“We do not create our destiny; we participate in its unfolding.”
―David Richo
Did I ever tell y’all about our newest neighbors? They moved into the house directly behind us last summer and you won’t believe where they lived before that: Haiti!
Yep. They relocated to Haiti in June of 2010 to launch a new phase of their ministry- Pathfinder Ministries. In 2011, they became co-directors of the Children’s Hope education initiative in Jacmel and area directors for Children’s Hope in Jeremie/Anse Du Clerc. They led the construction of two orphanages and oversaw the operation of 8 schools. They also led Bible studies, preached in local churches, and taught English to local Haitians, so you can imagine how excited we were when we found out they were moving into the house across the alley! I mean, what are the odds, ya know? And what a gift to have neighbors that speak our son’s native language right in our backyard!
And speaking of our little love, I put together a video of some of my favorite i-phone clips to share here today. I hope it makes you smile too! 😀
And if you left a comment on my previous post- thank you so much for leaving me such kind and encouraging words to find! You will never know how much I appreciate and cherish them…and you!
So very sweet. You two must be bursting with so much joy and excitement as you can FINALLY share with us pictures and videos of this little boy who has captured your hearts. I’m so happy for your family. And I pray the upcoming days of waiting will pass quickly and you can all be together soon.
No words!!! ?????
see how God is working in all of ths! great testimony for Him!
So glad I watched this before putting on my makeup! Brought tears to my eyes seeing that joyFULL family!
Shut the front door. Just amazing. That first hug! And then the kiss! Aw my heart is bursting with happiness for y’all and what God has given you!
When your Sonny ran and hugged his Daddy, my heart just exploded! That is the sweetest and most wonderful thing I’ve ever seen! Thank you so much for sharing.
I am so glad that he was affectionate and receptive to you from the get go. Someone there at the orphanage must have taught him that. I have read adoption stories were the child was not receptive to the adoptive parents at all, which must be heart breaking. Boy this wait you have had sure is a long one. I will be so glad for you all when he is home. Adorable video, adorable Sonny, thank you for sharing it.
Oh my goodness. This video made my day! The hugs and kisses – so sweet. This video reminds me that there is so much good in this world!
What a gift God has given you by placing those new neighbors there! And the video ……. Tears of happiness rolled down my cheeks. I am so very happy for Yall! He is so handsome!! I don’t even know how your feet touch the ground when you walk. You must surely be floating with giddiness and joy!! God bless your family! This brought such a smile to my face! Thank you for sharing ???????
This makes my heart happy – Thanks for sharing – Your fun is about to begin with him
Layla, I cannot tell you how much my heart filled up watching this video. I have been following you for YEARS with baited breathe – waiting for you and Kevin to bring home your Sonny. He is precious! Oh….and the look on Kev’s face when he comes out the gate and hugs you….PRICELESS. This journey you & Kevin have been on gives me so much hope for this world! The times we live in now seem scary with all the hate that surrounds us, BUT YOU & KEVIN restore my faith….that Gods love is still among us. Thank you for sharing this journey with us all to see. Thank you for letting God use you! Thank you for being a Blessing!
The moments as you were first waiting to meet him just grabbed my heart and I cried so hard. Thank God.
He is beautiful and his little voice is so sweet. I’m so glad you all are finally together.
Wow. Thanks for sharing! My heart is so happy watching those sweet moments! He is a joy! And he loves y’all already! I love seeing the way he looks at y’all and laughs and smiles. Wow.
Stop! He’s so adorable, and I see all the love and hope in these clips. And what a joy to have neighbors who may be able to help you help your Sonny adjust to a strange place when he arrives in the states.
So wonderful! You looked completely giddy with joy. Steevenson seems so sweet. Congratulations!
Unfortunately, I did not watch before I put on my makeup. Now I’m going to be late for work. 🙁
Love that your family is finally together! ♥
Oh.My.Goodness. How unbelievably precious are those videos. He is a charmer, for sure, and smart, too! I love his smile and the lilt to his “alo” (hello). How cute!! Thanking God for this blessing for your family!
So precious! Makes the tears come, but in the best way because the heart is singing! 🙂
Sonny is a perfect fit for your family. His smile and sweet voice melted my heart. Finally you are on the homeward stretch of your adoption journey!
Tears! He is PRECIOUS! I’m so happy for all of you!
MFEO (meant for each other) xx
Am I going to be crying every time I log on now ??!!! Tears flow and I’m so choked up I can hardly breathe. I could not be more happy for you and your beautiful family. The wait is almost over and so worth every moment!!!!
This. Is. The. Best!
Those videos are SO precious! What a joy! They made me tear up – happy tears! Thank you so much for sharing :). Not long until he’s in your arms every day! So amazing.
What a cool dude! So lucky, all of you.
He is perfect!
So happy for your sweet family. These videos and the news yesterday makes my heart so happy! We are thanking the lord for His goodness. Continuing to pray for the Lord’s timing in the rest of this process – may it be swift!
Enjoy every moment of this amazing story!
Oh, my gosh, those videos are just too stinkin’ cute. So happy that the three of you found each other!! 🙂
What sweet videos and what a sweet boy, too! He’s so clearly yours. May the Lord continue to pave the way, like providing such particular neighbors, and all the blessings He’ll be showering down upon you all. Thank you for sharing.
I have been following your blog and this story for years. I just bawled watching this. I am so happy for you!
Thanks for sharing that with us. Wonderful! xo
Tears! Lots of tears of joy when I watched this! You SO made my heart smile this morning! When Steevenson said “mama, papa”, I immediately started crying! Thank you for sharing your journey.
So beautiful. What a cutie! Love that Oregon t-shirt (my home). Wishing you all a lifetime of happiness and joy.
Tears…so very happy for you.
Tears of joy! Such a beautiful story for a beautiful family.
God is providing everything you need to take wonderful care of your son!
Layla, This makes my heart sing! Our God is amazing! Thank you for sharing this video.It has made my day! : )
My heart is filled with joy watching that. Oh, what you and Kevin must feel! Thank you for sharing your joy!
so many tears. So sweet. He is a little character! 😉 Thank you for sharing this 🙂 God is good.
Beautiful! God is so good!!
Congratulations! Smiles and happy tears here. God is so good!
Lots of tears and smiles this AM. Wanted to plant lots of kisses on Sonny’s beautiful face. Your hearts must be exploding! And, neighbors from Haiti…..truly God is in this place. Congratulations! We serve an Awesome God!
He is your son.
Tears of JOY for your SWEET family of three ! Praising God!
Layla, So precious is your Sonny. I loved when he ran to y”all and hugged you. I’m so happy for you as I’ve been following your blog since the beginning. This is so well deserved. How long before you can bring him home to sleep in his own little bed? Thank you for sharing your journey with us.
Adorable!
More . . .please!!!
Happy tears!!! Oh my, he is pure joy, isn’t he!!?
Absolutely precious! I’m sitting here watching this at work about to cry ugly tears. When he ran and wrapped his arms around his daddy, I couldn’t hold it in any longer. I absolutely love it all!!