Becoming Aware: Literal Eyes being Opened



Adeye, with
Harper & Hailee

 Many of my blog readers might know Adeye Salem as "No Greater Joy Mom" (http://www.nogreaterjoymom.com/). Many of you may recognize the sweet faces of her girls Hailee & Harper (pictured here with Adeye).

The Salem family is a homeschooling family. They are a missional family. They have a house full of children. They have biological children, and they have adopted several times. They have so many stories they can tell that share the evidence of God's love, His mercy, and His grace.

But in addition to all that happens within their own family unit, Adeye is also a strong advocate for specific children and specific families that God lays on her heart.

One story is that of Julia - HERE is the first post Adeye wrote about her. And HERE is the blog written by Carey, who is now Julia's Mommy. (By the way, please pray for Julia as she is in the hospital with doctors working to restore her digestive system after such a long period of malnutrition).

Another is about Vanya. He was in desperate need of a family. Adeye entered the scene with guns blazing, and brought together an amazing fundraiser. And soon after, Vanya's forever family had committed to him (visit them HERE).

In addition, Adeye will often blog about other advocates and the fundraiser they're doing for families or waiting children. (one of those is HERE).

One of the most beautiful stories (at least in my opinion!) that Adeye has shared about their own family's experiences comes from their youngest, Harper. On one particular as Adeye was visiting Harper in an Eastern European orphanage, she had no idea whose eyes were watching her. They were, in fact, the eyes of Harper's birth father.

He had been coming to the orphanage regularly to give monetary contributions, but never to see his little one. It's something he just didn't think he could handle - just like how he & Harper's birth mother felt they couldn't handle raising a daughter with Down Syndrome. But when he heard an American family was adopting Harper, he had to see for himself. He watched from afar. And he saw a mom who found worth in a child in a society that deemed her unacceptable. He saw love. He saw devotion. And he saw a remarkable resemblance between this woman & Harper's birth mother.

And God began working on his heart. Several months later, Harper's adoption led her birth parents to begin their own adoption journey... to adopt a little girlwith Down Syndrome! (Read that post HERE)



Anthony & Haven



The stories go on and on. And now, Adeye's husband is also blogging. His blog is - no surprise here - No Great Joy Dad! I am super excited about the ministry he's starting. Have you ever heard a woman mention that she'd like to adopt, but her husband isn't on board or has certain concerns/reservations? Anthony tackles many of the questions and concerns that husbands often have when their wives approach them about with the prospect of adoption. He's real. He's genuine. He's passionate. And he's unapologetic. I love it!

As I was preparing to write this post, Adeye shared a new post about her daughter Haven. Haven came their family via international adoption in 2008, but not before she went through the devastation of having a family come to adopt her and then, for whatever reasons, choosing to leave her behind (read Haven's story HERE). Haven is a beautiful little girl who is blossoming before her family's eyes. While Haven is non-verbal, she has no trouble conveying her thoughts and needs to those around her. And just this month, another significant moment in Haven's life occurred. For almost 3 years, they were told that Haven's vision was fine. But this month, they found out that was not true. Haven was in great need of glasses. Now Haven's eyes have been opened - in a literal sense! Read about Haven's sight HERE.



The Salem Family

I'm so thankful for the Salem family, and others like them, who so boldly seek to answer the James 1:27. Their eyes have been opened, and they cannot be silent. Praise God!

Now that your eyes have been opened, how can you help?

• Pray: Follow Adeye's blog and pray for the children and families that she mentions. Pray for the Salem family as they seek to provide advocacy and support to orphans and adoptive families. Pray for their children as they grow and become all that God intends them to be.
• Give: Consider giving to a family who's seeking to adopt a child with special needs. Visit Reece's Rainbow and sponsor a family!
• Go: Do you feel led to pursue a special needs adoption? Contact Reece's Rainbow to learn more!