Randy

My husband would kill me if he knew I was writing this post ,but I have felt compelled lately. I have had the honor and pleasure of being married to a gem for the past 18 years. My husband has every quality I ever dreamed my prince would have when I was a little girl. He also has one quality that i never asked or hoped for because it did not occur to me that he would need it. I never thought that i would marry a man who would lay down his plans and desires so readily for the cause of adoption. We have 2 biological daughters , as well as Randy has 2 grown daughters from his first marriage. So ,safe to say, our home has its share of estrogen. However, when I suggested(7 years ago) to him that we look into adopting a little girl from half way around the world, I wasn't sure what to expect. Not only did Randy agree, but he travelled to China without me to pick her up. Amazing man! Six years later, he and i would travel again (this time to Guatemala) to rescue another little girl and bring her home. I watch him when he isn't looking and I delight in Randy's interaction with these 2 children. We don't know the details of Olivia's abandonment in China. But we know the whole sad truth of Kate's relinquishment in Guatemala. Kate's birthmom wasn't married, but she did have a boyfriend. Upon finding out that Kate's mom was pregnant with Kate, he left her. When Kate was born, her birthmom turned her over to an adoption attorney. Kate's birthfather was never heard from again. And this is where Randy stepped into the picture. Despite the cost financially,the time, the energy, the added years of needed income, the emotional tole that accompanies any child, and the risks associated with attaching yourself to another human being, Randy took responsibility for this other man's actions... the results of a night of sex with a woman that he wasn't married or committed to. Kate's birthparents did not anticipate the new life that was forming ...a life that both would later find burdensome. Neither wanted any part of this new life and both parties walked away. Randy was able to see the situation in a different light, through God's eyes. He viewed Kate through God's lens. She was not the disposable consequence of some nameless, faceless man. She was God's daughter. His child. HE is the Father to the Fatherless and Kate belonged to HIM alone. And now she needed God's arms to tangibly hold and care for her while on this earth. Randy said, "OK , Lord". This little one will never look like Randy, she will never share a single gene, but it is of little consequence to him. My husband is not perfect, but words really cannot describe how I view his selflessness in this matter. Even when I faltered, Randy was steady. When my eyes turned toward myself, he kept his gaze up. Amazing man! He is a hero to me. He placed his life on the back burner to rescue a child from uncertain fate. Twice! He is a soldier willing to go into harm's way for another. I don't know when or if he will discover this post. I don't know how often he reads my blog. But i wanted to sing his praises for a moment, because i am thankful for him. He is an incredible gift to me : )