God’s plans are often different from our plans. This was true for Ellie Sanazaro when her world was forever changed after her daughter was born without the chromosomal disorder doctors had told her to expect. God used this event to change Ellie's heart and lead her down the path of adopting a baby with Down syndrome. Ellie is now passionate about spreading the message that EVERY child is an Image Bearer.

IF IT FEELS LIKE GOD IS DOING SOMETHING YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND, THIS IS THE EPISODE FOR YOU.

Ellie shares about the heart change she and her husband went through after receiving devastating news about their expected first child who was born in 2016. God used this season of pruning and refining and led them first to Finn and second to become advocates for the value of all human life and every child born wonderfully different.

Ellie’s first book, Image Bearer, is intended to spark conversation in families with and without kids born with visible differences in order that we all might gain a perspective of value and worth aligned with that of our Creator.

You’ll hear Ellie share about:

the value she’s found in collaborating with others on her dream,
how God redeems and restores us following difficult times and then uses those very things for our good and His glory, and
how our worth comes not from our abilities or our successes but from God who has made us in His image.

MORE ABOUT ELLIE:

Ellie was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. In her early 20s, she worked as a first-grade teacher and director of children’s and youth ministry. She married her high school sweetheart, Scott, at age 23. They became pregnant when she was 24 and early testing detected an extra chromosome in the baby. They went through the pregnancy expecting to welcome a child with special needs but were surprised to learn after their daughter was born that the test had been wrong.

The experience opened Ellie’s eyes to Down syndrome adoption and began for them a two-year journey of praying over this decision for their family. When their second daughter was 7 months old, God gave them a “yes” to move forward with adoption. In October 2019, they welcomed Finn into their family. The first five months of his life were spent in and out of the hospital during which God gave Ellie the idea for a children’s book celebrating children with differences.

Finn has been home since March 2020; he loves dancing, cows, and pulling his sisters’ hair. Every day he shows the world that our value comes not from ability but from the fact that we are created and loved by God.

CONNECT WITH ELLIE:

Website || Facebook || Instagram || Mr. Finncredible on IG

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Pre-Order the Image Bearer book

National Down Syndrome Adoption Network

Scripture:

So God created mankind in his own image,
in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.
~ Genesis 1:27 (NIV)

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit;
apart from me you can do nothing.
~ John 15:5 (NIV)

Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God.
~ 2 Corinthians 3:4-5 (ESV)

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
~ 1 Peter 5:10 (ESV)