Elijah's First Christmas, and a Fighting Chance

Elijah's first American Christmas has come and gone. We tried not to make it too overwhelming for him. He did extremely well, all things considered. We visited Santa Claus at the San Diego Wild Animal Park. He loved all the lights and looking at the animals, but didn't care too much for Santa. Which is what we figured. But he did pose for a picture with Daddy in front of some of the lights (see right). The next night was Christmas Eve, and we opened presents, just the six of us. He was very meticulous in the opening of his gifts (reminded me of his great-grandma). I think he liked cleaning up all the wrapping paper and putting in the trash bag more than anything (the boy's a clean-freak- leftovers from his old home). Christmas day was a bit more hectic for him with more people, but it ended up being a special time celebrating two first Christmas's (Elijah's and his baby cousin Savannah's).

Now a New Year approaches, and it greets me doing a lot of soul-searching. I know this sounds crazy, but I long to go back to Russia. I know that right now it is not a possibility, but I miss it, if that possibly makes sense. I know that it's not the only place to find God, but it's where He wanted me to find Him. And while since I've been back I have been studying what God is doing in other parts of the world and places where He is needed most (Africa, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam), I find myself still drawn to Russia. I still remember my conversation with a group of missionaries in Moscow, and being saddened to hear how the years of Communism have left a nation almost completely devoid of personal interaction with the God of this universe. And I am heartbroken. And I think about all the little ones we saw in Baby House #5, ones that we knew would probably never spend a Christmas with a loving family. And I think about the hopelessness that many of them will feel when they become adults and have to leave the only homes they have ever known, never to return and alone. And I think, if only they knew there was a God out there who loved them. That even though they may not have a "family" in the normal context, there was a man who walked this earth 2000 years ago, bringing hope to orphans just like themselves, healing the broken just like themselves, and laying down his life so that they might live. I feel like if someone at least told them this, they might stand a fighting chance...

JP

On to the next peak...

I could list all the excuses for over a month between blog entries, but there's no point. I'm sure it's the same story for everyone.

This weekend marked the one-year anniversary of meeting Elijah for the first time. We spent some time watching video of our first trip, and just thinking about how far we have come and how far Elijah has come in that time. Wow, what changes. This time of the year will forever bring back memories of Russia. The four amazingly hectic, stressful, enlightening, and life-changing days we spent with the Franks, where when we parted we felt we had known them for a lifetime and knew that we would remain friends for at least that long. And when the Christmas songs start to play and a crispness fills the air, I am reminded of my firsthand meeting with God in a Siberian orphanage. I can honestly tell you that God is more real to me today than He ever has been before or I ever dreamed He could be. And it's all thanks to a little boy who showed me that faith is not best expressed with words, but with actions. For the first time I heard the voice of God, clear and unmistakeable, speak to me and I followed. I followed half-way across the world, and when I met Elijah I heard God say "Here I am". It was like being blind for 30 years and finally being able to see.

And it's crazy. Our jouney has been like climbing a mountain. But it's not as if when we brought Elijah home, God said "Nice job. You made it to the top. Have a seat, sit back and enjoy the view." Instead, He has said "Nice job. You've made it to the top. Take a look over there. See that peak off in the distance. Yes, the one higher than the one we are standing on. The one with the jagged rocks and the sheer edges. That looks like fun. What do you say?" And like an adrenaline-laced mountain climber, I say "Why not? Bring it on!"

One year ago I truly tasted God and found that He was good. Yet I have been left with a thirst for more. And as our life continues to take twists and turns, hills and valleys, I am confident that God has so much more in store for me and my family. There is a huge world out there in need. In physical need (poverty, starvation, slavery) as well as in spiritual need (they need to know Jesus). And He has made it clear to me and my family that there is still work to be done. We've only scratched the surface. This one little boy named Mikhail (Elijah) was only the starting point for us. May He be glorified in every "next peak" that we scale. And I know we'll reach the top because we have the only Guide who knows the way.

Merry Christmas to all!

J