Hope

Dear Life,

When I met Sofi a year ago, I was so sad to see how very tiny she was. I didn't know at the time, but she only weighed 20 pounds at 4 years old. When I held her, she was so stiff, and she would arch her back because she was unused to someone holding her.  I didn't see any of that, I just saw her beautiful brown eyes and gorgeous smile. These pictures were from my visit. I wasn't allowed to share her face then. But look at her tiny fingers. 

I really had no idea what to expect when we brought her home. I knew that I fell in love even before that visit. That was enough. 

When I brought her home, my husband and my boys fell under her spell. They adored her. 

She was so fair, and so tiny. She didn't reach for anything, she really didn't do much. Oh but her smile lit up my world. This photo by Chelsea Abinante Photography shows a brand  new to America Sofi. She wouldn't even look at the camera. 

Isn't my family beautiful? I love them all so much. This photo is a few months later courtesy of Pics by Presley. She's smiling even more but still quite the photography challenge. 

Over the summer, Joanna Penney took this photo of her. A much more aware face.  She is so beautiful. We love her so. 

 

This was last weekend prior to the  surgery to place a Gtube in. She's looking at me and laughing.  She was playing with the hanging toy. She is now engaged in life around her. 

 This was from today. A day out of the hospital and already living it up at the beach. And already, both Stuart and I can tell a profound change in her. She has been tolerating her feeds, eating per mouth three times a day and has a GTube feeding 4 times a day. She is FULL. She is happy. She tracks with her eyes better. She has a lightness about her.  She holds her head up

more. It's amazing. 

I didn't want surgery for her, but thankful that this was available for her and it's helping her. Thankful for the team at CHOC Children's that have really been an amazing advocate for her and have kept her history at the forefront of their minds as they map out her health care. 

I think back, at the sweet little angel who didn't even have the strength or knowledge to raise her hands to play with toys much less hold up her head, and am SO grateful, eternally grateful for each and every one of you.  Children like her are really considered worthless in her country. Their lives are a burden to the community. They aren't given enough food to sustain themselves and sometimes they are stuck in deplorable conditions. Because we were crazy, we saw a future for one of these children, and we went out on a limb, Sofi now has a family. Because of all of you we are watching our daughter bloom right before our eyes. I can't wait to see what she will become. 

Steps to Sofi- Asya's story Part 3

When we contacted Children's House International to inquire about adoption, we were so amazed by the reception we got.  I emailed Nina Thompson, a caseworker at CHI, asking about little girls with Spina Bifida.  Within a few minutes I received an answer, and a couple of files.  Emails started flying back and forth as we fell in love with Asya immediately.  

One of the obstacles was the cost of adoption.
We were floored at the cost and we didn't have $35,000 laying around in a bank account.  We didn't think that should stop this journey, and when Nina told us we could fundraise for the adoption, we blindly started doing so.  We never thought twice, we knew we were supposed to be Asya's parents, and we knew somehow we would get the money. 

We had many fundraisers, many from our local businesses.  But by far the most successful fundraiser we had was our shoe drive.  One night, I was on google, searching for fundraising ideas when I saw the ANGEL BINS website.  I filled out a contact form, and the next day received a phone call from one of the account managers.  She told me we could collect shoes of all sorts as long as they were matching and without holes in the soles....and she said we needed to collect 5000 pairs to raise approximately $3500.  I thought that was a great idea, so we decided to do it.  We started the shoe drive on Januray 3, 2013.  We appealed to everyone on every form of social media.  We had drop off spots in every county we had friends in.  Our Spina Bifida community rallied and collected shoes.  And all of a sudden our little shoe drive took off.  You can read the blog post thanking everyone HERE.  It tells how many counties, states, and the grand total!  Once that shoe drive was completed, we knew that this adoption was being helped along my a divine hand.  

As we shared Asya's story, she became Sofi to us.  Sofi Rose. And in October of 2013, my dear friend and I traveled around the world to meet the beautiful girl with the soft brown eyes.

 Our lives would never be the same.

Stay tuned for Part 4

One less

Dear Life,

Do you remember Susanna?

You can read her story here.

After I wrote that post, a wonderful family came forward and started the process of adopting not only Susanna, but Susanna's best friend as well.

Kristin and Keith Williams is this family.  I wrote to Kristin, and shared my love for Susanna and how excited I was to know that there is finally going to be a family for Susanna. You can read their blog at The Road to Piecefield.

Last week the unthinkable happened.  Susanna died.  Susanna was never able to meet her mommy and daddy. She never had the opportunity to leave her crib. Praying that with God's grace she felt the love this family had for her through the miles.  Although Susanna is now running in Heaven, her family's hearts are breaking. One less in this case is not a good thing.  It is a devastating loss.  

The need for orphan awareness is huge.
The time is now.
Not everyone is called to adopt.
THAT IS OKAY.
But everyone should take the time to learn about the orphan crisis all over the world.
Every person that prays, advocates and donates is a part of alleviating the crisis. 

Adopt Give Support Advocate

How Christmas has been changed for me

Dear Life,

Christmas has been changed forever for me.   Why you ask?  It's simple.  BS and AS.  (Don't worry...it's not as bad as it sounds)

Before Sofi

I LOVED to buy gifts for everyone....I loved to try to be that person that got the perfect gift and make people so happy. 
I LOVED to see the presents spilling out from under the tree far past the tree skirt.
I LOVED to GET gifts...there have been a few years recently that my husband and I did not exchange because we couldn't.  I HATED it.  It made me grumpy that I didn't have anything under the tree.  Like I was the kid or something.  

Then something happened.  I met Sofi.  (sort of)

After Sofi

I realized that this little girl belonged to our family and we would do whatever it would take to bring her here.
I realized that Christmas is not about what  material things you give, but who you spend your time with and how you spend that time.
I realized that eventually, my older boys will be gone, and memories made together  will last, whereas whatever toy or item they requested won't be remembered after a month.
I realized the importance of family, love, time, and memories.

And then I thought and pondered the story of the birth of Christ.  And found this question put out by President Monson: "In our day the spirit of giving gifts plays a large role in commemorating the Christmas season. I wonder if we might profit by asking ourselves, What gifts would the Lord have me give to Him or to others at this precious season of the year?"

This is the time to sacrifice, to see where I can help someone else, teach my kids to help others, and to work hard to bring our sweet Sofi home.  And in that, I know that our family will feel of the true meaning of Christmas.  Have I told you that no other family has requested information about Sofi before we came along?  I know I've told you that she is non verbal at the moment.  She is locked up in her own head.  I don't think that will always be the case.  But she needs to come home to get the proper medical treatment...and the love of  a family to support her and cheer her on. 

How can we help Sofi?  We have to raise our voices, share her story, and ask others to reach out and share what they can.  Some don't have money but are touched by Sofi's story.  Maybe those people have used shoes they can give us.  Maybe they live far away..and can't ship the shoes.  Just sharing Sofi's story, our journey, can help.  You never know who will be touched by our sweet girl.  Others can donate money....you can go to her YouCaring and give what you can.  You can send a check to Children's House International with Jensen Family Adoption in the notes.  You can also buy a raffle ticket to win a gorgeous diamond necklace created with Sofi's story in mind.   You can be her angel and help bring her home.

 Please contact me if you want to help us in any way.  We are praying for miracles.