AVI is now 5 years old! Less than 1 year ago she was an orphan that lay flat on her back with a urinary catheter as a feeding tube. She had club feet that were so twisted her little toes were twisted around one another. She had what appeared to be double ankles due to the twist of her feet. She was the developmental level of a newborn and could not even track or focus anything with her eyes. She could not hold up her head (at all...picture how a newborn that is right out of the womb has no abilities AT ALL - that was Avi the first day I met her). She had never tasted food on her lips or had anything to suck on and was beginning to suck on her own lips. She was the size of a 6-9 month old infant. She could not roll over and did not smile, laugh or cry tears. She had spasms that would over take her entire body due to her cerebral palsy and the stress she was enduring. She was considered worthless by the "world's standards" - she was an orphan with severe diagnosed issues. She was born from a very "sad story" by a Very YOUNG birth mother that was so poor there was no way she could care for a child that had as many needs as AVI in her very poor region.
LOOK AT HER...then
LOOK at her 10 months later...
Avi never ever had a pair of shoes because her little feet would not fit into any type of shoe or even a baby sleeper outfit due to the twist of her feet. She was so proud to have on her first pair of shoes...Chuck Taylor converse are the "stars" in our house! Her big sisters all wear them and it was as if little Avi knew that she was NOW COOL because she too had her first pair of Chuck Taylor converse sneakers. She knew she was the Star of the party and of the evening! She knew...she is so smart and so precious!
NOW look at our AVI...the LORD blessed us with this precious adorable little girl who is most worthy of all LIFE contains for her! She is a Child created by the MASTER of the Universe. He knit her together in her Mother's womb and he gave her to us to cherish, teach, care for, love, honor, respect, and watch to grow into this beautiful miracle.
The Girl's volleyball team surprised us to celebrate Avi's 5th birthday! Once again these girls, the parents, the coach all blessed us beyond words by their love for Avi and Lina and our family! The encouragement they bring to us every time they arrive goes beyond what our words can express! WE really love you girls!!! Avi and LINA will be on your bench cheering you on for your first game of the next season - YOU CAN BE sure of that!!! They will need Volleyball shirts to advertise for the CEDAR CREST girls' Volleyball! These girls are so much more than Volleyball...the love they have for our precious girls is so beautiful and such a blessing! Thank you so very much...we love you girls and coach and parents!
Check out these photos of our volleyball girls...
Avi had lots of friends and family that came to celebrate her 5th birthday and her first birthday at home. Here is her snuggle buddy KYLIE...we love you KYLIE...
Her Aunt Jen came came to love her. The party was awesome! What a blessed evening!
Avi's sister LINA is soon coming home! The LORD has been blessing and moving her process! We are waiting on her court process and then we can bring her home! She and AVI do look very much alike! YOU ARE NOT SEEING things. Here are a few photos from my recent trip to be with LINA.
They are both now 5 years old. They both have dark hair and dark eyes. Lina's hair was cut very short so it was hard to tell if she will have curls like Avi but her hair was also very thick. They do look like twins but Avi is now much larger than Lina although less than 1 year ago she too was super tiny! Avi has grown over 6 inches in less than 10 months. She too was in a size 6-9 month size of clothing but is now wearing clothing that Ellianna wore just last year! Ellianna LOVES her little sister and already shows LINAs photo around to anyone that will look! Ellianna loves to hold Avi but that is becoming difficult for Ellianna because Avi has grown so much recently! She is actually catching up to Ellianna in size but that does not stop Ellianna from wanting to take care of Avi. Here is a photo that is a miracle beyond miracles if you know anything about Ellianna's personality. Ellianna has a zest for life and can NOT sit still but here she is sitting very quiet so Avi could fall asleep on her shoulder! HOW PRECIOUS is this....
We are ready for our little LINA to be home with us too!!!!
Pray for a speedy court process for LINA! She needs to get home so we can love her and care for her! Hurry home sweet little LINA BABY!
There is much happening in LINA's orphanage to care for more children that are in desperate need of medical care! There is a fund set up for the care of these precious children! The LORD is blessing this mission...check it out and be a voice for the voiceless! GET INVOLVED...help out...there is something for everyone to do....
http://www.only1mom.com/2012/02/help-provide-medical-care-to-orphans.html
http://treasuresinhiddenplaces.blogspot.com/
http://theblessingofverity.com/
There are children around the world that need YOU to be a voice for them!
How do you start? Be a voice for one...if High School Volleyball Team can do it...so can you...they have given their hearts and their love and their encouragement has given us more than words can express!!
Proverbs 31: 8-9
P.s. I know of many children in need of homes...contact me for more information!!
nusker1@hotmail.com
Steph, you have the most beautiful heart. What a gift your family is to Avi and Avi is to your family. I pray lina come home soon. I can't wait to see her ten month photos. Thank you for sharing!
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