My good friend Betsy, of Essence Photography, recently took these incredible pictures of Malea and it got me thinking that I haven’t shared an update with you on our adoption process. (If you have no idea what I’m talking about start by reading THIS POST). So today I’m going to take the liberty to do something a little different and I’m going to share these pictures of my adorable princess, while I tell you all about our new daughter and how incredibly faithful God is.
On July 27th, we moved into our new home, the one the Lord had been preparing for us (click HERE for that story), then on August 31st, our “Gabriella” moved in with us. It’s crazy that it all happened so quickly, but from the beginning I knew in my heart that everything was going to happen this last August. God is so faithful.
The transition to our new house and having a new daughter in the family has been wonderful. It’s definitley different having a teenager and a 4 year old, but it’s also a lot of fun. The week after “Gabriella” moved in she started school at one of our local churches. They have a ministry school that she felt called to go to, and even though she is so young, they accepted her because the leaders of the school also felt like she was supposed to be there. It has been SO AMAZING to see God moving in her life. He has spoken so much to her, given her dreams, affirmed her, showed her what her identity in Him looks like, how he has redeemed her from her awful past, and so much more! The way God is speaking to her is beyond what I could have hoped for.
I think the hardest transition for her has been adjusting to having a 4 year old sister. Malea loves her so much but “Gabriella” has never really spent time with younger kids, and never really had the opportunity to be a kid herself, so Malea can be overwhelming to her. We are working with both of them, and teaching them both to have grace for one another, and there has been a noticeable difference in the last couple of weeks. In the end love always wins so I know they will end up loving each other, working together to fight sex trafficking, and be great friends. They are both incredible girls, with Malea’s love of people and “Gabriella’s” desire to see sex trafficking come to an end, I know God has big plans for them. It’s no accident they are sisters and I know they will end up being a powerful team!
Having a teenager has also been an adjustment for Matt and I. We’ve had to have conversations we weren’t planning on having for YEARS! But God is so good and I’ve been shocked at how well He had prepared us for those conversations, even though we didn’t know He was doing that. More than anything this new chapter of our lives has made me realize how good God is and how much He has blessed us. I am so blessed to have such a loving, patient husband, with such a Father’s heart for our girls. It’s going to be hard for them to find husbands after having such an incredible dad!
Even though Gabriella has moved in and is already our daughter, it is not legal yet. Right now she is living with us, as approved by her current guardian. All the proper paperwork has been submitted to the court and we are waiting for them to approve everything. We will probably be having a home study soon, and I imagine we will also have to take a trip down to her original hometown, for an actual court hearing. We would be so grateful for your prayers that this process would go quickly and smoothly. We can’t wait for the day that she is “officially” a Moseley!
Our next challenge is continuing to grow as a family but also to continue our work with the girls at the safe house. I know it’s a struggle for “Gabriella” because she just got out of there, so to want to go back up is hard for her. But I know that as a family we are called to spread awareness of sex trafficking and be there for those that have come out of it and are on a healing journey. I know God gave us our new house because He wants us to fill it with His daughters, those that need love, need to see what family looks like, and need restoration.
I hope to one day be able to share pictures of our entire family but for now I cannot share pictures of our Gabriella for safety reasons. Thank you all, SO MUCH, for your prayers and your encouragement, it is your prayers that helped bring her to us, and for that we are eternally thankful!
I’ve received a few comments about these adorable pictures of Malea so I wanted to add this disclosure:
I would never want anything to happen to either of my daughters. Malea is a beautiful, innocent little girl and she loves all things princess. I found a photo shoot similar to this on Pinterest and I knew that she would have so much fun doing it. I posted these pictures, not so they could end up in the wrong hands, but to put her innocence on display while telling the story of how God is restoring innocence in our other daughter. Innocence, and childhood are a beautiful thing and it’s something we feel, should be put on display for the world to see. If we choose to hide innocence, then we are choosing to live in fear. I cannot chose to live in fear because in a world that’s over-sexualized, we have to somehow display God’s love, and His story.
Wonderful story. Before I have everyone screaming at me just think a bit about the story we’ve just read. Your daughter is beautiful and so is the human body. Why would you post her on the internet without being fully dressed? There are so many perverts who look for pictures just like this. They do horrible nasty things while viewing beautiful children such as your young daughter. This wasn’t meant to be offensive to you or your family, I just feel that it should have been left for your viewing only.
Thank you so much for your comment and for your heart. I definitely see where you are coming from and of course I would never want anything to happen to either of my daughters. Malea is a beautiful, innocent little girl and she loves all things princess. I found a photo shoot similar to this on Pinterest and I knew that she would have so much fun doing it. I posted these pictures, not so they could end up in the wrong hands, but to put her innocence on display while telling the story of how God is restoring innocence in our other daughter. Innocence, and childhood are a beautiful thing and it’s something we feel should be put on display for the world to see. If we choose to hide it then we are choosing to live in fear. I cannot chose to live in fear because in a world that’s over-sexualized we have to somehow display God’s love, and His story.
I have never commented before, but felt I had to today. I am touched by everything you have done for Gabriella and how you care for her. However, being cautious by not showing pictures of her, while posting precious pictures of your daughter topless, does not make sense to me. Are you not worried those pictures will also fall into the wrong hands? You have a beautiful daughter and those are gorgeous pictures taken at an innocent time of her life, but did the world need to see them? Perhaps they could have been kept private and only the other other pictures shared with us? You have one daughter who has been a victim, please don’t put your other daughter in the same position.
Thank you so much for your comment and for your heart. I definitely see where you are coming from and of course I would never want anything to happen to either of my daughters. Malea is a beautiful, innocent little girl and she loves all things princess. I found a photo shoot similar to this on Pinterest and I knew that she would have so much fun doing it. I posted these pictures, not so they could end up in the wrong hands, but to put her innocence on display while telling the story of how God is restoring innocence in our other daughter. Innocence, and childhood are a beautiful thing and it’s something we feel should be put on display for the world to see. If we choose to hide it then we are choosing to live in fear. I cannot chose to live in fear because in a world that’s over-sexualized we have to somehow display God’s love, and His story.
Love this story of what Gods doing in you family Anna! Love it! I just want to chime in. Because I believe this is a perfectly innocent and beautiful photo shoot, that really tells the story of your daughters life in this season. It’s full of freedom and beauty, and this represents so well “Childhood” And she is indeed still a child. Its a short enough season as it is in this culture, lets not cut it any shorter because of fear.
I’m so happy for you all. I’m so lucky to watch Malea grow up in front of my own eyes and I must say that i love this photo shoot. She is so beautiful and innocent. And as you pointed out you can not live your life in fear because that is not what God wants us to do. Essence Photography does a fantastic job in her photo shoots and know that this was taken innocently and lovingly. I’m so happy to be able to watch your girls (and can not wait to meet Gabriella!) grow and learn the love God has for them and just how honestly beautiful inside and out that your daughters will be through out their lives.
Thank you for sharing this with us and I’m so happy for you and your beautiful family!
Anna, Thank you sharing your beautiful unfolding story, and for standing unafraid for your family’s safety. God is certainly blessing you and especially Gabriella. Thank you for being sensitive to Him and to the great need in the area in which you are working. I have added you to my prayer list…
I love your story! It has been so inspiring! God really is full of miracles- your family is definitely evidence of that! These are beautiful pictures of your daughter…hope to be seeing pictures of your new daughter soon. Continued prayers that all will go well!
Beautiful story…I’d love to know more about the organization that helps these children and wondering how I can help? Do you have a link or something you could share to lead me to more information? Thanks! God Bless!
Hi Lisa! Here is a link to the organization we work with: http://www.facess.org/. If you live locally I can also give you more info about a network we are helping to start to build awareness in our community. Please feel free to shoot me an email if you live in the Shasta County area. 🙂 askannamoseley (at) hotmail (dot) com.
dear anna; what a powerful lines you’ve wrote, there is so much love, care, faith in each word!!! I couldn’t stop reading…tks for sharing this wonderful, blessed and beautiful journey God has put in your family’s hands!!! I’m very sure the “One” that started the work will use, teach, guide and show you the best way to do everything…All in Gods hands, everything will be ok!!! Take care…please continue to share the news with us and maybe how we can know more about the trafficking, God bless you and family!!!
I can only say in response to some of the comments you received that paedophiles do not need to see a child’s naked body to be aroused. A fully dressed child in a track suit is alluring to their sick minds, and knowing that should we never post photos of our children? Ever? That is allowing the small minority of sexual deviants who fantasise about children rule our lives. I prefer to think that the majority of people see the innocence of all children as beautiful, I love these photographs, they truly portray the joy and innocence of childhood. And who has the right anyway to criticise someone else’s choices?.
Thank you for sharing your touching story! I am so amazed at you and your husband and the journey you’ve been through over the years of this process. I’m sure it hasn’t been easy and I envy you for doing this! I wish I could do something like this and hope that someday I will be in a place to do so! Your story brought tears to my eyes and goosebumps all over. I totally felt the spirit of God as I read this post. Again, thank you for sharing your feelings, AND the photos of your daughter. She is just gorgeous and I’m glad you posted them, no matter what everyone else thinks.
Thank you so much Megan! <3
Thank you Anna. I absolutely LOVE the photos and love the disclosure at the end. So very well said!! We have amazing ability when we let the Lord guide us. I know that is true. HUGS!!