The Winslow Family at Grace Abounding Farm: We love you our precious Zvezdelina Jordanova Winslow--December 23rd, 2006--January 6, 2014

Monday, January 06, 2014

We love you our precious Zvezdelina Jordanova Winslow--December 23rd, 2006--January 6, 2014

Thank you for these words dear friend Lauren Horton!! We love you so much!

Zoey had a mama sing to herA daddy tickle her with his mustache.
A mama read the Bible softly into her little ear.
She was blessed...you were blessed.
Angel Zoey ....we love you.

33 comments:

Becky said...: I am so saddened to hear of Zoey's passing. I truly loved seeing her pictures with her Mama and Daddy and hearing you sing Jesus Loves Me made me tear up. She is a beautiful angel sitting in Heaven, watching her family from above. Sending you comfort, prayers and hugs from Texas.; 10:39 PM
Wendy Talley, Portsmouth, VA said...: Prayers. What a beautiful angel Zoey is. Thank you for sharing her with us.; 11:22 PM
Johanna said...: I am so sorry for your great loss....what a precious little lamb Zoey is, now in Jesus arms, held tightly. So thankful she heard a momma's voice and felt your arms, that smile in the pics tell of her joy....Tears for your family, prayers as you grieve your daughter....She now runs with Jesus.; 11:31 PM
Christy said...: I am so sad to hear of Zoey leaving this earth...Prayers for you all.; 11:31 PM
KB said...: I am absolutely in tears and shock. I can't even imagine how you must be feeling... having held your sweet girl in your arms not so long ago... I wish I had some wise words to offer you but I have nothing but prayers and hugs because this is a pain beyond words. I'm so sorry. Hard as it is though, I'm glad she got to know your love before she went to be with Jesus. You gave her a gift that no one else would.; 12:03 AM
Two Mamas said...: Such sad news to hear. I'm glad Zoey knew that she was loved. Peace and comfort to you all.; 12:26 AM
Lori said...: Dear Winslow family, you do not know me but I wanted to extend my deepest sympathy for the loss of your precious Zoey. My heart aches for you--but rejoices that she is now whole and free, smiling with her Father in Heaven and secure in the knowledge that she was chosen and loved by her forever family here on earth! May He hold you close this night and always...; 12:53 AM
Sandryte said...: I am so sorry for her loss! God bless her and your family! (But is it really true? Maybe the orphanage faked the documents, stopped the adoption or something?? Unbelievable! ...); 4:00 AM
Marcia said...: Dearest Mary and family, I'm so very sorry for the loss of Zoey. I think God saved her as long as he did so she could meet you and be loved by you and your family. I pray for your hearts to be at peace with God's decisions, knowing full well that they are the hardest ones to accept when it come to our children. God bless you and keep you close through the coming days, weeks, and months. Love you!; 6:32 AM
Marcia said...: Dear Mary, I'm so very sorry for the loss of Zoey! I believe God kept her here this long so she could meet you and be loved by you and your very special family. May God carry you through the coming days, weeks and months as you come to terms with this great loss. We love you.; 6:48 AM
Julia said...: Every since I saw your sweet Zoey I have been praying. I am so grateful that the Lord preserved her so that she could know on this earth what love felt like. I am so sorry that she wasn't able to thrive in your arms. But we rest in the knowledge that she is now whole. A child of the King. Running free. So grateful that there is more to this life. Praying for you. Praying that God would fill you with peace in your sorrow.; 7:11 AM
Kathy said...: My heart hurts with you and your family! Your sweet little girl was such a sweetie. With tears in my eyes I will hold you up in prayer.; 7:33 AM
Lilyofthevalley - Tanya said...: I'm so sorry to hear about your precious Zoey's death. My heart breaks for you.... Praying the Lord will bring you all comfort during the days ahead.; 8:59 AM
The Davis Family said...: I am so sorry for your loss. We lost our Bulgarian son just one week before our first trip. That trip one to see just one little boy instead of the planned two was exhausting and mixed with grief. I am so glad you got to hold your little lady.; 9:54 AM
R said...: Winslow family, we love you. I am so sorry to hear about your loss.

Thank you, Jesus, for this family for their willingness to travel to a world away to do Your will, to love Zoey and to bring to light the need for more willing souls like them to love the orphans in Your name. Please let the life and loss of Zoey on earth, be a light to shine on the need for more adoptive families. Bless the Winslow's with their memories of Zoey and their pursuit to bring Jeremiah home. 💗🙏💗; 9:57 AM
R said...: Winslow family, we love you. I am so sorry to hear about your loss.

Thank you, Jesus, for this family for their willingness to travel to a world away to do Your will, to love Zoey and to bring to light the need for more willing souls like them to love the orphans in Your name. Please let the life and loss of Zoey on earth, be a light to shine on the need for more adoptive families. Bless the Winslow's with their memories of Zoey and their pursuit to bring Jeremiah home. 💗🙏💗; 9:57 AM
Unknown said...: My dear friends. I am so sorry! I know all things are set in order by our precious Saviour, but they can be hard. We love you and are praying for your hearts and healing!!; 10:38 AM
thecurryseven said...: I am so, so sorry. There are really any other words to say. Praying for your family

Elizabeth; 10:45 AM
Meredith said...: I didn't know you before now, and I don't know your story beyond what I've just read. But I am a friend of Shelley Bedford and knew that "someone" had passed. I then saw Amanda Unroe's post this morning with a link to your blog. My heart goes out to you, my prayers to you and your family as you mourn her passing and rejoice at her Homecoming to our Savior. I hope you don't mind, I have shared your story on our family page to invite others to pray for you, for the children still waiting, and for their own role in being the one to step out and say "It is me! I will go! You have IMMEASURABLE value to me, and I will do anything to take care of you!!" You have done that, and continue to do it. God bless you and your family.
You can ask Amanda or Shelley for the link to my post if you would like it. It is on my family FB page.; 12:23 PM
Ellieliz the Homesteading Momma said...: im just bawling my eyes out. im so sorry for your loss. I have no comforting words now but know my heart is breaking with you and Zooey is in the arms of Jesus.
love,
ellieliz; 2:10 PM
Ellieliz the Homesteading Momma said...: I am just bawling my eyes out, I have no comforting words right now, only know my hear is breaking with yours, and sweet Zooey is in the arms of Jesus. I so very sorry for your great loss
love,
ellieliz; 2:12 PM
Nicole said...: I've been following your blog and wanted to tell you that my husband and I would be praying for you all.
God bless your sweet hearts that were wide open to this little sweet girl Zoey. Jesus said what you have done for the least of these-you have done unto Him. Your time and your love lives on in Zoey even though you have to wait to see her again. I'm so very sorry for your loss. God bless you...; 4:06 PM
Nicole said...: I've been following your blog and wanted to tell you that my husband and I would be praying for you all.
God bless your sweet hearts that were wide open to this little sweet girl Zoey. Jesus said what you have done for the least of these-you have done unto Him. Your time and your love lives on in Zoey even though you have to wait to see her again. I'm so very sorry for your loss. God bless you...; 4:06 PM
Unknown said...: Prayers from our home to you & your family.; 7:09 PM
The Mac's House said...: My thoughts and prayers are with you. Sweet Zoey was held and God knew to let her live long enough to feel the true love of a mother before taking her home. The smile on her face could light up the world. May you all find peace, God bless you.; 7:36 PM
Unknown said...: Oh Glenn and Mary... when I read the news of your loss on Adeye's blog, what kept going through my head was "Lord have mercy. Oh, Lord have mercy on them. Lord have mercy."
While I do not know your specific pain, I do know deep pain, and I know that His mercy will continue to flow. As others have said, I do not have words, and I know that words are not what you need anyway. So I offer a cyber-hug from a stranger, a sister-in-Christ you've never met, for whatever comfort it may bring. *hug*
Lord have mercy on the Winslows in their grief - wrap them tight in your arms, since mine won't reach.
~Ruth; 8:16 PM
Mum said...: I am so saddened to read this entry on your blog.; 9:01 PM
Mum said...: I am so saddened to read this entry on your blog.; 9:01 PM
lizzielou said...: Mary I cannot tell you how sorry I am for your great loss or how sad I am for you and for the world to have lost such an angel as your little one. She will serve as an ambassador for waiting orphans forever, to remind people that these little ones need us so desperately. Much love and many prayers are sent to you and your family. xoxoxoxo; 9:06 PM
Ladyblog said...: I've been trying to think of what to say since last night, but there are just no words sufficient for this devastating loss. Zoey is a precious soul and I'm glad she was able to know love for a fleeting moment on earth and I'm so sorry for your family's loss. Prayers!; 9:16 PM
Nicole said...: I heard about your adoption story from the "No Greater Joy" blog. I am so very sorry for the loss of your daughter Zoey. I know she was very much loved and wanted as part of your family. I hope it is a comfort to you that she is now in the arms of Jesus.; 9:52 AM
Jolene said...: You have my deepest condolences and prayers. Zoey had to most stunning smile and it is with joy that we know she is smiling at our Lord. My heart is broken for your family but I am so, so glad she was loved so well!; 8:22 PM
Yvonne said...: So very sorry, there are no words...... Yvonne Clanton; 5:50 PM

Joshua 4:6--When our children ask.."What do these "stones" mean?" we will tell them! "God is good!"

8/6/2014 WE ARE HOME!!
6/23/2014--Our adoption was made official in Bulgaria Court! Welcome Jeremiah Albert Erol Winslow and JoyAnna Yanka Deneva Winslow to our family!!! Yay!!
2/25/14--Received our written referral today, and our travel dates! We'll be meeting JoyAnna on the 17th or March! Praise God!
2/11/14--Received verbal referral for JoyAnna! Now awaiting the Minister's signature for the written referral! Please pray for that to be soon! Last time it was 3 weeks in-between!
1/16/14--Offically added our daughter JoyAnna to our adoption! A Blessing From the Lord!
1/15/14--Received our 1-800 approval!!!
1/6/13--Received word from Bulgaria that our precious Zoey was with Jesus in heaven. Now she is more joyous than ever!
12/6/13-12/18/13--Took our first trip to Bulgaria and met and loved on our Zoey and Jerry! Wow!
11/21/13--Received our travel dates for our first trip to Bulgaria to meet our kiddos! Praise the Lord!
10/31/13--Received this email today: Your dossier was officially approved and the verbal referral issued yesterday at the IAC meeting!!! Now, you are waiting on the signature required on the referral so that you can receive travel dates. As long as these signed within the next few weeks, you will for sure travel before the end of the year. Toni's goal is to have you there in December, possibly sooner if the signature comes quickly.
8/23/13--Glenn and I had our physicals today and met our soon to be new family Dr.! Yeah!! We also sent the bulk of our dossier priority mail to our agency, too! Praise the Lord!
8/22/2013--TODAY WE RECEIVED USCIS APPROVAL!! HOORAY! WE'LL BE MAILING OUT OUR COMPLETE DOSSIER TOMORROW!! PRAISE THE LORD!
8/2013--Rejoice with us! We have been approved for a $1,200.00 adoption grant from the Rescued fund! Thank you Jesus!
July 11th, 2013--we go to our longly awaited finger print appointment. Glenn, Me, and Madelyn. Now it's off for USCIS approval! Please pray!
June 24, 2013--We received our longly awaited finger printing appointment from homeland security! Glenn, Madelyn and I will go to the NH office in Bedford on July 11th! Just a couple of weeks away! Hooray! Thank you Lord! One step closer to our babies!
June 4th, 2013--Picked up our notarized homestudy! Praise the Lord! Went to our state house and got one copy of it apostilled which will be sent to our placing agency, and then to Bulgaria for approval by the ministry of Justice there! Please pray! Sent another copy along with a treasurer's check and our i-800A paperwork to immigration in Texas! Please pray for a speedy immigration approval and fingerprint appointments for Glenn, Me, and Madelyn! Then, we can get approval to schedule our first trip!! Praising the Lord! Rejoicing!
May 31st, 2013. HOORAY! PRAISE THE LORD!! Our homestudy is FINALLY done and ready to be signed! It should be signed today, June 3rd! Then we can send in our USCIS immigration paperwork for approval and proceed toward our first trip! Rejoice with us! Thank you for your prayers!
March 18, 2013. Finally received updated homestudy and emailed it to our placing agency! We are praying this is the final revision needed!
February 23rd, 2013--Our placing agency sent the changes that need to be made to our homestudy back to the homestudy agency! Hopefully it will all be completed by next week!
February 22, 2013--We learn that our homestudy is complete! It was sent to our placing agency for review on February 15th! Thank you Lord!
February 12, 2013--We receive word our homestudy is almost complete. We fax our FBI checks to homestudy agency!
February 10, 2013--Dear friends begin a Go Fund Me page for us!
February 6th, 2013--We receive our apostilled FBI reports back from Washington, DC
February 4th, 2013--Received our renewed passports in the mail.
January 25th, 2013--We send our FBI checks to Washington DC to be apostilled.
January 24, 2013--Received our criminal background checks from the FBI in Virginia.
January 14, 2013--We sent out our passport renewals.
January 13, 2013--Glenn and I have our passport photos taken for our renewal. A real date!
January 5th, 2013--We have our first visit from the social worker who is doing our homestudy!
December 21st, 2012--We go to our local police department and get fingerprinted. We mail them to the FBI in Virginia
December 20th, 2012--We meet our newest friends in the Lord...The Pressler Family!
December 14th, 2012---We fax copies of all documents to our placing agency!
December 13th, 2012---We are featured on a local radio program and talk about our adoption!
December 7th, 2012--We bring completed contract to homestudy agency with money, and we go to our state house and have adoption documents apostilled. Our Reece's Rainbow account is approved!
December 5th, 2012--Our placing agency tells us about Edward, and a private donor who will give a large donation if a family includes him in their adoption. We say..."YES!!"
December 4, 2012--We say "YES!" to Zoey and commit to her. We send the $3,500.00 commitment fee!
November 29th, 2012--We find out about the need for a family for Zoey. We pray! We receive a call from a dear friend who says..."Did you see the post about Zoey?? I think she is supposed to be a Winslow!"
November 28th, 2012--We found out that Theodore was matched with the other family! We cried and prayed.
November 21, 2012--God provided us with a homestudy agency only 1/2 hour from our home that was willing to take all of our previous homestudies and compile them to help complete our new homestudy!
November 23rd, 2012--Began other fundraising efforts--to include the Winslow Warmer from the Dutch Candle Company! Thank you Jon!
November 15th 2013--Completed interview process with About A Child agency!
November 13th, 2012--$3,500.00 goal reached!!
October 20th, 2012--We received our first chip in donation!
October 20th, 2012--We set up a chip in fund to raise money for the commitment fee for one child of $3,500.00
October 15th, 2012--We contacted About A Child Agency and put in an official inquiry about Theodore!
October 13, 2012---After Adeye had put out a plea for several children...we prayed..and then we stepped out in faith and said "Yes" to Theodore!

Our prayer to the Lord and other Winslow Prayer Requests!

*Please pray for God's will in our family in 2013 *Join us in praying for our newest additions coming this year to our family. Handpicked by God! Zoey and Little Eddie. They are from Bulgaria. What an amazing journey God has us on! *As you know, my Mom is in heaven now after a 12 year battle with cancer. We miss her so much! Please pray for my Dad, David, and his adjustment to being without his life partner of 50 years. Please pray, too, for all of us as we adjust to life without my beautiful Mom. It truly will never be the same! Pray that we will grow closer to the Lord during this time! *Please pray for continued carpentry work for Glenn. *Please pray for our daily homeschooling. *Please pray for our married daughter Brittany and her husband Christian and their 2 old daughter Marlena! We are praising the Lord they live in NH, now and we get to see them more often. Pray for them as they just welcomed their newest addition, Annalie Beatrice yesterday...October 5th! Everyone is doing great! *Please pray that we would all grow closer to the Lord and strive to walk closely with Him each and every day.

Our Favorite Read A-louds!

We LOVE to start our day each day with a read a-loud. It's become a tradition in our homeschool. I read each morning after breakfast. We have read some of the best books this way. It started 10 years ago at the beginning of our homeschooling journey. We started with Anne of Green Gables, the complete edition. That took many years to read. Since then, we've read many other wonderful books. Here are some of our favorites from this last year:

Christie's Organ

The Exact Truth by: Isabella Alden

First Impressions of God by: Ann Wells

The Cheerfulness Character Book

Godliness is Great Gain

Wisdom and the Millers

Storytime with the Millers

Two Roses

Walking with The Living God

Even Donkeys Speak

The Long Winter

The Five Little Peppers and How They Grew

Little Daisy and the Swearing Class

Godliness is Great Gain

The Bible in the Wall

Tampering With Temptation

The Bulletproof George Washington
Wandering May

We also like to try and read one chapter of Proverbs each day making us read the entire book of Proverbs each month. What a wonderful gift of wisdom God has given us in the book in the Bible!

Current read aloud: The Weed with the Ill Name
(from the Grace and Truth book series)
We are now reading the Then and Now missionary stories. We loved reading Hudson Taylor and are now reading George Muller. Such amazing stories of strength and provision from God!

Monday, January 06, 2014

We love you our precious Zvezdelina Jordanova Winslow--December 23rd, 2006--January 6, 2014

33 comments:

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