We've been enjoying furlough in the US which as given us some wonderful moments with family and friends. There are several developments that are taking shape in regards to our future, items that began as that still, small voice and now are matters of obedience that we will walk through. We've experienced encouragements, discouragements, and His grace through all of it. We have talked and talked and talked and talked to people to share His story...and so, the writing has been non-existent here. It is time to get back on the horse.
The summer has included a dozen trips to Shriner's Hospital where we've experienced such excellent care. The Bruiser's leg/foot barely resemble the clubbed foot with which he came to us. He has been a soldier, excitedly enduring each weekly casting, the surgery to lengthen tendons, and the struggle to keep up with a perpetual cast on his leg. "I'm going to run so fast, fast!" He tells anyone who asks about the cast. When he came home to us last year, the effects of institutionalization were profound. We thought that his "main issue" to be addressed was the club foot...how wrong we were. Our guy needed to learn how to be human...how to interact...how to trust...how to love. We had thought the healing was needed in his feet. Yet we discovered the healing was needed in his heart and mind. The year we waited to correct the club foot was, by perfect design, the time needed to witness the miracle of his coming alive! Where he once only responded with fear and anger when approached by others...now he warmly greets anyone he can. He is the biggest comedian in our family! Where once his face was mostly blank and expressionless, now he has a MILLION crazy facial expressions that he uses to reduce everyone to laughter and smiles! Where he once would go to any person who grabbed a hold of him...now he insists that he remain with his family. Just last week, I had to leave to take his older sisters to the airport to send them back to the Middle Kingdom for the start of their school year. The Bruiser pressed me, over and over again, "Momma, please don't leave me." Of course I reassured him each time...but my heart soared at how right it was...that he knew he belonged to me/us...
The Singer has blossomed in his English this summer. He chatters on and on with us now, asking probing questions and pressing us for more info on EVERYTHING! He had to grapple with fear and trust issues that often caused him to be whiny and fussy...episodes that were nearly a daily occurrence. Yet, we have seen him come on to a new level of confidence in his place in the family. He is much more smiley, less tense, and he has warmed to his extended family. When dining at our friend's Chinese restaurant last week in our old hometown, the friend commented that he was "amazed" at how the brothers are now "just brothers and part of the family." The comment was not lost on me. It is good to pause and marvel at how His love had permeated their hearts and brought deep healing. Adoption truly is a miracle, for us in the spiritual sense, and also on the physical level for those of us blessed enough to witness it up close.
Bub rounds out the rest of my current posse. We are the last scheduled to depart and return home. Daddy left us three weeks ago to fulfill his duties for the school as Dean and prepare for the first day of school which was September 1. The girls stayed on with me to savor some special days at the Fair (our first in 3 years), more family fun, and finally returned with their Grandma D just this week. Now the girls with Grandma are back with Daddy and school has begun. The boys and I are left shuffling about waiting for the last cast to be removed so that we too can get back to our work with the rest of the tribe. We are so grateful that we're able to stay with family and friends and have some extra special moments with loved ones that have been so scarce in recent years.
We are still waiting for paperwork to bring our newest son home. Curious delays have presented themselves...probably for Great purpose...that we can reveal to you at a later time. We are eager to get Nehemiah home but trust that He has the perfect design for the entire process, inclusive of the timing!
We've had marvelous news about QQ! His last check-up with our partner in his province showed that he was gaining weight due to the regular support of formula, eggs, cereal, etc that we've been sending his way. I received the most beautiful pictures of him, at home, WITH HIS FAMILY...that brought me to tears. The Good News has spread throughout his rural village and we have just a glimpse of how the miracle for QQ has effected so many in his life. How thrilled we are that we've been privileged to be a tiny part in the Plan for this boy, his family, and his fellow villagers. I will post the pictures in the coming days!
We have been fed(physically and spiritually), loved, and encouraged by our people these past 8 weeks. I have a growing anticipation for our fourth year. The opposition has been intense in country on matters vital to our school's (and our family's work in the school) future. But, we're seeing once again that if He is for us, who can be against us?
I'm down to the last four or five items on my list to find and haul back to our home. Though I'm in the States until the 20th of September, I've already begun to pack my bags. It is so difficult to be separated from part of the family. What a time of joy we'll have when we're all back together...for 5 minutes or so before the kids start crashing into each other's space like cars at the demolition derby!
There is much to be encouraged about...He is working through countless lives...we've heard story after story this furlough about His hand at work. We are grateful for the joy that is in this journey of adventure. This year we expect to stretch us further, press us harder, and reveal more of His nature to us than ever before. When you think of us...ask for courage...that we will embrace obedience and do all He has prepared in advance for us to do...no matter how scary that obedience appears!
And so begins year 4...
1 comment:
Oh how I have longed from news from the H family! How good and encouraging it is to know that your time in the states was restful and fun and encouraging and filling and healing! As you join up with your caln in just a few short days, know that you are (as always) lifted up. You are faithful to count the cost and return for whatever our father has for you and that, my dear sweet friend, is such encouragement to us and so many! Having visited your school, I can picture your daily activities and your work and your relationships. All of those are lifted up as well. My kids are, of course, still talking about your kids. One day, we will return to visit you in person. Until then, we send our love and heartfelt prayers. We stand with you, from afar, in all you are called to do!!!
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