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Adeye Salem

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dear younger me

June 3, 2022 By Adeye Salem

As I celebrated my 50th birthday this year, it was with a heart of much gratitude. Reaching a “mature” age brings so much reflection—looking back at all that God has allowed me to graciously live through, and looking forward with a steadfast, joyful ...

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In: Following Jesus, Mom Life, Reflecting on my life, Uncategorized

waiting child wednesday

Waiting Child Wednesday

sharing my journey

advocacy and new opportunities

sharing my heart in 2022

finding our normal

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My Story

Hi! I’m Adéye. It is so wonderful to meet you here. I’m an incredibly blessed daughter of the King of kings, wife to the most amazing man in the world for 24 years and mom to ten beautiful children--three amazing biological sons, three precious daughters from China, two beautiful daughters from Ukraine, and two sweet blessings adopted from Bulgaria. We’re crazy about Jesus, learning daily about surrendering our lives, passionate about adoption, and living every day by His amazing grace with special needs and medically fragile children. My days are filled to overflowing with caring for my family and running our hobby farm in Colorado. On these pages I share my passions, my heart, my victories, my struggles, and my daily life. I am so grateful that you have chosen to journey with my family. This is my unfolding story.

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Ten years ago, I walked into the coldest, darkest Ten years ago, I walked into the coldest, darkest orphanage I had ever been in. Documentaries were made about the conditions there, and so I had prepared my heart for the worst. Adopting a 14-year-old teenager who weighed just 14 pounds was truly terrifying. Would I fail her? Could I love her with my whole heart? Would adding Hasya to our family be devastating for our other children, as some had cautioned? A million fears flooded my mind that day when they placed her emaciated, dirty body wearing filthy clothes in my arms. Nothing could ever have prepared my heart for her condition! I struggled to hold back tears as the director of the orphanage asked me repeatedly if I was sure we wanted to adopt her. Yes! Because I had seen too many times to count in my life that my God could be trusted. People tell us all the time that Hasya is "lucky" to have us. And I guess that's true, because had she not been found dying in a crib on the other side of the world, she would certainly not be alive today. But the greatest, most amazing blessing? It has been for us. Hasya is my constant, ever-present reminder of the absolute blessing that comes from doing something while afraid. From doing something on shaky, wobbly legs, not knowing the outcome. Joy comes from giving God our whispered yes, praying with nothing but a tiny mustard seed of faith...knowing He will be near. He surely knew we needed each other. And for that, I am so, so thankful. What a sweet, sweet gift you are, my beautiful Hasya! ❤️🙌
According to UNICEF, there are 153 million orphans According to UNICEF, there are 153 million orphans in the world. That number breaks my heart! But every day I look at my children and stand in awe of God's kindness. Out of such a staggering number, He hand-picked these two from opposite ends of the world and made them sisters. Because He knew! Their bond is sweet and their love unconditional. Their relationship such a precious reminder to me that although I cannot change the lives of all of those children (I wish I could!), God is still good and He is faithful. I cannot imagine my life, or theirs, without each other. Grateful! ❤️
My whole heart in three little ladies who will alw My whole heart in three little ladies who will always need me, always depend on me for their daily care...and always remind what an absolute honor and privilege that is! May I never take a single moment of the highs and lows, the daily grind, and the seemingly mundane for granted! ❤️
My sweet, sweet Hunter! Five years ago you became My sweet, sweet Hunter! Five years ago you became a Salem. In so many ways, it feels like you have been one of us for so much longer. You're the little joy-bringer we never knew we needed. You're the very best friend we never knew was missing from Harper's life. Your bond with your sister is priceless and a gift from heaven. You are so very capable and I don't think there is very much that you cannot figure out. You're my best helper and you LOVE to organize and keep things in order. You delight in your older siblings walking through the door and announce their arrival for the whole neighborhood to hear. And although you don't use many words to communicate, you are amazing at letting us know your needs. What an absolute gift God gave us when He gave us you! How we treasure you! ❤️
It's been a crazy week! But today...today I will r It's been a crazy week! But today...today I will remember to pause. And thank God for every amazing opportunity and every undeserved blessing in my life. There is so very much to be grateful for. Have a beautiful Saturday, friends. ❤️
In one month, I'll be heading to Atlanta to compet In one month, I'll be heading to Atlanta to compete in my first pageant. If anyone had told me as a young woman that this would be my path in my 51st year, I would never, ever have believed them. I had way too much to overcome. But God! He has been so kind and gracious to me. For the last year, I have poured my whole heart into this new, unexpected journey He has called me to walk. I've learned so many new things and have grown as a person. I've had to trust Him taking on something so big later in my life. But it's been so much fun. And rewarding. I have no clue what the outcome will be. But as my husband reminds me, the outcome is really not the point of it at all. Faithfulness! No matter the result. No matter where this journey leads me. When He calls our name, will we say yes...no matter what?! No matter whether we win the ultimate prize or walk away knowing that we gave Him our all? I'm still learning. I can't wait to see what He will do with my yes. Because, as I tell my children, nothing is ever wasted. ❤️ #transcontinentalpageants #ThePledgeCampaign  #BeautyThatInspires
One of the things we hear the most is, "I could ne One of the things we hear the most is, "I could never do what you do." I get that. With all my heart, I do. But here's the thing. You're most probably not called to do what I am doing. And I'm not called to do what you're doing (I would for sure fail!). Something AMAZING happens when we stay on the path that God has called us to walk. That's where we make a difference--no matter what that looks like. Lives are changed when we find our passion and our purpose in this life. It's where grace finds us--where even on the hard days we know we're where we're meant to be. It took me so many years to fully understand my purpose. There is such peace in not looking to the left nor to the right at what others are doing, but to instead keep my eyes focused on the mission He has given me and to do it with all my heart. So while you may absolutely be called to adopt a child, foster, or host an orphan...you may not. And that's okay! There are SO many ways to make a difference in the world. Just find one. ❤️
We live in such a fast-paced world. Nothing is eve We live in such a fast-paced world. Nothing is ever enough, it seems. We chase after things that just don't matter. This year has been different for me. I am learning that saying no is sometimes far more valuable than saying yes. I am learning to pour my whole heart into the things that God calls to me do. And to let the rest go. Because I can accomplish so many good things and check off a gazillion to-do items on my never-ending lists, but if I'm distracted, stressed, burning the candle at both ends and just not present for the ones I love, what's the point? This life is so short. So darn fleeting! There are days when I look at my adult children, and I long for the time not so long ago when we all lived together. It passes so quickly! More than ever, I am so mindful of the truth that sowing into my family will always be my best yes. I love the way Mother Teresa says is, "If you want to change the world, go home and love your family." What a beautiful reminder! The mission of motherhood is such a high calling. An honor that I am so grateful for. ❤️🙌
Facebook reminded me that it's been exactly ten ye Facebook reminded me that it's been exactly ten years (crazy!) since we received Kael's referral. I will never forget the day that we showed our children his photos. "He looks like you, Dad!", they all agreed. What a privilege it has been to watch this young man blossom from a nine-year-old who weighed 22 pounds, could not walk, had no clue how to eat solid food, and beat his ears until they were raw and bloody...into the chillest, most content young man ever! Kael has now been home for longer than he lived in the darkest, most awful orphanage I have ever been in--a place where few survive. And although he is still dependent on us for all of his care, he has astounded us in how far he has come--from learning to walk to feeding himself, it's all counted as blessings around here. In loving this boy and sharing my life with him, I have learned to measure success differently. Not at all in how the world defines victory. No, every tiny step taken, every toileting success, every morsel of solid food that is chewed...these are the things that we rejoice over. Loving Kael has changed me. My heart, my perspective, my focus, my outlook, and the source of my joy are all so different to what they were ten years ago. In so many ways, I have grown with my children. Forever my heart will be grateful for that quiet, whispered, somewhat afraid "yes" we gave the Lord when He called us to add Kael to our adoption of Hasya. He truly does make ALL things beautiful in His time. ❤️🙌
It doesn't take very much to make these three girl It doesn't take very much to make these three girls happy. But this is, by far, one of the things that brings them the most joy. They could swim all day long. Treasuring these days. ❤️
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