It was hard to remember that it was Thanksgiving weekend. Pennsylvania is gearing up to hunt... what a distant thought in a land of living day to day!
We had a thanksgiving dinner with a missionary family (and many others). This is a time full of firsts for Gracie and it is so fun because she is able to actively enjoy all her firsts. She enjoyed her ham, turkey, beans, and pumpkin pie (among all the other firsts at that meal).
Friday we went to the office and arranged the first several days of our schedule and discussed the challenging logistics of how to teach useful topics to different members of orphanage staff. We then also visited the orphanage for the first time and Gracie (dolled up a bit) received a warm welcome - she was clearly well enjoyed by staff and kids alike. "Little G" and "G-G" and strains of her favorite song rang out as she arrived with her parents!
Yesterday (Saturday) we participated in "intake day" at the office - I found it heart wrenching to encounter so many mothers presenting their children for adoption and to take one of the very ill children away from his mother for good. Her face looked so grieved and anguished, I will never forget it. The baby then fell asleep in Josh's arms for a bit but woke up later and was so extremely distressed to not see his mother around.
I did medical evals on several kids with special needs and enjoyed my time playing with the kids as well as preparing as complete as possible medical information for prospective parents.
Today (Sunday) we attend a local Baptist church with friends. We had a wonderful time and Grace was absolutely enraptured with the music, dancing, drums, and joy in the Lord. We, of course, make for an interesting spectacle. But Grace rewards all comers with an infectious smile and her obvious disabilities make people much more sympathetic and even glad for her to be in an American home.
After church, Grace had her first swimming experience - we were invited out to this exotic and luxurious complex of foreign investors to swim in their swimming pool and the adjacent beach. Grace LOVED the water and I think we are well on our way to aquatherapy!
We have noticed that Grace is getting stronger already, day by day. Our horseplay, feeding of different foods, use of sippy cup (took us a long while to get that down) instead of the open cup, and helping her position her body to maintain herself (on her elbows centered under her shoulders when on her belly, hips and knees and feet centered and planted for standing, sitting with supporting her weight on the table in front of her to play with objects on the table... all these (and 2 on 1 attention) seem to already have strengthened her.
So much for a week with just spending time with Gracie! We started working after one day with Gracie and will likely work up until the day that we leave! There is much to be done here and Gracie is such a flexible, adaptable, joyfilled child, that she allows us the luxury. (Our next challenge to work on getting her into a routine!)
We had a thanksgiving dinner with a missionary family (and many others). This is a time full of firsts for Gracie and it is so fun because she is able to actively enjoy all her firsts. She enjoyed her ham, turkey, beans, and pumpkin pie (among all the other firsts at that meal).
Friday we went to the office and arranged the first several days of our schedule and discussed the challenging logistics of how to teach useful topics to different members of orphanage staff. We then also visited the orphanage for the first time and Gracie (dolled up a bit) received a warm welcome - she was clearly well enjoyed by staff and kids alike. "Little G" and "G-G" and strains of her favorite song rang out as she arrived with her parents!
Yesterday (Saturday) we participated in "intake day" at the office - I found it heart wrenching to encounter so many mothers presenting their children for adoption and to take one of the very ill children away from his mother for good. Her face looked so grieved and anguished, I will never forget it. The baby then fell asleep in Josh's arms for a bit but woke up later and was so extremely distressed to not see his mother around.
I did medical evals on several kids with special needs and enjoyed my time playing with the kids as well as preparing as complete as possible medical information for prospective parents.
Today (Sunday) we attend a local Baptist church with friends. We had a wonderful time and Grace was absolutely enraptured with the music, dancing, drums, and joy in the Lord. We, of course, make for an interesting spectacle. But Grace rewards all comers with an infectious smile and her obvious disabilities make people much more sympathetic and even glad for her to be in an American home.
After church, Grace had her first swimming experience - we were invited out to this exotic and luxurious complex of foreign investors to swim in their swimming pool and the adjacent beach. Grace LOVED the water and I think we are well on our way to aquatherapy!
We have noticed that Grace is getting stronger already, day by day. Our horseplay, feeding of different foods, use of sippy cup (took us a long while to get that down) instead of the open cup, and helping her position her body to maintain herself (on her elbows centered under her shoulders when on her belly, hips and knees and feet centered and planted for standing, sitting with supporting her weight on the table in front of her to play with objects on the table... all these (and 2 on 1 attention) seem to already have strengthened her.
So much for a week with just spending time with Gracie! We started working after one day with Gracie and will likely work up until the day that we leave! There is much to be done here and Gracie is such a flexible, adaptable, joyfilled child, that she allows us the luxury. (Our next challenge to work on getting her into a routine!)
Comments
We are so moved by the news of OUR little Grace. We love you and pray God will use you much in your little time in Liberia.
Blessings
Pops Rattin