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1 year ago today (We praise you Lord! Your works are wonderful!)

Well, it’s here. February 15th. Some of you may remember WHY this day is such a big deal to me. I woke up this morning and said to Richard, “It’s February 15th! You know what today is!” Like all good husbands he smiled and…waited hoping I’d finish the sentence for him–and of course I did! “Today is THE day Isaac got to Hannah’s Hope from Bethzatha orphanage last year!!!” It’s the day we have his very first picture…it’s the day God spoke to my heart last year reminding me to rest in His great plan!

When we got our son’s referral–we were given about 4 photos…the one below being the VERY first one we opened. They progressively got better with time and health–but this is the very first picture we have of our little guy at 7 months. Oh sweet Isaac…my heart MELTED when I saw this first picture of you–and I knew…YOU WERE MY SON! I didn’t have to see more progress…I didn’t have to see another picture…you were mine–and you were perfect. I had to celebrate God’s goodness over our son and in our life by taking a picture of his sweetness TODAY and pairing it with the picture that was taken ONE YEAR AGO TODAY!!!

“The LORD has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes.” Psalm 118:23

If you get a stack of referral pictures–you can find out exactly what DATE they were taken on by opening them in a photo editing software and then going to file info…so while I have very little to hold on to of the first months–I do know that this first picture was taken on February 15, 2010 after lunch time here in Georgia (yep–I even know the TIME!) and I know I was sitting in a chapel at that HOUR praying for my sweet son!!! I actually wrote about that amazing weekend with the Lord reminding me of His plan without knowing what was happening and it’s on my blog this same time last year. Crazy, huh? That’s why I love journaling/blogging…I can go back and see crazy details like that. Amazing how God works!

I knew this sweet boy was our son–and while we only were at #16 on the waitlist when we got the call–I’d wait a thousand years to be at the right place at the right time to get to be his mommy all over again. Some times I want to PINCH myself how blessed I feel! Today we went to the park after our rockin’ physical therapy session…a lady stopped me as I was swinging Isaac and Frank was sliding to tell me how beautiful she thought Isaac was. The appropriate, polite response I know is “thank you” but EVERY. SINGLE. TIME…instead I am overcome and I put one hand over my heart and one hand out like “stop right now” and I say, “OH. MY. GOODNESS. IS HE NOT the CUTEST THING you have EVER seen in your entire life?! I mean–SERIOUSLY—LOOK AT HIM! I’m sorry–but I can’t help it…seriously–I’m with you sister. I know I’m his mom–but oh. my. goodness. He’s just gobble me up cute…” Okay…so I know that may be a little too much–but to just say “thank you” oh my…he is just scrumptious! THEN Frank runs over–and he introduces himself, “Me–Frank.” Seriously–could THEY be any cuter? Okay–apologies if you are rolling your eyes at me…but we mommas just can’t HELP IT some times!!!

Okay…another sweet picture celebrating today!

Melt my heart the way my kids look at each other…

I wish EVERY little one could experience this sweet love and know the JOY and SECURITY and LOVE of family!!! And that ultimately–through family know God as Father and experience Life abundantly. I’m so, so thankful for how God has opened our eyes and not allowed us to get caught up in the American dream or tennis or Botox (sorry…had to throw that in because the lady in front of me at the grocery store just had that done and that doesn’t even look natural or normal people. Just saying…even if you THINK you have wrinkles and some one cares and that stuff would make you think you’d look better–JUST SAY NO.) Seriously–this living makes this life just a slice of heaven on Earth!!!

XOXO!

Andrea

P.S. How COOL is this…another adoption mom with our agency JUST returned home from Ethiopia. She told me she visited Bethzatha orphanage the orphanage my son was at 1 year ago today and 1 year ago today made it to Hannah’s Hope. WELL…she sent me an email TODAY (of all days!) saying that she went by Bethzatha and went in the director’s office to find THIS on the side table…Crazy for this calendar to end up back at the orphanage…and crazy for someone to send me this picture TODAY!!! Love how things work…sweet reminders of His sovereignty!

P.S.S. We are still looking for a family for a 3 year old little guy in Uganda. He is precious–and I can’t share his name online BUT he does share the name with one of my sweet ones and he actually resembles him too. We’ll just call him little “F” for now:). He is a DOLL and we are hopeful to help him find his family soon! Please email me if you know a family that is open to bringing home a 3 year old and has a completed home study!

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Lara - February 15, 2011 - 11:17 pm

Oh my goodness. No baby should EVER look like he did in that first picture. Babies should be round and squishy!

jessie - February 15, 2011 - 11:28 pm

I love reading your blog, but sometimes I like to leave it on while I blog hop so I can hear the music! You have the best background music of any blog I read. Its just so perfect for me all the time!

Carissa - February 15, 2011 - 11:34 pm

Oh my word! Other than the arched eyebrows, I see no resemblance b/t the two boys pictured. What an amazing difference!!! I’m so glad that you shared, and that Isaac has found his HOME.

Rachael - February 15, 2011 - 11:38 pm

Thank you for posting this today! I am an adopted mama to be, we are currently on the waiting list for a little boy from Ethiopia. What a beautiful transformation in your son! Such a great reminder that love can overcome a multitude of hurts.

kristi johnson - February 16, 2011 - 12:10 am

oh, it made me cry thinking of WHAT my little man will look like IN ONE YEAR..I won’t even recognize him…Wow..what a change!!! amazing…kj

Bonnie Nieuwstraten - February 16, 2011 - 12:44 am

AMAZING!! Our God is SO good and SO faithful!

Elle J - February 16, 2011 - 12:59 am

Love. What a miracle you have in Isaac. A precious child of God. Beautiful. I love how God put you before me to learn about you before Isaac, watching you grow in your adoption journey to Isaac, and life with Isaac. So HAPPY I know your blog story. =)

Amber - February 16, 2011 - 9:40 am

I smiled all the way through this post, Andrea! God is so good!!!

Charity - February 16, 2011 - 9:53 am

Hey Andrea! I sent you am email yesterday wanting more information on the little guy! Our family is paperwork ready for Uganda. Thanks!

Rachel - February 16, 2011 - 10:02 am

Oh my goodness!! Isn’t it amazing what the Lord can do!! He is soooo good. And as for cooing over Isaac’s deliciousness, I’d respond the same way… 😉

jen - February 16, 2011 - 10:10 am

Praise God! Amazing are His works.

Jennifer - February 16, 2011 - 10:28 am

What an amazing testimony of God’s faithfulness! Amazing to see the 1 year changes!!!!

Kathryn - February 16, 2011 - 2:12 pm

Praise be to God!!
It is amazing to see what love can do for a child!
God is SO good!!!
Thank you for sharing this!! I am blown away.

missy - February 16, 2011 - 2:37 pm

such a profound difference in just one year. the difference of family. glory to god!!!!!

Andrea B - February 16, 2011 - 3:33 pm

Tears are flowing. Oh Andrea what a transformation. The Lord has been so very faithful to you all in this journey. What a miracle little ITY is!

Erin - February 16, 2011 - 3:39 pm

Andrea, I LOVE GOD IN THESE DETAILS! LOVE it!!! And those pictures are amazing!!!! God took his sweet little life, brought him to your loving, sweet, gracious, godly home, and gave him life. GAVE. HIM. LIFE. I am seriously in awe. I can’t wait to see what God does with his life. This brings me such hope and expectation as we are in this “land of the waiting for our little one!!”

Dawn - February 16, 2011 - 4:26 pm

There are no words to describe what God has done…..only Beautiful Pictures 🙂 Praising God!!!

Alison - February 16, 2011 - 5:32 pm

WOW!!! What a precious miracle he is! It is amazing to see the difference in one year! Praise God!!

debbie davis - February 16, 2011 - 7:11 pm

This day is special for us too. It’s the day one year ago today that I finally mailed my application to AGCI after driving it around in my car for a couple of months. Such peace the next day.

ellen silva - February 16, 2011 - 7:25 pm

crying – praise God

Mrs. B - February 17, 2011 - 8:46 am

Praise God for your precious miracle baby ITY. The then and now pictures are testimonies of God’s faithfulness! LOVE that he was wearing that precious bib when you met him! Happy Valentine’s Week from the B Family to the Y Family! xoxoxo

PS–Yesterday, I noticed that several of Dr. Rosemond’s parenting articles were published on the Focus on the Family website. I wrote them a letter explaining that his views on attachment in adoption were in direct contrast to the articles on their site written by adoption experts and dealing with attachment and adoptive parenting. I sent them links to the Tapestry and Empowered to Connect websites and told them to consider having Dr. Purvis or Amy Monroe as guests on one of their programs.

Vanessa - February 17, 2011 - 11:17 am

WOW!!! WOW!!! I would never guess these two kiddos were the same. Your little man just radiates joy!!! Praise God for His faithfulness and for your obedience.

Hugs to you!!!

marci - February 17, 2011 - 5:59 pm

These pics are so special. The 1st tugs in a deep way …how blest you all are to have the physical ITY so strong and beautiful today…To love him healthy….God will say “well done my good and faithful servant” I believe each of you at the Young family are all the reason for the miracle of Isaac. Wow…gives me goosebumps.Sweet blessings !