Always
Jim or I sang to all our kids just about every night. Amazing Grace was one that was sung last. We sang Blessed Assurance and other old hymns of His faithful love to our girls, our little baby girls who are adopted.
I don’t sing well at all! When I do it is not good. After living in Hong Kong, Will would often hold his ears when I sang to him. He was too used to Auntie Bette’s songs.
Auntie Bette was our Filipino maid who had a voice like an angel. They sang the day away. He ran around with a walkman hooked on his belt. He was 18 months when we left. They watched Psalty and danced.
Jim sang also. He can actually sing. He used to sing show tunes, loudly. He was in the West Point Choir a long time ago. It made us smile. He has voice issues these days from a throat condition.
I am not sure when we stopped singing. Praying still goes on. Maybe we stopped when they were 4th grade or so. Some of those early nights I thought I would never get out of the room. I miss that. These days sometimes the girls still here come to us for the hugs and kisses.
You know, I sneak a look at my unmarried children when they are home, unless of course, their spouse is traveling away. Naps on the couch are a good time too. For a prayer and blessing.
When the girls came home, I held them until they slept, nearly every night.
First there was Amy. I held her and rocked. For her first 6 weeks home at the tender age of 3 1/2 months she was in great pain from an infection. Soon, one Sunday she had healed enough that we could take her out. That first outing was particularly significant. It was to the early morning International Fellowship’s baptism service and breakfast at the Sheraton. I held her as we stood around the pool watching and praying for those being baptized. She was totally Adorable. Truth is both those girls melted my heart. They still do.
One night I was so tired. Could someone hold her? No, that is your job because you ARE the mom. Truth is truth even from a 15 year old boy. Yes, I was and yes, I am. Always.
I sang Blessed Assurance over her and Meg, her sister who came home a year and one month later those early nights. So they would know we loved them and so did He.
Always ours; always His.
Remembering….How did or do you settle your little ones to sleep? From your childhood, what memories do you have of those times?
Loved reading this! You know my parents Rick and Elise Sampson ;). We have also adopted but a little boy from Mongolia :).
I love this! And your family is beautiful! How blessed they are to have a praying, singing mother! Thanks for sharing this post with me.