11.18.2010

My Sister... an example

I {LOVE} my sister
And I {LOVE} what she did for her baby
the BRAVEST decision a mother could make: to give her baby more than she could offer... to give her baby a family
Aiden Alexander Snarr
born Nov. 15, 2010
9 lbs 4.2 oz 21 in long



Sasha let Aiden's adoptive mom and dad hold him first. I admire Sasha's courage so much.




This boy came into the world belonging to two families. We all fell in love with him on the spot. He is adorable and peaceful and sweet and wonderful. He has the best long spikey blond mohawk of hair. His birth story is one that includes SO many MIRACLES and Tender Mercies. He is loved by so so many people.

Because my sister did something so noble and wonderful, her little boy, Aiden Alexander (Sasha is a nickname for Alexandra - Jared and Alicia gave their baby Sasha's name - a way for him to remember his birth mom gave him a wonderful gift), has a mom, a dad, and a big brother. He is such a lucky baby to have two families that love him so much.

The Snarr's are such good people. I'm impressed with their poise and sensitivity. Sasha couldn't have chosen better parents for Aiden. I'm so so happy that Aiden is theirs. There is no doubt he was meant for them.


After Aiden's birth and adoption as I drove back to Idaho, with my 2 babies sleeping in the backseat, I couldn't help but reflect on all I have witnessed through this. Sasha has had the odds stacked against her SO much during her life. (My parents adopted her {and my other sister, Alina} from the Ukraine 6 years ago. Sasha has seen, heard, and been through unimaginable pain.)

To watch her realize that she needed to give her baby more than she had, before my parents adopted her, and to make sure her baby had a stable home with a mom and a dad was a learning experience for me.


I've learned that as we go through trials in our lives, it is the choices we make during them that determine who we are. I don't believe everything happens for a reason: somethings happen as consequences to ours or others choices, and somethings just happen because of nature or chance, yet sometimes God does put us in situations; regardless of the reason WHY, it is up to us to decide how to handle what happens to us.

We have the oppurtunity to grow closer to God through our suffering. We can choose not to let our trials define who we are.

I have a testimony that God loves each and every one of us the same way, but much more perfect, that we love our own children. He IS our Father. I believe there is a plan for each us. The reason we are here on earth is to become like Him and be reunited with Him after we die. We won't be spared pain as we go through life. We will, however, be able to call on Him, through Jesus Christ and the atonement, and be uplifted and carried through our trials.

As we call upon God in mighty prayer or quiet murmerings from our hearts we will be able to feel Him lifting us, guiding us, showing us the way through. We only need to ask with faith and be open to the ever so quiet whisperings of the Holy Ghost. I know this because I have experienced it.

I know that the Holy Ghost is a gift from God, given to us as a way to communicate with Him, personally. I believe in inspiration and personal revelation. I felt the promptings of the Holy Ghost accutely during the two days I spent with Sasha in the hospital.

I am thankful for my membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I draw strength from it's teachings. I know that our prophet is a true prophet of God, as real as Moses and Noah were. I am grateful for the teachings we recieve from the prophet and apostles, that hold the keys of revelation.

I am grateful for my faith. My beliefs make me who I am. I am continually trying to become more Christ-like. I am continually trying to be better at showing my Faith in God through my actions.

I believe that we are not here on this earth by chance. We are put here, in families, for a reason. I believe that God answers our prayers using other people. I have had my prayers answered by people who were inspired to do some small thing that held much meaning for me. Sasha has been an answer to, I'm sure, many many prayers from the Snarrs. Aiden is their answer.

The Lord does work in mysterious ways. Prayers are not always answered in the way we think they should be, or in the time we think they should be answered in. But the Lord is mindful of us, and He knows us. He knows our desires and our needs. He does watch over us.

I pray that the Lord will continue to give Sasha strength and courage. That this will be a new a beginning for her. I pray that we will all become closer to God, knowing that our prayers will be answered just as surely as the Snarr's have been answered.

I love my family. I am thankful for parents who had inspiration of their own, to adopt Sasha and Alina. All of the elements of this story have made my testimony grow. That God lives. He loves us. He will guide us. He will show us the way through our tribulations. It will not always be easy, that is for sure. It will not always be happy (at least at the moment). But we can always have the peace that comes from knowing we are doing what the Lord wants us to do, even if it is hard. And we will always be blessed with the guidance of what to do next. And genuine happines will always come, as we realize we are doing what is right and allowing the Lord take care of us in his own way, regardless of our circumstances.

18 comments:

Shaina said...

That is really wonderful, Kendra!

Jenn S said...

Thank you for this post. What a great sister you are! I love the tenderness in your words and the love you have for your family. Again, it reminded me that I could always be better and be a lot more grateful!

I love the picture of your sister with her baby boy looking up into her eyes....so special! Glad you could be part of this experience.

Janae Moss said...

Somehow I made my way to your blog from a link to mine from yours. I couldn't believe it when I realized who you were! I met sasha...she is a beautiful young girl that placed her sweet baby in the best possible home on this earth! Jared and Alicia are amazing people. Calm, down to earth, sweet, loving, understanding...and on and on.
I am so blessed to also benefit from Sasha's strength. Because she placed her baby with the Snarr's, I was able to adopt Jorday. I owe Sasha many hugs and kisses :) Thanks for being there for her during this hard time. My blog is
Pink-Moss.com and I have also been writing about this story :)) small world!
xoxo

Shambray said...

I did not know she had the baby. She is so strong to give the baby up for adoption, but that is so good she did and now he can have a good stable home. I am glad everything went well and the Snarr's look like wonderful people. Thank you for posting this!

Trinette McCrary said...

Amazing story, bless her heart and yours! Thank you for sharing your testimony.

Jessie Riley said...

Ken.D... this is an AMAZING post.
i am sitting here SOBBING b/c i know Alicia and Jared and YOU... how amazing for YOU and your family and so amazing for THEM.

THIS must be why you've been on my mind all week!

Love you!

LCFrohm said...

i'm with jessie. i gasped when i saw that it was jared and alicia. i am just in awe of your sister and her bravery. it is such the mature and loving thing to do.
how amazing! love ya'll!

510Jen said...

WOW Kendra these are some amazing experiences you have had throughout the years. I am so grateful for Sasha and her decision. The Snarrs are amazing people and Sasha and the baby will be blessed because of them.

Miss you loots like you had a wonderful weekend with Cam. You better call if you come into town for the holidays I would love to get together. Even if you just come to my house and let the kids run around.

Miss ya.

Jen

Unknown said...

Kendra,
I love you so much. You know that, but anyone in the future, especially my little ones, need to know how grateful I am that I am your mom. It makes me sad that I have changed so much through my trials, and hopefully I can come back and be the mom you used to know. I am lifted up by you and I adore you. I am glad that you finally understand how and why I waited everyday with anticipation for you to come home from school and I could never understand the moms who were so excited to have their kids leave. You are such a loving mom and I truly thank you for being there for Sasha the way you were.
Mom

maynardmoments said...

Awesome post Kendra. What a story.

Colleen said...

Beautiful! Your testimony and the strength your sister showed in giving her son {more} are both inspiring! Thank you!

[S Rizzle] said...

Kendra, your sister will appreciate your love, support, example and testimony so much. Thanks for sharing this with ALL of US!! From personal experience, I can say that Sasha will be blessed greatly for her choice. HUGS!

[BrookeO] said...

Wow. Thanks for sharing this amazing story. I admire you.

Kasey said...

Oh Kendra, I love this post! How did I not see it sooner? So glad he is here and everything worked out so beautifully. Great documenting with photos and I loved reading your testimony. You are awesome! I miss you!!!

Nancy K said...

Amen, amen...you put beautifully what I think in my head/heart.

Robs said...

Kendra, I love this post. It made me cry and I loved reading your testimony (made me cry). You are such a great sister and friend. Thanks for sharing. I miss you!

abby said...

Thank you for your post. What a gift. Your sister is very brave and you are a great sister to be there and support her.

Dave and Tricia Folsom Family Fun said...

What an amazing experience. A few weeks ago Alicia posted on facebook that they had a new son but then I read your post and saw how it all came about. What a miracle for everyone involved. And you are right, your sister picked an amazing family for her little boy. Thanks for sharing!