This morning I got to watch my three-year-old dress like this...
...open a few of these...
...all the while surrounded by this.
My girl is blessed more than she'll ever know (and not just because she got two packs of Cl*ires stick-on earrings, which in her mind = best. present. ever.).
As I spent a few minutes reflecting on what Christmas has been like for Lil' Miss, I couldn't keep myself from thinking of another three-year-old, half a world away.
Meet "Sofia".
(I know, she's totally, completely, over-the-moon precious.)
Sofia might have put on a special outfit when she woke up this morning (although it probably didn't belong to her if she did).
She might have even opened a present or two (but it's not very likely).
What Sofia definitely didn't do is climb into bed to cuddle with Mommy.
She didn't help Daddy make pancakes for breakfast.
She didn't get kisses from Grandma or tickles from Grandpa.
Sofia woke up on this Christmas morning in an orphanage in Eastern Europe - an orphanage that has been her home for her entire life.
And my wish on this Christmas - the one thing I want much, much more than a Kitchen*id mixer, books for my Kindl*, or a new lens for my camera - is a family for Sofia. I want this to be her last Christmas alone. Her last Christmas without a mama's love. Her last Christmas without a daddy who thinks she's a princess.
I would go get Sofia in a second, but there's a certain somebody in my life who thinks adopting three children from three different countries at the same time is just a bit crazy.
Okay, so he's probably right. :)
I need you to make my Christmas wish come true. Will you help me find Sofia's family? Will you spend a few minutes praying about whether she belongs to you?
Let me share a little bit more of Miss Sofia's story. Sofia was born with spina bifida and went straight from the hospital to the orphanage. She has already had surgery on her spine and had a vp shunt inserted. She will have ongoing bladder/continence and mobility issues. There is no reason to believe that she has any cognitive issues (beyond the normal delays associated with being raised in an orphanage environment).
Because of her needs, Sofia's future looks bleak.
With physical therapy, Sofia's chances of walking are good. The orphanage doesn't provide any.
Just like any other child, Sofia needs an education so that she be challenged and reach her potential. The country she's in probably won't send her to school.
Like any three-year-old, this precious girl needs love and attention. Although her orphanage currently has Sofia matched with a "grandma" who provides daily, one-on-one attention, she will eventually be sent to an asylum. (Asylum in Eastern Europe = very. bad. place.)
I am not trying to minimize Sofia's needs. She's three-years-old, and she can't walk. She has to be catheterized to use the bathroom. She doesn't know what it looks like to be loved by a family.
But as I look through this list, I can't help but think how is it possible that these needs are keeping this precious child in an orphanage? Is there really anything here that is such a big deal?
This beautiful little lady will probably need leg braces and/or crutches and therapy to walk.
Okay.
She needs someone willing to deal with her catheter for a few years before she can learn to catheterize herself.
Alright.
She needs someone committed to loving her patiently and consistently so that she can learn the priceless lesson that family is forever.
What a blessed calling.
I know that international adoption can sound scary and intimidating. (If you've been reading my blog for very long, you know it hasn't been an easy process for us.) However, the country Sofia is in has a relatively quick and inexpensive adoption process. They are part of the Hague Convention, which means they follow certain guidelines intended to ensure that adoptions are ethical and predictable. (No, this is not the Eastern European country we've been trying to adopt from.) What's more, Sofia qualifies for reduced agency fees and a Brittany's Hope grant. Her parents will need to travel to her country twice, but these are short trips (about 5 days each).
Please share Sofia's story. You are welcome to post this information on F*cebook, email it to friends or family, or share it on your own blog.
If you'd like more information about Sofia, you can email Nina Thompson at Children's House International (nina.t@chiadopt.org). You can also email me (whatitmeans2beheld@gmail.com) with any questions about Sofia, special needs, or adoption in general.
Thanks for praying for Sofia. Hopefully this sweet girl will celebrate Christmas 2012 with her very own mama and papa.
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