His name is Edison. We met two weeks ago. He has changed my life forever.
Bringing my new nephew home from Ecuador to his forever family in the U.S. has been one of the greatest privileges I have been granted. This adoption journey, for which I have had a front row seat, has been a four year fight. A fight not just against political red tape and legislation, but a literal battle against the powers of good and evil.
I can’t begin to summarize Edison’s first life chapter in a blog post. Every page turned whispers God grace in miraculous ways, yet I can let you embrace the heartbeat behind this remarkable journey from Edison’s daddy, my big brother, and father of now eleven children.
In my brother’s words…
“Our first full day at home with our new son, Mateo ‘Edison’ V.E., was National Adoption Day. That seemed to us quite fitting, in God’s timing, because it had been a long journey that seemed to call for a day of special remembering.
Many people have told me, as the provider for this family of now 11 children, that I am crazy to adopt another. I respond to them that, actually, this little boy with Downs Syndrome is a critical, strategic part of my estate plan.
You see, my wife Rachel and I wanted to place an emblem of the prize in the fight for ‘The Culture of Life’ right in the middle of our family
ABOUT JENNIFER SCHMIDT
Jennifer Schmidt is a full time family manager that writes about her never ending pursuit of “Balancing it all...the good, bad and ugly” at her personal blog: Balancing Beauty and Bedlam. As a...
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I cried reading this beautiful post.
What a family you have.
The Carpenter’s child has come home! That’s what Christmas is all about! May your family be blessed abundantly with the grace of this beautiful child.
May God be praised now and forever!
What a wonderful Christmas story! Another orphan rescued by a carpenter. It is good for us to celebrate the Advent of the One who rescues us. Thank you, Jen!
Beautiful story, the portrait of such a loving, beautiful family.
Jen, this is beautiful! You and your family have received “the gift” of those who know by their own very personal experience what this is like. There is nothing like a special child to illuminate your mind and heart regarding who God is and how much he loves his children.
My new favorite Christmas song is “Mary Did You Know?” Every time I hear the line about Mary kissing the face of God I think of how close kissing the face of one of his special kids comes to how she must have felt. When I kiss the tiny face of our little 2 year old granddaughter, Hazel, (she has a severe case of spina bifada) I feel it and I know how precious this gift is. God bless each and every one of you in this beautiful, selfless, Christ-like journey.
I, too, cried when I read this. Congrats to your family on your beautiful Christmas gift!
Oh, how beautiful! Thank you for sharing Edison’s story with us. Blessings to you and your family.
God breaks our hearts for a reason, doesn’t He?
Many blessings.
Thank you for sharing this beautiful story. It brought tears to my eyes. God bless your family and your new little man.
i am now crying…this is so beautiful…thanks for sharing…
Welcome, dear Edison, to your new home and all of our hearts. Thank you for sharing your joy so beautifully with us, Jen!
Wow…it’s hard to type while looking at the screen through tears. Thanks for sharing this inspiring story about a blessed little boy. Your sister-in-law’s words about it being the hardest delivery says it well. So often we think this is the easy way- it’s not!
Blessings as your family enjoys a new gift this Christmas. :)
Wow, what can even be said about this post and this journey. Crying and thankful for God’s graciousness that he pours over his children. Praise God!
The tears keep coming. I keep staring at that sweet face and just praising God for this little boy. God is so faithful. So good. So wonderful. I am so happy this little boy has a home where he will be loved and cherished. And taught about Jesus. Thank you for sharing this with all of us.
Jen, this is just the most beautiful expression of love and sacrifice I’ve ever seen. You have a beautiful family. I’d love to know your parents. They have brought up some very special children. May God richly bless you all!
What an absolutely amazing story, Jen!
What a wonderful story! There are so many children in orphanages all over the world that need homes. I hope this will inspire us all to really consider making a home for one.
How this just says everything.
You told the story so well, and I that last picture the embrace in bed was such a gift. Thank you .
Such a beautiful story!!!! God bless your family!
Thank you for sharing this story. It really touched my heart. I will forever pray for this sweet little man.
Thank you Jen.
Merry Christmas
Oh, how this moves my heart. We are a family through the miracle of adoption and each life is truly a gift. Thank you for sharing Edison’s story.
Is anybody not crying? Wow! What a gift. What a glorious story. And how beautifully contradictory to the ways of this world. I love it! Thank you for sharing.
With tear-filled eyes I am encouraged by this post. Thank you for sharing.
Beautifully moving. Thanks so much for sharing this morning!
wowie, wow, wow. I’m overwhelmed. Kelly
What an incredible post! I am crying happy tears for your family! He is beautiful!! What a precious, precious gift.
God bless you and Edison!