To all of Lexi’s supporters,

Earlier this week, we were devastated and heartbroken by the U.S. Supreme Court’s denial of our petition. We cannot fathom how, in spite of the growing abuse of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) the justices would not at least consider the need to review this law. This law continues to ignore the best interests of individual children and instead focuses on preserving the tribe’s unilateral power and authority, even when a child (like Lexi) has had no relation to the tribe and likely never will. This law has morphed from its original good intentions to something very distressing: the sovereign ownership and interstate trafficking of children. Throughout this fight, we have maintained that Lexi’s best interest was our sole concern; the opposition acknowledged that it was not about Lexi, but the tribe’s greater interest.

Lexi has been through so much in her short life, and now she will have to continue to wonder why the people that she loved so much and who helped her overcome so much just disappeared. We don’t know what she has been told, but we are confident that she knows in her heart the unconditional love that Summer, Madison, Caleb, Zoey and I have (and will always have) for her. Anyone in her position would wonder what happened to it. It is not fair that she has to wonder what happened to her family of nearly five years.

Although the courts may not bring Lexi home and we may not see her until she can consciously choose to come home, we have a hope that the ICWA will see change. We have learned of so many other children that have experienced tragic injustice under the ICWA, and we ask all of you involved with other ICWA cases to contact us as we continue to be a voice of reason on behalf of Lexi in hopes that no other child has to go through this harmful disruption. For everyone else, as opportunities develop to present your concerns with ICWA, we will keep you posted. The decision-makers in Washington D.C. and every state across our country need to know the extent of this corruption and cannot stand idly by. We cannot be silent.

The amount of support that we have experienced is astounding. Support from people who are not hateful, but instead focused on the simplicity of what every child needs—stability and love. These are people who do not see race or even heritage, but instead see the fragility of a child who has become entangled in the web of politics that should not exist in our country. Lexi did not choose this path, but she has been treated differently because she has 1.5 percent Native American lineage which in the eyes of the law made her less deserving of the same rights others have.

Our dearest Lexi, we love you! We continue to pray for you every day that you are growing into the girl that we know you can be. When we think of what you have been through at the hands of adults, we weep for you. However, we encourage you to keep your focus on God, your faithful Father, and to have joy no matter the circumstances. We will always be here for you, to love you with a love that transcends everything this world has to offer. This home is always your home and this family is your family. No court or agency can take that away from you. We miss you! We miss your contagious laughter, warm hugs and tenacious spirit. Maddie misses playing dolls with you and wanted so much to show you what she got you for Christmas. She misses sharing a room with you and even misses your snoring. Your bed will always be here whenever you need it. Caleb misses recess time with you and being your best bud. He wants so much to be there for you when you’re sad. He was looking forward to showing you his new Donkey Kong game and how he can finally beat that Mario Brothers level you guys struggled with so much. Zoey misses playing horses with you and copying your every move. She misses those conversations that none of us understood except you two. She’s growing up so much and wants you to see how she picks her own outfits now. We miss dancing with you, swimming with you and teaching you all sorts of fun things. When we think about how much you changed while you were part of our family, it brings us such joy. We remember the timid, scared and lost girl you were. But that all changed! You became such a sweetheart that cared so much for other people. Please continue to show kindness to everyone you know and continue to be the life of the party! You are a special girl! You have so many friends here that miss you and miss spending time with you. No courts can take away those memories and that hope for the future! Treasure them in your heart as we continue to do.

To those that have been supporting us from around the world, we have comfort and hope that comes from knowing that God is both sovereign and good even as we struggle to understand the injustice of human authority. We cannot always comprehend the “why”, but we know that our hope is in something much greater – eternity with God. Yes, we are devastated. Many of you who have heard us speak, know that our comfort these past 10 months has been from God and Scripture. Specifically, we have held tightly to the profound truths in the song “It is Well with My Soul”, written as a result of a father who lost his four daughters to tragedy, yet remained focused on the joy of eternity with God. We think on the lyrics and it reminds us of what Psalm 63 says, that God’s loving kindness is better than life. And then we’re reminded of the promise in James 1:2-4 that trials ultimately produce joy for those who trust God. These truths do not lessen the heartbreak, but they give us perspective and hope. We trust that through all of this others will come to experience the grace and salvation of Jesus Christ, which is an eternal hope that transcends the painful disappointments, the injustices, and the brokenness of this present life.

To our supporters: Continue to pray for Lexi and do not be silent about your thoughts on the ICWA. There can be change for the many other children and even for the general voices of all children to be heard. There can be an end to this race-based discrimination in our country!

Thank you for your support and love, to those who are not blinded by hate, but instead focused on the sweet little girl whose life has been turned upside down at no fault of her own.

The Page Family

“When peace like a river attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll. Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say: it is well, it is well with my soul. Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, let this blessed assurance control: That Christ has regarded my helpless estate and has shed His own blood for my soul. My sin, O the bliss of this glorious thought, my sin not in part but the whole…is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more, Praise the Lord Praise the Lord O my soul. And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight, the clouds be rolled back as a scroll. The trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend, even so it is well with my soul.”