Flight

I awakened this morning on the flight of a prayer;

it lifted me easily despite the burdens I bear.

Although I'm engulfed by troubles untold,

the prayers of the saints are covering my soul.

How sweet it is to know and behold,

the blessing of prayer that gives flight to my soul.

Thanks to all of you who are continuing to lift us up in the midst of all we are experiencing. Some of you know the nitty gritty details and some of you do not. But to each of you we are grateful for your persistence in covering us with prayer.

Surgery Update

Noah's surgical procedure went well today. The actual operation took about 30 minutes with no complications. We left the house before 6 am and Noah was checked in and sedated shortly after 7 am. They gave him some "silly juice" prior to the anesthetic and he was just that - raising his eyebrows, reaching for unseen objects, and chewing on a plastic block as if it were a breakfast bar.

We were told that behaviors (especially temper tantrums) are sometimes exaggerated as the anesthetic wears off. Wow -were they ever! He was okay the first few minutes he was awake. Then he saw us and the screaming, pinching, biting, and hair pulling began. The nurses felt so bad for us. I'm pretty sure I'll require a hair transplant due to the amount that Noah yanked out this morning. We were quite the scene getting off the elevator to go to the car: I was struggling to hold Noah, the nurse was doing her best to release his hands from the death grip he had on my hair, Noah was screaming bloody murder, and Mark was balancing our belongings, including a red plastic fireman's hat that was precariously perched on top of his head. I'm sure we unnerved all prospective patients who were entering the hospital!

Noah is sleeping now and I think I'll take a nap too. What a day - and it's barely 10 o'clock!

Our Trials are Great Opportunities

"Our trials are great opportunities, but all too often we simply see them as large obstacles. If only we would recognize every difficult situation as something God has chosen to prove His love to us, each obstacle would then become a place of shelter and rest, and a demonstration to others of His inexpressible power. If we would look for the signs of His glorious handiwork, then every cloud would indeed become a rainbow, and every difficult mountain path would become one of ascension, transformation, and glorification.

If we would look at our past, most of us would realize that the times we endured the greatest stress and felt that every path was blocked were the very times our heavenly Father chose to do the kindest things for us and bestow His richest blessings...

We must trust the Lord through the darkness, and honor Him with unwavering confidence even in the midst of difficult situations. The reward for this kind of faith will be like that of an eagle shedding its feathers is said to receive - a renewed sense of youth and strength."

(Taken from July 29 reading from Streams in the Desert by L.B. Cowman)

God's Ways

God has been teaching me this week that His way are not my ways. My plans, my hopes, my dreams may not come to fruition. But God's ways are sovereign. His ways are best. Even when they do not make sense to me.

Before we brought him home from China, God gave us this verse for Noah: "'For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" We believe that God has a wonderful plan and purpose for Noah's life. Please join us in praying for God's best for Noah.

Pictures from Minnesota

Test Update

We have some test results back from the endocrinologist. All came back negative except for one - low Ig. This in combination with bone age delay indicates Growth Hormone Deficiency and makes Noah a candidate for Growth Hormone Therapy.

We also have scheduled a circumcision procedure for next Wednesday.

Fun with Nana and Pop

Minnesota

We have spent this week at the University of Minnesota's International Adoption Clinic. Noah has seen the pediatrician, occupational therapist, endocrinologist, psychologist, and neuropsychologist. We are exhausted!

So far, they have ruled out Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. Results are pending for growth hormone deficiency, other tests ordered by the endocrinologist, and the neuropsych testing.

The general consensus thus far is that Noah has difficulty integrating sensory stimuli. This manifests itself in undesirable and sometimes aggressive behaviors. One of our goals is to help him regulate sensory input and learn socially acceptable ways of relating to others.

We also had a bone age x-ray done. These results showed that Noah's bones are that of a 24 month old, not a 40 month old. The assumed reason is early malnutrition. This malnutrition along with his ventricular septal defect (heart) has led to impairment in brain functioning. Before his heart was repaired in China his brain may have not had enough oxygen both in utero and after birth.

We are overwhelmed with all that is before us. The doctors here have been wonderful and caring and so knowledgable. We are grateful for the opportunity to be here. Please pray for God's peace that passes all understanding for both of us. The implications before us are daunting. Thank you.

Family Fun Day

We found a couple of "pick-your-own" farms and went at it today. We hit the berry patch first and then went on to the peach orchard. Noah was a little out of sorts but the big kids enjoyed the thrill of the hunt!

We're ready to go berry picking!

Looking for the ripest berries.

See our blackberries!

Beautiful peaches.

Climbing peach trees was as much fun as picking the fruit!

Where's Noah?

The kids enjoyed a treat of peach ice cream and lemonade

after their hard work.

Noah's First Riding Lesson

Noah had his first riding lesson today with my friend from Bible study who is an occupational therapist. He did great and she did great! It was a very good experience.

Turning 40!

Yes, I've officially turned 40! We celebrated by going to Benihana's. The kids loved it and the food was great. Afterward we had clown cones and cake. Fun!

God's Provision

I am taking a Bible study this summer that has challenged me about my relationship with God. The author (Priscilla Shirer) compares the difficulties we experience to the wilderness experience of the Israelites after their exodus from Egypt. God led the Israelites out of enslavement to the promised land of Canaan. However, their journey did not go as anticipated. The journey they thought would take thirty days turned into forty years of traversing the wilderness. God's ways are certainly different than our own! Yet just as He provided food, rest and guidance for the Israelites in the wilderness, He also provides for us in our times of struggle and despair.

Mark and I have experienced this firsthand. God has been so good to provide for us in while we are "traversing the wilderness." As He opens our eyes to His work around us we see His hand giving us what we need and desire. He has not abandoned us in our desert. Rather, He has lavished us with good things as He calls us to Himself. He is meeting our needs for security, comfort, peace, and guidance.

How?

My good friend has graciously offered to help me plan for home schooling next year. Not only does she love our family but she has vast experience in education and is completing her Ed.D. this year. This is God's provision.

I met a lady tonight who just happens to be an Occupational Therapist who works with kids and horses. After hearing Noah's story, she has invited him to come to her ranch to groom and ride Thunder (her gentlest horse) so that he might continue emotional and physical healing. This is God's provision.

God rescued a little boy from unthinkable circumstances and placed him in our family. This is God's provision.

God's character - His love, faithfulness, forgiveness - will never change but the way He works in our lives is creative and surprising. Expect the unexpected and know that God will provide in ways you never imagined.

Family

We took a hike in a nearby park today as our family outing. The weather had cooled considerably and a light rain fell as we explored the trail. The kids had a great time discovering snails and butterflies along the way.

Noah sat on top of Mark's shoulders for the entire hike. This is such a big accomplishment! Noah typically tears Mark's glasses off his face or pulls his hair if we ever try to sit him on Mark's shoulders. He had no fear and expressed joy and contentment as we traversed the path. The older two got along terrifically, accepting help from each other on slippery hills and sharing joy in God's creation.

Later, as I was reflecting on our time together I realized something very important. This afternoon was the first time since Noah has been home that I felt like we were a family. We are still experiencing some spitting and pinching but for two hours this afternoon God gave us a gift - a glimpse of the future. I have hope in the midst of our desert that one day, and perhaps one day soon, we will experience peace because God is healing Noah's pain and unifying our family as only He can.

Happy Fourth of July!

A Neighborhood Parade

A Small Town Parade

Strawberry Ice Cream

"Licking the dasher"

Sparklers at Nana and Pop's House

Slip ' n Slide Fun with Good Friends