Monday, March 15, 2010

Our Little Blondie...

...needs us. Soon. Look at this sweet little face. We are lucky to have a new picture of Alina. Her head is still shaved, but from the little bit that has grown out, it appears she is a blonde...something new for our family :).

Pictures of orphans are functional in nature, for the purposes of documentation. I can't wait to photograph her through a parent's loving eyes, taking care to capture an expression that reveals a little bit about who she is. (I hope she doesn't mind having her picture taken, because I am sure it will be like having the paparazzi over here when she comes home.)

Right now, Alina is an orphan, with nothing of her own--no family of her own, dressed in someone's old clothes. She hasn't known what it means to be able to trust that someone will always be there for her. She hasn't known what it means to be valued as an individual. It breaks my heart to see that in this picture, even though we already knew it.

We cannot wait to hold her and love her and tell her she's finally home. We cannot wait to get her into our arms and begin to restore her to the child she should always have been.

We are ready to begin our new journey. I hope she is ready for us :)...

14 comments:

  1. I think she is more than ready! Can't wait till she is home and loved!!

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  2. Praise God for updated pics! I am so happy you got a new picture! I can't wait to see those little tired eyes twinkling from all the love of her new family! :)

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  3. Oh, she looks so sad. She definitely needs some brothers and sisters to make her smile. :) I simply cannot wait to see what love will do for that precious girl.

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  4. She is going to learn love and happiness the moment she see's your face. I'm happy to see though that she is fed :)! That's at least a basic human need that is being met, thank goodness! Oh I can't wait to see her in your arms!!!

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  5. lisa, this picture makes me feel so many emotions. i'm sad because she looks so empty right now. i'm happy because i know that's all about to change. i'm excited because you are going to save her soon. and i'm joyful knowing that God works in such mysterious and awesome ways--that you were somehow destined to become alina's mommy too! i promise to continue praying for you guys. sending as much love as possible your way! p.s. thank you, thank you for your amazing comment last week. i needed you in ways you couldn't imagine. you are so right on all of it. thanks again friend.

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  6. I'm so glad you posted this picture of Alina. Her true beauty is known to her Maker, her new family, and those of us who can see beyond these "mug" shots. I can picture her with those pretty hair bows and sparkling eyes, and a smile that will melt even the coldest heart! Your love for her will bring all of that out of her VERY soon!!!

    Kristin

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  7. I hope my comment of her being fed was understood the way I meant it. She looks physically healthy and not malnourished and I think that is one of my biggest fears for the children. It's hard enough thinking they don't have someone to love them, but not to have enough food is even harder. She appears to have a healthy face :) and I hope that my earlier comment didn't come across the wrong way!

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  8. :) Jen. I've worried about that, too. And I was also happy to see that she looks healthy and well fed!

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  9. Thank you for posted her new picture!! She is such a little sweetheart...

    Oh, I just can not wait to see the picture of sweet Alina in your arms...

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  10. What a blessing that you got a new picture. I can't imagine how important that is to a waiting mom...almost like that treasured ultrasound picture while you wait for your baby. Continued prayers that your travel day arrives soon.

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  11. Look how she's grown, momma! You will be there soon to put a smile on that little face and love in her heart!

    Hugs!

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  12. What a blessing to know that she will soon be in your arms and know what love is. It is soo hard when you see pictures of these babies when they look lost, but soon, she will be found. I will keep your family in my prayers!!

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  13. She does look healthy. I can't wait to see her with bouncy, shiny hair and a sparkle in her eyes that she'll have once she meets her mommy and daddy and precious siblings. It must be hard to see her in these "functional" photos when there's so much love waiting for her.

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  14. I cannot wait to see the first smile you capture on film... I'll be running for the tissue box.

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