I am so excited for Addisyn to get to start some classes on Tuesday. I am doing it more for the socializing than anything. I am praying that she will make some friends that will take her under their wing. Although she is supposed to be going into the 7th grade, we all thought it would be better for her to be with the 6th graders for many reasons. I have heard they have a really sweet group of girls so I am excited to see where this goes. I wanted to prepare the kids for her so they understood where she is coming from. I think this is better because they will understand why she is quiet and doesn't understand everything that is going on. It also will help prevent some awkward conversations like "if you have a mom, why are you adopted" or "isn't america so much better than Ethiopia?" These things are well meaning but would be difficult for Addisyn to know how to respond. I asked Addisyn if I could give them this letter and let her read it and she really liked it. I think it relieved some pressure for her. Here is what I wrote:
Dear 6th graders,
Beginning Tuesday, my daughter, Addisyn will be joining your class for a few of your extra classes each day. I want to tell you a little about her before she begins.
First of all, we adopted her from Ethiopia last April. Her father died and her mother was very poor and hoped that she would have a better life if someone in America would adopt her. We always knew that God wanted us to adopt from another country and when we saw her picture on a photolist of waiting children, we knew she was the one that He wanted us to adopt. We never dreamed we’d be adopting a 12 year old!
It was very hard for her to leave Ethiopia but she was very brave and left her mother and sister, her language and the only country she had ever known. When she came last year she did not know any English. She has learned so much but it is still hard for her to understand what people are saying. She loves to talk but gets embarrassed easily because there are so many words she doesn’t know yet.
Life here is so different for her. In her small town in Ethiopia, she had no car and they lived in a small mud house. She had no electricity or running water. They had to walk very far to carry their water and even then the water was not clean. She had few clothes and never had a choice in what she wore or the style or color. She just wore what she had.
Disease was very common there and people often died. She was even sick often and had malaria for quite awhile.
Even though she is happy in America, she still loves Ethiopia. She is still trying to figure out life here. She is learning what it is to be an American teen. I am hoping that you will all be a part of teaching her not only what an American teen is, but also show her the love of Christ. I am praying that God will give her some special friends from your class. I am sure that she will be shy and embarrassed at first so it will take time for her to feel comfortable around you. I have heard great things about your class and am sure that you will have the love and patience to help her along.
I wish she could be with you all day, but because school was so different in Ethiopia, she has not learned all the wonderful things you all know yet. I am teaching her at home to try to help her catch up on all the things she has missed. In the meantime, she will get to share art, choir, and chapel with you and then she will even be playing on the soccer team.
I hope this is a great year for you all and I am excited Addisyn will get to be a part of it.
Thank you!
Kayla
