Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Prayer of healing for "me" mommy

I just had the sweetest prayer of healing prayed over me by my sweet Haddie.
"Dear Jesus, please help me mommy nose not running and help eyes not watering. Amen"

I love my little girl! She carried her (me mommy) to the Healer!

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Friday, March 25, 2011

Our Princess

As many of you know, when we received our referral for Haddie this is the first picture we saw:
At the time of her referral I was doing a Bible study on the book of Esther. Esther was orphaned at a young age and cared for by her cousin Mordecai. As God wrote the story of Esther's life, she came into a royal position, with a name change, and the ability to save her people from destruction.

"For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”
Esther 4:14

Esther's original Hebrew name was Hadassah, meaning myrtle, which means flowering plant.(We later learned that Haddie's nickname in China was "flower".) Hadassah later received her name of Esther when she entered the royal harem.

“Esther 2:7 And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle's daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter.”

So a lot of background information to share this story with you. Haddie has been a princess to me since the first time I laid eyes on her. When our agency called us to give us to opportunity to consider her for adoption, they said, "I have a little princess for you to consider."

The first package I sent her consisted of the items below:
I included the princess dress and tiara, which I felt were so appropriate, and adequately expressed the feelings in my heart about her.

Last week Haddie saw the picture of the items I sent her, including the picture above. This is the conversation that followed:

Haddie: "That dress not mine."

Me: "Oh yes, honey, I sent that to you."

Haddie: "I not wear."

Me: (knowing that Haddie did not receive all the items that we sent her)
"Did you not get this dress and crown?"

Haddie: "Nother girl wear."

Me: "Another girl wore this dress?"

Haddie: "Yes."

Me: "Oh. Haddie, I sent that dress to you."

Haddie: "I want to wear."

Me: "You wanted to wear that dress?"

Haddie: "Yes."

Haddie then fell to the floor and sobbed.

As I scooped my broken hearted daughter into my arms we further discussed the situation. I came to understand that this other girl who had been given the dress I sent to Haddie was quite favored. I then proceeded to explain to my little princess how favored SHE is...she now has a whole closet of pretty dresses to wear, she has been given a family, and more than that she has Jesus, and He does not withhold any good thing from her!

Psalm 48:11
For the LORD God is a sun and shield;
the LORD bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold
from those whose walk is blameless.

As the day wore on, Haddie continued to share things with me about China that held roots to hurts in her heart. I continue to struggle to understand how people can be intentionally cruel to a child. I take comfort in the fact that my protective Father takes this kind of treatment seriously.

Matthew 18:6 (The Message)

6-7"But if you give them a hard time, bullying or taking advantage of their simple trust, you'll soon wish you hadn't. You'd be better off dropped in the middle of the lake with a millstone around your neck. Doom to the world for giving these God-believing children a hard time! Hard times are inevitable, but you don't have to make it worse—and it's doomsday to you if you do.

I am so thankful that God continues to guide us and Haddie through the process of healing her heart. I believe one day she will truly know that she is not just our princess, but HIS princess!

Friday, March 11, 2011

Remembering...

I came across this old post from 3 years ago...look at that lifeless babe.

3 years ago, as I waited full of excitement, anticipation and hope, honestly, most days were filled with incredible fear.

Reading the words I typed in this post I remember just longing to see a glimpse of "normal" in Libi. I was longing for God to do miracles in her to heal her from her disabilities. Little did I know that her disabilities would heal me!


Isaiah 44
1 “But now, listen to me, Jacob my servant, Israel my chosen one. 2 The Lord who made you and helps you says: Do not be afraid, O Jacob, my servant, O dear Israel, my chosen one. 3 For I will pour out water to quench your thirst and to irrigate your parched fields. And I will pour out my Spirit on your descendants, and my blessing on your children. 4 They will thrive like watered grass, like willows on a riverbank. 5 Some will proudly claim, ‘I belong to the Lord.’ Others will say, ‘I am a descendant of Jacob.’ Some will write the Lord’s name on their hands and will take the name of Israel as their own.” 6I am the First and the Last; there is no other God. 7 Who is like me? Let him step forward and prove to you his power. Let him do as I have done since ancient times when I established a people and explained its future. 8 Do not tremble; do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim my purposes for you long ago? You are my witnesses—is there any other God? No! There is no other Rock—not one!”
My heart rejoices that this is my God and the God of my children!


The updates...She is gaining weight!

She is weighing in at 21pounds and 11 ounces (a 3 pound gain in 5 months)

She is 30 inches.

She is rolling from her stomach to back and back to stomach.
She is putting weight on her feet when in the walker.

She is still struggling with sitting up for very long.
She is in 10% for weight and not on the chart for her height.


We had the privilege of meeting with a doctor and discussing Libi's medical records. It was an encouraging visit. It was great to have a better understanding of her medically. We loved the fact that this doctor refused to but her in a box or label her. He expressed that only God can know her full well. We feel so blessed to have a doctor on board with us and more importantly one that knows our All Knowing and powerful God! He is an international adoption specialist and his insight was amazing! We are questioning her actual birth date. It appears she may be younger than what is indicated by her birth date. Again, something that God knows and we pray that He will fill us with knowledge and depth of insight to be just what she needs. We have been blown away by how He has set a path before us to care for her. I look at these pictures and the ache in my heart grows greater!! I long to see her, moving breathing. I long to hold her and smell her. I long to see that countenance change to JOY!



And once again...most concerning...THE HAIR!! I had to put this picture in so you can see that even it is growing...How we love this sweet, crazy haired baby!!











LOVE

SO excited....
Are you going to tickle me?

I LOVE IT!

More????



Wednesday, March 9, 2011

A Night Out For the Grown-Ups


Yes...Brad and I got out of the house tonight! This really is a rare occurrence and we were looking forward to it. This wasn't a late night run to grab a gallon of milk, or pull ups....this was a legitimate date. We even had the privilege to dress up for it. Good-bye 147million t-shirt and yoga pants, I'm leaving you behind for purple taffeta tonight!


Libi was angry that I had on a pretty dress and she did not.
Haddie wondered where my pants were.
Joel thought I should have gotten a spray tan.
When Brad walked through the door and saw me all dressed and beautiesque Jack thought he should have asked me if I was going to get ready....
Jacob was speechless when I told him this was the dress I was wearing for his prom!


Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Fat Tuesday


Okay...I really don"t know a lot about Fat Tuesday, or Mardi Gras, but today my sweet Libi celebrated at school. Libi goes to the absolute, best school! We are so blessed to send her into such a fun, loving place each day. She receives the opportunity to explore her world in a way I could never offer at home. This is just another gift that God has given to Libi and to us!
I cracked up when I pulled Libi's shirt off tonight...I think things got a little crazy at the party today...look what I found!

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Temple Grandin

We watched an amazing movie tonight. It was the story of Temple Grandin, a brilliant young woman coping with the stigma of autism at a time when it was misunderstood. Early in the movie Temple's mother is told that Temple I'll never speak, or improve and recommends institutionalizing her. Her mother, refusing to accept the doctor's prognosis for her precious child, pushes her to be and achieve more than anyone felt she could do. With the support of her loving family, Temple dedicates herself to learning and becoming a famed animal behaviorist, receiving a masters and PHD. This movie is a must see for all families.

Favorite line from the movie: "Different does not mean less!"

As I write this, my little girl, who we were told would never sit up is walking around in her walker having the time of her life! No limits with Jesus!

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8 months seizure free


Libi's seizure free run came to an end this morning at 4AM. It wasn't pretty, it never is. This was her 2nd grand maul seizure. Her last one like this was back on June 4th. Libi has been adjusting since January to a change in medication. This change has caused her to have some mild catatonic seizure activity. Basicly, if you blink you could miss it. At the onset of these episodes I became quite discouraged and fearful because she had been doing so well. The Lord reminded me that it was Him that we trust in and not medications! So, here we are today, not discouraged that she had a seizure, but rejoicing that the Lord has been victorious and allowed for her sweet body to be free of this reign of seizures for 8 months! All glory to God! hallelujah!!!!!!!

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