A Tale of Two Mothers

This morning was such an answer to many prayers - I got to spend almost an hour with the precious couple with whom Mason lived for the past 4 years. Randy and Mason went to play at the bookstore playground, and Mason's foster parents came to the hotel with our facilitator to meet with me. It was easy to see why Mason is such a sweetie- he has been raised by very loving and kind people.

They not only brought gifts for everyone in our family, but they also brought me the little hat and scarf that Mason was wearing when he was found at the train station as a toddler. How precious these will be to him as he gets older. They also brought a photo album full of pictures of Mason at various ages. He looks so happy and loved in every picture.

His foster mother brought back the photo album of our family and home that we sent to Mason several months ago. The director of the local Social Welfare Institute had told her that she should return it to us, but she really wanted it. Of course, we wanted her to have it, and she cried and held it to her chest when she realized that it was hers to keep. The father was precious as well. They brought pictures of one of Mason's foster sisters who was adopted by a couple in American 2 years ago. They had never received any additional information or pictures of the little girl, and they were worried about her. They asked me to try to find her adoptive parents and perhaps help to establish contact between the 2 families. They had even written a 2 page letter to this little girl telling her how much they loved and missed her. Please pray that I will be able to find this little girl and her parents when we return home.

The quilts that had been made for Mason's foster brother and sisters meant so much to these sweet parents. She told me that the people who made the quilts must have much love for lonely children. I assured her that the women who made the quilts loved all children very much. We also included a special book that we pray will be life-changing for their entire family.

I asked our facilitator to explain to the foster parents before our meeting that Mason would not be there because we felt it would be very confusing for him to see them again so soon. The foster mother did ask to see him again to take a family picture of all of us. I called our hotel room twice, but Randy and Mason hadn't returned from the bookstore. I am thankful that we didn't have to deal with a very upset little boy, but I am also glad the foster parents saw me make an attempt to let them see him one more time.

Mason's foster mother and I had such a sweet bond with one another immediately. She misses him so much, but she told me that she knew he was meant for our family. She wanted us to know that she will love him for the rest of her life. Please continue to pray for both of his foster parents to have peace and comfort. I know his foster mother has not slept well since Mason left her home. By the time they left, we were both crying, hugging, and blowing kisses to one another as she walked out of the hotel lobby. I will always be so thankful for this day. God had prepared all of our hearts long before we ever met. Mason is a blessed little boy.