The Lute Family:

Traveled February 14-29, 2021

Meet the Lute Family. Husband and wife, Avey Jane (hearing) and Daniel (deaf), knew they wanted adoption to be a part of their family’s story. After welcoming two beautiful biological daughters, Avery Grace and Isabelle, into their family, they decided to pursue a special needs international adoption of a deaf child in India. In 2019, they brought home their four-year-old son, Micah.

“The last eighteen months have been full of a lot of hard things for our family. Adopting a child with no language requires a lot of time, commitment and understanding. Understanding even when you feel like you have nothing left to give. The trauma, grief and frustrations our son experiences or remembers from India on a daily basis are intense. Our girls also sacrifice so much to help Micah heal and learn language. Our week at Disney World allowed our family a break from the day in and day out appointments, therapy, schooling, household chores, and other distractions. It allowed our family focused time together, the chance to laugh, play and have fun. It allowed our family new experiences which led to Micah learning new words. These are skills and memories he will carry with him for a lifetime.

There were so many favorite moments throughout the week. If I had to pick one for each of us, I would say... Daniel taking some time to enjoy Star Wars land while Ashley and Malorie stayed with our kids was a neat experience for him. He so rarely takes time for himself for anything, so that was a special opportunity. He sacrifices so much for our family, this was one small way something was just about him. I (Avey Jane) loved seeing the joy in the eyes of my children, the sense of wonder and excitement was truly magical. I spend so much of my time juggling the details, teaching our children, taking care of our home, etc that I loved a week without those responsibilities and having the chance to just be, to just be and to enjoy my family. Avey Grace getting to experience Norway in Epcot with the Frozen ride will forever be my favorite memory of her time at Disney. Julie working magic and getting Avey Grace on the front of the ride, then her running across Norway to tell us Elsa was there brought tears to my eyes. She knew that was important to Avey Grace and she shared in our excitement. Malorie and others cheering Avey Grace on as she ran for Elsa was such a neat moment. I saw the commitment of those with Funding Love invest in a simple moment for my child that will forever be her favorite. Isabelle's favorite thing about Disney was some of the rides, like Slinky Dog, Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway, Aladdin's Magic Carpets, Nemo and Friends. But when I ask her what was her favorite, she says Ashley, the Magic Maker. The way Ashley invested in her and loved her truly impacted Isabelle and is something she will always remember. Watching someone who didn't know my child one minute and then spent the next week investing in our family so selflessly will forever mean the world to me. And then Micah... there are so many favorite moments. Watching his eyes light up seeing and experiencing new things, seeing him sign new words, and become excited seeing some characters he recognized. He saw a tuk-tuk in Animal Kingdom and immediately ran for it. It was obvious it was something familiar to him from India and he was so so excited. When we told him it was time to move on, he told the tuk-tuk "I love you" before walking away. It was a sweet reminder of the life he had before coming into our family and the memories he has from his time in India. The Frozen Sing-a-long at Hollywood Studios was interpreted into sign language. But not only that, one of the sign language interpreters was adopted from South Korea and her left hand had limb abnormalities almost identical to Micah's. She signed beautifully and it was a special connection for us to experience. It was such a God moment. And that evening at Hollywood & Vine, we experienced true Disney Magic when Mickey took the time to sign with Micah and connect with him in such a special way. Micah knew he was understood, and for those brief minutes, could sign with a Disney character. It was special and will always be a Disney magical moment we remember.

You most definitely accomplished your mission. You gave your all, donors gave their all, and God made the week more than we ever could have dreamed. Thank you!!”