Sunday Thoughts

Hey...this is Kerry.  Joey does more posting here than me because he is infinitely more patient than I am when it comes to waiting for the pictures to upload on this slow internet connection.  Which means that you will probably have to wait until tomorrow for pictures.  But I am having thoughts today, so here goes...
From facebook and email, I learned that today is Orphan Sunday.  What a privilege to be here in the Congo with Miriam today.  The past few days, I have been feeling a little overwhelmed (but in a good way) with the sacredness of these moments with Miriam.  It is such a privilege and responsibility to be in the middle of God knitting a family together.  The compound where we are staying has other adoptive families staying here also. I feel so close to the truth of scripture and the faithfulness of God...we are witnessing in our lives and in the lives of other families God defending the orphan(James 1:27) and placing the lonley in families (Psalm 68). Unfortunately, I sometimes want to just run from it because it is so intense...I occasionally long for mind numbing TV (which I don't have) or a People magazine (also not available).  I am actually glad I don't have those things because it forces me to stay in the moment and draw near to the glory of God.
Today we went to a Lingala Mass with Miriam.  The International Protestant Church was too long a walk, so we went to the Catholic church next to our hotel.  My favorite part was the altar boys who got their groove on. They were pretty great!  The priest talked for a long time and since we had no idea what he was saying, it seemed even longer. We finally left (which was probably terrible) because Miriam was making my watch beep over and over and over again. Hopefully, by next Sunday we will be home.
Today, Joey went to the orphanage to help take some of the things we brought for the children.  He was gone for about 4 hours, so Miriam and I had some more play time together. I didn't want to take her back after our last experience.  I have made up this song that I sing over and over to Miriam that says...Mama na lingi you...I don't think it is grammatically correct but hope it says Mama loves you. Today I changed the words and sang...Mama olingi Miriam...which means Mama loves Miriam.  Without prompting, Miriam sang back to me: Miriam olingi Mama, Miriam olingi Papa, Miriam olingi Caleb, Miriam olingi Helen. I LOVED it!  I caught it on video, so if the internet connection allows Joey will upload it.  SO SWEET!
Tonight we went out for pizza with some other families and our agency coordinator. Miriam got hurt while we were there...not a big hurt but enough to bring some tears.  I picked her up and walked her away from the table and loved on her until she was ok.  When we came back to the table, Joey tried to take her and she wouldn't let go of me.  She had her arms and legs wrapped tightly around my neck and waist.  We were both excited to see that since it is a sign of bonding. She did go to Joey later so don't feel too bad for him.
Another happy thing from today is that we were able to skype Caleb and Helen.  Miriam loved it and yelled at the computer screen like they were in the room with us.  She was trying to touch them through the screen and would laugh and laugh.  It is going to be so much fun to get her home so she can see them in person.
We are so grateful for all the love, support, and prayers from all of you at home.  We feel them here.  Both Joey and I are tired.  We are not sleeping very well at night and our carb intake is much higher than our protein intake. But even though we are physically tired, all of your kind words and prayers are lifting us up.  We are grateful to be here and are in awe of our great God!