The Road We Travel

The road has been hard and I haven't always written everything or told anyone some things because some things were too painful to share. I am thankful beyond words to be on this side of the process and more than anything...to be on this side of last week. I want to thank all of you who prayed and let you know your prayers were answered! I think I was somewhat prepared for all the things we went through in China, but I was completely unprepared for what we faced during our first week at home. Looking into the eyes of a child devoid of love, caring, or joy was bone chilling. I will never forget the look in her eyes. I will also never forget the day that look disappeared. I won't go into details but I will leave it at saying this:
We are pleased to announce that we now have a normal, happy 2 year old.



Faith still has issues common to adoptive children. She becomes insecure very easily. She does suffer from night terrors but from what I've read from other parents, hers are not too bad. She will just all of a sudden scream in her sleep in the middle of the night...it sits you straight up in bed....fun. She gets very sad and starts to whimper when she sees her pajamas or when we tell her it's time for bed. And of course her language. Here is my main prayer for her right now: That her English would develop really quickly so that we can tell her about Jesus!

Back in June, I sent a disposable camera to the orphanage. I was amazed when the orphanage director handed it to me on our gotcha day. I was really excited to see the photos when I picked them up today. However, it was very disappointing. They just snapped the whole role of her walking around right outside the office of the orphanage. Nothing much to see except that I was appalled by seeing the terrible exposure her split pants offered her. The pediatrician told us last week that what I thought was some type of diaper rash is really scarring from cuts and abrasions. In the pictures she was sitting on cement steps and a stone parking lot. Does that make ANY sense??!?


Faith is enjoying riding a tricycle and even went for a family bike ride on the back of daddy's bike.


I have been trying to spend lots of time with my parents, my aunt, etc. to get her used to them and she is doing well. Today she walked happily around my grandparents living room without shying away.

Love to you all.
Glad to be on this side of things.

The Great Outdoors and Worship Music

Last night we went to an outdoor church picnic where Mitchell's band was playing. What a nice evening. How wonderful just to be outside on a nice evening doing our very favorite thing...listening to music!






















Mitchell and Ben Russell

Multi-Cultural Experience ??

Chinese girl eating tortillas in an American home.

And now...I have a sister.

Praising God for Milestones

If I could mark two days as milestone days with Faith: the first would be the day we left Nanchang...and the second would be today. I cannot describe to you the heaviness God lifted off my heart today, and some of the fears He allowed me to see past. Today, yesterday's glimmer became a shine. Faith woke up this morning without crying... and that was a first. I looked at the smile on her face and could see that something was gone. Perhaps it will be back tomorrow, but today its absence allowed me to see her..just her...for the first time, not the anger or the sadness or the fear, but her. There was a sweetness in place of the anger and smile in place of the sadness, for the first time. I realize tomorrow may be completely different, but for today, it was beautiful.



Faith did not want to sit still to pose for this photo, but I liked it anyways. I took this on Mom's front porch. I might take them back up to try to get one where everyone's smiling because all of Mom's flowers made such a pretty backdrop.
OUR BLESSINGS!



WELL IF THIS ISN'T AMERICAN, I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS!








...on having siblings...


Faith went Wal-Marting for the first time today.
It's incredible when the ordinary becomes beautiful. Like shiny clean floors and thousands of choices, or the absence of any smells but soaps and freshly baked bread.
Ahhh...



No one could hope for a better Pappy! Tonight my dad said (or perhaps it was my mom) "When she learns English, you'll be able to tell her that you're keeping her." I won't comment on that, because that is its own deep thought to ponder.


Love to you all.
Trusting in Jesus.

A Successful Evening

Well, we had two successful outings this evening. First we took Gracie to ballet class. Faith sat in the studio doorway and watched the girls almost the whole time. I wanted her to watch them because I thought it would be so good for her to watch ballet class. Then we went to church. We actually sat through the entire lesson in youth group (with a bag of cheerios of course) and didn't cry (neither one of us). The most amazing part was that after youth, Faith got down and actually walked around among everyone. She SMILED and even fed Matt Hepner cheerios :) !!!

Then, Faith had her VERY FIRST trip to McDonalds! She wasn't real keen on her hamburger, but I wish I had had my camera along to capture her eating her first McDonalds french fries (because they're so good for her, you know).

Today was the first time she looked at our puzzles and put some of our board puzzles together. And tonight, she sat and looked at board books by herself for the first time. I have tried to look at books with her many times, but they meant nothing to her. Tonight she sat and turned the pages and actually looked at the pages. She also said, "gonna go to the potty" today. She was just immitating me but we'll take whatever we can get!

Thanks so much for praying. Please continue to do so. To watch a little girl with such a sadness about her spirit is really heartbreaking. The Lord knew I desperately needed to see a glimmer today. I must confess I have been struck with the fear that perhaps her heart is too sad to learn to love. I am hanging onto Jesus with all my might.

Love to you all.
Paying for Faith.

A Plea for Prayer

I have an earnest prayer that some of you are still reading along. I got up this morning and cried about this task that seems insurmountable to me...teaching love and joy to a child who has no concept of love and joy. I really need your prayers.

Love to you all.
Praising God for family and friends.