7 September 2007

September 7, 2007 First Friday

Posted by BaBa under: Daily Life .

We left the Chinese Restaurant (how fitting to eat Chinese tonight) and made the short trip to the Chapman’s house. We were fashionably late, but dinner was an important part of this night and we did not rush.
Tonight is the last First Friday at the Chapman’s house. So it is with a little sadness that I write about the ending of this meeting in their home. First Fridays is not ending, but the venue is changing from being in their home to North Metro Church. This is a good thing as it will give us more room and the ability to reach more people. However this change comes with a twinge of sadness as we will miss the familiar and warm surroundings of being in their home each month.

As I said we were fashionably late by only 15 minutes. We arrived at the front door and were met with a glow of friendly faces anxiously awaiting their chance to greet one of the newest community members, Sheridan. Sheridan was not the only new arrival as this was Gianna’s first night there along with at least one other newly home child.

To say the least it was a little overwhelming. We had many people seek us out to start conversations including one lady
(Lovell) who MaMa had met in the CCAI office when she dropped off our China adoption paperwork. In fact MaMa never really got further than the entrance hall and a short way into the living room during the entire evening.

Lovell is just in the first stages of the process and we gave her a card and offered to help her with the paperwork. This is how we can pay it forward. We are glad to help others as those before have helped us including Cristy and the Chapmans.
It was a night that I cannot really describe in words. It was a homecoming for us. I am glad that this evening was not right after we arrived home. We have had some time to adjust to life as a trio and to get over jetlag. This has made it possible for us to soak up this evening with all of the friendship, warmth and love that was surrounding us tonight.

We got to see Amy and Michael who we have helped get through dossier process and who have prayed faithfully for Sheridan. Their prayers have been a great source of comfort for us in the stressful times while in the review room. Michael did magic tricks for Sheridan who really enjoyed this.

We also got to see Tymm and Laura who are in the waiting process. They were at the airport and so Sheridan went straight to them. Tymm loves to play with him and Sheridan loves to play back. Laura got a chance to get a few snuggles as well.
We saw Bruce and Karen another couple who are waiting and who we have kept in our prayers while Bruce was in Iraq. We spent a few minutes Jay and Angela who brought Laney home this year. MaMa got a chance to talk with Eric and Heather who brought Lily home. Lily has just had her palette surgery with Dr. Williams at Children’s Healthcare. We found out all about how well she did with the surgery and how wonderful Dr. Williams is with his patients.

We will be seeking an appointment with him concerning Sheridan’s wrist. Eric and Heather’s red thread story is so captivating and has touched so many others. We can only hope that Sheridan’s red cord (made up of many red threads) will affect others in the same way.

We also got to talk to Donna who is adopting Shelby and will be traveling about the 1st of November. Donna is a great blogger and provides many helpful items such as one of he recent posts — what to say to those questions you might get while in public. MaMa brought her some snack trap cups that have been very useful in keeping the Magoo fed while out in public.
We also got to have a few quick minutes with the Chapmans. It was obvious that this was also a bitter sweet night as it marked the end of this form of First Friday for them. It was also was the birth of their hope to reach more people and expand their ministry. They are also in the process at the beginning of the wait for Hope. Dan has just turned 50 and we celebrated this along with what the First Fridays have meant to us.

There was large collage of pictures and items from the group. In the top left corner was Sheridan’s shower invitation. Rebecca and Angela presented the Chapmans with letters from the community as to how this has touched their lives. My letter will be delivered soon and will be published here on this blog.

I have tried to capture tonight in words and I have used too many words without completing the task. Just think of coming in from the cold world to a warm fire and spending a relaxing afternoon wrapped in an old familiar quilt chatting with close friends and family. This is the best I can do to sum up tonight.

We look forward to the next meeting at North Metro Church and while it will be different. It will also be exciting and a new beginning for us all. Thanks to the Chapmans for their love and support in founding and nourishing this community of adoptive families. We are all red threads in their thick red cord binding us all together as a community.

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