11. I'm thankful for the gift of Baptism, which was bestowed on our second and third daughters four years ago today. We gathered in a small church west of Chicago, the parish of Father Mario, our beloved friend who had served as rector of my husband's dorm, presided over our wedding, and has now baptized all of our children. Family traveled from northern Virginia, Cleveland, Omaha, and Milwaukee to celebrate this special day with us. Valya, 7, and Nastia, 5, had only been living with us for a few months. Their new English was still a bit broken, and their behavior was still a bit, well, unrefined. But something within them grasped the solemnity of this sacred moment. Standing beside the baptismal font in their pretty off-white dresses, they looked like angels.
There are so many things for which I am grateful as the mother of children through adoption. But the greatest by far is the privilege of welcoming them into the Faith. If the Lord had not led us to these two little girls living in Russia, they might never have received this precious gift of New Life. Thanks be to God, we were graced with the courage to trust Him and say yes.
10 comments:
Beyond Beautiful!!!
Forgive me if you’ve already talked about this, Diane, but how many of your children came to you through adoption? And are you familiar with the writings of Mary Ann Kuharski? She has 13 children–7 by tummy and 6 by airport!
What a generous heart you have. May God bless you & your beautiful family, especially Valya and Nastia on their spiritual birthdays!
That is an amazing story. I am so glad you included it!
Beautiful!
God is good!!!
This is beautiful and so are your girls.
Heartfelt thanks to all of you for your kind and encouraging comments!
Margaret, I don’t think I’ve mentioned it directly here—our four middle children were adopted, two in Russia and two in China. A friend recently asked me to share our story, and I’m contemplating the best way to tell it here. It’s a bit long and complicated, yet arranged so perfectly by the hand of God. Of course!
I think I’ve heard of Mary Ann Kuharski but haven’t read her books—it sounds like I’d really appreciate them. Thanks for mentioning her.
Ah, I completely agree. Diane I would love to hear more about your adoption stories too. I feel so privleged to experience motherhood through adoption and I love to read how other moms have experienced this as well. It is a unique blessing.
Diane,
You never fail to bring me to tears - in a good way, of course!
What beautiful girls, beautiful family and beautiful story!
Thank you!
>But the greatest by far is the privilege of >welcoming them into the Faith.
What a profound Truth this is, Diane. Beautiful.
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