It’s been incredible to be a part of watching Nede grow and progress. From the first day when she stayed with me and she had a worm infested belly, a head of ring worm, just healed burn wounds on her feet, open sores, underweight, malaria and pneumonia. She has gained 3 kg (2 in the first weeks, as you’ll see) and grown about 2 inches in the 6 months.
June 17th, Nede’s first day with me
June 22
July 10
July 24
Aug 24
Nov 2
Dec 18
But, more importantly than seeing her grow physically was the gift that she gave me on Christmas eve. She had no idea what was happening or what Christmas eve is, but, as we sat under our tiny Christmas tree lights reading the Christmas story and answering her questions, I was touch by her growth. Before heading to bed we were saying our usual prayers and as Nede prayed I knew what really has mattered in these 6 months. Nede, a 5 year old, prayed for several minutes for about 20 people that she KNOWS love her. Many she hasn’t met, but through SKYPE, phone conversations and stories she KNOWS that she is loved. She knows I love her. She knows Jesus loves her. She knows that our expatriate friends here all LOVE her. She knows that there are MANY at Hands at Work who LOVE her. She knows "Vovo, Papa, Uncle Trevor, Auntie Disa, Taylor, Micah, Oliver, Addilyn, Seth” LOVE her. She KNOWS that all my friends and family that we pray for LOVE her. She has known LOVE for 6 solid months now. And, if all this stops tomorrow. She has received LOVE.
“So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13
4 comments:
yeah, pretty amazing DJ. you're an amazing woman. missing and loving you a lot.
[i kept trying to navigate around your background to see more of it. it kind of looks like the bairro across from shoprite and behind the carpenters!]
The changes are so awesome, and yes, most of all the changes in Nede's whole heart and soul, and in coming to know the love of Jesus!! Nothing greater!!
Such a praise Dara!!!
Dara, thank you for this post. It was wonderful to see Nede grow. We love you very much! Jason, Kelly, Savannah and Sydney Webster in Sacramento, CA (we have two adopted daughters and we're friends with Julie Schepmann in Nashville). I have been praying, weeping, rejoicing right along with you. My heart is with yours completely.
I received your email and wanted you to know that I think about you every day. Those of us that have adopted can understand in a very intimate way what you are going through in your heart and mind.
We understand the fears and the pain and the constant temptation to despair because of your circumstances. We know that it is despair in your earthly situation mixed with hope in the One who cares for your soul. We also trust the Lord in a deep way because of our own journeys with adoption. We know how to pray for you.
You are my sister in Christ and I love you Dara.
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