Psalm 127:3-5

"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.

Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth.

Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them!"

Psalm 127:3-5

Monday, April 9, 2012

Our Blooming Flowers!

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

April 2011
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.

April 2012
    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.  

"Any one who believes in Christ is a new creation.  The old is gone!  
The new has come!" 
2 Corinthians 5:17  

  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.  
May 2011

Now, you'd better be prepared because you WILL get splashed!
Dusty LOVES to take a bath.
November 2011

Before coming home Dusty needed assistance to walk.
April 2011 
Now I call Dusty my happy wanderer he loves to walk ANYWHERE his feet carry him.  

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
I am pleased to tell you that Carolyn is still taking care of her little chicks.  I love the way she always wants to introduced Dusty and Sonya to the people that she meets.  It is adorable.  She is a loving "BIG" sister!
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




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14 comments:

  1. JamieApril 9, 2012 at 9:38 PM

    I LOVE the before and after pictures. What amazing kids you have there :) Thank you for sharing!!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. CarolynApril 9, 2012 at 9:46 PM

    Truly amazing!! Love the pictures!! So amazing!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousApril 9, 2012 at 10:06 PM

    Papa read this and liked it.
    Love you, Papa

    ReplyDelete
  4. rosedelApril 9, 2012 at 10:15 PM

    Thanks so much for updating. It is always exciting to see how the little ones have progressed and gained skills and laughter and love.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Kristen's momApril 9, 2012 at 10:56 PM

    what a blessing you are to those precious children. I cannot believe the change in the past year.

    ReplyDelete
  6. pattyApril 9, 2012 at 11:24 PM

    Such a beautiful post, Amy. It is so wonderful to see all the progress that Dusty and Sonya have made. I enjoyed the pictures of all of the Hinz children together. I hope we see all of you this summer some time.
    Patty

    ReplyDelete
  7. Irene Morales WardApril 10, 2012 at 8:01 AM

    God bless your family. They are ALL beautiful to watch!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Crissy PenceApril 10, 2012 at 12:55 PM

    Amy and John,

    Amazing pictures and love the remarkable transformations! What blessings!!

    Love,
    Crissy (in Iowa)

    ReplyDelete
  9. EmiApril 10, 2012 at 1:20 PM

    The pictures are amazing! Dusty looks like a different child! And Sonya is getting bigger and more beautiful each day. I always enjoy your updates!

    ReplyDelete
  10. RochelleApril 10, 2012 at 1:54 PM

    The best blooms I have seen this year! Oh my how far they have come! Love your family and those precious two! Johnny's comment still brings tears to my eyes.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Pete HinzApril 10, 2012 at 10:08 PM

    I love the pictures of Dusty splashing in the tub; and the one with Carolyn,Sonya, and the swing.

    ReplyDelete
  12. AnonymousApril 10, 2012 at 10:17 PM

    This was a wonderful post! Your family has been a blessing from God to these children, and they are a blessing to you! AWESOME!!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. AnonymousApril 11, 2012 at 8:17 PM

    I am so happy for you all and that God lead you to these children.
    I'm a friend of Sally Hinz
    Linda

    ReplyDelete
  14. AnonymousOctober 15, 2012 at 6:52 AM

    I had the pleasure of meeting your family at the pumpkin patch. What a beautiful story and a beautiful family. God shines his love on you daily for extending your hearts to your new son and daughter. Watching Carolyn and Sonya play together was amazing, and little Sonya is a total love bug.... prayers for all of you that life is good, just like God is Good, All the time.
    Melissa

    ReplyDelete

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