A crazy week or two

Your attitude should be the same as that as Jesus Christ: Who in being very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.  And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-even death on a cross! 

 Philippians 2:5-8

I must confess working full time is very difficult with four children.  Brent is such a great help and making it work to the best possible.  Elijah and Sneha were able to see an orthopedist from Children's in Denver, Dr. Chang.  Sneha has a very different gate and her toes point out at an angle.  Well it turns out the her femur and hips point outward, her lower leg turns outward as well as her feet.  A three part issue, for now it will be treated with shoe inserts to see if that helps. The good news is that her upper arm break is healing very well and will be ok.  As far as Elijah--he has a new official diagnosis CP.  A traumatic brain injury in utero or shortly after birth.  I have previously wondered if that might have been the diagnosis.  One of my wonderful friends Debbie has CP and is a very strong woman who is an inspiration to us all.  So his "official diagnosis" was just a way to describe in words the injury--not a big shock or fear to our family.  Dr Chang wants to evaluate Elijah's gate with high tech electrodes and an interactive floor.  He will probably needs to have his left leg tendon and muscle cut so they can loosen.  His foot also needs surgery to correct a bone problem so he can walk better.  Elijah's left leg is 1/2 to 1 inch shorter than his right.  He also spoke of Botox treatments to Elijah's left arm to help the muscles and eventually they would slow the growth of his right leg so the left can catch up.  A massive stroke as an infant caused his body to have many troubles.  The good news is that he can run and play with the best of them even soccer.  He is a true physical miracle to see him in action.

On a sour note Elijah has been lying and showing attachment problem behavior.  We believe that if God our Father re-routed his brain after a massive stroke that he can heal his heart and soul.  The physical disabilities are easy to deal with in comparison to lying and hurtful behavior.  We are committed to help him change and conquer this sin in his life.  Every person that knows right from wrong must choose to do what is right and often it is the more difficult choice.  Love is a true choice not just a feeling.  Adoption is not for the weak, but neither is the world we live in.  Children need loving families to guide them on a path to Jesus.  I never have a doubt that Our Lord placed these children in our home  to bring him the glory and impact those around us.

Sneha the mostly wordless person has impacted so many people her in our small town.  It is amazing that God doesn't have to use words to make a difference in lives.  It is not about me and my feelings.  My heart breaks when they push me away, but I must remember that God is in charge and this is HIS plan.  Growth and change are difficult, but very necessary to change or character and make us strong.  When they do hug and show love it makes that moment so sweet.  Brokenness of a child cannot change overnight and we will never abandon them again.

If anyone ever hesitates to adopt for fear of affecting their biological children, I would challenge them what better chance to show the heart of God to their children.  Graedy and Elise have been affected profoundly, and for the good.  Elise and Graedy see that disabled doesn't mean bad only different, but still they are important to our world.  Our Father creates no mistakes Sneha has a heart of love even though she may never live independently. In our world worth is based on what tasks can we complete, and that is not what God bases our worth on.  How many siblings of adopted children will grow up to either adopt themselves or strive to make a difference for the lost and forgotten.  I can say living with one of the least of these every day, they will never forget.  We could have never done anything more important for our biological children.  I have been asked will they have to give up things for them-ABSOLUTELY and what leads to better character.  Our possessions never build up our character and heart.  The more "stuff" we have the more we want.

What we know is that we have a future and we are right where God wants us for now.

Cheers,

Holly

Please visit this blog and pray for their dear Chrissie: http://www.allarepreciousinhissight.blogspot.com/
Chrissie was found and adopted through Reecesrainbow and she is fighting for her life.

PRAYING FOR CLARITY FROM ABOVE

A blog that I follow challenged the blogging world to pray for each other and a make changes in our world. We are all connected and can make a difference through prayers to our Father. Please visit here: http://www.aplacecalledsimplicity.blogspot.com/.  Linny and her family make a difference in the world and we are so thankful for her wisdom.


Luke 11:9-13

And so I tell you, keep on asking and you will receive what you ask for.  Keep on seeking , and you will find.  Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks, receives.  Everyone who seeks finds.  And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

The last few months of 2010 have been full of challenges as well as blessings.  I am just so thankful that Sneha is home with us.  As many of you know of Feb 14 Sneha had her first seizure in our presence.  This came to a shock to us, but not beyond our limits.  Elijah adopted from China has complex partial seizure disorder diagnosed after his cranioplasty in May of 2008.  God was making plans for our family through what seemed like a hard ship to us.  I have to be honest on the waiting child check list I probably would not have checked the seizure disorder/epilepsy box.  I could have missed God's blessings by letting my fears control me.  Luckily Our Father is in control and not us.  Easter was eventful at church when Sneha went limp from a seizure.  In between these seizure events Sneha fell out of bed and broke her uppers right arm.  It is hard to say exactly what happened and if a seizure caused her to fall out of bed.  What I do know is that I am thankful that her doctor Dr. Ahuja (from India, and living in small town Colorado) had referred her to a neurologist when she first came home.  Long story short both the littles (as I call them) are on Keppra to prevent seizures, a very manageable disablity in the USA.  In addition to Sneha's seizures and broken arm she has had two ear surgeries over the past few months to repair perforated ear drums.  My heart breaks to think that she had so many ear infections for 8 years that her ear drums just ruptured from the pressure.  I have to rate the pain of ear infections way up on the pain scale.  I have had many in my life.  Her right ear is now repaired and her hearing is getting better all the time.  A whole new world to one that couldn't her nearly her entire life.  They wondered why she did respond when spoken to, well duh she couldn't hear the question.  The left ear is healing as well, by unfortunately still has a small hole that might require a second surgery.  The surgeon is giving the left ear drum 6 weeks to repair itself before we make any decisions.

Our story contines as a family of six.  We are at the cross road and trying to make a decision of which path to follow.  As many of you know medical bills are very expensive and I have started to work full time to pursue our dream of becoming debt free.  I am working at 5am, and wow that is early. It is good to be back to working with the elderly, I miss spending time with that age group. Brent has had to pick up a lot of extra work at home in order for me to work.  I could not ask for a better spouse in all this world.  Working so early gives me all the time with the children after school.  Our children, the future for the orphan.

SnehaElise and Sneha

GraedyElijah

In our dreams we still want to adopt from Ghana.  With 2 lay offs in 12 months for Brent, a move to a new town, new life, and a new daughter in the last year our heart still longs to do more. I just know that the time is now, we cannot wait until all the pieces fall into place.  We must act in faith.  Do we move to pursue saving the orphan or do we stay where we are realatively comfortable and settled?  We need clarity for these decisons because they involve all 6 of our family.  Adults can move and adapt with the futre in sight.  We want the best for our children with the least trauma possible, yet they need to see the responsiblity the Father places on those who know the truth.  This truth must become part of us from the beginning, if we wait until they are grown it could very well be too late.  Sneha has changed our children and their view of the orphan.  They love her for who she is and not what she can do.  I can't forget about the orphan, what about their comfort?  The orphan in Ghana goes from family to family begging for shelter and food.  I have to admit my discomfort never does compare to their losses and sadness.I just can't become consumed with myself, and I have to admit it is a constant battle to see others first.

Luke 17:6

He replied, "If you have faith as small as mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea', and it will obey you."

How we humans have so little faith.  Oh Dear Lord, "Give us a measure of faith and wisdom." Amen