Heart and Soul

Here are Seth and Angelina performing their much-acclaimed duet, "Heart and Soul":

I'm not entirely sure who was Heart and who was Soul, but, boy, were they enthusiastic about it.

You may remember Angelina from this post. Her mom, Debbie, is one of my best friends. She's also my boss (she's Young Women President, I'm 2nd Counselor).

(I totally stole these pictures off your Facebook, Debbie)

But the truth is that, legally, Debbie is not Angelina's mother. Sure, Debbie was the one who brought Angel home from the hospital. The one who rocked her while she screamed through withdrawals from the drugs her mother took while pregnant. The one who listened for her first word and celebrated her first steps.

Every day for almost two years now, Debbie has done everything a mother could do for this little girl while her biological parents couldn't even be bothered to come visit their daughter. And every day for two years, Debbie's family has been praying to adopt Angelina.

It's been heartbreaking to watch. They've struggled through inept social workers who didn't get paperwork done on time. They've crossed their fingers that the parents would just sign off for the adoption instead of forcing them to go through the whole procedure (no such luck). And, last November, they had to watch another foster family in our ward adopt and be sealed in the temple to the little girl who came into their home one month before Angelina came to Debbie's. Although they were absolutely happy for them, it was frustrating to see their dreams come true for someone else while they stood by, unable to do anything but wait and pray.

Just when things were starting to look up, they were shocked by some bad news: Angelina's biological dad had decided to fight for her. This is a man who never took the initiative to come see his daughter. It was only when he was in jail, with nothing to do but reflect on his past mistakes, that he decided he wanted Angelina.

So now they have to fight against a system that favors keeping children with their biological parents, regardless of the fact that this child has known nothing but life with Debbie. Just trying to understand what it would be like if someone announced to me that Seth would be taken away makes me sick to my stomach. And angry. Can you imagine the trauma--being ripped away from your home and everything you've ever known and being thrown into an environment that's totally alien? It breaks my heart to think about it.

This Friday is the big day. The day that they meet with Angelina's biological father and several social workers for mediation. They are praying that he will realize that she belongs with them--that he will decide to do what is best for Angelina. But it's out of their hands.

Please keep Debbie, Angelina and their family in your thoughts and prayers this week. Angelina is already their daughter in spirit and Debbie has no doubt that one day she will be theirs legally. She just doesn't know how long the fight will take.

I'm so excited for the day when we get to watch Angelina be sealed to her family for Time and All Eternity. Please remember them this week.