Big Changes

When we received our first pictures of Hope this spring, we were overjoyed to see her for the first time.  We were also very sad.  In every picture we had of Hope, she looked so pitiful and unhappy.  We LONGED to see a smile, but unfortunately, each picture sent showed Hope as sad and expressionless.

Good news, the smile has appeared and it is magnificent!!!!  When she smiles, her whole face lights up and it is spectacular!!!  We are thrilled with how she has adjusted to life in the Garner home these past three weeks.  

We wanted to share a few pictures that show the beautiful transformation that is taking place in her life, ENJOY!

Again, To God Be The Glory!

Reality!!!!

Did I say "video soon?"

The reality is, we have not had time to put a video together yet!!!  The trip was incredible, and we cannot wait to share a glimpse of our journey through a video- but we have not had time to complete one yet!

In the meantime, we wanted to share a few favorite pictures.  My goal is to give a bit of text with each picture for explanation.  However, we have never tried to combine text and photo- so if it does not work, enjoy the pictures and I will do a separate post with background info. later.

Enjoy!

(BTW, they aren't really in any chronological order... ;-)  )

WE ARE HOME!!!!

What an amazing journey!  I truly cannot believe we flew to Africa to meet our daughter!

As I type this, Hope is sitting across the kitchen table, firmly planted on Jason's lap, enjoying some breakfast.  She loves to peek around the box of cereal and give me BIG smiles, it melts my heart.  Our first hours home have been terrific.  She has adjusted to life in the U.S. with 4 siblings with relative ease.  We know there will be some bumps in the road, but all things considered- we are all doing great.

The trip was beyond anything I could have imagined.  I was overwhelmed by the extreme poverty and by the love and affection of the people there.  

When we received our referral for Hope, we learned she was abandoned by the side of the road at around 12 months.  I knew her family must have been desperate to be forced to do this, desperate beyond anything I could imagine.  However, I still could not wrap my mind around the idea that circumstances would be so bad that I would walk away from my child.

Now, after having walked the streets of Addis Ababa, I have the slightest picture of what led to her abandonment.  The poverty there is beyond description.  Everywhere we went we saw people struggling, the smallest children begging and it broke my heart.  I wanted to bring all the little ones home!!!

The police report filed when Hope was found, stated the police were taking her to the hospital and then the orphanage "to secure a future for her."

Since first reading that report in March, Jeremiah 29:11 has played over and over in my head.

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future."  Jer. 29:11

In the next few days we will get a video posted, we hope you like it!!