God's Secret Agent

Sixteen years ago, on November 8th, 2001, I drove to a church in Frederick, MD to pick up a little visitor. The mysterious little stranger had come with four other Russian children for a week long hosting opportunity through a Frederick adoption center. It was almost risk free, because there was no obligation to adopt. I kept reminding myself of that assurance--"No obligation to adopt." The adoption center had made that clear, easing my fear. They wanted host families to bring these children over so they could get to know them better in order to place them in forever homes. I was hoping that might be in someone else's family.

But God had shocked me a year and a half earlier with an unmistakable, and at first, a very unwelcome, CALL to adoption. I was terrified as I entered the side door of the church's basement. God must have laughed at my fear, for He knew it was a perfect match. God sent His Secret Agent, Roma, to ROCK. MY. WORLD. As Roma invaded our lives that week, and in the fourteen years that followed, and continues to this day, a God more REAL than I had previously known slipped in too. We thought God wanted us to save a little boy, but God used Roma to save us.

By the evening of Noveember 14th, the day that smiley boy got back on a jet taking him back to Russia, I had surrendered that battle to the Lord. I knew Roma was Hand-picked for us. In April, 2002, we flew to Russia to bring our God-given son home. My personal faith journey that had begun in March of 2000, when God whispered "adoption" to my shocked and unreceptive heart, was about to become intense and authentic. And marked by JOY. And even challenges that grew my faith and trust in God. 

The video below is of that week's visit. It begins the first time I laid eyes on the boy who would forever change so many lives. This little Secret Agent had my heart at the 58 second mark. Advance to the 13:30 mark to see how the assertive little guy initiated his new prospective famiy over the next few days.  See the look at delight at the 18:30 , and enjoy Roma's contageous laughter at the 22:00 mark. How could one child who had endured a rough start to life contain so much Joy?  And have so much to give away? Only God can do that! 

I am thankful, even in grief, because I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in us will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6. I am SURE of this. Praise God for that Blessed Assurance. He is close to the broken hearted. 

                                                                           Enjoy!  

Many Roma and God Stories begin with The Hound of Heaven Winks. 

Dont miss the exciting and heart breaking stories about finding Roma's lovely family. Begin with Hope for Restoration. 

Writing through my grief begins here with The Agony. But don't stop there, or you'll miss the miracles! 

Readers can start at the beginning of our story by reading But the Greatest of These is Love.

Be blessed. Even in the pain, I feel like I have lived something Sacred.