..."Brackish and Incandescent"...: They lead us...

So, after an eventful (as usual) day of school, we headed off to the hospital to get the pins in The Charmer's legs, again.

His mood was astounding, given all he's been through in these past months. He's so ready, to do what has to be done, he is GOING TO WALK...

...He is going to DANCE!

He declares it, at every opportunity. What a charge he gives us! He is leading us with his gentle, powerful, insistence...he has unshakable faith. How blessed we are to watch this, to be challenged by this journey. Who would we all be, if not for him in our lives?

It was close. We nearly passed him over. We nearly allowed our fear and his precious, challenged body rob us of the chance to be his family. Absolutely nothing made sense when we made the choice to adopt him. For those of you who know the lengthy battle we had amongst our family, four daughters with their convictions overwhelming their parents' "reasonable" refusals. It all began because our, then seven-year-old daughter Brownie found The Charmer in a room full of babies at the orphanage, he himself already four years old, and she made him a promise, "I will not leave you here, I will come back for you." Her focus, her belief in possibilities, her conviction...her unshakable faith.

Lessons - afforded us because of these children in our family.

We simply could not estimate the number of times we've been asked, "why?" Why so many kids? Why kids with significant special needs? Why did you expose your biological kids to the risks of adoption?

There are so many answers to these questions, reasons to give, but at this moment,I am certain of this ...because they change us, challenge, us...they lead us by their faith.

Today, two more pins were placed. The Charmer was brave. It was so difficult to watch those pins drilled through again...fear rising in my throat...prayers against bacteria, for strong bones, for successful stretching of those essential muscles.

Then I looked into his eyes on the table. Their steely resolve encouraging me to let go and believe for the miracle that he expects through all this. We choose to believe. Believe along with us, pray for these essential days of traction, and rebuke infection!

We'll leave you with photos our two hour hospital visit. We thought you might enjoy the diversity of faces who came to stand and stare at us, unabashedly. We're just "not in Kansas anymore."

These guys are from Tibet - they viewed our living exhibit (us sitting on hospital benches) for a good forty minutes

The elaborate minority attire on this lady on the right included hair braids that extended down below her waist and were then woven/attached directly to her belt.

These two pinched and poked at the boys for seemingly ages...intermittently chanting and fingering their beads

Another patient...whose parents are not cheating him on daily meals...

These Muslim ladies were enchanted with our spectacle

We visited Shi-Yu! She is doing SO, SO, SO much better! Her parents thanked you all for your prayers. It could still be weeks before she goes home...her parents have deeply inspired us!