Today We Celebrate - Nikita!

Four years ago today a sweet little boy was born from another woman's womb in another country across the ocean.  He never got to go home.  Unfortunately, he was left at the hospital and then taken to an orphanage all because he had Down Syndrome.  Someone gave him the name Nikita, perhaps it was a nurse or the priest who baptized him.

Youngest picture we have of Nikita

Little Nikita spent a lot of time in a hospital because he was so sick.  He waited in that orphanage with many trips to the hospital for literally his whole life.  You see, he didn't live very many days past his 3rd birthday.  He had Leukemia, although it was never discovered until a few days before he died on February 25, 2011.

Nikita - the picture of him that captured our hearts on November 6, 2010

He died before we could adopt him and yet we consider him OUR ARROW.  We call him Nikita Frederick Hinz and love him as our son.  Today on the day of his birth we celebrate Nikita.

Nikita did not die forgotten!

2010 Angel Tree Ornaments on the Christmas tree

Nikita did not die unloved!

Nikita's birthday 2011

Nikita did not die an orphan without a Forever Family!

Celebrating Nikita's birthday 2011 and looking forward to having him home for his birthday in 2012.

Nikita did not die unwanted!

Sending our Dossier to Ukraine to adopt Nikita and Dusty.

Nikita is missed!

Making a bear for Nikita -  Johnny recorded his voice saying,
"Hello Nikita -We miss you when you're far away from us!"

Nikita's life had purpose and meaning!

Dusty and Sonya at the orphanage April 2011

Dusty and Sonya having FUN!  December 2011 

Finding and loving Nikita was part of God's plan.  God made sure that our arms did not stay empty when Nikita died.  God made sure that two more little arrows made their way into our quiver with Johnny, Carolyn, and Nikita.  We are so blessed to have Dusty and Sonya home with us since May 2011.

Carolyn, Dusty, Sonya and Johnny

Nikita was never forgotten by his Creator!

Psalm 139:13  "You knit me together in my mother's womb." 

Nikita was always loved by his Savior!

1 John 3:16a  "This is how we know what love is: 

Jesus Christ laid down his life for us."

Nikita belonged to his heavenly Father!

Isaiah 43:1 "I have called you by name; you are mine."

Nikita was wanted and adored by Jesus!

Matthew 19:14  "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, 

for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

Nikita was never alone because God was always with him!

Joshua 1:5b "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

We are comforted by these verses from the Bible and by the fact that Nikita does rest in peace.  He will forever rest in the arms of Jesus who is the Prince of PEACE.

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, 

that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Happy Birthday, Nikita!  Today we celebrate YOU!  We love you and look forward to holding you in our arms someday when Jesus calls us home!