We're Home!

Scott and I came home on Friday as scheduled. The boys and grandparents met us at the airport. It was amazing to see them all and let them finally meet Marygrace in person. Thank you so much for all the prayers for our trip (safety and health), Marygrace and bonding, the boys and grandparents (while we were gone). We have been so blessed and cannot believe how well everything went. Marygrace is a happy child and appears very comfortable in our arms, home and with the boys. When I met Josh in his classroom the children were all excited to meet Marygrace. Even among all the faces she recognized Josh right away and went right to him. He was beaming and was so proud of his sister! Matt and Andrew are equally proud and all three are competing for the title - Favorite Brother (they are not competitive like their dad)!!!

I will try to post pictures by the end of the week of our final days in China and Mary's first week at home. The jet lag has been difficult coming home, both Scott and I are exhausted (which is Not Allowed with four children)! Hopefully, we will feel back to normal soon. I cannot end this post without praising the Lord Jesus Christ for all He has done for us - We are so amazed at the work of our awesome God!!!

We do not believe for one minute that we just happened to be led to this child, that she just happened by chance to be hearing impaired (for those who don't know I am a speech pathologist who specialized in college in working with the deaf and have experience with deaf children and cochlear implants), Marygrace was not diagnosed with hearing loss until three months after we identified her as our daughter and were already well into the process of adopting her. Given Marygrace's age and obvious attachment to her caregiver in the orphanage we are amazed at how smooth her transition has been thus far and how well her personality fits perfectly into our active family. Most children would rightfullly be completely overwhelmed.

We have completely felt the Lord's hand and His leading throughout this process. There have also been hurdles to this adoption experience-just as we were getting ready to send our dossier to China, Kelley required surgery to remove an abdominal tumor (72 hours after surgery we found out it was benign-a surprize to even the surgeon who removed it). In hindsight, what a blessing it was discovered and removed and that I am fully recovered prior to bringing a two year old into our family. I am so enjoying holding, hugging, carrying and chasing after her (all which even a month or so ago would have still been painful and difficult).

The Lord faithfully used the most trying time in both our lives - the devastating brain infection that attacked our oldest son's cerebellum 3 years ago. Without the connection and relationship we built with Neurologist, Dr. Swisher during Matthew's 13 day stay at Children's Memorial Hospital Marygrace would have never come home! He helped us understand her diagnosis, the surgery she had, reviewed MRI's and CAT scans and even video clips. He was open and honest and researched the prognosis of other children around the world who had a similar condition (bilateral subdural hematoma with corrective surgery at 5 months old). He went completely out of his way to educate us and help us make an informed decision without compensation and did not reveal until his last correspondence with us that he has three adopted children. What a blessing this physician has been to us and two of our children! Both Matthew and Marygrace have made remarkable recoveries. Matthew after almost 2 years of physical therapy is a completely typical, active and even athletic 11 year old boy and Marygrace at this point appears to be on target for a two year old in every way except speech and language which is a result of her hearing loss. Please continue to pray that she will be successful with hearing aides or a candidate for a cochlear implant.

Did you see the video of the little boy we saw in China who received his implant less than a year ago and sang a song for our group. His teacher said he will go to a regular kindergarten this year-How amazing is that!!!. Well it makes me want to break out in song too,
CHORUS- "I'M AMAZED AT ALL YOU'VE DONE FOR ME, WHO AM I THAT YOU'D BLESS ME SO-I STAND IN AWE OF ALL YOUR WONDEROUS DEEDS YOU'VE DEALT WITH ME SO GRACIOUSLY."
BROKEN BY ALL THE TIMES I'VE FAILED AND THE DAYS I'VE HUNG MY HEAD IN SHAME TIME AND AGAIN I'VE DRIVEN TO MY KNEES AND I FIND YOUR GREAT COMPASSION THERE FOR ME.
CHORUS
YOU'VE BLESSED ME WITH MORE THAN I DESERVE MERCY AND LOVE AT EVERY TURN. ALL THAT YOU GIVE FLOWS OUT OF WHO YOU ARE AND I THANK YOU LORD FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART!

For those of you who have known us long enough these are the words to a song that was sung at our wedding ceremony 14 years ago. I cannot stop singing these words as ponder my life and how God has perfectly knit and continues to knit each and every stran of my life (good and bad) together. To know with all your heart God exists and cares about your life and is using even the good and bad to draw you nearer to Him brings true fulfillment, contentment and peace! "I'M AMAZED"