We are in Liberia - the electricity goes in and out because the generator is having trouble keeping up these days! So hopefully it will stay on long enough to post and the internet connection will allow me this luxury!
We were united with precious Gracie on Thanksgiving day - I will write more about this later. But, oh! is Gracie a joy! She is so beautiful, so joyfilled, and a bit mischievious. Her physical limitations do not permit her to accomplish much mischief, but we can tell that she is trying to push some limits already. If we were not in love with her already, she is irresitable and such a treasure and blessing from God. In our two days together, she has not cried once. She spends most of her days smiling, she loves to snuggle (good match for us!), and has the most contagious laugh!
Life takes more effort for her - her cerebral palsy is moderate and every activity is a challenge and is clearly tiring for her. Meal times (which she loves) take a long time and much patience and diligence to ensure that she gets enough food and drink. There is often coughing and sputtering as her mouth's movements work against herself, pushing the food out instead of in, keeping her from sucking and chewing effectively. Sippy cups and bottles don't work (yet) for her mouth, so for the moment, it's regular cup with caution and patience!
She probably doesn't understand our strange English, but she does understand, "dis yo ma and pa?" and rewards any mention of mama and papa with a huge smile and a glance at the appropriate parent with her huge brown eyes. She understands that much!
She awoke on her first morning with us with a beautiful sleepy face and as her eyes opened as she was snuggled between us in bed she saw my face and gave me a beautiful smile and instantly turned her head to see Josh's face and give him a beautiful smile. The smile said, "I wasn't dreaming! you're still here!" She then immediately pushed herself up on her hands and starting playing with our faces and her little bear blanket.
She seems to already have made some progress with improving stregnth daily as we play nonstop with her which strengthens her muscles AND gives her the stimulation that she may have not received since she was an infant, if then. 2 on 1 attention has kept her wired and giggling for two days straight, and not very eager to settle down for bed!
I could write for hours about our gem. We are in for great challenges as we get her the therapies that she needs. But the joy of seeing her little face light up when she sees her "ma" or her "pa" and her little arms reaching out to us with exuberance and the joy of telling her Bible stories and praying with her is phenomenal. No news to you who are parents, but delightful nonetheless!
Please pray for her health, her development, our wisdom, and God's providence as we endeavor to change the world for this one child day by day, to bring her up to the glory of God, and teach her of God's grace in her daily life.
We are also diving right into work here - there is work to be done and no time to waste! I'll be doing some medical evals on some special needs children and lots of teaching to various members of the orphange team to start with. We'll keep you updated!
We were united with precious Gracie on Thanksgiving day - I will write more about this later. But, oh! is Gracie a joy! She is so beautiful, so joyfilled, and a bit mischievious. Her physical limitations do not permit her to accomplish much mischief, but we can tell that she is trying to push some limits already. If we were not in love with her already, she is irresitable and such a treasure and blessing from God. In our two days together, she has not cried once. She spends most of her days smiling, she loves to snuggle (good match for us!), and has the most contagious laugh!
Life takes more effort for her - her cerebral palsy is moderate and every activity is a challenge and is clearly tiring for her. Meal times (which she loves) take a long time and much patience and diligence to ensure that she gets enough food and drink. There is often coughing and sputtering as her mouth's movements work against herself, pushing the food out instead of in, keeping her from sucking and chewing effectively. Sippy cups and bottles don't work (yet) for her mouth, so for the moment, it's regular cup with caution and patience!
She probably doesn't understand our strange English, but she does understand, "dis yo ma and pa?" and rewards any mention of mama and papa with a huge smile and a glance at the appropriate parent with her huge brown eyes. She understands that much!
She awoke on her first morning with us with a beautiful sleepy face and as her eyes opened as she was snuggled between us in bed she saw my face and gave me a beautiful smile and instantly turned her head to see Josh's face and give him a beautiful smile. The smile said, "I wasn't dreaming! you're still here!" She then immediately pushed herself up on her hands and starting playing with our faces and her little bear blanket.
She seems to already have made some progress with improving stregnth daily as we play nonstop with her which strengthens her muscles AND gives her the stimulation that she may have not received since she was an infant, if then. 2 on 1 attention has kept her wired and giggling for two days straight, and not very eager to settle down for bed!
I could write for hours about our gem. We are in for great challenges as we get her the therapies that she needs. But the joy of seeing her little face light up when she sees her "ma" or her "pa" and her little arms reaching out to us with exuberance and the joy of telling her Bible stories and praying with her is phenomenal. No news to you who are parents, but delightful nonetheless!
Please pray for her health, her development, our wisdom, and God's providence as we endeavor to change the world for this one child day by day, to bring her up to the glory of God, and teach her of God's grace in her daily life.
We are also diving right into work here - there is work to be done and no time to waste! I'll be doing some medical evals on some special needs children and lots of teaching to various members of the orphange team to start with. We'll keep you updated!
Comments
David
Can't wait to meet Gracie.