1. Derek chose Matthew to be the next Bollinger.
2. As a first-shift clerk with the railroad, he worked every extra second and third shift job he could to pay for the adoption in cash.
3. He was willing to go to China as a "single parent" to get Matthew.
The magnitude of all that this man has chosen to do to give himself up completely for a stranger is enormous!
He is selfless and kind. He quickly does without so that others can have an abundance.
Yesterday, when his flight was cancelled, he went to work in order not to lose a day's pay. Then, he was on the phone with United about three hours trying to work out a new plan to fly out.
He played with the children for a time before putting them to bed for the night. (Though they didn't stay there 😉.)
Then, at 8 p.m. he headed for the airport to get the rental car. After all he needed to do to switch out cars and luggage, he was home by 11 p.m.
Since children were still awake when he returned home, he spent time with them snuggling and giggling with them until around 12:30 a.m. Then, he was up at 2 a.m. to shower and hit the road.
On the flight from Orlando to Chicago lacking greatly in sleep:
On the flight from Chicago to Beijing:
God bless Derek!!
Side note: I have been asked multiple times why I am staying home. For Derek and me to go to China together would cause the children to be displaced--having to go to their grandparent's house. With children who have lived with us less time than they had lived in the orphanage, we were concerned that they would feel abandoned again, and the trauma would be great. Also, the littles do not understand time, so they could not understand that mom and dad would be back in about three weeks. Lastly, Daniel is bonded to Derek's chest (literally), so by me staying home, he would at least have one parent to cling to and hopefully be able to handle daddy's absence better. So, simply put: it is what is best for the children.
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