Easter Seals Telethon - Be a part of Team Arnold

Good evening friends, this is Brad (the less eloquent half of the Arnold pair) . This is the second year in that I have been a fundraiser for the Easter Seals Telethon. Last year I was asked to participate with some of my new coworkers at Caterpillar, and I was moved at the luncheons as I witnessed the testimonies of children that had accomplished things that they we never expected to do.

Now a year later, we are preparing to go get our little girl knowing that she will have her own testimony one day. Believing of course that God will work through the therapists and doctors of Easter Seals to strengthen her into strong young warrior for His kingdom. Would you team with us in supporting a great local organization, that is a fantastic resource, particularly for these International Children that the Lord keeps bringing to this area. Follow the link to the Easter Seals web site and click on the "Make a Donation" button to contribute. Thanks

From our hearts to theirs...

Romans 1

8First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. 9God, whom I serve with my whole heart in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you 10in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God's will the way may be opened for me to come to you.

The director of Libi's foster home was able to successfully deliver our little "heart" gift bags we sent to the Sunday school class who prayed and raised funds for Libi Faith's surgery.

I wanted to share one comment that was made. The teacher who leads this class shared her "burden for Libi since the beginning. She has a special place in her heart for Libi. She said that if possible she would love to meet us."

God entrusts us with our children and it is the greatest responsibility! I feel this truth with great intensity when I think of Libi Faith. We have been given a great gift. This little girl touches HEARTS! I love the name God drew us to...Libi..."my heart". She will continue to heal, touch and melt many hearts!

China, we have a problem!

Yes...a problem indeed! All of these bows and no crazy hair to put them in...YET!

We did receive good news that our paperwork was submitted on February 13th. For those of you who know the lingo of China adoptions...we will not receive a LID (log in date) because of the anticipated speed of the rest of the process. So, it is all good news and more than that, all God news! Every piece of Libi Faith's birth into our hearts and hands has been so clearly from our Great God. I have tried to put into writing every time we have had the privilege of seeing Him "show up" on this journey, but I know what I have down is just a glimpse of where He has been!!

Job 37:5

"God's voice thunders in marvelous ways; He does great things beyond our understanding."

A Dream

Last week I had a restless evening thinking about our sweet Libi. As I lay in bed I struggled with wondering when the Lord would release her to us. I wondered if we would have the joy of holding her on her 2nd birthday. As I thought about these things I grew restless and impatient...discontent. There is great truth about how our peace is robbed when we take our eyes off of Jesus. When we begin to trust our own plans and veer away from the course he has us on we take on fears and concerns that were never intended. So...He gave me a dream! Why is He so loving and gracious? He calmed each and every concern and fear. He came into my thoughts and held up His hands and silenced every voice but His own. The Dream:

I went to the door and there she was! Our beautiful Libi Faith. All of us had our jaws on the floor. there was this overwhelming sense of shock and amazement. We were all shouting, "She's here! She's here!" It was so unexpected. Then, I continued to cook dinner and she was sitting at my feet on the floor. (Why I didn't have that precious babe in my arms I do not know! That should tell you how much peace accompanied this dream.) I looked down at her and she hopped up and started to run around the house. I stood in amazement as I watched her. We all just kept laughing at her. Then she stopped and looked at me and said, "daddy". I got Brad and told her to say daddy again and she did.

What does this mean? A lot to me. You know there is only ONE who knows my thoughts with great intimacy and that is my God. He knows what I dwell on, what concerns me...

Oh Daddy, will my little girl be home soon? Yes, and it will be when you least expect it, so quit trying to guess the "when" and trust me with it so I can bless you. (He knows I love surprises)

Oh Father, will my little girl walk? Yes, daughter, she will not only walk, but she will RUN!!

Oh Jesus, will my little girl talk? Yes, and she will know and speak the love of her great Father...daddy!

You may still ask why I believe this dream to be so from God. His Word tells me...

Job 33

14 For God speaks again and again, though people do not recognize it. 15 He speaks in dreams, in visions of the night, when deep sleep falls on people as they lie in their beds. 16 He whispers in their ears

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

Is she a LOVE BUG or what? We just laugh and cry when we get pictures of her. I sit and study them, wondering things like; is she squishy? is she soft? what does she smell like? is her hair starting to lay down yet????? I cannot express how surreal it is to see her in things that I have touched, prayed over and imagined what she would look like in them...

We had the privilege of sending some things to Libi Faith by way of another family. I met this family by "email connections". I love being able to meet and know the children and families from Libi Faith's foster home. We were also able to send some things to the Sunday school class that has prayed for Libi Faith and raised $ for her heart surgery. I felt that it was the most appropriate time to send some things to the class that helped save her heart so she could become ours!!

Like Mother Like Daughter

Do you see the similarities? This is one of my baby pictures. My family has commented about how much Libi Faith looks like me as a baby. How can this be? What a Wonderful Maker!
Too much for me to think about. WOW! That's MY GIRL!!!

NEW UPDATE:

My heart has been heavy to have our sweet baby in a walker or exer-saucer so she is "up" more and working those muscles. Last night when I was corresponding with Libi Faith's foster home they shared that they have been putting her in a walker. They have been amazed by her body control. They said she is not walking yet, but they are sure that will soon come and then WATCH OUT!!

Every gain our sweet little girl makes mentally and physically demands a shout of glory to our Great God. He is her Creator, Redeemer, and HEALER! We marvel at His great works!

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR!!!
(We think it is the best one ever)

New pictures!

Here are some new pictures from the New Day Creations website. You can't even now how fun it is to go out to the website and find pictures of your little girl that you have yet to meet face to face. It is like a treasure hunt and when you find one you feel like you have struck GOLD! So, I have to share them with all of you to Oooo and Ahhh over with me.

Left: Doesn't she look like Sugar? She is holding a gift given to her by Lilly, one of the little girls at the foster home. Lilly has a sponser that sent her money to go shopping and buy all of her freinds presents. It was so sweet!

Bottom: Look at that little belly hanging out. Can't wait to zurbert that!

Right: We love her "Mr. T" look in this picture...Libi Faith "pitties the fool who doesn't do therapy."

Below: I LOVE this picture! She looks tiny but we think she has long arms and legs. Look at those hands. She has such long fingers. I was hoping that maybe I wouldn't be the shortest Arnold but...Libi Faith may pass me by one day!