relate to the description of your process. Thank you. We are in the process of adopting a baby girl from Taiwan. Please pray for us if we come to mind.
I would greatly appreciate a series on multi-racial families and adoption. (Is it already on the website and I’m not finding it?) My husband and I are in the process of adopting a child from Ethiopia. I’ve listened to Dr. Piper’s sermons on adoption more than once to encourage me through some hard times in this adoption process. Thank you for your ministry.
this was one amazing story. that touched my heart. thanks for sharing.
[...] the dolly I made for Talitha before she came to us and their matching outfits.(to be continued)Part 17 — conclusionLeave a Comment (2) /**/We meet Talitha Ruth PiperOur whole family2 Responses to [...]
Thank you for sharing your heart. I am sobbing right now as I think of God’s goodness in our life through the three He has given us. Two by birth and one by adoption. We are in the midst of praying for a fourth and God used your blog to further open my heart to whatever child(ren) that are yet to be part of our family.
Thank you thank you thank you for this series! I am so greatful!
We adopted our infant from Ethiopia and he’s been home with us almost three months now. My heart really could relate to your story! I would love a follow up series especially about how you’ve addressed particular challenges in adoption (especially a transracial adoption)!I’m excited to share this link on facebook for all the adoptive moms out there!
I made a book about our adoption with the photos we have (found on the website above) and I was really encouraged and reminded once again of how important it is to record what God has been and is doing in our families!
Thank you again for everything!