• Home
  • About
  • Wild Olive Tees
  • No Hands But Ours
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • RSS

Ni Hao Y'all

when east meets south

  • Ni Hao Y'all
  • Faith
    • my faith
  • adoption
    • special needs adoption
      • clubfoot
      • Down syndrome
      • dwarfism
    • shared list
    • advocating
  • family
    • Magnolia
    • Clementine
    • Tallula
    • Poppy
    • Esther
    • Vivienne
    • Shepherd
    • Jude
    • Isabelle
    • Sophie
    • Dalton
    • Asher
    • Zach
    • Victoria
  • Life
    • memory lane
    • what works for us
    • things I love
    • Q and A
    • marriage
    • cooking
    • celebrations
    • blogging
      • love others
      • kudos
  • photography
    • photography 101
    • Sunday Snapshot

one year ago…

we got a phone call that would change us forever.

Esther had passed away.


My goodness, I miss her so.

God has done much in our lives since then, to bring us comfort. To bring us joy.

He has been so very good to us.

Shortly after we accepted Esther’s referral, He encouraged me to create a t-shirt, as a way to fundraise. But since her passing, it has become so much more.

Last July, as we approached what would have been Esther’s 2nd birthday, we began offering So Loved for sale at Wild Olive with 100% of the proceeds going to fund a future heart surgery for an orphan in China. And so far, So Loved sales have generated over $5000 in proceeds.

On Esther’s birthday, July 31st, 2012, we will donate all the funds raised towards that goal – an orphan will receive life-saving heart surgery – in honor of Esther.

So to everyone who has supported this effort through the purchase of a So Loved tee, thank you.

Thank you for being a part of something bigger than a fundraiser t-shirt.

Thank you for helping a child in China receive life-saving heart surgery.

Thank you for helping Esther’s memory live on.


  • Email
  • Facebook
  • More
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
«
»

05.09.12 · Esther, so loved 22

Comments

  1. Audra says

    May 9, 2012 at 9:27 AM

    Thank you for sharing your heart, your faith and your passion for God’s children! So blessed by your leading and encouraging through all your missions and your blog!
    Celebrating Esther’s life with our Lord! Praising God she’s not alone anymore, she is HOME!
    Blessings 🙂

    Reply
  2. Sheryl says

    May 9, 2012 at 9:36 AM

    I absolutely love my shirt and what it stands for! I will proudly wear it on Gotcha Day, for Lucy and in memory of your sweet Esther! Aren’t you glad you will get to meet her one day? As a matter of fact, so will I! Oh the hope we have in Jesus! Bless you for all the lives you touch, mine included.

    Reply
  3. nancy says

    May 9, 2012 at 9:37 AM

    Thank you for thinking out of the box, Stefanie. Thank you for daring to look different.
    nancy

    Reply
  4. Hannah/Gift of Grace says

    May 9, 2012 at 9:51 AM

    I can’t imagine how hard that would be. I am so sorry you never got to hold her.

    Reply
  5. laine says

    May 9, 2012 at 9:54 AM

    A year.

    Truly, joy does come in the morning. He is so faithful.

    Thank you for inspiring so many of us to love so big because HE has loved us!

    Reply
    • NiHaoYall says

      May 9, 2012 at 6:27 PM

      Thank you, my friend, for walking alongside our family on this journey. And thank you for lifting Esther up many, many times.
      oxoxo,
      Stefanie

      Reply
  6. Lisa Murphy says

    May 9, 2012 at 11:22 AM

    Dear Stefanie–I have seen the So Loved shirt in your photos, but had no idea that it was about sweet Esther! Would it be possible to partner with Wild Olive to create personalized t-shirts for charitable causes? I would love to talk with you!!!!

    God bless you on this difficult day. We know firsthand how the pain ebbs and flows. We also know firsthand how God’s love gives us the joy to see past that pain.

    Thinking about your family…

    Reply
  7. Teresa says

    May 9, 2012 at 11:52 AM

    Grief goes through phases, and sometimes it can be days, weeks, or even months before it again causes a lump in your throat, a catch in your voice, a pit in your stomach, and a larger hole in your heart. God is so gracious to hold your hand through it, wrap His arm around your shoulder, and help you put one foot in front of the other until grief passes on its way once more. I pray for you often, but today I’m adding a little side note to God, asking Him to let you feel His hand on you in the most tangible of ways.

    Reply
  8. Emma says

    May 9, 2012 at 12:05 PM

    I know how it feels, to lose the child you so long for, and the hurt that endures. My brother died the day after Christmas before we could bring him home. I will always miss him!

    Reply
  9. Pieni lintu says

    May 9, 2012 at 12:21 PM

    You guys are so amazing!!!!

    Reply
  10. Kim from 3 peanuts says

    May 9, 2012 at 12:26 PM

    What a beautiful ways to honor Sweet little Esther’s life! You always inspire me Stef.

    Kate always talks of heaven having a golden bathtub in with golden bubbles and for some reason as I read this post I kept picturing you and Esther someday in that huge golden tub!!!! I know. I am silly.

    Kim

    Reply
    • NiHaoYall says

      May 9, 2012 at 6:24 PM

      Not silly at all, Kim. I love the idea of soaking in a golden bathtub in heaven with my Esther… it sounds “heavenly” 🙂

      Reply
  11. ellie says

    May 9, 2012 at 3:22 PM

    Stef, your Esther is so loved, and so missed!
    I wanted to tell you a story . . . Last month I went to a women’s retreat and I wore my so loved tshirt for the car ride. One of the other women was asking me about it so I told Esther’s story to the 5 other women in the car – they asked for your website so I gave it to them. and forgot all about it. Saturday I took Tia to soccer and I ran into my friend – wearing a so loved t-shirt! I honestly got chills the minute I saw her, and immediately thought of sweet Esther :). My friend told me how she had been reading your blog and was so inspired by all of you. So so exciting because we have talked adoption before and I am pretty sure that door was just opened a bit
    more. by sweet Esther. What an amazing legacy she has!

    xo ellie

    Reply
    • NiHaoYall says

      May 9, 2012 at 6:26 PM

      Wow, Ellie. I can’t tell you how much this blessed me to read. I read it to my husband, too and he was equally touched by all God is doing through our precious Esther. Thank you so much for sharing.

      Reply
      • ellie says

        May 10, 2012 at 10:37 PM

        I’m getting chills again just thinking about sweet Esther’s amazing legacy! I’m so glad you were blessed by how her shirt is touching people 🙂

        Reply
  12. Kim says

    May 9, 2012 at 3:43 PM

    Thank YOU for being the hands and feet of Jesus. Thank YOU for allowing us to join in glorifying HIm and participating in Esther’s beautiful legacy!
    Praying for your comfort today!
    Love & Blessings,
    Kim

    Reply
  13. Ali says

    May 9, 2012 at 4:12 PM

    Sweet Esther.
    She (and God) led you to 2 little blessings.
    She (and God) will allow you to give a heart surgery to another.
    Such a momentary life created such a lasting beautiful legacy.
    I just know she will be there to greet you telling you, along with Jesus, “great job Momma”.
    Happy Early Mother’s Day!
    Allison

    Reply
  14. Chris says

    May 9, 2012 at 6:44 PM

    Oh Stefanie, what God has done through Esther is simply amazing.

    Every time I wear my So Loved tee, I think of her….of you…..

    And then, once again, I am reminded of God’s great love…..it renders my speechless!!

    My thoughts and prayers are with you all!

    (((hugs)))

    Reply
  15. Rebecca says

    May 9, 2012 at 10:16 PM

    What a wonderful tribute to a very loved and very beautiful little girl!
    I can personally say that I receive many compliments on my So Loved shirt every time I wear it.
    How incredible the impact that is being made!
    God is good!

    Reply
  16. Diana says

    May 9, 2012 at 11:40 PM

    Sending a big hug from MN!!!! Your precious girl is smiling down at what you have done!!! We love our “So Loved” shirts over here!!!!

    Love,
    Diana

    Reply
  17. Leslie says

    May 10, 2012 at 12:18 AM

    I wear my shirt at least once a week. Every time it is clean again basically.

    Nearly every time I am out in it, someone asks me “where can I get one of those shirts?”

    And I am able to share … not just about the shirt but about your precious Esther … and all the Lord continues to do because you obeyed.

    I can’t imagine how much your heart misses her. I am so sorry Stefanie.

    Reply
  18. Aus says

    May 10, 2012 at 5:59 AM

    Good morning Stef – I remember that day a year ago – I remember reading your words on the blog – I remember….

    And I see “so loved” tee’s here in Cincy on a pretty regular basis too, and I find some comfort in that.

    And I read today’s post and I know the power of the Healing that our Father provides, and find some small comfort in that too.

    hugs – aus and co.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

I'm Stefanie. Wife to one, mom to 13. Occasional blogger and t-shirt maker. Wannabe photographer and exerciser. Constant grace-needer and orphan advocator. more
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • RSS

Subscribe

instagram

see more...follow us on IG

our china journeys

magnolia - 2016
clementine - 2014
tallula - 2012
penelope - 2011
vivienne - 2010
shepherd - 2008
jude - 2007
sophie - 2006
isabelle - 2005

ways to make a difference

Love Project

proceed with caution

a dirty secret in adoption
we don't celebrate gotcha day
there's no such thing as an easy adoption
if I can, you can.
co-sleeping, why we do it.
gawsh. the series.
crazy
affording adoption
God and me.
Vivi's diagnosis
the ugly, beautiful truth
special needs: my .02
my testimony
dear anonymous
my chinese son

Creative Commons License

Copyright © 2023 · Darling theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2023 · Darling Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.