Christmas in October...
Guess what came in our e-mail today?
A precious picture of our son when he was four years old. The picture was taken by a French family who adopted one of those sweet little guys in the picture. Their son and my son were buddies.
Do you see my happy little guy surrounded by friends and toys? That's my son. I am the proud Mama of that adorable little four year old boy.
I can't help but want to laugh and cry and grieve over this picture. A year after it was taken, Aaron left this room, these children, those toys. He left every single thing that he ever knew and was transferred to a place of no return. Oh how I wish that I was the Mama sitting on that floor. I wish I had adopted him from this place. I wish we had spent our time playing on this floor, surrounded by these children.
Do you understand a little of why I can't just walk away from advocating for Tori and Brady and Heath and all the others who are lost in the institutions? Do you realize the shock these children face when they move from the orphanages into the institutions just because they are disabled? Do you see?
That is all I am going to say.
This is awesome! What a wonderful surprise to get! It looks like he was in a really good facility before he was moved. Although I'm sad for the time that he lost while in the institution, and all the things he saw and experienced there, and all the things he mourned, I praise God he's with you now!
ReplyDeleteOh Julia what a wonderful way to start your day!!
ReplyDeleteYou have so much to eventually let out. One day, I think you'll be able to get a voice for it...and share it with others.
Tammy
http://dziagwaincrease.wordpress.com
Wow- how'd the French family track you down? Aaron looks so happy there. Congrats for acquiring this valuable early photo!
ReplyDeleteI love it! Everyone else in the picture is completely unaware of the camera but there in the middle of it is Aaron smiling his little heart out! Precious!
ReplyDeleteDon't every stop fighting for these precious children. After our adoption is done I plan to start a grant fund specifically for the children on RR. I will never stop giving, or trying to make people understand how precious each and every child is. You have a heart of gold, both of you do. The world is a better place because of you.
ReplyDeleteLove wins,
Renee
How sweet. I'm glad you were given this treasure. This picture makes me happy. He looks so happy, and the toys look like fun. So sad, that soon after this he left. Did you show this to Aaron? I wonder what he thought of it.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing gift!
ReplyDeleteWhat a blessing to get a picture of Aaron when he was younger! He looks so happy! Reading your blog has really changed my thoughts about "being transferred" and it makes me pray more for the kids who so desperately need families to step up and go get them. You once told em that my blog influenced your journey, and now you've repaid the favor to me!
ReplyDeleteHe looks so happy there! I will pray for little Brady and Heath! So sad!
ReplyDeleteCatherine
I have followed your journey and I am praying that the other boys will have families step forward and bring them home!!! Were you able to take any pictures inside the institution?
ReplyDeleteDebby
What a treasure this picture is!!! Oh My!!!! Aaron is just Amazing!!!! So are all of you - Keep up the fight to save the others!!! As you have been chosen to be the voice!!! GOD BLESS!!
ReplyDeleteThat photo is an awesome blessing!
ReplyDeleteThe institution sounds like a terrible, terrible place. And what a disgrace that places like that exist today.
Bless you for getting the word out.
I have been following your blog for a long time now and I feel like I know your family. I can't believe it's taken me so long to comment; I could write you a novel. How beautiful your story is, how vulnerable you have been giving us a window into this intimate part of your lives. How blessed you are to have such a wonderful life awaiting you as you incorporate that which was once lost into your haven of family life. We have cried tears of joy over Aaron's redemption, laughed with your amazing tales of escape, and now we pray for your family. God is so good in this perfect match for all of you, and I can't tell you how I have appreciated you sharing it with us so we can experience His faithfulness. God bless you...all 5 of you. Thank you for being obedient to God's call on your life and for continuing to advocate for the unloved! We will join you in praying for them as well.
ReplyDeleteJulia, I do see. I I love to see all the pictures of your little man smiling, and I hate the thought that he had to live through ANYTHING that was not those smiles.
ReplyDeleteSo happy that Arron is home! And what a wonderful surprise and gift to recieve a photo, a piece of his history (happy).
Julia,l understand how impotant it is for some fries, get a picture of the last of our children,when they never khew existed, and especially see thet they were happy at least for a moment.
ReplyDeleteteresa.
How precious! This just gave me a little chill. I'd love to know how this other family connected with you.
ReplyDelete