Sick Day

Our youngest awoke early this morning with the stomach flu.

And a good morning to you, too, Germs!

Isn’t there a rule that homeschooling families are exempt from communicable disease? Last year, our first in public school, in a new state with new bugs, we seemed to catch every bug that Montana had to offer. I digress…

As I wash sheets, wipe tears, dump barf buckets, and push fluids I can’t help thinking of our Little Man in China.

Has he ever had the flu?

Who cuddled and read him his favorite books all day?

Who eagerly prepared a colorful array of favorite snacks in hopes of encouraging nourishment into his system?

Who kissed his forehead repeatedly until the skin was practically raw?

No compassionate Big Sister to fetch baby wipes and paper towels. (God bless leather couches, FOR REALS.)

I’m grateful for the confidence that our sweet Center Sister will indeed get better. We have clean water, medication, and nutritious foods at our fingertips. Yesterday, for no particular reason I pulled a container of homemade chicken noodle soup out of the freezer for lunch today. (Divine Intervention.) This morning I also learned of 31 children in the DRC (Democratic Republic of the Congo) who have just DIED as a result of a dysentery outbreak, many of which were in orphanages awaiting their forever familes.

I’m praying these last months of waiting for our son go quickly. Never have I felt so utterly helpless as a mother… and never have I felt so privileged to care for a sick child.

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness, so that Christ’s power may rest on me[mine]. 2 Corinthians 12:9