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Renee Swope

Encouraging and equipping moms to parent with God's grace and confidence.

Read An Excerpt: Chapter 1 & 2

Meeting Aster

My baby girl and me!

Our meeting with Aster this morning got bumped to 3pm this afternoon. It was a day of anticipation and also much needed rest. We actually went back to bed after breakfast and slept until 2pm. It was just what we needed!

It’s what Aster needed too. When we got to the orphanage we found out she had a fever and a really bad cough. Two of her caretakers said she had the flu. This was very concerning with all that we went through last week with Andrew getting so sick, but I knew God wasn’t surprised. I was so thankful we were taking Tamiflu as a precaution, which meant we could hold her without concern if she coughed on us.

She was so lethargic and and warm. I kicked into “mommy” mode asking them what her temperature was. if she’d been seen by a doctor and if anyone had listened to her lungs. They tried hard to reassure me that she was ok but I didn’t have peace about it until the nurse came in and took her temperature. It was 100.4 under her arm. Then they handed me a baby Tylenol suppository to insert in her little bottom, and that was my introduction to mommy 101!

Bless her heart, she was so sleepy and unhappy. Not exactly the best condition for a baby who is being bombarded by the love and affection of four people she’s never seen who act like they’ve known her forever! She kept looking at us like we were crazy. But we didn’t care; we just kept holding her and loving on her.
Aster took an afternoon nap while we went to get something to eat and then we took her for a walk around the compound as we toured the orphanage. She wasn’t happy at all and eventually started crying so we took her back to the baby area. That is when she started reaching for her two nannies. It was so sweet to see how much she loved them and found comfort in their arms.

As much as that could hurt my feelings, it TOTALLY didn’t! I was so thankful she had bonded with them and was having separation anxiety. That is such a healthy emotion for a child who is being adopted. That assures us that she is able to bond emotionally and not too long from now she will feel that way about us.

The only thing I was concerned about is that Aster would not smile. Not at all. Not for anyone. No matter what we tried of how hard the caretakers tried. It broke my heart and made me wonder if something is wrong. Even if there is, I know God is sovereign over that too.

Aster is ours. God chose us for her, and her for us. That is one thing I know for sure.

God knew what I was thinking and wondering in those quiet places in my heart and He gave me a quick glance into the possibility of her smile. Right before bedtime I was feeding her a bottle and she started crying. She was looking around the room for Amanish. I gave Aster to her and she started playing with her and making her smile. Such a gift to this momma’s heart!!


We decided it was best for Aster to get to know us over time and let her transition into our family so she is spending the night at the orphanage. We will go back there first thing in the morning and spend the whole day with her there. I can’t wait to watch God transform her hesitant heart into a heart of joy and security because she knows she belongs to us, and ultimately that will lead her to the Love she longs for because she belongs to HIM!

Update: Please pray. Andrew is sick on his stomach. Joshua and I are also very nauseous. It was a long night with not much sleep. Took tamiflu on empty stomachs so praying that is the cause. Headed to orphanage and checking into guest house there. May not have internet the rest of the week but we’ll try. Hugs!!!

Comments

  2. Hi Renee… Debi Howey here… and Carolyn Barrett is with me and another friend in the car… (Butch is driving!) We are on our way back home from a small event with JFilm… tell you about it later.. anyway… we enjoyed reading about your journey and also seeing Aster… we were all 'ooing and ahhhing' while Butch was driving and wanting to see the pictures too!! We are praying for you all right now!! (well… after I'm done writing)… hugs, love & prayers… debi, Carolyn & Donna

  3. 10/07/09 (2:51p.m. EST) Still praying for you all. Glad to hear that everyone is on the mend. I'm staying updated from your twitters even though I don't twitter.

  4. How precious! You guys look so good together. I am praying for you all with this attack from the devil. God will be glorified!

    I love Aster's onesie! GO YANKS!!(sorry, had to.)

  7. Miss Renee & family,

    Take a moment to think of the magnitude of your journey. So many decisions, prayers, upsets, delights. The anticipation of meeting Miss Aster alone must have been overwhelming. Rest assured that God would not have put you there if it was not His plan. She will bond with each of you when she's ready (little girls are like that). You will light up that little face with a smile that will make our hearts melt for you.

    Try to rest when possible so that you can be healthy enough to not only cherish your daughter but also carry her with you to pray over the other children before you leave there.

    Miss Aster may not be smiling as big as you'd like on the outside but I guarantee she's smiling in her heart. She is a miracle. God's gift to you.

    Blessings for a safe journey home.

  9. Praying for good health for all of you. Pictures of Aster are beautiful. Thank you for sharing your story-so heartwarming and inspiring. God is so good. Erin

  10. Rejoicing with you that you are able to hold Aster in your arms! Also praying for health for all and continued protection, safety, and smoothness of processes!!

    Blessings to you all!

  11. As I read this, I loved the Tamiflu "God-incidence"… and, not to go all Ned Flanders on you, but it might be a blessing that she was little under the weather… sometimes when I am feeling ill I don't have the energy to be anxious.

    All your love and enthusiasm might have been overwhelming to her, but her "depressed" state could have allowed her to sort sit back inside herself and take it all in. It seems so cool to me that God would work it out that way.

    God makes things like flu scares into perfectly orchestrated details. Gotta love it. Gotta love Him. And oooooh ya gotta love that little girl's face!

  12. AHHH!!! She is so beautiful! I'm so glad you wrote this update. Your family has been on my mind so much since you left Friday. can't wait to hear more!

  13. Praying thankful prayers that you have all been united with Aster and hopeful prayers that you will all be nausea-free. Can you get ahold of any ginger? Even Ginger-flavored Altoids will settle a tummy, but ginger tea is best. Thank you so much for sharing your life and your beautiful new daughter with us!
    God bless you all!
    Jenn

  14. Oh Renee! Aster is so beautiful! Well she was beautiful in all the previous photos you shared, but there is something different with these photos, in a good way, maybe it's just that you all are in the photos with her!

    I love the careful positioning of your hand on her back for support. Wow, many blessings to you all!

    smooches,
    Larie

  15. Congratulations and God's blessings to your new family. Thank you so much for sharing your journey with us. Aster is a doll!! I will continue to pray that everyone feels 100%, including Aster.

    Blessings,
    Nicole

  16. Thanks for sharing your story! Our daughter and son-in-law just returned Friday from Ethiopia with their two new children! They are so precious (ages 10 & 5) All is going well! God is so Good!

  17. Hi! My name is Frances Worthington and we are adopting a little boy from Uganda. We will travel to meet him in about 6 months!! We will be praying for you. Isn't it so exciting?? We just can't wait to meet him! Your little one is precious!

    Thrive!
    Frances Worthington
    Desert Flower Ministries

  18. What a joy and privilege it is to live vicariously through you and your family! Praying that you all will feel better…and hoping the upset tummies are butterflies of excitement and nerves. Trusting and knowing God is taking GREAT care of all of you…she is SO precious…I could just squeeze her little cheeks…thank you for sharing this part of your journey and heart!

  19. Renee, she is beautiful, just beautiful. Hang on to your rest in God's plan sweet friend. We are all praying and pressing in on your behalf. Thank you so much for the update.I was watching Twitter this weekend and hoping to hear how things are!
    We love you girl!! All is well!
    pat

  22. I am praying for you and your family 🙂 What a precious gift she is. Before you know it she'll be reaching for your arms.

    I wish you and your family all the best on this journey. Take lots and lots of pictures!

  23. She is beautiful:) I am praying for you and your family. I pray the rest of your week is without any sickness or sick feelings. I also lift up Aster and hope she is feeling much better soon. God is amazing, His timing is Perfect. Thanks for sharing with us. I had tears as I saw the picture of you and your precious daughter.
    Angela

  24. Renee,
    I believe that God wanted me to say this to you…

    "You are good because I am good!

    I hope it makes sense to you. God bless you. I will be praying for you and your family and Baby Aster! She is just beautiful! Congratulations!

    Monica

  25. Oh, bless your hearts!! I'll be praying for all of the Swopes! I pray that you will all feel better soon!!

    Renee…oh, what a doll!! Just precious! THank you for sharing these wonderful family pics with us. Y'all continue to be in our prayers. Keep the updates coming, please!

    Love you!
    susan

  26. I always wanted to adopt; my husband did not. Now I am almost 60 and those days are past, but I am looking for ways to love on children who need me nearer to my home. I am so thankful for obedient women like you and Lysa (TerKeurst) who hear God's voice and count the cost of obedience … and then obey with gladness of heart. Blessings to you, and praying for Aster. (PS – Aster comes from the Greek word for "star." May your little girl come to know Jesus, and shine brightly for Him like the stars of heaven. Here are some scriptures on the stars: Ps. 8:3; Ps. 147:4; Is. 40:26; Song of Sol. 6:10 – there are many more.) God, who knows each star by name, knows and loves your little "star," too!

  27. Beautiful beautiful beautiful!
    What an exciting time!
    Praying for healthy bodies and sweet Aster as she adjusts to her new life.
    God….you are so loving!

  28. God Bless you Renee and I pray you are all feeling well. I pray for little Aster's heart as well. We were just given our precious Haitian son 2 weeks ago. He went directly to Dupont Children's hospital as he was so severly sick. It was found that he has sickle cell. He's home now and doing much better.

    I pray you all will bond during this time.

  29. Renee, Thank you for the pictures and update. She is a cutie! Praying for smiles and bonding in the days to come. Also, for everyones health!

    Hugs across the miles….Sue

  30. Oh such precious pictures. So sorry everyone's a bit under the weather. Praying that today will be a sweet and restful time for all, and that Aster will just feel your love!

  31. Like so many others, I am praying for you & your whole family (including Aster!) I had to chuckle when I read about Aster not smiling… When our 1st grandchild was a baby/toddler, she was quite serious, & didn't smile really often. But that was just her young personality. By age 3 she had changed so much. Now at 10, she is joyful, smiles easily & readily, & is one of the sweetest caring little gals you could meet. Everyone who meets/knows her comments on what a sweet child she is & how polite she is, yet converses easily with adults & gets along with other children just great. Sorry this was so long… I just wanted to encourage you! I'm praying for your health & for your bonding with Aster this week. As a former foster mom of newborns, I can tell you that indeed it is healthy for a baby to bond with the foster mom so that they can transition in the bonding process to their new mom. Praise God for those moms who have shown her love & shared her young life so far!

  33. Hi everyone,
    I'm Renee's assistant. This morning we received an email from the Swope Family. Andrew is sick again but this time he's worse. Renee and Josh are feeling bad also. Please pray for them today. I know that God wouldn't want anything to spoil this precious time of bonding with Aster. Please pray that God would restore health to the entire family so they can continue with their plans this week and return home safely.

    Thanks,
    Leah DiPascal

  37. I can't see to type…tears of joy fill my eyes. What a glance into heaven you are allowing me to witness. The rain here are tears of rejoicing from the saints that are looking on at your beautiful new family and your new one that is now in your arms.
    Claiming blessings and wellness over this trip!
    Love you friend(s)!

  39. Hi Sweet Renee and Family
    I have been praying soo much. Praying more specifically now! She is so precious – can't wait to touch her in person.
    Jesus, be with you!!
    Love,
    Missy

  40. What a beautiful baby to complete your beautiful family. She is blessed, as are you. I will pray today that you will all be healed quickly from this flu bug and that you can head home with your gorgeous daughter soon.

    Just yesterday I went to a baby shower for a friend who has just adopted twin boys from Ethiopia. What a joy to see those little boys being quickly integrated into their family. God is good and will do that for you too, Renee. So exciting!!!