A Smile, A Laugh, a Blessing

I am learning to be grateful for many little things in life.  A dish brought to the sink instead of left on the table.  A pair of pants put in the laundry basket rather than left on the floor.  Simple things, basic things, yet I am learning to appreciate them. 

And then I look at Carrington.  Follow the link HERE and watch how this little girl has blossomed.  How she smiles, finally home with her family. 

This is a horrifying picture of what neglect and institutionalization can do to a child.  In this picture, her parents have just released her from the orphanage and brought her straight to a hospital in the US.  She is thirteen pounds. 

I can't even imagine what this family has been through -- what this child has been through.  And what many others are experiencing each day.  Starving -- for food and affection, for warmth and family.  I mean, she is older than my Henry, who also has Down syndrome, and he weighs 28 pounds!!  (Granted, he has never, ever missed a meal....but this discrepancy is huge). 

Thankfully, Carrington had parents who felt the call to love her (and to bring home another sister as well!).  And there were many others praying for her, contributing to her adoption fund, and raising awareness of orphans with special needs everywhere. 

Thankfully, Princess Carrington is home now, learning to love and thrive. 

Asleep, resting, knowing that God loves her!