Journey to a Name

Today we signed the papers to change Alina's name to Alina Hope Danehower.  Hope because God has given us Hope in Jesus Christ for Salvation.  Also because our first daughter that died 9 years ago (she died in the womb at 6 months) was named Faith.  So Hope and Faith remind us of God's faithfulness in our lives and that there is always Hope in Jesus no matter what situation we find ourselves in. 
We know that God has a plan for Alina's life and that God has called us to adopt her and give her hope for a better life.
Our journey to find Alina started 5 years ago when we hosted 2 other girls first through a hosting program during Christmas and Summer.  They were both adopted and then we met Alina in Christmas of 2008.  She was not available for 4 years so we waited in Hope that God would move mountains to get her registered in Ukraine. So we hosted her 8 times in the summer and Christmas where she became part of our family.  So our journey to get Alina is a miracle that only God could have brought about.  If someone had not fought for her life she would never been able to be adopted.
Today we spent the day at a mall that was very nice that had an indoor skating rink and carnival rides and children's play areas.  Alina went skating-she really likes to and has done that before with us. We spent time at the hotel again and then went out to eat.  We had to say goodbye and send her off in a car with a man that drove her back to the orphanage.  Hard to see her go and realize this is her life right now-strangers who take charge of her life just telling her what to do-can you image a 12 yr. willingly getting in a car with a man she didn't know and just driving off-can you imagine sending  your daughter in a car with a stranger and being okay with it? This is her life right now until we come back and finish the process.  We leave Ukraine tomorrow but we will be back-we cannot leave her here where she has no hope for a life.
And HOPE does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Romans 5: 5