Memories of Michael

I wish I had the words and the time to fully describe our time in Liberia. There are moments that I was sure I'd never forget and yet even those fade slowly. Here are a few precious hours spent with Michael that we never want to forget.

The first time we saw Michael, on this trip, him came right to me. I lifted him up in my arms and thought my heart would burst.
It was so different from the first time we met. Last time, I loved him, but I didn't know him. This time, we both knew each other. The memory of holding him is so strong in my arms. "The substance of things hoped for", for that moment was real.

I must admit, at the time, I was selfish. I needed a few minutes with Michael myself before I could share him with Mark.

Michael was shy of Mark at first. But at the afternoon, unfolded, I watched a father and son bond grow before my eyes.

This is Mark and Michael's first picture together.















This is their second picture.

During the afternoon, Pastor Peter took us to New Life community. On this property, Peter dreams of building a school, a medical clinic, and guest house.

The city of Monrovia is built on a peninsula. The area ideally can hold 500,000. Currently there are over 1 million people living there. As the city expends, it will move towards Peter's land and he wants to be prepared to meet the needs of the people.

After seeing the foundation for Great King Academy, the new foundation for the medical clinic and the progress on the guest house, we went to get supper.

I asked if Michael could stay with us for the night and Peter agreed.


Mark read books to Michael just like he does our other kids. It seemed so natural.

Sometimes you wonder what it will be like when you see this child you have prayed for and dreamed of so long. Will he feel like "yours"?


For us, it felt so natural to embrace him as "ours". Nothing felt weird. It seemed normal.

Two of my favorite pictures. Michael loved being tickled by Mark. By the next day, I think he preferred Mark to me.