December 11, 2011

You all take hints very well!  

"Like cold water to a weary soul is good news [any news] from a distant land."  Proverbs 25:25

Thank you for the e-mails that many of you have sent.  And the blog comments.  

Such a tall drink of cold water.  So needed.  

Today is the one week mark since we got Josie G. 

Today is the best we've had yet.  

It was a calm, stay-in-the-hotel-room day.  Lots of coloring, playdoh, stickers, snacks...

One week from today we will be home.  Can't get here soon enough.

Trying, though, to remember that I need to focus on now, not next week.

Every day with Josie is a day that we can connect and God can heal.

Heeding these words, "...look carefully and listen closely and pay attention to everything I am going to show you,

for that is why you have been brought here."  Ezekiel 40:4

 central command

walking to the market

"Happy Goat" stickers--a big hit

some of the few Christmas reminders in Guangzhou

Happy Birthday!

Today we celebrated Josie's 6th birthday. 

Don't know if any of her birthdays have been celebrated in the past.  

Glad that we can start showing her that she's a loved child of God 

and that she now has a valued place in our family.  

Strange celebrating your child's 6th birthday just 6 days after meeting her.  

Brain full of jumbled thoughts trying to fathom the implications of it all.  

Can't be done.  Shouldn't try.  

Just need to focus on today--doesn't it have enough worry of its own?!  

Lord, teach us to number our days, that we might live lives of wisdom. 

teeny tiny 6 year old

 can't blog about China without including picture of "lizard on a stick"

Mary and Sadie

some sort of crazy Chinese birthday candle--pretty sure it's illegal in most of the U.S.

 Birthday Girl!!!

sshe can have all the cake she wants! (and she did!)

  Miriam and Maya

Rick and Tanya and Jenna

 Josie didn't have a clue about what to do with the gifts--I'm sure the boys'll get her up to speed!

under the leaves with some Lewises

 bubbles!!! 

 playdoh!!!

trying to figure out how to put up 6 fingers.  surrounded by cards from brothers and little sis

When David Neal was born I got a nice card from a family member with a picture of Jesus on the front holding a lamb.  Inside the card read "He will feed His flock like a shepherd;  He will gather the lambs in His arm, He will carry them close to His heart and will gently lead those that have their young."  Isaiah 40:11.  This was a well-known verse, one I had read and heard sung many times.  But that time, as a totally overwhelmed brand new mom, it hit me right in the heart.  I was the one with "young" and God was promising to not only help me, but to do it gently--quite an encouragement for a newbie.  That verse was one I went back to again and again through David's babyhood and again with Aaron's.  

Fast forward six years...we came to China to adopt Megan.  She was a "special needs" baby because of her cleft lip. Three months after bringing her home she had lip-repair surgery.  It was one of the top four worst experiences of my life (this trip is tied for number 1).   About two days after surgery as she was recovering with a swollen, bloody face and restrained arms, I was walking her in the stroller which was the only place she could get any sleep.  I remember clearly.  It was a hot, hot, humid August day, I was just down the block from our house, listening in my ears to a sermon on.... Isaiah 40.  

At the time I was exhausted from caring for this post-surgery girl, we were still trying to get the hang of being outnumbered with the three kids instead of just two, it was REALLY hot but I had to keep walking or else she'd never sleep, I was totally depressed and defeated and then the preacher preached straight into my brain from Isaiah 40:11:

    "He gently leads those that are with young," he read.  "Do you get that?!  God gives SPECIAL CARE for SPECIAL NEEDS!" 

Rarely has God spoken so clearly and directly to me as at that moment.  The fact that the preacher had used the adoption lingo of  "special needs" as I'm walking my "special needs" daughter dealing with my own numerous "special needs" pretty much stopped me in my tracks.  

I'm giving you that background story because God has, once again, brought that verse and that lesson to my mind a LOT this week.  He will not only give special care for Josie's special needs, which are many, but for MY own spiritual, physical and emotional special needs, which are also many.  And He hasn't just promised that to me.  It's for everyone.  

The family member who sent that card to me over nine years ago?  David's grandma, Josephine.  We named Josie after her.  Their name means "God will increase".  Josie's middle name is Grace.  Little did we know when we named her how much we would need the reminder...every time we call her name.   That God will give special care for her special needs and to all of us an increase of His grace.

more statues

even more statues

hotel "children's palace" (not very palatial but she likes it--so does David)

fun in the palace

more fun in the palace

yay!!! our people have returned!!!!!  (good thing, David and I have run out of things to talk about...)

December 9, 2011

We have had Josie now for only four days. I can honestly say, and I am baring my soul here...be kind...these have been the most difficult, most emotionally devastating four days of my life. Without boring you with the gory details, adoption is God's plan for orphans, He blesses the endeavors of those who step out and step up to do it, but Satan is just as intent on messing the whole thing up.  David and I have waged a spiritual battle these last four days and, praise God, have come out of it more committed to adoption and to this precious, beloved child of God than we were before.  Is everything unicorns and rainbows now?  Absolutely not.  We know we have a tough road ahead and that we need to be constantly on guard for more attacks, but right now we are thankful to God for bringing us through.  For those of you who are not Christians I know I probably sound like some sort of quack and I admit, I hesitated to post this, but what kind of Christian am I if I hide the reality of my challenges and don't testify to Christ's saving and sanctifying work in my life? 

On a lighter note, we are getting a little more into a routine everyday with Josie.  She is responding more positively to us each day.  Bedtime has gotten a little better, smoother each night.  She's treating us to more smiles.  She is definitely more comfortable with me than with David but he's understanding of that and is slowly but surely gonna' draw her in.  She loves being fake scared of him chasing her at the playground and she runs a little ways then looks back to make sure he's following and then she sets off again with that squeal that only little girls can do.  And she laughs and laughs.  It's great to see her happy.  She is an eager eater and has tried lots of different foods.  We're pretty much feeding her the most fattening, but healthy (ish), stuff we can find.  We can write in her baby book that her first English word was "cookie".  She's had lots of rice and noodles but also french fries, spaghetti, grilled cheese, sausage, fried chicken, juice, and chocolate bars--yum!  We are calling her Josie about half the time and Xiu Guan 

(chee-you-gwahn) the other half.  

We still don't get home for over a week.  It's way too long.  Miss everything.  Can't wait to get there.  We can get e-mail here (hint, hint).  

girl in the hood

happy playground girl

she's fascinated by all the statues

she worked on her pose a long time to get it just right

loves the statues

this vase is covered with butterfly wings--amazing, beautiful, slightly disgusting

more butterfly wing art

this is what we do in our "home"

  E-mail is our lifeline (hint, hint)

Josie's desk 

 She's got coloring things, her favorite watch, and some toys that she keeps very well-organized in the drawer

December 8, 2011

We have been busy this week doing various types of paperwork including, doctors office for a TB test (results tomorrow) and applying for a Chinese passport.  We were able to visit Josie's orphanage today.  It is about and hour and a half away from Guangzhou.  She wasn't very thrilled to be back there.  This long trip is wearing on us a lot.  We miss our kiddos at home terribly and can't wait to get back which won't be for another 8 days....sigh...  In the meantime, we look forward to reuniting with our travel group here on Saturday.  It's been a long, lonely, tough week for us.  

outside of Josie's orphanage

nanny and teacher

December 7, 2011

we went to a playground this morning and got the most smiles and energy yet.  too bad it's freezing cold at home

she is obsessed with david's watch.  david has given up wearing it.  she either holds it or carries it in her purse

she really loved the slide

peek a boo at the park

so far she's lived in a bubble--not trying to be witty or deep--it's just true

strolling.  the lady talking on the phone is Grace, our helper

at the "mall"--can you spot the golden arches?

learning brothers' and sister's names

typical Chinese picture pose

December 6, 2011

she was so funny with this statue  

never seen a metal boy before

David taught her to high 5

she carries her purse with her everywhere

back to Civil Affairs office to make it official

she likes crackers--who doesn't?!

it's official, she's a Melilli!

holding David's hand in the van.  She's been in a car more times in 24 hours than ever before in her life.  She's nervous but fascinated at everything.  Everything is new--even in China.

taking a walk

no front teeth--don't know when she lost them but they look fresh out