On August 27th, we got a phone call from our adoption agency, and on August 28th, two-day-old Oscar Lewis came home with us from the hospital. These joyful months have not been without challenge: the legal process took an unexpected turn and COVID has made connection complicated. Thankfully, we have reached the final straightaway of the adoption process, and Oscar enjoys hanging outdoors in all kinds of weather!
Our prayer as Advent leans into Christmas is that we will have all we need to be the parents Oscar needs, raising him in community to be compassionate, confident, curious, and joyful. It will be a happy Christmas indeed in the VG-R household! During market hours once each month, families in need can come pick up a box of groceries that includes fresh fruits and vegetables.
We really enjoy creating a fun, welcoming space where everyone has access to fresh food, no matter what their circumstances. Lake Michigan has so many beautiful beaches and we try to enjoy the lakeshore at least a couple of times each summer.
We spent three days in a row on the beach, despite some cooler temps and rain. One unexpected surprise this month was a new kitten to join our menagerie! She showed up skinny, dirty, and hungry after a big storm with tornado warnings. She called for help and we answered. Mustache and she charms the socks off everyone she meets! It was lovely to be able to share a meal together, and then take a walk at GilChrist to visit the goats.
In a bittersweet milestone, we enjoyed our first fully vaccinated, post-pandemic meal in person with our friends and co-workers from the Huss Project, but it was a goodbye dinner as some of our folks finished up their year-long term and made plans to move on to other work.
