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Adeye Salem

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introducing

May 9, 2011 By Adéye

I am so excited!  This is such a joy for me to do.  It’s one the things I love best about blogging…seeing the Almighty Father raise up incredible people to go where He sends them, and do the things He calls them to do.  Amazing.

I finally get to introduce you guys to a very special family.

Meet the Fishers.  The family who God has raised up to be sweet Vanya’s parents and siblings.

I won’t fill you in on their amazing journey in the Lord, because you can go and read all about it on their blog right here.  I am so thrilled that we will all have the opportunity to follow along and see Vanya come home.

Please keep the Fishers in your prayers.  Continue to trust that all their paperwork falls into place BEFORE the Ukraine halts all adoptions.  I’m sure they will keep us updated about how we can pray specifically for things as they arise.

This is Vanya’s family.  But you know, it really does take a community of people to rescue a child from an orphanage.  I believe that with all my heart.  God calls one family to bring their son home, but what a privilege it is that so many of us get to play a small part in his unfolding story–by praying, by donating financially, by giving to a giveaway.  That’s what the glorious body of Christ is all about.  When we come together as ONE, it’s truly a beautiful thing.  Thank you for playing a part in Vanya’s miracle.

Welcome to the world of blogging, Fisher family.  Thank you so much for allowing us to journey with you as you bring Vanya home.  He has captured the hearts of many.  God has big plans for that angel of yours.

Hang in there, sweet Vanya…your dream is about to come true!


Filed Under: Hailee's adoption

Tribute to My Wife »
« my man, moms, and missionaries

introducing…

January 7, 2011 By Adéye

After a VERY quick pre-approval from Ch*na…I can now share with you who Guan Wei’s (aka “Kevin”) family is.  Yippeeeeeeeee.

This is the O’Malley family.

What an unfolding miracle their journey has been.  This amazing family is adopting not one, but two, very special boys.  Their paperwork is already in Ch*na for their first son (who is such a cutie) which is why they are able to adopt Guan Wei.  They HAVE to adopt him by February 8th in order to get him out of the country.  I mentioned in my first appeal for him that a family HAS to legally adopt him before his 14th birthday (which is Feb 9).  The next few weeks are going to be one big journey of faith for them.  Every single detail has to fall into place perfectly, without any delays.  Ch*na will not make any exceptions to their rule on having to be adopted before a child turns 14. ONLY God can do this.

Please pray for them.  You can follow along on their blog right here.

Also, if you feel led, please consider sowing into their adoption financially.  Obviously there is absolutely no time to fund raise for this adoption. This is last minute stuff.  Due to a few very generous donations they are still only in need of $7000.00 in order to complete the adoption.  Goodness, that is NOTHING to rescue a child.  Nothing at all. 

Please prayerfully consider helping out.  I know it will be such a humongous blessing to them.  They are going into this by faith, by faith, by faith….trusting that God will take care of each and every detail.  Every amount donated adds up. No amount is too small–God multiplies it all.  This we know all too well.

All donations are tax deductible and can be done through their agency, Small World Adoptions.  PLEASE just be sure to mention “Guan Wei” in the comments on the check-out page.  That way all donated funds will go directly to the O’Malleys.

Go here to donate.

Thank you, friends, from the bottom of my heart.  Thank you praying this beautiful boy all the way to his family.  Thank you for interceding on his behalf when there was a desperate need.  It is going to be so wonderful following along and seeing him join his family.  Praise God.

By the way, Donna (the mom) has told me that the children in this orphanage are NOT told beforehand that they are being adopted–so even now he has absolutely no idea that someone is coming for him.  Can you just imagine the JOY when he is eventually told?  Oh my.  I wish I could be there to see his reaction.  How fun would that be?

The Lord has done great things!

*** Updated: A chip-in has been added on their blog for those of you who would prefer to donate via paypal.


Filed Under: Harper's adoption

sort of wordless wednesday »
« life as usual

introducing…

October 14, 2010 By Adéye

Okay, okay…so I know you’re all just dying (well, not really, but you know what I mean) to know who they are.  Who in the world has God chosen to be Julia’s family?

I am beyond thrilled to introduce you all to the Schwenzer family. 

Steve, Carey, and their four (soon to be five) beautiful children.

They have a blog up and running. So I’ll let them tell you all about who they are and how they got here. Go here to read their story and follow along as they work hard to get to their darling angel as fast as humanly possible.  God is already moving mountains on their behalf. 
 
What a blessing it has been for me to get to know the Schwenzers over the last couple of weeks.  Such a joy.

Please go over to their blog and follow along.  I know that they would be blessed by any sweet words of encouragement too.

And also, please keep sweet Julia in your prayers in the weeks and months to come.  Please trust with us that God will continue to sustain her in that awful place–until her mommy and daddy can get to her.  For this little treasure girl, every day counts.

You guys totally rock!


Filed Under: Hannah-Claire's adoption, Harper's adoption

it’s true….. »
« blossoming, bath-loving, beauties

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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. ❤️
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