Every morning after we've all woken up, eaten and gotten dressed, we meet together at 7:30AM for devotions. It's my favorite time of the day. All 12 of us (including my mom) gather and sing and read the Word together. We drag out all the instruments in the house, including the toy instruments and most everyone plays something. There are toy pianos, flutes, recorders,tamborines, toy drums, shakers and Derek is on the guitar leading us all. I think he's the only one who is playing in tune. It can get pretty hilarious but it's awesome at the same time! Ethan is the only one who hasn't seemed like he's been engaged during our time together. He would just sit on one of our laps and look straight ahead. Last week when Derek picked up his guitar and began playing, Ethan crawled across the floor and rested his head on Derek's leg, totally engaged. He was watching Derek sing and he was looking at the guitar strings. It's been so precious and amazing to see the changes that Ethan's made! I just had to post these pictures for you to see. We are so thankful to Jesus for all the amazing work he's doing in Ethan's mind and body. It's truly a miracle! We were told by the doctor in Kiev Ukraine, where we adopted him, that Ethan would always be a very low functioning down syndrome child. Looks like the Master Physician has another plan for his life!I have to brag on our daughters now! There has been so much attention given to our boys by friends and family, welcoming them home. We've been so blessed by the outpouring of love our three boys have received! Our whole world has been changed by these three little guys. Our girls love their three new brothers but have definitely given up some of the attention they were getting before. Don't get me wrong, Derek and I make sure that we are still spending quality time with our girls and that they are not suffering in any way in regards to our time with them, but, they definitely have given up some of the normalcy that we've had together, to help with their new brother's needs. Derek and I feel so blessed to have the daughters that we do. They are absolutely amazing! Sometimes I just stand back and watch them, how they interact with each other, and with their brothers, and it just blows my mind. They are all so beautiful, inside and out and I just want to say, "I love you girls and I'm so proud of all you are!"
25 comments:
Sitting here in tears....again...what a precious picture of God's amazing grace! The pictures of Ethan on Derek's leg are incredible! May God's healing continue as you seek to glorify the KING in all you do! And yes, grace and love to your precious daughters...may all they are sowing into your family for Jesus' sake and glory be reaped in kind by each of them! Hallelujah!
What a beautiful family you have and God Bless you for following the Lord's lead in your life. How amazing to see the hands and feet of God at work! I too, feel called tolove/care for the Orphans of Ukraine!
Stefanie
Beautiful, beyond words, we have a faithful Father and it is awesome to see Ethan have a earthly father to translate His love to him. The picture of Ethan gazing up at Derek should be shared with the world! It is proof of the lies that are told to ok some of the most horrid crimes against these precious kids! It's also proof that if you say yes to the Lord He'll pour out more than you can imagine! You folks are so rich!!!
Arden, thank you so much, again, for your precious comment. You are very encouraging and I just love your heart!
Hi Stephanie,
I loved seeing your family picture and reading some of the wonderful posts you put on your blog! You have four beautiful boys and I pray that Lord's riches blessings on you and your husband as you ask him for wisdom and guidance in raising your 4 precious sons!
Hugs and blessings!
Malones,
We are praying for you and trusting God to do awesome things and to expedite everything for you!
We are so excited about all that's ahead for you. The
Lord is amazing!
Hugs and blessings!
Loved seeing those pictures. What great tangible proof of God's promises. Rom. 8:28
The Lord has blessed you and Derek. Your children are the fruit of your labor of love unto Him.
What a blessing to follow along with you and sing praises to our Father for His faithfulness.
xoxo
All of your children are beautiful, of course! However, Ethan has my heart. As a parent of a child who has Down syndrome (she's not a down syndrome child. She's just a child, who happens to sport an extra chromosome like she sports glasses.) I'm thrilled to see Ethan's progress. Life is going to be so great for him, because you followed God's called and brought him home!
Are those chubby cheeks I see on Ethan? It does my heart good to see him healthy and engaged. Thank you God for the healing you are doing in his life!
Thanks Lisa, Leah and Stephanie for your encouraging words!
Bessings and hugs,
Renee'
Hi Loux family!! Blessings on you, your marriage, and your 8 little bundles of joy!!
My husband and I (also bio/foster/adoptive parents) have been attending IHOP conferences and such for about 6 years now and are so excited about what the Lord is doing in and through your family and the Orphan Justice Center! We actually attended a conference about 1.5 years ago with a 15 year old foster son of ours and Derek spoke on Fatherlessness in the Last Generation! VERY powerful word for him (and us) to hear!
Well, I VERY VERY seldom have dreams that I remember vividly and believe are a word from the Lord. However, last night I had a dream about your family that I wanted to share with you. I don't remember too many details, just that the Lord kept calling your new boys "little champs" and He made making it clear that He is going to use them and yourselves to show others the benefits and blessings of adopting His children and what He is capable of!!
Praying that you and your children will always find yourselves wrapped in His loving arms!!!
Beyond words, you guys are awesome and God certainly knows what He is doing! ---Andrea Roberts, Reece's Rainbow Down Syndrome Adoption Ministry
WE LOVE YOU MOMMY AND DADDY!!! We're blessed to have parents who love us! :) I hope to have a family like ours
A family like ours... SOME DAY ;)
Hey Renee', I don't know how it happened, unless I forgot to sign out from Malones' blog but I am actually the one who left the comment that said it was from the Malones'??? I follow their blog now as well, my heart was so saddened when you couldn't get Misha, it was wonderful to see he is being placed with another family hard after Jesus! Sorry for the confusion! XO Sarah Johns
beautiful. i love the first one, with Ethan's reflection in the guitar...
Hi Sarah,
Thanks for letting me know! We are so thrilled that the Malone's are adopting Misha since we couldn't get him. He will be in a wonderful Christian home, where he is loved and taught about Jesus' love for him!!
Hugs to you!
Jess,
That's my favorite pic too!
Love the pictures, speceally the first one, Ethan looks like a completely different child. About what the doctor told you about Ethan being a low functional child, i can tell you: doctors get wrong, God doesn't (and i'm a Medicine student). God wanted you to take care of Ethan, and he wanted him to bring joyce to your family.
God bless you
Before I'd even read the story, just seeing the pictures of Ethan looking up at Derek filled me with an "awwww..." feeling. Then, to read the story was almost too much! Bless his little sweet heart! What a blessing he is to you.
What an awesome report! You guys are amazing!
I love the way Ethan's face is
reflecting in his dad's guitar in
the first picture-
Precious!
Ethan is just precious! The way he is so relaxed on his Daddy's leg, listening to the music. This is what love is all about.
Amy
The pictures of Ethan are absolutely beautiful. Praise God for the glorious things He can do.
When I think of meekness from now on, this picture will come to mind. Thanks for posting it!
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