Guest Post: Papa and Nana!

Week 11: Philip and Susan, a.k.a. Papa and Nana

This week we have a post from Steph's parents. Our parents are a major part of our support system, and we are grateful for how blessed we and our children are through the gift of them!

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Ish has so captivated our hearts that it’s hard to step back and think that there were a few weeks in his young life when he didn’t belong to our family! Those gorgeous, big brown eyes with their sparkle for fun and adventure just melt our hearts with love!

We were excited when we learned that Steph and Mark were stepping out into their adoption journey—we’d known for a few years that this was one of their hearts’ passions. We were confident that God would open the right doors for them. But we did have some fear of the unknown…What type of special needs would this little one have? What parenting challenges and struggles were ahead? How would God help them financially?

Our months of wondering about the unknown were so very brief! Before we knew it, Steph and Mark had received word about baby Ishmael. It is still so moving to remember Steph telling us that she had fallen in love with Ishmael—even before she had seen her first photo of him.

Papa was filled with joy as he met Ish in North Carolina after flying down to help drive Steph and the boys back to Pennsylvania. He remembers first kissing Ish in his car seat at the airport and joining in the excitement of big brothers and extended family. Nana was back in Pennsylvania trying not to be too impatient—and she remembers the delight of her first snuggle with cuddly baby Ish in Pennsylvania!

Our biggest surprise about adoption has been how quickly and completely Ish felt like part of our family. We’ve also been absolutely amazed at Eli and Toby’s abundant love for Ish and their lack of jealousy from the day of his arrival! There’s no doubt that Ish is loved by his brothers.

Ish has a way of capturing the hearts of all who interact with him. Whether they’re drawn to his expressive eyes with their long brown lashes or his fearless participation in his brothers’ rough and tumble activities, relatives share “Ishy” stories with great delight. And his early days in North Carolina opened the door to a very special bond with Grandma Vera and a host of family members. How wonderful of God to lovingly arrange that detail for Ish’s early days in our family.

Adoption has become a real life experience for our family. We are blessed to experience the special joy some of our friends and relatives have come to know through their adoption miracles.

Our message to any who may soon become adoptive grandparents? “Open your arms and your hearts and get ready to enjoy an incredible blessing from God!”