May you be giggling in Jesus's arms, sweet child.Many of you may remember this precious child, Lavender Banks. Lavender came home at the same time our own angel, Anna Grace, came home from China. Her mother, Sabrina, pleaded with the adoption community to rally around her as she fought C*CAA denial to bring Lavender home because they had found out she was black. The discrimination moved just about every heart in the adoption community and letters, phone calls and emails started pouring out. I remember pleading God for her to be allowed to bring Lavender home. In the end, sweet Lavender was united with a forever family.
August 5, 2009, her mother, Sabrina, after a year long investigation was arrested for Lavender's murder. Yes, the murder of her beautiful 3 year old daughter that she fought so hard to bring home. She is charged with committing murder, assault resulting in the death of a child under 8 years of age and endangering a child’s life. I don't understand how she pleaded for help to bring her home, yet disappeared from the community much less plead for help if she was struggling with her?
To say I am angry and in complete shock and disbelief is an understatement. I just cannot wrap my mind around this. Oh, how many families would have loved to cuddle this baby girl and show her the love that she so desperately deserved and left the orphanage for.
Just another reason to thank God again for the privilege and honor to be the Mama to 3 special angels. After reading this news today, through tears I knelt before each one and gave them each a big squeeze, reminding them how much I love them and promising them that they will forever be protected, loved and cherished. Our children are our lives and our biggest blessings. Please give your own babies an extra hug tonight.
Lavender, although you never knew it, you were so loved by many strangers and prayed for by so many. You made a huge impact in your short time on this earth. You will forever be remembered. God bless you!
24 comments :
I agree with O.
Lavender, I cannot wait to meet you in Heaven someday. I was captivated by your beauty, the minute I saw you. I felt that your name, your lovely, lyrical name, fit your gentle beauty.
You were a masterpiece of a creation and you have been reunited with the One who created you. For that, I am eternally grateful. You have been made whole and perfect and are forever safe and happy, in the arms of Jesus. Smile big and smile often, sweet Lavender.
I am totally speechless. The only comfort is that Lavender is in Jesus' arms and out of danger.
After reading this I feel like I was just punched in the stomach. SICKENING on soooooo many levels.....
That poor sweet child.
Hugs, Jill
Oh my goodness, Ohilda! I can NOT believe this, I remember SO clearly when Sabrina fought so hard to bring sweet Lavender home. I am just completely shocked! My heart just breaks for this child, may she be resting with Jesus.
Going to give mine some big hugs and kisses now.
I simply cannot speak.
I linked to this post on my own blog.
Ohilda, please tell me when they were in China. I believe we met them.
I am in complete shock.
NatalieWalshCO1@mac.com
I will be praying for everyone involved. My heart is hurting and that sweet child will be missed.
Oh that is just not right. That poor child. She is resting safe in her fathers arms tonight in no more pain, but what a sad sad story. She is precious.
Oh, my word! Bless her sweet little heart. I remember the big ordeal while Sabrina was trying to bring her home. An adoption agency went up to bat for her and was no longer allowed to do China adoptions, right?
Oh, soooo sad!!! I just can't believe it!!
Michelle,
Yes, IAAP stood their ground against CCAA and although they won the discrimination battle, they lost their waiting child program in China. Very sad.
Ohilda
There really are no words for such an unspeakable act.
My heart just aches at the thought of this story, the loss of a very precious life, and the losses that the adoption agency who went to bat for her have now suffered. A truly devestating loss of life! Poor Lavender. The only comfort is knowing she is no longer being abused, but in the hands of Jesus.
Oh.My.Gracious. I am at a complete loss. I feel like throwing up. It reminds me of the scripture: "The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked, who can know it?" Who would have known?
May God heal the broken hearts and lives affected by this. And may sweet Lavender rest safely in Jesus' tender arms forever.
Oh my gosh, I hadn't heard about this. I remember the situation so well. She had sooo many people go to bat for her. I also didn't realize that IAAP had lost their waiting child program as a result of fighting for her. They're an agency right here in Tennessee and are wonderful, wonderful people. So sad that she didn't feel like she could reach out for help as she had been able to before.
I don't even know what to say, I feel sick to my stomach after reading the news story.
That poor little child.
What you said - Marie's carring the story on her blog as well....and all she had to do was ask....and for the little princess - welcome home.
hugs - aus and co.
Ohilda...as I have watched this unfold I am in shock and feel such HORROR as I imagine Lavender's life...her suffering...I am trying so hard to pray for Sabrina and her family as they need SO MUCH HELP. YET, I am SO VERY ANGRY!!
This happens so often and yet this is so very close to home for we, the privileged and blessed Mommies to these angels!!!!
Thanks for posting this...I am on my knees today mourning this sweet child of God's.
Blessings and love,
Jill
I'm lost for words and I feel sick to my stomach. My heart goes out to that poor little girl who never had a chance. So very sad! Laverder is resting now peacefully with her creator.
Wow. I am totally stunned by this. I remember her story so well. I just can't believe it.
Oh this makes me so so sad. Bless her sweet little heart....
Oh what a precious little angel.
I believe that God envelopes children like this in His arms as they enter His glory and makes them special angels over us all..
I read this in total shock and horror. I am with you sweet friend, I can not wrap my mind around this tragedy.
To think I was just dropping by to say hello because it has been far too long since I did. Now I know why tonight was the night that I came by~ I will pray for the ones who loved this little girl and whose hearts must be breaking.
Hugs,
Krista
I can't believe this! I remember following her blog for quite a while, then all of a sudden it wasn't there. It was sometime after her cleft repair. I am so sad. Prayers going out to this little angel and her family.
Oh My WORD!! Ohilda.. I REMEMBER PRAYING & PRAYING for this child.. & Crying for her to come home to her momma....
I AM MAD... & SADDENED at the same time....
...speachless..
OMG!!!!!!HOW HEART RETCHING........BLESS HER LITTLE HEART!!
In 2003 a foster child in Sabrina's care died of neglect at 3 months old.
http://poundpuplegacy.org/node/36976
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