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Renee Swope

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

Read An Excerpt: Chapter 1 & 2

Our Incredible Journey Home!

Thank you so much for praying for our family as we traveled to bring our adopted baby girl home from Ethiopia! It was a very long trip and we are completely exhausted, but we’re doing really well! It honestly could not have gone any better. Aster was an amazing little traveler!

The only bump along the way was that our flight from Frankfurt to Washington, DC was delayed so we missed our connecting flight to Charlotte, which meant an additional 4.5 hour layover. We ended not get home until after 12:30am Sunday morning. But Jesus was right there by our side keeping us company and helping us enjoy the incredible journey we had coming home. Here are are few fun memories:

Aster loved the airport with all the people, lights and sounds she’d never experienced. Here we are filling out customs paperwork and eating dinner at midnight before we get on the plane.

Getting ready to board Aster’s first plane ride! Can’t you tell she is so excited?

Playing with her big brothers on the plane.

She loves the sounds of plastic spoons beating on bowls, and the fact that Joshua’s face turns purple when he puts it on his nose.
Sleeping in the bassinet in front of our seat. Sweeeet!

We found a great restaurant with a shopping center all around it at the Frankfurt airport. Eating, shopping, changing diapers, walking around, changing diapers and eating again. What else could we do to pass time in the airport for 6 hours?

“Okay, I’m done! Thanks for trying but peek-a-boo isn’t even enough to entertain me anymore.”

“See even daddy is ready for a nap.”

“Me too! Thank you mommy for being my bed.”

“What are Joshua and Andrew doing? Writing books? Why aren’t they tired?”

“Oh now I see! When I wake up they go to sleep.”

“Why is Daddy smiling so big? We just missed our flight and I am pooped!”

“Okay, well if you play with me maybe I’ll smile, too.”
“Oooh, I like this play pen mommy made for me!”

“Oh, it’s not only a playpen but a baby bed, too. What’s mommy doing in here?”

“Who are all these smiling and huggy people with balloons and welcome home signs? Shouldn’t they be in bed? It’s so late! I guess they are really excited that I am here!”

“Hmmm. Who is this? He’s really snuggly! They say he’s our pastor but I think we could be related!”

God has done a beautiful work in Aster’s heart since we left Ethiopia and headed home. She is SO HAPPY and feeling so secure in our love. She is laughing and playing, making new sounds and being so cuddly! It has truly been a transformation before our very own eyes. She is already a display of HIS splendor, which is the promises God gave me for her life exactly two years ago today!

Comments

  1. Renee,
    I have been waiting anxiously for you to post "we are home"!!! And it's finally here. She is precioius, and like our youngest, blessed to have 2 big brothers to love and take care of her. Our boys were 12 and 7 when the last of our 4 was born. They developed a bond that is still so strong now 17 years later. Every little girls should be so fortunate at Aster is!
    Love, Kim

  2. What a wonderful story…I'm new to your blog and I really enjoyed seeing all the photos and reading about your adoption adventure. Congratulations on welcoming little Aster into your lives!

  3. Wow…I'm speechless. Last time I read your blog, she was clinging to the workers and the transition was slow but okay. Now, to see her SO happy and bonded to you all is just priceless. She is such a cutie. I love the pics with her big brothers. It seems rare to have young boys want to play with babies. You know what I'm saying.

    Thanks so much for sharing your pictures, your life, your journey.

    Indeed a very beautiful and precious thing.

    I'm so happy for you all.

  6. Renee,
    You’re going to have so much fun. I waited 11 years for my girl and my daughter is the pampered princess, and you can’t tell her any different. I have two older boys as well and they have a tendency to cater to her and just cave and give her what she wants even if she is in the wrong. Have fun with your princess. She is so beautiful and blessed. I just want to eat her up. And thank you for sharing this journey with me. I was on pins and needles waiting for your next blog. She is just toooooooo cute.
    Have a blessed Day
    [email protected]

  8. Congratulations Rene, and all your family. Gods timining is the best. "He has K)made everything appropriate in its time He has also set eternity in their heart, yet so that man (L)will not find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end". Ecclesiastes 3

  10. Renee,
    Your baby girl is so cute. What a wonderful gift God has given you and your family. What an amazing story! Thanks for sharing it with us.

  12. Astor is so precious! Congratulations and thank you for allowing us the chance to follow your journey.

    Love the playpen – really, it's great!

  14. Thank you for sharing your journey! What a joy to see your new little blessing meeting you and coming home with you! God is good…all of the time!!!! Godspeed!

  17. Oh Renee,

    These pictures brought tears to my eyes and chills to my legs. What sweet moments. I just love seeing the love and joy shining on all your faces!

    You've been on my heart so much these past days. I'm so glad she's finally here!

  19. Oh Renee! It's positively exciting to see your whole family home again! The pictures paint such a vivid story of your trip home. From the pictures, I would say that Joshua is absolutely smitten over his little sis! How sweet!

    Y'all rest and relax as much as you can. Praying God's healing mercy and grace upon you as you adjust to being home AND being a family of five!

    Prayers and blessings!
    Rebecca

  20. Congratulations Swope family. So glad you ALL are home. What a sweet, sweet baby girl. As a mother of 3 boys and a grandmother of 4 boys I must say ENJOY that little GIRL.(you lucky dog)!!

  21. Renee,
    I am commenting because of Lysa's blog, but I've been following your blog for awhile now. Love getting to see your new daughter. 🙂

  22. So rejoicing with you!
    Welcome Home, Aster!

    "He tends His flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart; He gently leads those that have young."
    Isaiah 40:11

    Renee: He is gently leading you adn JJ! 🙂

  23. Congratulations again! She is gorgeous! I've been praying and following your story, and praising God that all went fairly smooth and you are back home. Can't wait to see what else God has in store for your amazing family.

  24. Thank you so much for sharing your journey with us. Through reading your blog, I feel as if we are all part of the same family!
    Can't wait to hear more of Astor Swope's journeys!

  25. Congratulations! This is an awesome thing you and your family are doing. I'm so happy for you and your family that this has all worked out and you returned safely. She looks so precious. I pray God continues to bless you and your family and little Aster.

  26. I loved reading your story of bringing Aster into your family. What an inspiration! And it's wonderful to see how the Lord is already brightening her heart!

    Glad you are all feeling better!

    Suzy

  27. Like, others, I am here because Lysa said so but would have been here anyway. Thanks for all of the pictures and updates. What a blessing! I also thought the bassinet on the plane was cool. I have never seen anything like that. Also saw your FB post that Aster slept through the night. Awesome.
    Robin
    [email protected]

  28. Renee,
    Sorry forgot to add this. Lysa told us to visit some of her Proverbs 31 ladies. She didn't have to tell me, I would have visited your site anyway. I've been following your story for months.
    Josey

  29. Renee,
    So Happy for you and your family! The pictures are wonderful to see. I'm praying that everything from here on out goes well. Praying that Aster will adjust to her new family and surroundings easily. Thank you for sharing all along the way of your journey. I look forward to following the rest of your journey with her. She is beautiful and you all look so happy with her!
    Josey

  30. Renee,
    Lysa told me I should visit you this morning, but I was already here once…
    I have been keeping up with this incredible journey of yours for some time now and praise God for how smoothly things went for you on your trip. Aster is precious and one lucky little girl! From one adoptive mom to another, I'm sure you'll testify right alongside me that it's a blessing to adopt and be able to tell the amazing story and give all the glory to God.
    Thank you for sharing!
    In His Great Love,
    Pam Owens
    [email protected]

  31. Congratulations! What a plan God must have for Aster and your family. Thank you for sharing your journey in His grace & love.
    Elaine

  32. I'm loving following your story Renee. I bet it's wonderful to hold and cuddle and kiss that sweet little manifestation of your faith. God is so good!

  34. Oh my goodness, Renee!!! I've been praying and praying along with all your other friends, and look at what God has done. He is completely amazing!

    I'm all ready for CA (almost) and psyched about all that God will do. I covet your prayers.

  35. Wow Renee, God has filled your heart with His promise. Aster is responding to the love flowing from you and your family. Simply beautiful! Many blessing! WOW! I pray for God's plans for ALL of your children. Thank you for sharing your pictures. B

  36. Renee,

    Welcome home!! What an incredible testimony to God's love and faithfulness. Thank you for being so open and sharing this expirience with us. Your story has touched my life in so many ways. You have no idea the impact for God's kingdom it has! It has given me an inquisitive soul that has my husband and I praying about adoption. Who knows where it will lead, God knows!!

    Many blessings on you and your family!
    Tricia in Ky

  39. Renee, having a friend who is adopting a baby girl from China, I have been following literally hundreds of family adoptions over the past four years. I have never…never…read or seen a post like yours as the precious little one comes home. The child is always in tears. The videos are heartwrenching to view as the children are confused and sad, having been taken away from everything and everyone they have known. Aster looks so content and happy. The Lord has certainly answered many prayers in helping her make this adjustment so quickly. I am just in awe at what He has done.

    Continuing in prayer for you all. Rejoicing in His goodness to you. Smiles, hugs and blessings,
    Joy

  40. She is so precious and beautiful! Congratulations and happy you made it home safely. Thank you for sharing your blessings with us.

    Angie

  41. Sweet, precious memories!! Loved all the pictures, especially the one of Aster with your pastor. 🙂

    Thanks for sharing your journey to bring Aster home. Can't wait to hear updates.

    Will continue to pray for you and your family.

  42. Renee,

    What a blessing it has been to come inside your lives and share in this miracle you have been blessed with. Every step of it has been so prayed about and as each plan has come to light they have been penned for later times to share. As Aster comes to know of God, what a wonderful tool to be able to pick up and show her. This will be about her very own life.

    It will be so wonderful to see the plans He has for all of you involved in her lives. May the be blessed.
    Prayers in settling in,
    Diane

  43. Thank you for taking me along on this journey! AMAZING! I am thankful for a precious transition. God is so good. I bet He smiles at how sweet this blessing is for all of you!

  44. Thanks sooo much for taking the time to share your journey and your family with me (us). It has been my pleasure to pray for you and your family and to read about your journey. So glad you guys are home and she is sleeping. Can't wait to hear more about it.

    Angela

  45. Thank you again for taking us on your journey. The way you handled everything was amazing. Your new daughther is beautiful and so are your boys. They look like awesome big brothers. May God continue to keep you in His arms.
    Blessings,
    Nicole

  46. Yes thank you for acting on your heartstrings….i follow the proverbs devos and your family blog i love how you write and God uses you to guide others! Love the pictures of your complete family! Aster is doll! You all look so very proud, as God is proud of you!, whitney terrell arl tx

  47. Oh, sweet friendgirl! You are home! Whoohoo! Praise the Lord! Love the pictures–thanks so much for sharing this incredible journey of the heart with us. I want to meet this precious little girl!!! We need to meet for lunch!Continue to rest!!

    Love you!
    Susan

  48. Hi Renee, i do consider you family we are all part of the family of God:) And i am very excited for you and your husband and children. What a beautiful family you have.

    Your story is so inspiring, i cant wait to hear more as time goes on. God is faithful and no matter how long it takes he comes through for us, i really needed to know that at this time in my life, Thank you, i have hope for my expected end more now as well.

    God bless
    Lisa
    Nova Scotia

  49. Thank you so much for taking us on this journey with you. Ever since you spoke at our retreat 1 1/2 years ago I have been following along. I feel like a friend of mine just had a baby…congrats, Renee, to you and your whole family.

  50. Renee,
    She is absolutely beautiful. You made the trip home look like a breeze. Glad your home. Can't wait to read about the amazing path God is leading you down!
    Paula G.