Our Princess Adopted - Child Haven

Me: "You're a beautiful girl, S."

2-year old S.: "I'm not a girl. [pause] I'm a princess."

Never before in our lives have we encountered such an articulate, intelligent, beautiful and adorable 2-year old. Yesterday, our precious Child Haven princess went home with her very own new family.

S. came to Child Haven one year ago -- our 13th child. In one year's time, she stole the hearts of every individual in our family. Though we had been praying for her and her baby sister from Baby Haven to be adopted by the perfect forever family, our joy was mixed with great sadness when her parents, a pastoring couple from Cape Town, arrived to take the girls home with them to Cape Town this week.

S. with her new parents

There were too many tears to count from every auntie and the other children at Child Haven as we said goodbye to her. It was so very beautiful to see S. in the arms of her new Daddy and Mommy, yet selfishly we grieve the departure of a little girl who brightened the lives of our family for over a year of life.

We have been blessed beyond measure by her presence, and we praise God that for the rest of her life she will bring joy and laughter to another wonderful family. May God richly bless those children left behind in our home, and may the Lord go before S. all the days of her life as she walks into her destiny.

S. meeting her baby sister at Baby Haven

for the first time in November 2009

S. with housemothers Anna and Amy,

shortly after explaining to her that she would be going to

her very own new family

God sets the lonely in families

(psalm 68:6)

Farewell, princess, you will be missed terribly;

yet we forever rejoice with you and your new family, baby girl.

Blessings!