Sunday

One Year Ago Today

One year ago today, Kirk and I took a red eye flight to Guatemala, brushed our teeth at the airport (Yuck!) and went straight to Isabella's orphanage, Hogar Nuevo Amanecer. We got to meet our daughter for the first time. She was a whopping 5 lbs. 1 oz. and was 6 weeks old. What a tiny peanut she was! She looks much bigger in the videos because she was dressed in not one, not two, not three, but FOUR thick layers- plus a blanket!

When I think back to how I was feeling at the moment we met Isabella, I was SOOO happy, but SOOO scared! We knew nothing about her beforehand~ other than seeing two blurry photographs and hearing that she had been recently dropped off at the orphanage by her birth mom because she couldn't care for her anymore. Bella had been at the orphanage two weeks at that point and weighed one ounce more than her birth weight, yet she was 6 weeks old. See why I was scared? My poor baby had a rough start, but she's a fighter! God told Kirk and me that she needed us, and we went on pure FAITH that she was our daughter. Once again, I'm so glad we listened.

I wasn't going to post these videos because they are so personal to me... but then I thought, "What the heck. Why not? Maybe it will encourage someone else to take their own step of faith and trust God in uncertain times." Just go ahead... trust Him.


13 comments:

Stroup Family said...

That is so amazing! It is like going out on total faith whenever you adopt. You have no idea what their background is or anything, but God lets us know which baby is ours. We met our son when he was 2 weeks old. We met like 3 babies and had to chose just one, but when Luis Alberto was placed in our arms we knew he was the one. It is such an amazing feeling.
Isabella is such an adorable baby girl. I am glad you shared those videos, it shows how much love you have for her.

Courtney said...

Wow........1 year ago. how time flys. What a sweet video. Thanks for sharing. Courtney

Courtney said...

Wow........1 year ago. how time flys. What a sweet video. Thanks for sharing. Courtney

Susie said...

Oh Stacey, these are wonderful. OH the moment, I remember the awesomeness of God. I remember the unbelievable grace and perfection of His perfect plan. How blessed we are to truly know what it means to be an adopted child of God...we have lived it. Thanks for sharing with all of us. Hugs, Susie

Suzanne said...

Stacy, Thank you so much for sharing those videos with us. What an amazing moment that must of been for you both. She is so tiny and so very precious.

Thank you for sharing your journey with us this past year.

Jaimee said...

What a sweet post and thank you so much for sharing the videos. They made me tear up, just knowing the roller coaster of emotions that it took to bring our little girls home. Isabella Grace was meant to be with you.

Sandra said...

Wow Thanks for sharing your moment of pure love with us. I see why you cherish it.

Stacy, sorry that it didn't work. Try this page and go to third main box. You just have to scroll down a bit to see it. Hopefully that will do it.
http://googletranslategadget.blogspot.com It's not doing the link so you will need to type it in or copy, paste it and that took me to it. Good Luck :)
Sandra
ps Congratulations today!

Anonymous said...

God CHOSE little Isabella Grace just for you. It is a step of faith indeed, but look how He blesses you when you follow Him.

It was one year ago that we first talked and I appreciate your encouragement. It was worth every day of waiting.

God bless you and your precious gift!!

LIsa K.

Joanna said...

Thank you so much for sharing that special moment with us. I, too, had to completely trust in God's plan for us when we first we received Myla's referral. I was scared to death, but moved forward trusting in Him. It's pretty amazing how blessed we feel when we put our trust in what's really important. :)

She is so tiny, and so beautiful, and I just loved watching your face light up when you held Bella for the first time.

The gFamily said...

I, too, am so glad you shared your first precious moments with Bella!! It made me tear up with all those emotions that you feel when you first hold your child! It is such an amazing moment! You can tell that you love Bella with all your heart by that big smile on your face!!

You have sure been rewarded with a beautiful baby girl!! God is SO good!!

Aileen said...

Your videos are beautiful! The remind me of that first moment when I saw Ben lying there in the NICU in his isolette with his big brown eyes looking up at me. Thanks for sharing!

denise said...

Stacy, Oh your Isabella is so beautiful. The video brought back some awesome memories. She is a georgous little girl. Your blog is AWESOME!! Denise

Sarah said...

What a beautiful video... and a moment so precious that I am sure you will never forget! She was SOOO tiny!!