fbpx Top

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

  3. Looks like she's attaching nicely to you and your family. We adopted our boys at 4 and 6 months and we found that after 2 weeks they were perfectly content with us and the change in surroundings, different smells and the time change difference. I was told that children at this age really only remember about 2 weeks back. After that, they really don't remember anything but you. Many blessings to you and your beautiful family!

  4. Congrats. What a beautiful little girl and family! Your amazing story is a blessing to all of us.
    God bless you,
    Nancy

  5. Oh Renee 🙂

    Thanks for sharing your life with us! These pictures are amazing….that little girl is blessed to be your baby 🙂

    So awesome.

    Inspired,
    Kate 🙂

  6. Renee, thank you so much for letting us go on this journey with you. Today, my sister and I decided that even though we are all going through hard financial times, we are going to the Compassion In Jesus Name and sponsor a child. thank you again for all the encouragement you have given me in such a short time I have followed you and the entire Proverbs 31 crew. God Bless! Kelly Willie

  8. Congratulations Renee and family on the safe arrival ofd your darling daughter! A Habesha Lej is a precious gift! I know as I have twins habesha daughters who arrived home in 2002. Altitude sickness can be sooooo bad! I have taken the twins back twice now and everytime I have to allow a week to adjust.. the headaches nausea etc can be hard whilst trying to bond with your precious children. I wish you all every blessing as you enjoy the beginning of a wonderful journey. Hugs Jo x Australia

  10. Renee…I know you're busy, but you need to update your "About Me" page on your blog Girlfriend!! Your "family" paragraph & picture is a little outdated. 🙂

  11. Oh, Renee!! So thrilled for you and your family and your beautiful new daughter! LOVE the pic of her sleeping on your chest. Sigh.

    Praising the Lord with you tonight!!

  15. Renee,

    I am so happy to see that you are all safely home! Aster is beautiful and your happiness shines through the exhaustion. The Lord is indeed faithful and His hand has orchestrated this journey so perfectly. Welcome home, Aster!

  16. Renee,

    I can't wait to meet Aster!!!! I'm so thankful that y'all are home and she's doing so well. Love the pictures. Thanks for sharing your journey with all of us.

    Love you,
    Melissa

  17. Renee, what a blessing to see that your family has grown by one and that you are safely home in the USA. Praising God for a safe trip and the addition of beautiful Aster. You will continue to be in my prayers as Aster gets settled in her home and grows and loves and is loved!

    Blessings to you, Caroline
    [email protected]

  18. She is beautiful, Renee! I loved all of these pictures! Especially the luggage playpen! Oh, and the one of her asleep on her mommy. Too sweet!

    I am so glad you guys are back safe and sound!
    Love and prayers,
    K 🙂

  19. Renee,
    Thank you for sharing this amazing and beautiful journey to bring Aster home. It makes me feel like I'm your next door neighbor, sitting down with a cup of coffee to brouse through your pictures and hear your story!
    Hugs,
    Molly

  20. Thank you so much for sharing this with us. I have loved following along and praying for you all. You are such an inspiration! Aster is so beautiful and so blessed to have such a wonderful family!

  21. I am loving following your Aster story…what a blessing. This is one of my favorite things about being sisters in Christ. We don't know each other yet I cried right along with your posts and followed your journey to Aster like we were sisters.

    We serve a big God who bonds us Mommies together whether we KNOW each other in this life or not.

    My heartfelt joy and congratulations to you all and welcome to sweet Aster.

  22. I am overwhelmed by the emotions stirred up in me by this post. I am SO thankful for your wonderful experience! 🙂 Praying that my best friend (and I) have very similar experiences as we move forward in our adoption journeys.

    (Her dossier has just been sent to Rwanda! My husband and I are still praying about when to start our journey. Baby Boy just turned a year old. Getting close!!!) 🙂

  23. So excited for you all! She is a darling little girl. What a blessing! Thank you for sharing!

    Darla

  24. Welcome home baby girl! I have been following Asters story, I believe the first time I saw her was in some of Hope's photos. ( she was kind enough to let me see her Ethiopia photos after an email I sent) i'll be praying for yalls transition!!! [email protected]

  25. Renee,

    I just took another long look at previous posts and pictures and I have to say that I'm hooked! I can't wait to follow your blog and to see how Aster develops and what God does in your life because of her. May He bless you with more of Himself!

  27. Have enjoyed the P31 daily devotionals for some time and am happy to hear that you had a safe; all be it long, trip home with this wonderful child. It seems that she already enjoys her new family. The love you already feel for her is apparent.

  29. Wow Renee, what beautiful pictures! So glad you're all home safe and sound. I've been praying for all of you steadily while you were traveling and ill. Praise the Lord for His care of you and your family! Aster is a little doll!

    Love,
    Andrea
    [email protected]

  31. Lindsee, Thanks for your note. You are right – we are so very blessed by this gift God has given us in Aster.

    That absolutely breaks my heart to hear about Pastor David Edwards and their family's tragic loss. I cannot imagine the pain and sorrow and confusion. For some reason, I often wondered throughout our process what I would do if something happened to JJ. Aster is such a part of his heart and his dreams. I wondered if I would still go without him. Oh, I am praying right now for Lyndy and those two precious children in Taiwan.

  33. Renee! Can we say absolutely adorable and Praise the Lord! What a sweet lil' blessing. She is THE cutest thing ever.

    This post reminded me to stop and pray for a sweet family in Corsicana, Texas just now. The Edwards family. Today David and his wife Lyndy were supposed to leave for Taiwan to go adopt two precious children. However, this past Friday David, who is the pastor of First Baptist Church Corsicana was in a car accident and was killed. My heart breaks for them and this is a reminder that ever good and perfect gift is from above!

    Y'all are blessed beyond measure. Thanks for sharing her with us! Huge blessings on you.

    Lindsee

  34. Hi Renee! Sooo glad that you guys made it home safely and am happy to hear Aster is adjusting quickly.

    Thanks for updating your blog with the news – I felt a little obsessed with my repeated checking to see if anything new had been posted. Such an amazing story of love.

    God will bless you for your obedience!

    Sanya

  36. I found you through Lisa's blog and what an amazing journey! You have truly touched my heart and made me wonder if our family is called to something similar. What a beautiful girl!!!

  38. WOW! Thank you for sharing you new joy with us! How amazing is the Lord and the way that he brought this new bundle into your home and hearts. She may not have grown under your heart but she is growing in it! Amazing!

    Tanya

  41. Renee,

    Aster's beautiful! Our Bible study group has been praying for you as you've traveled and battled sickness. Looking forward to learning more about your journey!

  42. Renee, Our family lives in Charlotte and is in the process of adopting a baby girl from Ethiopia and I would love to talk to you. We have been waiting for a referral for 6 months and are hoping to get that phone call soon. I would love to know what it was like taking your sons. Please email me when you get a chance at [email protected].
    Thanks, Shannon

  43. WOW! Enjoy your sweet miracle baby girl. I love that God knew exactly when you would make it home and the promise was given at just the right time. You must tell us about that day two years ago. This journey of faith will bring many blessings.

    Keep shining,
    Jeannie

  45. I cried when I read this, and I laughed too. Your daughter is beautiful, and your photos were so fun. I'm so glad she is adjusting so well, you can see her joy (and the rest of the families) just bursting out. God bless you and your beautiful family!

  46. I have loved reading along and watching this story unfold. Your faithfulness as an individual and a family is so inspiring. Looking forward to reading many posts about life in the Swope household…raising a beautiful little girl!!

  47. You guys are such troopers..that's a long trip! The bassinet on the plane..really? Who knew?

    You have been so sweet to share this personal journey with us. Aster will be amazed by God's grace when she can read all that you thought and prayed for.

  48. Welcome Home!!!!! What a wonderful blessing for you, your family and Aster. I saw a picture of Aster on Karen's blog today and it just made me smile. From the picture it appears that she is settling in just fine.

    Congratulations and thanks for including us in your journey.

  49. Congratulations Renee!!! Aster is absolutely beautiful (but of course, you know that:) I cannot wait to see what the future holds for your precious family!