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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. Wow Renee! Thank you for sharing your blessing with us. I pray for the day she is with you and the boys. She is adorable. Thank you Jesus for choosing this family to care for Aster. B

  3. HOORAY, HOORAY, HOORAY!!!!

    I wish that there was a way to make fireworks explode across this email or make a little person do cartwheels all the way across!

    I'm so excited for you guys and for that sweet little punkin!!!

    love you lots!
    erin

  4. Yahoo!!!! I loved looking at the transformation in her pictures on your blog – and I think of how much more she'll transform with your love poured into her! Love Mel

  5. Thank God, you and your family are so blessed with such a beautiful baby! I have enjoyed walking and praying through your journey to get Aster. Best wishes and prayers for you and your family!! I know you can hardly wait to get your hands on your new little gir

    God Bless You
    Karen

  7. Oh, Renee!! How awesome!! I am thrilled for you all!! Whoohoo–happy dance!!THose pics are amazing! God is sooo good! All of you continue to be in my prayers.

    Love ya!
    Susan

  9. Renee-
    I met you at Camp Berea in NH last fall and I spoke with you about your Ethiopian adoption. I hadn't checked your site in many months but the Lord put in on my heart tonight! I was so delighted to hear your news! Your baby girl is PRECIOUS!!! Congratulations and praise God!

  10. That's not the kind of post that I should read sitting at my desk on a Monday morning….I just knew deep in my heart that I would open up the computer and there would be good news.

    Congratulations – you truly never know what God has planned for you 🙂

  12. OH Renee…How exciting! Now to put into writing what God already made official long before Aster was even born. She has always been a Swope in His eyes. May He bless her biological Mom as she gives up a part of her heart. How precious our God is to let you know that adopting an older girl wasn't in His plans for you today as Aster needs you now. And how precious your hearts to adapt to His Will and not yours. Love your example of Humble Willingness Renee. Something I've been working on. 🙂
    Love you…and get that baby girl home before your Iowa conference! I'm working on getting there.
    Love,
    Lelia

  13. Oh Renee, Aster is absolutely beautiful! What a precious, precious face she has. I'll bet you cannot WAIT to go get her.

    I LOVE the shower pics below this post. SO much to be thankful for!

    "Lord, thank you for completely healing Aster of pneumonia. Make her lungs clear and healthy, and protect her while she waits for her mommy and daddy to come get her. In Jesus' name, Amen."

  14. I am so excited for you and your family. Aster is so blessed to have you and I can't wait until you are able to get her and bring her home. Praying for you and rejoicing in God's goodness!

  15. I am crying tears of joy for you. She is so beautiful and God is so good! Maybe she can make a cameo appearance at She Speaks next year so we can see/meet her in person! Congratulations again!

  18. Renee,
    After meeting JJ and the boys we can totally see how God perfectly prepared your family is for Aster. We cannot wait to hear and see more! Ashley & Rob

  19. Oh what a beautiful little girl. I did not recognize her in the first photo. How much she has changed and how chubby she has gotten. I know you cannot wait to get her home and love on all that chubbiness! I am so happy for your family. Our God is an awesome God!

    Pam

  20. Oh, Renee, I have heard you speak of this desire to bring a child home from Ethiopia for so long…I also have tears on my cheeks with your amazing news. BUT GOD has called your name to be this child's mama. How awesome…
    Debbie