Nothing...

_{So we've had NO movement at all on the adoption front. Korea is still refusing to grant the necessary paperwork to any orphan awaiting overseas adoption. We are fast approaching eleven months, just waiting and hoping Korea will let her come home.   At this point one has to ask, “Will they ever let her come home?”  It’s a valid question.  Right now we have no timeframe and have been left hanging indefinitely.  Our conversations about Avery have gone from, “When she comes home…”  to “If she comes home…”}   

_{In spite of this, I send her a care package every month.  It’s the only way I can show her and her foster family we still lover her, we still want her, and we constantly think about her.  It’s the only tangible thing I can do.Here are some photos of the most recent package and new photos of her opening our February package.} 

_{We love you baby.  We miss you.  We long for you to come home.  You’re always in our prayers.}

Here are the kids holding the items we sent for her March care package

Addie holding her sister.

Addies kissing Avery.

Here's Avery holding her February care package.  We sent her a Minnie Mouse since its one of Addie's favorite things!  I think she likes it.

Here's her pretty face.

She looks so big here. In front of her is all the stuff we sent her. 

God is gracious

Yesterday afternoon, my little niece Corinne walked out of the hospital.  It is a miracle from God.  He heard our many, many prayers, and was merciful to allow her to come home.  We are so grateful for the prayers and so grateful to God for his mercy.  She stills has a long way to go to regainher  speach and mobility, but we are thrilled.  Please pray for her continued recovery and for patience as they begin intesive, 5-day-a-week therapy.   

Corinne at Christmas

Corinne's birthday

My brother and his family.  We love you.

Praise God for infinite mercy and grace!

I held her hand...

When I went to visit Corinne yesterday and several wonderful things transpired:  First she was NOT in ICU!  Second, she looked right at me, and third, she smiled and held my hand.  Praise God for his mercy and grace.  She is stable and making much improvement.  I'm thrilled.  We are all thrilled. 

Corinne - in the blue dress.  

A Rough Season

Corinne is my niece on the far left..the blonde.  She is 4.  She fell deathly ill Thursday.  She was promptly admitted to Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.  She was unresponsive and had a blank glassy stare.  It was frightening.  She was first diagnosed with meningitus, but when she did not respond to the medication and the cultures didn't grow, they went back to drawing board.  She was then diagnosed with ADEM and was started on tons of medication.  Last night was horrible and we were pretty sure she wasn't going to make it.  But she did.  She is markedly better, but when I left the hospital she was started to get fussy agian.  Pray she doesn't crash again tonght.  Pray God spares her.  Pray.  Just pray.  I am so happy that she has made progress, but I do fear the night. 

Psalm 18:30-31

³⁰ As for God, his way is perfect:
The LORD’s word is flawless;
he shields all who take refuge in him.
³¹ For who is God besides the LORD?
And who is the Rock except our God? 

Pslam 121

Psalm 121

¹ I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?

² My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;

⁴ indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.

⁵ The LORD watches over you—
the LORD is your shade at your right hand;

⁶ the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.

⁷ The LORD will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;

⁸ the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.

There are times there is really nothing to say, and whatever words you have are so inadequate to express whats buried deep inside, that you stutter, and then choose to be silent.  This is where I am and this is the passage God gave me. He is my refuge.  He alone is my hope.  All else is meaningless and futile.

More foster mom gifts!!!

 Ok..so clearly Addison had the BEST foster mom in all Korea, because she sends her little gifts and things all the time..even though we've had her home for over a year and a half!!  She can clearly read minds too because the gifts she sent Addison LOVES!!  As you can see, she sent Addison a bunch of stickers, which Addison LOVED, and used generously! 

 She sent her this cute little bracelet..and Addison loves jewelry.

 Oh!  Here is Addison's sticker creation!  So nice ...and abstract.

 She also sent her this cute purse with her FAVORITE cartoon character; Minnie Mouse, whom she calls "tootles."  As you can see by her expression...she loved it!!!

 More love!!!

 She also sent her hair barretts.  (We alwasy need those!)

 ...and a note for us (in Korean..no translation!?!?!)

 If you speak/read Korean...I'd love a translation!!!  :)

 Here are some more hair things she sent us.  Sparkly little hearts!

 

Oh!!  ...And this is Addison telling me shes done with all the photos.