Revelation 3:8 (New International Version)
I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.

The child is the beauty of God present in the world – that greatest gift to a family.” (Blessed Teresa of Calcutta)

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Less then 2 weeks to go before we meet the children

The girls Lilliana and Pam (please remember these are not their real names) are still in the hospital. Pam (who we will name Sophia) is doing much better then Lilliana (who we will name Amellia). Sophia is wearing 6- 12 mos clothes. Lilliana is to small for 6-12 month clothes. Can you imagine? An 11 year old fitting into newborn to 3 month clothes? I do not know anything new about the boys at this time.
Having 10 days left seems like a long time but it really isn't, not when you have packing, house cleaning, food shopping and paperwork to do along with some doctor/dentist appointments.
Update on the girls: There is a very special woman who has been visiting the girls in the hospital her name is Sasha. She has given us updates.

"I went to see the girls today. It sounds like they'll be leaving the hospital to go back to the institution on Saturday but it's possible they might not leave until Monday. It seems like Dr. L is looking for a way to keep Liliana there longer but I am not sure if it will happen. I told her that I'll be getting some diapers to send back and I offered to get some formula too. Liliana is on a special formula so I'll try to get 2-3 boxes of that kind to send back. Dr. L mentioned the World health Organization formula, I told her that it seems like it got lost in the mail somewhere.
They said that the 12-24 month clothes fit Sophia but not Liliana. They are too big for her.
Sophia was doing her usual standing in the walker but when I got close to her she lifted her arms so I can pick her up. That was so sweet. Dr. L is worried about her because she is turning 16 soon. She asked how close they are in the adoption process. Sophia was having a great day today, lots of smiles. They also said that she is eating really well.
Liliana was moving around a lot today in her crib and got really quiet when I picked her up. I really hope she stays there. I hope for all three to stay there but Liliana especially."


Please pray for these children, I am only a few days away from holding them. I am sorry they would not allow any pictures of the girls to be taken by Sasha. I will take many when I am there.

Monday, February 13, 2012

We have our Written. Referral.

Hello Everyone, I wanted you all to know that we received our written referral!! What this means is we have been given permission to go see our children. I am working on my flight now and cannot wait to see the children for the first time.
I also wanted to update you all on the past week. We received news that our children especially the girls were not doing very good, this is nothing short of what we already knew from pictures alone, but hearing it is a different story. I had spent last week crying and feeling very down that despite being a nurse I was not able to do anything for these children. They were in their country and I was here. I worried that even though the process of adoption was happening that it would not be enough time to get these children here to the US for the medical care they needed. I spent a lot of time praying and being reassured that God had a plan and that he loved these children way before I ever seen their picture and committed to their adoption. I also had to remember that these girls have a will to live they have been crib ridden for over 10 years and are the size of toddlers. Our prayers were answered and on Wednesday we heard that The Minister of Justice and child protective services along with a very respected hospital in the country together took involvement in this children's institution. Changes are slow but at least the orphanage now is on their radar. We then heard news that 3 children from this particular place would be transferred to this hospital for 10-14 days to see if they can start with the careful re-feeding process. It happened to be our 3 children. The hospital would treat them with no charge but we would have to pay their transportation/ nurse to make the journey with the children. We gladly sent the money but were still worried about the children making this trip. The past few weeks the snow had been knee-high and the roads did not get plowed or salted. I could not help but picture Monday morning coming and the children being bundled up with many clothes, jacket and a hat and quickly rushed to the van waiting outside. I pictured one by one wondering why this day was so different then all the other days of lying in the crib. I wondered what they would think of the cold air as they were whisked outside and the bumpy ride 80 or so miles away. I wanted to scream that Mommy is here and that they would be okay, that this hospital would take good care of them. So today Monday morning I received news that the children have arrived safely but our son was not able to go. Butler as you know him as (this is his RR name) has infectious diarrhea he was placed in isolation and the hospital felt it was to risky to admit him for fear that it would spread in the hospital. He had to stay behind and if his diarrhea and vomiting resolve he may travel later. Instead another child who you all know as Kolina (from RR) made the trip. It was felt that she was also in rough shape. She is very Blessed to also have a mother who has committed to adopting her.
Please pray that all the children do well and that Butler (who we will call Jeremiah "Jeremy" for short) will get over this virus. He cannot lose much weight or it will also put his life in danger.