Annabelle ~ crowned with love!

“Bless the Lord....who redeems your life from the pit,

who crowns you with love and mercy.”   (Psalm 103:4)

Sweet Annabelle is spending her first night with her forever family tonight. This little life that began in such turmoil and uncertainty is now enjoying the peace and love of a family who waited for her, found her and welcomed her into their home as their beloved daughter.

She has a daddy who is already doting over her and mother who deeply cherishes her, and a brother who enjoys singing songs to her and says he will teach her how to swim. This is what we are all about....setting the lonely in families (Psalm 68:6) and offering them a new hope and promising future (Jeremiah 29:11).

Dear Little Annabelle, 


We will miss you so very much! Your serious look, your "twinkle twinkle" fingers, your new little bounce, your loud voice making your needs known without a doubt, your love of singing silly songs. You were our first Nakuru baby. You were the one that Auntie Susan waited months for. You were our first little girl to come to our home in almost a year and half. We waited for you, and were so happy when you came into our family. But even more, your mommy and daddy were waiting for you and are overjoyed to finally have you in your perfectly prepared place in your forever family! You are a blessed little girl. You have already touched many lives and I have no doubt that you will touch many more. You are a girl who knows what you want, and I know that you will have the determination to do amazing things. I pray that you will know your Heavenly Father and that He will guide that strong determination in ways that glorify Him. He has written His name on your heart, picked you up out of the muck of this world, and given you the hope of a future in His glory! You are loved and you are cherished...by God, by those who cared for you in your first year of life, and by your mommy, daddy and your forever family! May you know that always. 


We love you, Annabelle!

Oh, what I will miss!

My baby girls are gonna GROW! These little things will be scooting around all over the place when I get home in a few months. I tried to soak up as much love as I could before I left, but I am afraid those little squeezes won't be enough to last until I get back.

Sweet little Deli is three weeks old now.

Winnie & Annabelle are now four months old! Time flies.

David was a little jealous of the baby holding time. Sweet boy wanted in the picture, too. 

I can't wait to see how big these little ones are when I return. Until then, I'll just keep staring at these pictures of the sweet little girls and remembering how squishy and squeezable they are. 

Sad Goodbyes and Beautiful Babies

Susan said goodbye to the babies today. It was a sad day.

Susan has been here for almost four months, my right hand. I cannot even say how much I will miss her! She has been such a great help, and I am not sure I would have survived these past few crazy months without her.

Susan's goodbye to Annabelle was tough. Annabelle has been hers from day one. Susan has been a wonderful mama to Annabelle, sleeping with her, caring for her, knowing her schedule, her needs, her cries and her coos.

They are both blessed to have had this time together.

And Annabelle's little sister Winnie is just as precious! They are now two and five weeks old. And they are beautiful.

10. Winnie snuggles.
11. Watching Annabelle look at Susan with knowing eyes.

My Girls

My precious baby girls.

What a precious moment and mix of emotions....

My own baby girl sits in my lap.
I hold little Hopey who is moments away from leaving with her new mommy.
Precious little Annabelle rests in my lap, enjoying a safe, comfortable new home.
Lizzy sits beside me, the big sister who is old enough and bright enough to share in the mix of emotions...enjoying the new baby and sad to watch Hope leave.

How blessed am I!

Welcome baby Annabelle

Welcome Haven of Hope's newest little one, one day old, Annabelle!

Little Annabelle's life is precious. God literally redeemed her life from the pits and brought her into a haven of hope. Her muffled cries were heard from the depths. The depths of a pit latrine where she was dropped, wrapped in a plastic bag. A wonderful women named Anne dug her up, kept her safe through the night, and took her to the police station in the morning. Our social worker had just dropped off a brochure for HOH Baby Center with our contact information at that police station the day before. The police station immediately called us to come for this tiny baby.

She is absolutely precious. From being dropped into the filth of a pit latrine, she does have a bit of infection in her eye and on her umbilical cord, but is in otherwise perfect health! (This is why her eyes are swollen.)

Naming babies is gift. Names are special and meaningful, especially in this culture. Some of our babies have come with names already given to them, others have not. There are so many factors that I take into account when we name our babies. And we always make a final decision as a family.

When initially brainstorming names, I had a much bigger list of "no's" than "maybe's." Anne was one of the few on the list....named after the woman who saved her life. Then, we asked the aunties if they had any suggestions, the only suggestion came emphatically from Maggie: "Annabelle!" And Annabelle means "lovable." And so it is. Annabelle.

Meet Annabelle, the lovable one.

May God's grace continue to shower you throughout your life, little girl. May you always remember that He is there to lift you to higher places and show favor on you. You are a precious, priceless jewel and you will be set far above the pits of life. You are blessed. And you are loved! Welcome to our family! We will shower you with the love of Jesus until He takes you into your "forever family."