The Hamilton's Adoption Update

We wanted to let you all know that we are home from India with our daughter, Likitha! Liki is 2.5 years old and we are happy to report that our girl is thriving! We have of course had our challenges - Food insecurity, hesitations to warm up to dad, and frustrating sleep issues all were a thing for the first few weeks. Now, they all seem like distant memories. She loves her big brother, Eli, and he adores her. Watching them wake up and run to greet each other first thing in the morning is one of our greatest joys. Liki has been slightly obsessed with her mama since the very first day we met in Hyderabad, and she is enjoying her daddy now and fully trusts him, much to his delight. She is small but mighty. She is incredibly strong willed and kind of a boss. Even our rambunctious 1-year-old golden retriever turns oddly obedient when she starts barking orders at him!

Liki is a sponge and is picking up English words and phrases with ease. We also continue to try to keep her Telugu language alive, if even in just familiarity. Along with a language toy she received for Christmas that will teach her both Telugu and English versions of words, one of our favorite things is to listen to a Telugu worship song called “Vandanam” with Liki. It is all about thanking and honoring Jesus which never fails to bring tears to our eyes as we sing along and watch her light up at both the familiarity of the words and also just the pure joy she finds in singing with her family. Every Sunday after service at church, she roams the large auditorium with a glowing smile on her face trying to keep up with her brother who likely has just lapped her for the 10th time. The pace at which she continues to emerge from her so-called “shell” is breathtaking, and sometimes a little intimidating!

Liki has a diagnosis of cerebral palsy, and she has recently received a brace to help her with walking. We meet with neurology soon, and we are hopeful to learn more about some of the details of her story that are still a bit fuzzy. We were told the day we picked her up that she had a stroke-type event likely during her birth, which seems to have been quite traumatic. None of this is documented in medical records we received. Regardless, we are quite certain nothing will get in her way, and we feel so deeply honored that God would entrust her to us and we cannot wait to see her grow and tackle life head-on with her fearless demeanor and independent spirit.

We want to say thank you from the bottom of our hearts. It all started with what seemed like a far off tug on our hearts, but it all happened because of the incredible generosity of God poured out through His people in all its many forms. We are overwhelmed with gratitude.

Joy Hamilton (& Ben, Eli, and Likitha)