I’ve been dreaming about Julissa and Diana a lot lately. I’m not sure why except that maybe my recently empty nest has me longing for little ones. Last night, I dreamed I adopted my two Nicaragua girls and a chubby cheeked three year old boy to boot. I was so busy in my dream, caring for the 3 new little ones and trying to figure out how to love them all well. The little boy in my dream nuzzled his head into my shoulder and rattled off something in Spanish that felt like I love you. I melted into a pool of tears, then promptly woke up. Do you ever wake up from dreams and still feel the full weight of the emotion of the dream? You know it’s not *real* and yet your heart tells you how real it is. I’ve dreamed that Stevie and I were in a huge fight and then wake up just steaming mad at him. It’s the craziest thing. So, my heart is aching for my little ones—wondering how they are doing—if they’re getting enough to eat, if they’re still painting their cute little nails, and if they know how much they are loved by their Father and their far away God mama.
Although I’ve written plenty about my trip, I still get a knot in my throat when I try to talk about it. I’m sure that will come, too, with time and healing. I scroll through my pictures a lot and remember the hell that so many of our neighbors live through, here and everywhere. But, mostly I remember hope. The hope of Compassion brings to so many. Your sponsorship of a child changes everything for them. It’s your way to say to them, I’ve got you, we’ll get through this, together.
I woke up from my dreams with a heartache this morning. I pray for my little ones. And I thank you all for going on the journey with me and for finding room in your heart and dreams for another child to love.
And if you’re still pondering whether to sponsor a child, do it today and give them a chance to go to school with the supplies they need, to learn of God’s love, to have medical care, and good food, and someone who’s on their side.
Make a little one’s dreams come true today.
Sending you lots of love today,
xoxo
We too, sponsor a girl in Nicaragua. Were you at a center near Managua? I loved following your trip as it brought me a feeling of being closer to our Jennyfer. Thanks for all the great pictures.
I totally identify with waking from a heavy dream with the full weight of those emotions still clinging to my heart. It’s weird.
And – a HUGE thank you for making it so we can read the entirety of your post in a reader!!!!!!!! Like-thank you SO much!!!!! I was super excited to start reading and to be able to finish in one place and without the fuss of ads popping up, etc. really appreciate that!! Thank you!!
Hi Edie,
Thanks for sharing. again. your heart for these children. We sponsor two children and pray for two more. We’ve adopted two (and we have two biological also.) I was thinking this morning that although of course these children’s lives have been changed – it is our lives who have been changed the most – WE NEED TO BE THE HOPE!! We need to get outside of ourselves and our little worlds. We need to push ourselves past what we can do on our own and dive into the world where only God can be our everything. I’m praying lots more children are sponsored and given hope by your post. and that lots more of your readers take that leap of faith where God has to provide.
xo ellie
ps I met you at “Becoming” – loved your session – and your heart was what I learned from the most 🙂
I also had a dream about adoption last night! I love to read about your heart for Compassion. We have a sponsored child named Eka in Indonesia. She is the exact age as my oldest daughter, and the kids pray for her at every meal. I believe that God put your little friends on your heart for a reason, and I’ll be lifting them up in prayer throughout the day along with you. Who knows what they might be facing or about to face today, and may need to be bathed in prayer. Thanks for sharing this!
Anna
edie you did it. your wise words and perfect photos gave us the “nudge” we needed to choose a compassion child. best thing ever.
we chose a little girl from bangladesh. although she is blessed with two loving parents, she is ours. she has become a topic of daily conversation and prayer. we truly think of her as family.
thank you for sharing your experience with compassion. we needed to see that it was more than just a charity were we just send a check.
sometimes we need to just send a check but often we need to send a bit of ourselves as well. compassion does that for us.
I just finished tomorrow’s post and decided to read through Bloglovin (even though my eyes are heavy and I am ready to plop into bed fully clothed). Yours is the first post I cam across – coincidentally. I say coincidentally because I awoke at exactly 3:33 am last night with my heart racing from a dream. And here you start your post talking about the same feeling.
The post tomorrow is about someone I find heroic (just like you do the two little girls). Despite their circumstances, they look hopeful- ready to live, which is the same for the subject of my post.
Dreams, hopes, conflicts, wishes… we are all more alike than different.
Oh, Edie…I love that you display your heart so abundantly. Thank you for that. And, yes, I have those kinds of dreams. ALL THE TIME.
Thank you SO MUCH for your advocacy on behalf of these kids. Tom and I have sponsored two little boys for years. They are very precious to us. There is such an IMMENSE need for this kind of ministry.
And you know we’re starting the training now (next week) that we have to go through to foster some kids with huge needs–not only to be safe and fed and taken care of in pragmatic terms, but to be loved IN THE NAME OF JESUS.
Having been one of those very poor little orphan girls myself, I truly thank you for having a heart for them!!!
Love/hugs/blessings,
Lana
After reading your posts about your trip to Nicaragua, I couldn’t get to Compassion’s website quick enough to sponsor a child. What an amazing thing it is that we are so blessed in this country. Thank you so much for sharing and bringing to my attention this wonderful organization.
Bless you, sweet Vada! You will reap the fruit of your love for years to come.
Thank you for sharing.
xoxo,
edie