Behold Your Little Ones

We sit at the back rows of the chapel every Sunday.

I like sitting at the back because that way I can watch and observe people. One of my favorite past time. There is a lot of things that run through my mind when I people-watch. 

What kind of dynamics run in that family?

How do they discipline their children?

How is the relationship between the mother and father? 

Is it chaotic at home? 

Are they happy? 

And from there, I analyze further.. 

What drives them to be such a person? 

What was their growing up years like? 

What struggles are they facing in their lives? 

Why do they do the things that they do? 

Why do they act the way that they do? 

These enquiries in my mind mostly apply to adults but a couple of Sundays ago, my people-watch shifted to children, triggered from a beautiful little blond curly haired girl who accidentally bumped me during sacrament meeting. 

I watch as this young family, dealt with all their young children who were getting restless, fidgeting, wandering further from the family and sorts and it just occurred to me how challenging it must be to be parents. 

Children are little people with their own personalities and traits. And if you are lucky, you get those that are obedient, gentle mannered, kind, one that just makes it so easy to love. Then you get those that are more unruly, strong willed, adventurous and bold who, challenge your every fibre in the body. 

And then, that same Sunday, I started to notice many families who had adopted.  And these are children who some may not know much about their birth parents characters, nor the life before, but were welcomed into the family in hopes to provide the love and care they need. 

A mother who had adopted a few children from problematic background shared some of the trials and difficulties she went through with some of her children and how difficult it was for her dealing with the emotional trauma those children have been through. She also expressed how upset she was with the birth parents who had caused such scars onto those children. 

But despite all that, what impressed me the most was the fact that these families still took those children in and gave them all the love they can and hope for the best. 

My E E (aunt) adopted both her daughters.  She shared with me the pains she went through to obtain them, and the fear she had of loosing them had their birth mom's decided to change their my mind after giving those girls up, and dealing with them and their different personalities and traits. 

Clifford has a brother who is adopted. He came as a little baby under the foster to adopt program and the family fell in love with him almost instantly. He is 12 and loves to bake. 

Then, there is Clifford's sister and brother in law, who are in the processing of adopting a baby and is going through a lot of pains and test of patience dealing with paperwork, legal works, interviews, etc. All that to have a child, and it's not even their own.  

Loving a child that was not even yours to begin with and providing the shelter and family that every child needs.. it has to be one of the most amazingly noble thing to do, and should receive great respect and admiration. A step into charity that is moving closer to becoming Christlike.  :) 

(I love how solemn this little boy's expression was the moment my giant camera was placed in front of him. Hehe)