It’s About Time

Went to see Amanda again yesterday. Unfortunately she was unwell. Anitha claimed that she woke up looking unusual, and realized she has fever. So it took a little longer for her to warm up to us.

the good thing is, she remembers us. After initial hesitation about taking begin solo cake from us, she accepted. Found out that she likes chocolate cake compared to pandan cake. Another new discovery. Also realized that the ministry has assigned Nov 1st as her birthdate. It seems like a policy to assign the closer date than later. So we figured she is actually 12 months’ old.

The committee has also agreed with Anitha’s consent to let us visit Amanda at her comfort zone. This is marvelous. We’ve scheduled Wed & Thurs to see her.

Amanda left earlier as she became cranky. Can’t be helped since she’s unwell.

I’m excited though a little apprehensive since I sensed Amanda is rather strong-willed but pretty intelligent. I love her already but trust that with the Lord’s help, we can both connect and build strong relationship as father and daughter.

God, you’ve been so good to us all these years, and now we’re nearing the adoption of Amanda, we’re excited and personally for me , a little apprehensive. We would consecrate her to your care, and ask that you give us wisdom to bring her up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. I ask not for great academic achievement but great spiritual devotion of Amanda to you. May you apprehend her heart early in life and help us to instruct her accordingly. We need your help, O Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Today Jismyl and I went to the adoption agency to see Amanda (Michelle is the name given her by the agency) for the first time. It was quite a dramatic event I must say. Dramatic because it was raining heavily on the way there. This was one of the rare times we witness such heavy downpour in Singapore. To say it’s raining like cars and dogs would tantamount to understatement (maybe raining like cows and goats?). Anyway, thank God for jounrey mercies.As we enter the door in the lobby of the dept, we saw this indian lady with a child (apparently just woken up from her afternoon nap). Jismyl was delighted almost instantaneously with Amanda. We introduced ourselves to the indian woman called Anita. She is a nice woman. Shortly after Zetty came out and greeted us. Then came Tabitha Ong, the asst manager. THereafter we’re ushered into one of the rooms inside.THis was supposed to be an interaction time under supervision of the officers, foster mother and us. Felt kind of awkward. Amanda felt overhwlem at first because of strange setting, stranger faces. Thankfully in a brief period, she warmed up to Jismyl. I tried not to be too enthusiastic seeing how stressful it might be for Amanda to deal and process who we might be. Jismyl got to play with her, and even carried her. Jismyl was simply delighted. I am too though I didn’t get the chance to carry her (not yet accepted). Amanda is sweet, keen sense of awareness regarding her surrounding. learned fast. I am fascinated that she has such long eye lashes. Plus the fact that she has double-eyelid. God is good. I think I will cry the day the judge declare that she is ours to keep. Yet in the meantime, I find it quite ansy about her transition period. I am praying that the adjustment would be as smooth as possible with minimal disruption to her life. Realistically we must expect a period of difficulty during this itnerim. I supposed this is a faith walk for all of us. After an hour the visitng session ended plus Amanda was tired out given her interrupted sleep time.Amanda, we’ve chosen this name for you because we want you to know that it means “lovable, and very much loved.” Though the circumstances that resulted in you coming into our lives was tough, you are loved nonetheless. Though you are adopted, we love you just the same as if you were our natural born child. Our prayers for you is that we might be godly parents to you, that you might come to the saving grace of Jesus Christ soonest possible, and consecrated unto Him for His glory. We look forward to the day you are ours by the declaration of the court.