Born May 29, 2007. Five pounds, 17 inches. She spent the first six months of her little life as a tiny, sick baby in a hospital. After six months she was sent to the baby orphanage and has since lived her entire life within the same walls.
Today, in a courtroom in Nikolaev, Ukraine nervously standing before a judge and jurors we we became her parents, her mommy, her daddy, her FAMILY.
Today she became a daughter, a sister, a grandchild. Loved, cherished, never, ever given up again.
Held in our arms - For LIFE.
Today this tiny little person with shy eyes and hands which always want to be wrapped in her mommy's became........
Our DAUGHTER. Svetlana Josie Houser. She will be called Sveta. Our Sveta Josie.
The Lord gave me her middle name as I was staring at her photo months ago. "Josie"
The next day I looked up the meaning on the computer.
Josie - "The Lord will multiply. God will increase"
Oh, and how He has. He has multiplied our love for Sveta, he has increased our family. He has shown His glory in this long journey to her. The Lord led us to people here in Ukraine who are doing His work in the orphanages and we are in awe that He led us directly to them and brought us all together.
Last night at dinner we met with these amazing people and learned more about their work here and how they have been praying for so many children, and for Sveta to have a family. They have known her since she was a year old. We found out things we never would have known. Tears filled the eyes of almost every person and God's presence was powerful at that table.
Never, ever give up on the adoption journey. It is a emotionally draining process. At times you wonder why in the world you are doing this. But continuing to look UP at the one in control and we can regain focus. There are so many children here who need and desperately LONG FOR a family, the love of one mommy, one daddy.
Today there is one less orphan in the world.
She is our precious, spunky, yet shy little girl.
She is cherished. The Lord placed us on this journey and some called us crazy. We knew all along He holds the foresight and knew the outcome. He has planned the lives he wants us to touch, the paths he wants us to take, the gifts He wants us to use for His glory.
And sweet Sveta - He has set her apart and made no mistakes in her creation or the path which led her to us.
And so today, Friday, June 24th, 2011 Svetlana Josie Houser was adopted into our life, our family.
We look upward, praising God and say "Father, we thank you"
Oh how we thank Him. The author of all salvation.
Our ten day begins tomorrow and we should be able to take Sveta out of the orphanage around the 5th or 6th of July. We will continue to keep everyone updated!
9 comments:
Praise God! Kim I am so happy for your family, and Sveta! I'm glad you got to hang out with some locals too, I know they have been just waiting to meet you!
So overwhelmed at HIS faithfulness to his children!!! Praying still for continued peace and safe travels. We can't wait to welcome her to our community :)
I have been praying for this dear little one to have a family for the past year or more! I am so thankful to see that she has been welcomed into a loving family!! Congratulations on the precious addition to your family. I'll be praying for your transition into everyday life with your daughter. :) You don't know me but I have a heart for adoption and this little girl and I am soooo thankful to praise the Lord for you and Sveta and to continue in prayer for your family!
YAY!!!!!!! Welcome to the Houser family, Sveta!! :)
PRAISE!!! Oh He is SO good! Thank you for the words "never, ever give up." I needed to hear it today. Rejoicing with you.
~Amy Peterson
I have had a special place in my heart for your sweet girl, from the first time I laid my eyes on her picture! She is truly one of the most beautiful children I've ever seen. I wept when I heard that her first adoption fell through. But, NOW, NOW my heart is Rejoicing! She was never, ever supposed to be in a different family. Only your family! Praise God, that HE Knows!! The "fit" feels perfect!
So, Congratulations to you and to Miss Sveta Josie!! My middle name is Jo, but I've been called Josie throughout my life. Makes me smile to think we share a name!
I look forward to watching Sveta grow and thrive in your loving care. Continuing to Pray you all HOME!! Hugs ~ Jo
I am so happy for your family this is finally done! I have been following along. This is a beautiful post today. Praise GOD!!!! One less orphan in this world!
Congratulations, she is beautiful. God is good, what a blessing she is to you and you to her. Just precious, this brought tears to my eyes.
HOW THE HECK DID I MISS THIS POST?!?!?!!? Oh friend, I am rejoicing with you, jumping, yelling, whooping and hollering!!!!! THANK YOU JESUS IN HEAVEN!!! I am so sorry I missed this news...we didn't have internet service yesterday... Love you and LOVE YOUR DAUGHTER!!!! So, so wonderful....you are blessed.
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