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Renee Swope

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

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!!!

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Comments

  1. 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!

  3. 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

  7. 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)!

  9. 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

  10. 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!!!

  11. I've been following your story and those pictures from Sun. gave me goose bumps. Congratulations and I will continue to pray for health and healing for you whole family… praise and glory to God for all that's He's done so far. I don't even know you all, but am as excited for your family as though your my best friend. God is amazing!

  12. She is absolutely precious! I am so in love with her sweet round cheeks. I can't wait to kiss them! I am sorry that the trip is not the picture that you had in your mind but… I trust that God is in complete control. I will be praying for your beautiful new family all week and I can't wait to meet the new addition of pinkness!

    Love You TONS!
    LeAnn

  15. Aster is precious!! 🙂 Praying for you and your family. From experience we know that satan doesn't like adoption and he will try any way possible to stop you. Be strong and in His mighty power you will win this battle. Blessings!

  16. Congratulations! So exciting. She is beautiful.

    And tamiflu makes you very sick at the stomach! My husband & I both had to stop taking it, it made us so sick. We decided the flu would be more tolerable than the tamiflu.

  17. Oh, Renee!

    These are the pictures I have been so waiting for! I praise God that He has brought you all this far…and I praise Him for all He has in store!!!

    I am praying for EVERYONE'S health! And I agree that Aster's hesitancy has so much to do with her feeling so bad. I am praying that her little heart will recognize quickly that your family is a safe, loving place to be. I am sure those smiles will soon flow in abundance!

    Praying for you!
    Lots of love,
    K

  19. What an awesome God we have. Renee I will be praying for you and your family. Aster is precious and God is good! I will pray that your transition is wonderful and God will heal her from her bug and keep all of you healthy during this time.
    God bless all you and keep you safe in your travels.
    What a beautiful gift!
    Covering you in prayer,
    renee~

  20. What a blessing Renee! To finally hold your sweet little girl! She will fall in love with her family! Thank you for sharing this moment with us. May God continue to shine in all of you. You already look like a proud Mama holding her.