Journey to Lera by Lear's mom
Our adoption journey began in 2003 when I felt God's hands pulling me toward the idea of adoption. Adoption was not something I had ever considered or thought about but God's call was felt deep in my heart. I began to pray and share my heart with my husband, Dave. Dave did not share in that conviction and didn't want to have anything with adoption for quite some time - for about 2 years. For those of you who find yourselves in same situation, I say to you to pray, pray, pray and don't give up.
During my time of prayers and soul searching, I 'met' Ann via a Russian adoption yahoo group. It was back in August of 2004 when she posted an adoption announcement of their new daughter, Victoria. I was moved by her post when she shared that she was adopted from a special needs orphanage and her disability. I sent her a congratulatory e-mail welcoming them home. It was quite by chance, but now that I look back, that one e-mail changed all of our lives! God's hand was definitely in bringing us together as friends. Since then, we have kept in touch almost every day through many time zones.
Ann shared with me that there are still many kids left in the special needs orphanage in Marx, Russia. She suggested maybe we should consider a special needs adoption. With Dave not lending an ear to hear me out on adoption at all, how would I ever talk to him about special needs adoption!? Ann arranged for her adoption agency to send me the videos she took while she was in Russia. One child in particular stood out. The whole time we thought it was a boy - but turned out that it was a girl. Ann sent me a picture of her and little Victoria sitting together on a caretaker's lap. I shared that picture with Dave and suggested that we pray for her and for a family to come forward for her soon. Dave's heart finally melted. God did have a child in mind. It HAD to be Lera. After 2 years of prayers and tears, God showed us our baby!
Meantime, we had decided to join a mission trip to Donetsk, Ukraine and to help distribute supplies & clothings to orphanages. While we were there, we had an opportunity to visit a disabled orphans home that housed children & adults, age 4 and up. We witnessed where these children go when they turn 4. Words could not describe the lifeless figures that were hid beneath the blankets. That was all it took for both of us to see & to know what we had to do. We knew we had to bring Lera home. God had shown us future of these kids if we didn't do something about it. How could we not?
Lera has been home with us now for 2+ years. She is a typical 4 year old that you would see anywhere. She loves life. She knows she's different because God took an extreme care to make her so special. She'll be the first to tell you, "God made me very special" and she's proud of it.
Aside from her disability (Arthrogryposis of lower extremeties), there is not much that stops her at all! Matter of fact, her quick wit and her ability to learn new skills and superb memory helps her to be a few steps ahead of us.
If you ever wondered about special needs adoption, we are here to tell you it isn't an easy road to take but it forces one a tremendous spiritual growth every day. It is an adventure. One that will continue to amaze, grow and to witness God's great love for us. I applaud Ann for her dedication and love for these children. Had it not been for Ann, our family would not have been made complete.
To View Lera's adoption timeline, click here
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