We've been home for almost a week with our sweet little girl and she's doing really well! An initial hospital stay wasn't the homecoming we'd hoped for, but it's all good now. Each day we see her getting stronger and feeling better and we're slowly catching up on sleep. She's adjusting to her new surroundings and seems to be settling in! She is curious, talkative, and very ticklish. She is a good eater and loves just about every food we put in front of her except for bread... not a fan of bread. She loves to play and has a sister and 4 brothers packing her around all the time looking to meet her every need! We can't thank you all enough for all the prayers and encouragement! It means the world!
We had our first home visit with our Adoption Specialist on Thursday and she was pleased with how Malea seems to be adjusting to her new life. She urged us to send out a note to our family and friends to let everyone know how we have approach the next few months. Malea has had numerous caregivers in and out of her life over the last 2 years and because of that, she hasn't learned to attach and bond to people because they are always coming and going. We saw immediately that she doesn't know a stranger and reaches for anyone who makes eye contact with her assuming they should take her. In order to teach her to bond and attach to us as her family now and realize she will always belong here, we have to have these next months be where our immediately family are the only ones holding her and caring for her. We know this probably seems drastic and that's not our intent we PROMISE, it's just what all of our training has advised. She didn't have the opportunity to attach to anyone like kids we all know when they attach to mom or dad in those early months, so that means she will have to be taught that the ones caring for her now will never leave. Our agency workers and other adoptive parents have said if we let her be passed around when we are out and about it will confuse her and she won't distinguish the difference between strangers or friends, and mom and dad. Our first and most important goal is for her to bond as quickly as possible! We know she is SO LOVED and we WANT her to be loved on by everyone we just ask that you love on her while we hold her :) Our adoption workers have always been so encouraged when we would describe the incredible support system we have and know that this will be vital to Malea! This will only be temporary and we know that she will soon be adjusted to her new life! Thank you SO MUCH for understanding and for loving our family the way you do!!! We are INCREDIBLY BleSSed and so thankful for all of you!
We are excited about what the days and weeks will bring as she continues to settle in and feel more at home. God has shown us so much in this journey and I'll be sharing more of that soon! I read a quote earlier asking...whether we find ourselves compelled by comfort or compelled to follow Christ... We find ourselves compelled more than ever to follow God even when it takes us to places we never dreamed. The destination is SO WORTH IT!
Lots of love,
Dan and Jenni
Saturday, July 13, 2013
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Ch Ch Ch Ch Changes!
Helloooo Summer! {Our favorite friend!} We love summer. I'm MOST excited when the third week of May rolls around because all my chicks are in their nest... there's baseball, swimming, camping, fishing, late nights, and the list goes on and on. This one will be no exception. Other than, there are going to be a lot of changes that will take place over the course of the summer for our crew. We'll be bringing Malea home, moving, Dan starting a new job, planning a wedding, and all the while determined to keep our sanity!!
I'm not so good at change. Dan could pack up tomorrow and as long as he had us and a few basic necessities, he'd head off across the country. He's an adventurer. Me, not so much. I'm not a fan when lots of things are uncertain and we can't plan everything. It's my weakness. I fight being a worrier. I don't know why I am because I can't say that anything in a situation has ever changed as a result of me stewing over it! God is so good to remind me often that worry is the opposite of faith. I can't have both. So daily I choose faith. He could let us in on all the details and let us see behind the curtain, but then it wouldn't require faith. And God wants us to walk by faith, putting our trust in Him who is always faithful! We trust in Him, He will guide us. We do our part, He does His part. If I let my eyes gaze on all that's before us it's incredibly overwhelming! So I keep my eyes fixed on Jesus and let God work out the plans! God tells us in Jeremiah 29:11 that He knows the plans He has for us...and they're good. That's a word to put your hope in right there!
Yesterday was an emotional day for us. It brought to a close our season here at Aurora schools for the kids and being Houn Dawgs. We've been so blessed and are going to miss so many terrific people. I hope you know how very grateful we are for you! So many people have encouraged us, prayed for us, supported us, and been dear friends and we're so grateful. We pray over and over again that you will reap a harvest from what you've sown into us.
Soooo, here's to a great adventurous summer for all of us!!!! Whatever is in store, let's enjoy every moment!!!
Jenni
I'm not so good at change. Dan could pack up tomorrow and as long as he had us and a few basic necessities, he'd head off across the country. He's an adventurer. Me, not so much. I'm not a fan when lots of things are uncertain and we can't plan everything. It's my weakness. I fight being a worrier. I don't know why I am because I can't say that anything in a situation has ever changed as a result of me stewing over it! God is so good to remind me often that worry is the opposite of faith. I can't have both. So daily I choose faith. He could let us in on all the details and let us see behind the curtain, but then it wouldn't require faith. And God wants us to walk by faith, putting our trust in Him who is always faithful! We trust in Him, He will guide us. We do our part, He does His part. If I let my eyes gaze on all that's before us it's incredibly overwhelming! So I keep my eyes fixed on Jesus and let God work out the plans! God tells us in Jeremiah 29:11 that He knows the plans He has for us...and they're good. That's a word to put your hope in right there!
Yesterday was an emotional day for us. It brought to a close our season here at Aurora schools for the kids and being Houn Dawgs. We've been so blessed and are going to miss so many terrific people. I hope you know how very grateful we are for you! So many people have encouraged us, prayed for us, supported us, and been dear friends and we're so grateful. We pray over and over again that you will reap a harvest from what you've sown into us.
Soooo, here's to a great adventurous summer for all of us!!!! Whatever is in store, let's enjoy every moment!!!
Jenni
Friday, March 22, 2013
For this child I prayed...
Well, we are ExCiTeD to officially announce that WE HAVE A GIRL!!!!! Oh, we've been about to BURST wanting to tell before now, but we weren't allowed to. We're in the home stretch now!
We found out in January, shortly after Christmas. Dan saw her picture and her file and he knew immediately. We had prayed for this. In the very first days of this whole thing we named her asked God to show us His plan and make her known to us. He did. Dan called me while I was shopping and said I need you to be praying and I need you to come see me as soon as you get home because there's a little girl and I know she's the one. My heart was in my throat at this point! We spent the next 3 days praying and felt sure this is what God's plan was. We had multiple conversations with our workers and our medical team. We proceeded with the referral request and received a preliminary approval, but had to wait for the official acceptance of our request from China. The official word came yesterday! We have a couple more steps to complete and then we'll make all the travel arrangements. After 18 long months we'll hopefully be able to travel to China to get her in just a couple short months!!! For the last yr and a half she has been in not just our prayers, but all our family and friends, and so much a part of our conversations and decisions. One cool note about the timing...when God first began speaking to us about it was around the time she was born. We would be so compelled to pray for her at times, not even knowing who or where she was, and we know now that it was then she was fighting for her little life. She's a miracle for sure and God has had a plan for her all along.
Waiting. Waiting. And more waiting. So much of our lives the last couple of years has been about waiting. We've had a front row seat to it. And being honest about it, we're not that good at it. Boy, do we get impatient. And the apples don't fall far from the tree let me tell you, because our children aren't all that good at it either! Frequently, they would get frustrated at the waiting. But praise God, we're better than we used to be! God has shown us so much through all of this. We've had to focus on seeing Him in the waiting. On worshipping Him in the waiting. Trusting Him for answers in all that seems uncertain and unclear. God would gently remind us over and over that He was working out His plan and He wasn't looking for our understanding, He was looking for our obedience. Simply wanting us to trust Him who is Sovereign in all things. I wish I could say, "Whew, good thing it's all behind us!" But I can't! There's still lots ahead. Things that need to come together. Things we'll deal with medically once she's here. And then there's the whole moving and beginning things in another community! It's all good though! Day at a time is how we'll take it! I don't know about you, but seems as though we're always in a season of waiting or coming out of one. If you find yourself in a season of waiting I encourage you, friend, to stay the course. Trust in God and believe that ALL His promises are YES & AMEN!!!
"And so it was...that she, having waited long and endured patiently, realized and obtained what God had promised." Heb 6:15
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Thank you for all of you who have prayed and encouraged us! It means more than you know!! We ask for your prayers for the remaining details that need to come together. God gets all the glory!!!!
We found out in January, shortly after Christmas. Dan saw her picture and her file and he knew immediately. We had prayed for this. In the very first days of this whole thing we named her asked God to show us His plan and make her known to us. He did. Dan called me while I was shopping and said I need you to be praying and I need you to come see me as soon as you get home because there's a little girl and I know she's the one. My heart was in my throat at this point! We spent the next 3 days praying and felt sure this is what God's plan was. We had multiple conversations with our workers and our medical team. We proceeded with the referral request and received a preliminary approval, but had to wait for the official acceptance of our request from China. The official word came yesterday! We have a couple more steps to complete and then we'll make all the travel arrangements. After 18 long months we'll hopefully be able to travel to China to get her in just a couple short months!!! For the last yr and a half she has been in not just our prayers, but all our family and friends, and so much a part of our conversations and decisions. One cool note about the timing...when God first began speaking to us about it was around the time she was born. We would be so compelled to pray for her at times, not even knowing who or where she was, and we know now that it was then she was fighting for her little life. She's a miracle for sure and God has had a plan for her all along.
Waiting. Waiting. And more waiting. So much of our lives the last couple of years has been about waiting. We've had a front row seat to it. And being honest about it, we're not that good at it. Boy, do we get impatient. And the apples don't fall far from the tree let me tell you, because our children aren't all that good at it either! Frequently, they would get frustrated at the waiting. But praise God, we're better than we used to be! God has shown us so much through all of this. We've had to focus on seeing Him in the waiting. On worshipping Him in the waiting. Trusting Him for answers in all that seems uncertain and unclear. God would gently remind us over and over that He was working out His plan and He wasn't looking for our understanding, He was looking for our obedience. Simply wanting us to trust Him who is Sovereign in all things. I wish I could say, "Whew, good thing it's all behind us!" But I can't! There's still lots ahead. Things that need to come together. Things we'll deal with medically once she's here. And then there's the whole moving and beginning things in another community! It's all good though! Day at a time is how we'll take it! I don't know about you, but seems as though we're always in a season of waiting or coming out of one. If you find yourself in a season of waiting I encourage you, friend, to stay the course. Trust in God and believe that ALL His promises are YES & AMEN!!!
"And so it was...that she, having waited long and endured patiently, realized and obtained what God had promised." Heb 6:15
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| The night we told all the kids. The kids gathered around the table, Zane was on Skype on Beth's computer and we showed them the videos of her. |
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| Signing the official document from the government of China |
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Thank you for all of you who have prayed and encouraged us! It means more than you know!! We ask for your prayers for the remaining details that need to come together. God gets all the glory!!!!
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