• Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About
  • Adoption
    • Adoption Stories
    • Children Needing a Family
    • Hannah-Claire
    • Haven
    • Hasya
    • Kael
    • Hailee
    • Harper
    • Hunter
  • Special Needs
    • Down syndrome
    • Cerebral Palsy
    • Developmental Delay
    • Trauma
    • Autism
    • Other Special Needs
  • Special Needs Encouragement
  • Healthy Living
  • Mom Life
  • Contact

Adeye Salem

  • Home
  • About
  • Adoption
    • Adoption Stories
    • Children Needing a Family
    • Hannah-Claire
    • Haven
    • Hasya
    • Kael
    • Hailee
    • Harper
    • Hunter
  • Special Needs
    • Down syndrome
    • Cerebral Palsy
    • Developmental Delay
    • Trauma
    • Autism
    • Other Special Needs
  • Special Needs Encouragement
  • Healthy Living
  • Mom Life
  • Contact
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram

the gift of HOPE this Christmas

December 8, 2011 By Adéye

Sometimes words are just so terribly hard to find.  Many times I feel like Moses when he cried out to the Lord, telling Him that He really was not very eloquent.  I can totally relate!

This will be one of those posts–the kind where I struggle to put into words what is on my heart.  Sometimes situations are such that no amount of words can do it justice.  Trying to convey truth without crossing the ever-present boundaries regarding just how much to post is a challenge for me.  I long for the whole world to know the truth and see the truth when it comes to the conditions in which children live in foreign orphanages.  But it’s a fine line–one I struggle to find.

Anyway.

It’s Christmastime.  Such a glorious time of the year as we celebrate the birth of our Savior.  Families come together, gifts are given, praise is uttered to the Baby who was born so that we may have life, and life more abundant.  Honestly though, Christmas is so different to me now compared to what it was even a few years ago.  I am different.  I just cannot help but allow my heart and my thoughts to drift to the millions of children around the world who will [still] be alone this Christmas.  For most of them, there will be no gifts, no tree to decorate, no fancy meal…and no family.  Again.

It will just be another day.

Once you have put a foot in the door of an orphanage where children are lined up in cribs by the dozens, where a staple diet consists of drinking cabbage water out of a bottle, and where no heating exists, well, Christmas takes on an entirely different look. It is no longer a time when we think of all that we can get–but rather what we can give.  It becomes a time of being so thankful for the many gifts we have been given–not for the next best gadget or the latest have-to-have, but for the things that truly matter in this life–love, joy that bubbles over, laughter, warm embraces, acceptance, belonging.  FAMILY!

This week the Lord led me to a little face.  A face who, very sadly, will not even know that December 25 is a reason to celebrate.  No, for this little face it will just be another day in paradise–lying in a crib, rarely touched, some kind of liquid diet to barely sustain her, drugs to induce “best sleep” 24 hours a day.  I know all too well how it goes.

Allow me to introduce you to Kolina.  The little girl who brought me to my knees this week, begging the Lord to have mercy on her fragile little body.  One of the saddest faces I have ever seen.

But then again, who can blame her? 

Kolina languishes in the same awful place as Liliana.  Many of you will remember Liliana as the little girl we all advocated for last August.  A family is working hard to bring her home.  Praise the Lord.  No words can ever fully convey the heinous conditions these children live in.  It is truly beyond human comprehension. 

Sadly, Kolina has not been found yet.  No one is going for her.  It is only by Divine Intervention that this little girl is even available for adoption.  She almost fell through the cracks…again. 

But God!  The father to the fatherless reached down from heaven and said, “This one too,” and Kolina was made available for international adoption.

This sweet little girl is literally deteriorating daily in a crib in Eastern Europe.  On December 16 she will “celebrate” her birthday.  Kolina will be nine years old. Yes, nine! She has Down syndrome. Looking at her pictures, she probably only weighs around 10-12 pounds.  If that.  Clothes cover her clearly skeletal legs, and her pitiful frame is nothing but skin and bones.  Poor little darling.

Oh, how I would LOVE a Christmas miracle for Kolina!  I would love to see her sad, sad little face turn from sadness, hopelessness and despair to joy. Joy that comes from being in a family.  Joy that comes from human touch and from knowing that she belongs.

I would love to give Kolina the gift of HOPE this Christmas. 

But, as usual, I need your help.  Kolina needs help!  In order for her family to find her, Kolina’s story needs to be spread far and wide.  Just like Julia, and Vanya, and Kevin, and Liliana, and David.  The ONLY way these children have found their forever families is through the body of Christ coming together and posting their faces and their stories on blogs, facebooks, and any other social network. 

Would you please help Kolina?  Will you share her story wherever you can? 

Time is obviously crucial and she needs to come home as quickly as possible. Poor lovie is living on borrowed time–she is severely malnourished. A home-study-ready family would be ideal, but at this stage, it is not essential.  Anyone wanting more information can contact Shelley at

[email protected]. 

Also, Kolina has a grant fund which has been set up by Reece’s Rainbow. Please pray about donating to her rescue!  A large grant would be such a huge blessing for her family. Adoption is expensive! What a beautiful miracle it would be if her ransom was raised. All donations are tax deductible and every single dollar will go to Kolina’s RANSOM!  If you feel led to contribute, just use the donation box below and all funds will go to sweet Kolina. 

As I type this, Kolina’s grant fund is at a measly $94.50.  Would you prayerfully consider playing a part in her unfolding miracle this Christmas? 

Thank you for standing with me and for trusting that Kolina will NOT be one of the 95% of children who have Down syndrome who die in orphanages around the world each and every year.  It is beyond human understanding.

Thank you for sharing Kolina’s story and for believing that someone WILL go for her soon!


Filed Under: Hannah-Claire's adoption

let us cross over to the side »
« just sharing

Primary Sidebar

Categories

Archives

Footer

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
Twelve years ago, I Skyped Anthony from my cold, d Twelve years ago, I Skyped Anthony from my cold, dreary apartment in Ukraine. I had just met our newest daughters and could not hold back the tears."I just don't know if I can be Hailee's mother," I told him that day. "I don't know if I have what it takes to parent her. What if I fail her?" I asked him through so many tears. I had just discovered that Hailee had been drugged with an adult tranquillizing drug for her entire five years of life. She could not handle being held, and she screamed for most of my visit. Being taken out of the only environment she knew--the confines of a crib--was absolutely terrifying. She pulled her ears until they were raw and infected. She banged her head on anything near to self-soothe. She could not eat solid food. At five years old, she weighed just eleven pounds. Back then, I questioned a million times whether I could be the mother Hailee so desperately needed me to be. I felt so inadequate for the calling. Goodness! It's been a journey! We have both grown and learned how to live our best life together. We've succeeded and we've failed. Looking back, Hailee has been one of my greatest teachers in this life. I have learned so much being her mom. But more than anything, I have seen the hand of a faithful, loving, merciful Father as I have shared my life with this little girl. And I have seen that when we give God our yes--so often afraid and unsure and positively terrified over all of the unknowns--He turns it into our greatest blessing. I just cannot imagine my world without this little darling in it. She keeps me on my toes, ensures that we are always laughing over something that she does, will dance with us day and night, and gives the very best hugs that make any hard day better. Today, on her seventeenth birthday, we count the enormous blessing that is Hailee. We thank God for the gift of this child who just makes life so much sweeter. Happy, happy birthday, sweetest Hailee! I am so, so grateful that twelve years ago, your precious Dad reminded me that I had what it took to be your mom. Because being your voice, your caregiver, your dance partner, your hugger, and your mom is, by far, one of my greatest delights in this life!
Growing up, I never really wanted to be a mother. Growing up, I never really wanted to be a mother. In many ways, the thought of raising another human terrified me. What if I failed? What if I couldn't be the mother a child needed me to be? I was so afraid of all the things that could possibly go wrong. Goodness, was I wrong! Now that I have young adults, I look back on my mothering journey and honestly, it makes me tearful. I'm 100% sure that I have failed these sweet humans more times than I care to remember. I know for sure that there have been times when I handled situations all wrong and wished that I could have had a redo. But children don't need perfect parents! There is no such thing. God chose me--in all of my brokenness and with my countless flaws. This Mother's Day, I am so thankful for the enormous amount of grace that these five extend me every single day. They see past the things that I see as my weaknesses and love me so sweetly. Motherhood is such a precious gift from God. My highest calling. And though I never knew it and could not see it all those years ago, I am so thankful that God knew that I needed these five blessings so much more than they would ever need me. Because He's just so very kind like that. I hope you all had a beautiful Mother's Day. ❤️
Thank you, @shadwickstrom and @julie.wickstrom, fo Thank you, @shadwickstrom and @julie.wickstrom, for the blessing and the absolute honor of being able to share my heart, my journey, and His redeeming love in my life this morning. He is worthy of it ALL--every broken piece made whole, every victory we see, and every praise whispered through tears. Happy Mother's Day, friends. It's been a most beautiful day with my beloved family. ❤️
Grateful for...warmer days (finally!). Messy hair Grateful for...warmer days (finally!). Messy hair days. The sweetest smiles. Sister love. Grace for a very, very busy season. Manna for today. And tomorrow. Amazing adult children who fill my heart with so much love. The ability to workout and get stronger. Friends who love us unconditionally. A church who embraces us wholeheartedly. Physicals done for six children. Healthy bodies. Exciting adventures. Longer days. Summer. The undeserved favor of God. It is well. ❤️
Today we celebrate the man who deserves more than Today we celebrate the man who deserves more than I could ever give him. I remember the days of praying for a man who would love me with his whole heart. A man who looked past my many flaws, my brokenness, the shattered pieces of my life, and my many imperfections and saw all who I could become. A man who chased after the things of God with everything that he has. A man who would adore his children and be an amazing dad. A man who loved people and cared deeply about the things that matter most. A man who walked in integrity and chose to do what's right, no matter what. A man who would hold my heart so tenderly and always point me to Jesus. God gave me all of this and so much more. He gave me a man who always, always puts our needs way above his own and loves this family of ours with every ounce of his being. Today, we honor and we celebrate you, Anthony! No words can ever express how grateful I am that God heard every prayer on my heart and sent me you. Doing this crazy, amazing, beautiful life with you is my greatest joy and delight. Happy, happy birthday! How we love and treasure you! ❤️🎉
For the last two years, I've been so much more del For the last two years, I've been so much more deliberate about what I allow myself to watch and listen to. We don't have a television, and we never watch the news. We spend more time with our children, drop everything we're doing when one of our adult children walks through our door, love hanging out with our animals, and always have a home renovation project we're working on. These days, I'm trying to be so much more intentional about only focusing on what  matters most to me. The days and the years sure do fly by...and I don't ever want to feel like I wasted this one life He gave me by worrying, stressing and focusing on all the things that I cannot change. I'm a work in progress, but I'm loving this season of children growing up, adult kids who are such a blessing to my heart, and intentionally living a life of gratitude. Thankfulness is a choice--no matter the circumstances we walk through. I fail at getting it right more than I succeed at living gratefully every day. Because life can be hard, and the world is messed up, and it's so easy to take my eyes off of all things eternal. But so gently and patiently, He reminds me daily to pause. To reflect on all that is good. And lovely. And amazing. Because I don't ever want to be too busy to miss moments like this. She's my biggest cuddler and my random kisser (like, all day long)...and I pray that I'm never too distracted to savor the sweetness of it all. ❤️
Twenty three years ago, I became a mother. I was n Twenty three years ago, I became a mother. I was never one of those woman who dreamed of motherhood since they were very young. Truth is, I had no clue who I was nor who I wanted to become for most of my young adult life. In so many ways, the thought of being a mother and raising children scared the heck out of me. That was, until I had my first son. Connor changed me! Never had I experienced the kind of love and absolute joy that I had in spending my days with him. This boy showed me that if I was nothing else in my life, being his mom would be enough for me. And for twenty three years we've been figuring out this crazy, amazing life together. I have loved and treasured every single day that we have grown together. Being Connor's mother has been one of my greatest delights in my life. And now that he's a young man, I look back and am so insanely grateful for the gift this boy has been to us. From the sweetest baby, to the most amazing young man that he has chosen to become, I am thankful. It has been such a privilege watching him grow and mature into a man who walks in integrity, cares deeply, and is so kind. Happy, happy 23rd birthday to the son who is one of my great riches on this earth. No words can ever express the blessing he is to my heart! Keep looking up, Connor. Keep your eyes on heaven. Keep being exactly who you are. And always, always put Jesus first. I am ridiculously proud of you. ❤️
Happy 18th birthday, sweetest Kael. You were a sur Happy 18th birthday, sweetest Kael. You were a surprise addition to our adoption of Hasya. A sweet boy who God added to us so far into the adoption process. We had to rush through the paperwork to make sure that we could adopt you. I'll always remember the day I met you. Driving through the gates of the mental asylum you had called home for nearly nine years changed me forever. Never in my life had I been in such a dark, lifeless place. A place where precious humans had no worth, no value. A place so hard to fathom. But God! By His amazing grace, He chose you to have a family. I don't understand it all. Why so many are left behind with no hope. Some days I just ache for heaven. But forever will I be thankful that you are here, loved and living your very best life. With hope and a future. You're our chillest kid! Nothing ever moves quickly for you, except, perhaps, when you see me preparing a meal and you know it's time to eat. You love your food and have never turned a meal away. You have the best laugh in the world, and when you smile, I am reminded that redemption is such a beautiful thing. You love our family outings and could spend your entire summer in a swimming pool. And even though you're completely dependent on us for all things, you have become so intentional about showing us your needs. You have amazed us with all that you have learned, especially recently. How you have grown in nine years! As you head into your adult years, we're so excited to watch you become all who God has made you to be. And we'll be there, making sure that you have every opportunity to learn, grow and live a life filled with wonder. We are so grateful that God rescued you, sweet Kael. So very grateful for the gift of you. ❤️🎉
It's World Autism Awareness Day. Today we celebrat It's World Autism Awareness Day. Today we celebrate everything that makes Hailee, Hailee. She is fearfully and wonderfully made...JUST the way she is. Thank you, God, for the big victories that are simply amazing and the seemingly tiny victories that we count as blessings...they are ALL from your hand. Grateful for the gift of this tiny little firecracker who ensures that my days are never dull nor boring. ❤️
She's fiercely independent. Picks out her own clot She's fiercely independent. Picks out her own clothes. Can figure out anything on her own. Got the stubborn gene. Loves to help. Can rearrange an entire house in five minutes flat (and keeps us guessing where everything went). Has to have everything in its rightful place. Adores her siblings. And her puppy. Is the boss of everyone. Thrives on routine. Keeps everyone (animals included) on their toes and doing what they need to do. Loves pretty dresses and accessories. Forgives easily and teaches me to do the same. Yells at Hailee a gazillion times a day for messing up the playroom...again..."Oh, Hailee! No!" She is absolute perfection and I am so thankful that she's mine. ❤️
Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2022 · Adéye Salem · Blog Design by Little Blue Deer
Privacy Policy