Last year on April 9, 2011 my husband, our two children, my mother and I went half way around the world to meet and adopt Dusty and Sonya. I remember feeling very nervous. It was a big leap of faith. We prayed that God would continue to lead the way. Well, we jumped and God made sure we "flew swiftly like an eagle."
Jeremiah 48:40
It is hard to believe a year has passed since the day those butterflies were in my tummy. Thankfully they didn't stay there very long. The butterflies were replaced with an overflowing joy as we doubled the number of our children.
I know what you're thinking...Yes, it's true that our work doubled too. We've got tons of laundry but look who loves to help.
We are busy, busy, busy but we wouldn't want it any other way. Besides...
"I can do everything by the power of Christ. He gives me strength."
Philippians 4:13
Yesterday was Easter. We celebrated the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He died for our sins. We are forgiven. He defeated death when He rose from the dead. Now we will have eternal life with Him in heaven.
Before coming home Dusty needed assistance to walk.
Now I call Dusty my happy wanderer he loves to walk ANYWHERE his feet carry him.
Jeremiah 48:40
 |
| April 2011 |
 |
| April 2012 |
We are busy, busy, busy but we wouldn't want it any other way. Besides...
"I can do everything by the power of Christ. He gives me strength."
Philippians 4:13
Yesterday was Easter. We celebrated the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He died for our sins. We are forgiven. He defeated death when He rose from the dead. Now we will have eternal life with Him in heaven.
"Any one who believes in Christ is a new creation. The old is gone!
The new has come!"
So many changes have happened since last year. The new has come for Dusty and Sonya. It's been amazing to watch. Take a look at the OLD and see the NEW.
When we were visiting Dusty in the orphanage we would bring him outside to swing on the swings.
 |
April 2011
|
Now he loves to swing especially when it goes high. He even got his very own swing for his birthday.
 |
| April 2012 |
A few days prior to coming home to the USA.
We gave Dusty a bath. He was not sure what to make of it.
We gave Dusty a bath. He was not sure what to make of it.
 |
May 2011
|
Now, you'd better be prepared because you WILL get splashed!
Dusty LOVES to take a bath.
Dusty LOVES to take a bath.
 |
November 2011
|
Before coming home Dusty needed assistance to walk.
 |
| April 2011 |
 |
| April 2012 |
When visiting Sonya in the orphanage she crawled most of the time and walked with lots of assistance.
 |
| April 2011 |
Now Sonya is walking without any assistance. She loves her new-found independence!
 |
| April 2012 |
We tried to get Sonya to clap, wave hello & goodbye while we visited with her at the orphanage. She never did it without hand over hand help.
 |
| May 2011 |
Now Sonya can wave & clap with excitement all by herself.
 |
| November 2011 |
Sonya had no idea what it meant to have a Mommy or a Daddy.
 |
| April 2011 |
Now she knows! She can even use sign language to say,
" Love, Mommy & Daddy"
 |
| November 2011 Signing - Love |
 |
| November 2011 Signing - Mommy |
 |
| November 2011 Signing - Daddy |
The night before Dusty and Sonya came to be with us on "Gotcha Day" Johnny prayed, "Dear God, Thank you for letting us come to rescue the children."
 |
| May 2011 |
It brings happy tears to my eyes to say that some things have NOT changed. Johnny is still so thrilled that we adopted Dusty and Sonya. He is a fantastic "BIG" brother!
 |
| Easter Sunday - April 2012 |
Carolyn was only twenty months old when she met Sonya and Dusty face to face. In the months prior we had talked a lot about her new brother and sister. When the day came for her to finally meet them. She was like a little mother hen gathering her new chicks under her wings!
 |
| May 2011 |
 |
| May 2011 |
 |
| April 2012 |
 |
| October 2011 |
I just read a quote from Mother Teresa...
"Saying there are too many children is like saying there are too many flowers."
I must say I agree with her whole heartedly and I am enjoying watching our flowers BLOOM!
Thank you for watching right along with us!
Blessings,
Amy
