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Renee Swope

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

She is Ours!!!

“For since the world began, no ear has heard, and no eye has seen a God like you, who works for those who wait for him!” Isaiah 64:4

 

ASTER is officially OUR LITTLE GIRL!!

Yesterday we spent the whole day on the beach, enjoying the moment we were in and trusting God for all that He was accomplishing far, far away in Africa. Since Ethiopia is seven hours ahead of us, by the time we went to the beach it was the end of the day in Addis.

During our picnic lunch we got the call!!! Susan from A.A.I. called to tell us all of Aster’s adoption paperwork was completely approved yesterday in court!!! She is ours! How sweet of God to have brought us to this place – not only spiritually but physically. That we were all together on a beach where we have made so many family memories was the perfect setting! We will never forget the day, the time and the place our lives changed forever. And there will be one more of those when we travel to get her – hopefully in late September or early October.

Aster came into our lives just over 2 months ago when we got a call on June 9th telling us that there was a baby girl who could be ours. This was a big shock since we had planned to adopt an older girl (4-8) or two. BUT GOD!!!

Here are photos of Aster we’ve been dying to share with you! God has done great things and we are filled with JOY!!!May 1, 2009 – The day Aster got to the orphanage. She was 6 months old and weighed only 8 lbs. She is so thin, so lethargic and very malnourished. We saw this frail child as evidence of a loving mother who couldn’t bare to see her baby die. I can only imagine her sorrow as she searched for help and sacrificially found for her baby the love and care she needed, that she as a mother could not provide.

May 26, 2009 – Only 25 days after Aster came to the orphanage she weighed 14lbs! My doctor didn’t believe at firs that this was the same child. But we were thrilled to see that she was already thriving. In just over three weeks she had almost doubled her weight.


June 25, 2009 – Hope TerKeurst holding Aster during a visit to the orphanage while she was on a 6-week missions trip to Ethiopia. It had only been 10 days since we accepted Aster’s referral. To read more about Hope’s visit click here.

July 11, 2009 -Isnt’ she beautiful? There is another amazing God-story about how we got this photo. I’ll share that one next week!


As you can see, our baby girl is doing so well – thriving in so many ways. Our favorite photo is the one at the top of this post where she is smiling so big. We’ve been told she is very sweet, calm, healthy and happy. Now what more could we ask for? (Although we did just find out she was treated for bronco pneumonia August 4th so please pray for her to be completely well and healed from that.)

Thank you friends for your prayers and your part in our little miracle. And THANK YOU my sweet Jesus for Your favor and grace. I am humbled by all that you have done, are doing and will do!

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Comments

  1. TEARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Oh, Renee!!!! I'm so happy for you. I love the journey of adoption. I just love it.

    And I feel so honored that I was one of the few who got a sneak peek of those pics before they went public.

    I love you friend!!!
    Sandy

  2. It just goes to prove that God IS interested in every detail of our lives. He is soo good to us!

    Aster is BEAUTIFUL, Renee! I am so excited about what God is doing in your family.

  3. I don't know if tears are good for my key board or not, but they are flowing BIG TIME!

    Loved the prayer post!

    It's like watching God work right before our eyes!

    I can't wait to see all He has planned for Aster and your family. Thank you for saying "yes."

    much love,
    Micca

  5. Oh Renee…these photo's were worth the wait. I feel like I've just received another gift!!!! What a blessing. She's absolutely ADORABLE!!! What a precious little girl.

    How I've enjoyed visiting with you tonight and reading your past 3 posts. So much fun. So many blessings. So much PINK!!!! 🙂

    May the Lord continue to lead and direct each step of the way until your daughter is safely home in your arms.

    Hugs,
    Joy

  6. Congratulations–I am so happy for your family. The love of God shines through Aster's beautiful smile. What a blessing!

    JD

  9. Renee,

    Wow! That's all I can say. Wow to the move of God. Wow to you and your family opening your hearts. Wow to such a beautiful baby girl! I'm sitting here typing … amazed!

    God Bless You!
    Sanya

  11. Renee, I was so touched by your story and all that God has done! Wow, He is amazing!! So neat to think how this is all unfolding even to the point of where you received the news! His ways are wonderful – thank you for sharing with all of us. The prayers will continue, Jill

  14. Beautiful post my friend! So happy for you…can't wait to see the journey God is just beginning to lead you on –
    love you

  16. Thanks for sharing all these photos– even though I knew the story I hadn't seen the progression as represented in these pictures. Wow! She has come so far yet the real journey of her life is just beginning!

  17. Amazing to see Aster going from malnourished to beautiful dimples and baby rolls. Can't wait to see pics with her in the arms of her mom, dad and brothers!

    Amy

  19. Renee, as I sit here and read this I am crying…tears of joy. She is beautiful and God is so good. I can not wait to read about when you go and get her. Just want you to know that at 5 am this morning (Fri) I woke up with Aster on my mind. I got up and lifted up to our Father. Thank you for sharing her and your story with us.
    Angela T Ramsey