Family of Four!

We are home!

Actually we have been home since late Monday night. But life has been a whirlwind the past couple of days and this is the first opportunity I've had to post anything. We are exhausted but the joy of finally all being together as a family of four makes it all worthwhile.

It was an ironic feeling for Phil and I as we flew back into the United States. For two people who love travel, different cultures, and dream of living abroad, we were overly ecstatic to be home. We had prepared for this moment of bringing our new child home for some time. But I don't think anyone could have explained to us the host of emotions we would experience. Our entrance into the airport was welcomed by some of the sweetest loving Faithie hugs and kisses I can ever remember recieving. Faith was so thrilled to see her mommy and daddy and within minutes had assumed the most genuine overbearing love and protectiveness for Joel. Joel seems to really be embracing her as well.

Our lives will never be the same. Truly. We are loving ever minute of our time together as a new family of four. We laugh at our naivete as we reflect each day how different even bringing home a second child is than bringing home our first. I covet the idea of "sleep when they sleep", but then remember just because one of them is asleep doesn't mean they both are....especially when one of them thinks 2:00-6:00 a.m. is the perfect time for play! :-)

But really, in all seriousness...we want to thank you all for your prayers while we were away... God's grace sustained us through the unforseen difficulties of our travel and has provided us with more reasons to rejoice than we can count. We are a grateful people!

P.S. I will try to post some "at home" pics soon. In the meantime, Sarah Baker posted a great slideshow on her blog of our arrival at the airport...you might check it out... http://www.lifeasabaker.blogspot.com/ (Her son is in the first pics with Faith,...Joel comes later in the brown-striped shirt).

Pics

Daddy and his boy!

Transportation Taiwanese style!

Tuckered out!

Here are some pics and video. Fewer than I'd planned to post, but our connection is slow.

Oh well, just 3 days and we'll be home, then you can see us in person!

Faith honey, mommy and daddy can't wait to hold and hug you and kiss you.

Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!

Words are not enough to express the joy, relief and gratefulness to the Lord we feel in this moment!

The last 4 days have been some of the most trying of our lives. Within just 2 short days of having our long awaited and prayed for son in our arms and experiencing all the love and overwhelming emotions of that, we faced the uncertainty of something we could never have planned for. Sunday evening we came across some medical information regarding Joel that was unknown to us or anyone here at THOGL. We never could have imagined the 14 short words within that document could possibly so drastically change our life. For the last 4 days we have been through an emotional rollercoaster. Never doubting that God was in control, but knowing that if this diagnosis was correct we were facing decisions and a future that would challenge us beyond measure. We cried out to the Lord for his peace and a miracle, trusting that he would give us strength to face whatever results may come and knowing that nothing could change our love for Joel, but could drastically change our life!

Today, we got news of that miracle! Joel has a clean bill of health! Great is our God. He hears and answers prayers in a personal and powerful way. Lord willing, Joel should live a happy, healthy, full life.

Thank you Lord!

***long overdue pics/video promised tomorrow Lord willing!

Overwhelmed by the Grace of God

We are spending our days trying to track down a few more answers about Joel's medical and life history. There were a few more "unknowns" than we were expecting. That's all we really feel at liberty to share at this point. But PLEASE be praying!

As I was checking my email this afternoon, I found the following poem. In the middle of my brokenness, worry, missing Faith, overwhelming love for my family, etc...the words really brought me joy and the last line especially, some PEACE.

Before I was a Mom, I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby. I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous. I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom, I had never been puked on. Pooped on. Chewed on. Peed on. I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts. I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom, I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests. Or give shots. I never looked into teary eyes and cried. I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin. I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom, I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put her down. I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt. I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much. I never knew that I could love someone so much.

I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom, I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.. I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby. I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child. I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom, I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay. I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache, the wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom. I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much, before I was a Mom ...

May you always be overwhelmed by the Grace of God

rather than by the cares of life.

Tis so sweet to Trust in Jesus!

The past few days have flown by. We have had little time to sit, let alone update the blog. Our apologies. Our AIT interview went successfully yesterday. The visa should be ready soon. We may try to change our flights back...we will keep you updated on that. Jessie got the flu last night! Ughh! We have also encountered a few other "unexpecteds". Can't go into the details, but would really appreciate your prayers.
I will try to do better tomorrow with the blog.... For now, know we love you all and miss you dearly! Especially you precious Faith!

Oh, Happy Mother's Day!

I have typed and erased this first line at least ten times...It seems so far beyond any words to describe the joy I feel as I reflect on this day...My first Mother's Day as the mother of two; a precious daughter and an adorable son! I am reminded of the great honor that is mine to be called mother and humbled that the Lord would use me in the lives of these two priceless gifts.

I want to wish my own mother, stepmother, and mother-in-law a Happy Mother's Day. And also tell a special thank-you to the other women in my life who have mentored me, provided Godly counsel, a loving friendship, and a caring heart...you know who you are!

I have attached only one pic today: Joel and I on his first Mother's Day with his forever Mommy!

Phil, Joel and I have had a lovely day as a family. We spent the morning in special Sunday services, worshiping our Lord. Being uncertain of Joel's two years so far, it is possible this may have been his first experience in a Christian worship service.

We went over some of the adoption paperwork this afternoon and took a long walk. Joel had a little accident playing with the other kids. You can see the result of his fall on his forehead! Poor little buddy. He is so tough and all boy! He loves to play hard and throw things! It's a good thing, too. Perhaps, he'll stand a chance against Faith! :-)

Speaking of Faith...I miss you honey. Mom, please give her lots of hugs and kisses from both Phil and me. I'd give almost anything to have her here with us on this special day! Lots of love to you all.

P.S. We hear there were tornadoes/storms in Webb City/Carterville. Does anyone know if we still have a home?

Saturday Special!

At the Park for the Mother's Day Celebration.

All the big kids for the celebration.

Just 3 of the 13 babies currently at THOGL.

BaBa (Daddy) and Joel

Mommy and Joel!

Hello all. What a beautiful day here in Taiwan. We just can't get over the beauty all around us. We got to spend the day with Joel and all the other kids at THOGL...it's Saturday after all...no school. Also lots of the big kids came back from work/college to have a special Mother's day party for Bev and the other ladies here at the Home. It was one of the most special and moving moments I've ever witnessed! How amazing the lives we all can touch when we allow ourselves to be used by God!

Our day started with a special present from Joel. He woke up in a wonderous mood, really showing his personality. He seems to be attaching well. He is referring to Phil and I as mama and baba which is Mom and Dad in Chinese! He also started the morning by giving me kisses! How wonderful! We were able to go on a long walk this morning around the lake and see the Saturday morning activity at the street market.

The apartment that we are staying at is about a mile away from the Home, so sometimes we walk, drive the car, or get dropped off. But today the car was being washed and so we got to borrow Bev's form of a transportation...her moped! This is what seems to be the most popular form of transportation here and so we fit right in, Phil, Joel and I all going down the street on the moped! I will try to post some footage tomorrow.

Anyway, hope all is well with each of you.

Give Faith hugs and kisses for me! We are having the time of our lives, but miss Faith dearly.