One year ago, we walked out of an orphanage in Ukraine for the LAST time (after weeks upon weeks of visits)... with this little one...

One year later... it seems as though we have a completely different girl. I don't think Charlotte's orphanage would even recognize her "today"... To be honest, I don't even remember how she "used" to be. I wanted to create a blog post for you with tons of before and after photos of how far this girl has come...but for most of you, you have been with us along this whole journey, and have seen her progress. It's super tough/difficult for me to look back at photos of our time in Ukraine... I can't get passed all of the faces in my mind that were left in the orphanage, or all of the disposable diapers that hung from the clothesline to reuse and reuse over and over again... I can't get the smell of the place out of my mind, and the stillness/quietness of a place that was FULL of children (that should be loud and full of life)...
Perhaps one day I'll be able to share some of those images with you, but for right now, I can't even look back at those photos. They are still buried in my hard drive, and perhaps one day I'll actually get around to them, and be able to stomach looking at them. So, you'll have to settle for the same photo that I had originally introduced her to to you all, and a sweet little 1 year later photo.

Still our same Charlotte, just with A LOT more love,
" Standing on this mountaintop
Looking just how far we’ve come
Knowing that for every step
You were with us
Kneeling on this battle ground
Seeing just how much You’ve done
Knowing every victory
Was Your power in us
Scars and struggles on the way
But with joy our hearts can say
Yes, our hearts can say
Never once did we ever walk alone
Never once did You leave us on our own
You are faithful, God, You are faithful
Kneeling on this battle ground
Seeing just how much You’ve done
Knowing every victory
Was Your power in us
Scars and struggles on the way
But with joy our hearts can say
Yes, our hearts can say
Never once did we ever walk alone
Never once did You leave us on our own
You are faithful, God, You are faithful
You are faithful, God, You are faithful
Scars and struggles on the way
But with joy our hearts can say
Never once did we ever walk alone
Carried by Your constant grace
Held within Your perfect peace
Never once, no, we never walk alone
Never once did we ever walk alone
Never once did You leave us on our own
You are faithful, God, You are faithful
Every step we are breathing in Your grace
Evermore we’ll be breathing out Your praise
You are faithful, God, You are faithful
You are faithful, God, You are faithful
You are faithful, God, You are faithful
You are faithful, God, You are faithful "
- Never Once, Matt Redman
** The most recent photo of Charlotte on this post, is one of many photos taken on a shoot I did here in Nevada... more of my sweet little pea to come shortly.
She's so beautiful!! I can't believe it's already been a year. It seems like just yesterday we were both talking about our longing to be mothers & waiting for that spot in our hearts to be filled. And now here we are...our wells flowing over!!
ReplyDeleteCAN'T believe it's been a year. I am so proud of that little one & you and your husband. Such great witnesses of the Lord!
ReplyDeleteWhat a difference a year of love makes! I can only imagine how your heart aches for the other children at the orphanage.
ReplyDeleteUnbelievable. Isabel changed drastically in her first year home, too. What a difference love makes.
ReplyDelete