I've mentioned a time or two that Shawn and I volunteer for an adaptive sailing program. It is an awesome program for kids who are differently abled. It is called Erie Adaptive Sailing Experience (EASE) and it is through the Bayfront Center for Marintime Studies in Erie, PA. Up until this season, EASE has had two sailboats to use for the program. Every Friday during the summer, we take kids out sailing one-on-one on Lake Erie for about an hour each. We have so many wonderful volunteers and were in need of another sailboat to add to our program. Through a grant EASE received, we were able to purchase a third sailboat, thus being able to allow more kids to participate in the program! The program coordinators and some other volunteers decided that the boat needed a name. Having been inspired by Zoya and her amazing story, the new sailboat was named in honor of her......ZOYA! When we found this out we were brought to tears. We are so honored to have this boat named after her. Her story has touched many people. We have been so humbled by the support from our family and friends, and especially from our "sailing friends," who have been like another family to us, throughout our adoption process. In several years, Zoya will be able to take advantage of this program and learn to sail on Lake Erie. I can't wait to see her out in that boat!
Here is Shawn taking the first sailor out in the "Zoya" boat!
Of course she needed a sailing outfit! Shawn popped her collar to make her look like a true sailor! I know you're probably thinking I must need a 2nd job just to afford her clothes, but this is actually one of the only outfits WE bought her! She sure is a lucky little girl to have so many people who love her and want to spoil her :)
Zoya is helping out the "office staff" I think she only ate one envelope!
Doing a dry run in the kayak! This is the life she says!!
Staying close to Daddy!
Helping Daddy paddle
She's gotta have her hands in the water!
Amazing how God brought this angel almost 5,000 miles from four white walls to a boundless world full of love.
Precious doesn't even being to cover that outfit! SO CUTE. and to see the boat Zoya is so wonderful!! She is so loved. every child should be so lucky.
ReplyDeleteThat is so wonderful! May God continue to pour out His blessings on your family.
ReplyDeleteOnce again, we love the pictures and story. It's nice to see that she likes the kayak, too. Now, you need Mya alongside with you in the other kayak. :-)
ReplyDeleteSue M.
She is just the cutest thing EVER!
ReplyDeleteShe is so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteShe even looks like a future sailor.
ReplyDeleteI love how she is touching the water.
AWw... this brought my tears. That is so wonderful!! God is truly amazing!
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