2 MONTHS & COUNTING.

October 26th marked two months that John McRae has been with his forever family.  Daniel and I are both so blessed to be his parents.  We look at him each and every day in amazement of how truly blessed we are, and still can't quite believe how easy the last two months have been.  Sure, no sleep, bags under our eyes, Barney singing "We're on our way, we're on our way, on our way to Grandpa's farm...one million times, scrubbing poop out of carpet, runny noses, broken paci that is from Korea and CAN'T. FIND. ONE. ANY. WHERE, getting used to being a stay at home mom for 8 weeks and then going back to work and leaving the poor baby at daycare, no time to read the sales papers or even take a peak to catch up with folks on Facebook, no longer being able to sit on the toilet in peace, etc. - I think you catch my drift...  It can all catch up with you, but it so worth it and we really can't even remember what it was like before John McRae got here.  It just feels like he's always been here with us, since his birth.  It's amazing how you can grow to love a child unconditionally when all you've seen in a picture, but we did.  Since November 2nd, John McRae has been our son and we have loved him with every beat of our heart.  I can remember during the wait, just wanting to hold him and feel his warmth, smell him, and just know that he was ok.  We could never in a hundred years, if we attempted multiple times every day, repay or express how thankful we are to his foster family.  It is very clear how much they care for him, and the love and attention he received.  We also think about John McRae's birth mom.  She cared enough for him to give him life, and to be brave enough and love him enough to make sure he was going to have a loving family that could take care of him.  I pray that God gives her and his foster family peace that John McRae is loved by so many here in the US, and he is indeed being taken care of.  We have been so blessed during the process of bring John McRae home, and it just keeps getting better and better.  We have been overwhelmed by support, gifts, prayers, and kind words.  We've met many wonderful friends through this journey.  Friendships that I believe will last forever.  Where ever our lives lead us from this point on, we will carry on being stronger, more loving, more forgiving, and just all around better people.  If any one reading this blog has ever considered adoption or knows someone who has, please go to http://www.holtintl.org/ and look around.  Holt is a wonderful agency, that you can trust 100%! 

A few things about the Benefields these days...

*John McRae's best friend upon coming home was our fur baby, Tuff.  You all know how much Daniel and I love Tuff, and John McRae truly loved him just as much.  We lost Tuff about 2 weeks ago, and it has been really rough on us all.*

*John McRae is trying more and more to talk.  He kinda hums what he wants to say.  He says Mama really well, but hums Daddy and Helen (our other dog).*

*John McRae has already wrapped all of his grandparents around his pinky finger.*

*John McRae eats well, and sleeping is getting better, too.*

*Daycare has been adjustment for him, and he's dealing with some separation anxiety, but we know this too shall pass.*

*Mommy and Daddy have a hard time getting on to John McRae when he is being a toddler with a straight face, because he has the sweetest smile!*

Thank you again to all of our family and friends for all of the love and support during the past 2 months.  It has has many ups and downs.  These past weeks have brought us the happiest blessing ever, John McRae, and some of the saddest times.  We miss Papa and Tuff every day, but it helps to reflect on the precious memories.

‎1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Romans 8:14-16
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father."

Galatians 4:4-6

But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

 

Psalms 10:14,17-18

You are the helper of the fatherless. LORD, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will prepare their heart; You will cause Your ear to hear, To do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, That the man of the earth may oppress no more.

 

James 1:27

Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.

 

Psalms 68:5-6

Father to the fatherless, defender of widows — this is God, whose dwelling is holy. God places the lonely in families.

 

Matthew 18:5

And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me.