You've been Praying!!

Thank you to our Mighty Warriors who have been on their knees for Libi Faith. We can see it, feel it, and KNOW it without a doubt!! We started the new medication and we are amazed at what has happened. Our concerns of her being disengaged and lethargic are no longer. It actually has had an opposite effect on our little peanut. She is quite a WILD woman on this medicine. She is "busy" and loud.

We continue to see great progress in her. It is becoming addictive to see what new thing she will do with each day. Sorry to all of you who have to hear about every new little thing...I can't help my excitement.

Libi began to use the sign for "more" this week. We are hoping that this is just the beginning of her being able to communicate some things with us. She continues to grow more mobile when on the floor. Her largest struggle right now is sleep. We know this will continue to be something that is in transition for her. She was quite a dream for the first month, but we know that the medication she was on played a large role in that. It is quite apparent that her body does not really know how to settle itself down. Also, she has become quite aware that sleep means mommy or daddy are not with her. So, is she a bit spoiled? YES! And we feel that it is a very good thing for our precious Libi.

Once again, we are so thankful to all of you who are lifting up our daughter to the Throne of our Great God. He is working the miraculous in this sweetheart and we are so blessed to see it ALL!

A Minor Glitch

So, unfortunately we took a trip via ambulance to the ER this morning with our precious Libi Faith. She had a seizure this morning at about 6:20. Bummer...but let me tell you what the Lord did!

Libi has been struggling to sleep very well since being off of her medication. We think that her body hasn't really had to "learn" how to sleep or stay asleep due to the medication making her so groggy. Last night Brad thought it would be best if we brought her into bed with us and helped start to retrain her in getting to sleep. She went to sleep like a champ! Because of this we were right there with her when she began to seize. What an answer to how the Lord gives you wisdom and discernment with your children.

It was not a very long seizure and not anything severe in form. She was quite upset in the ambulance on the way to the hospital. I have never heard her cry like that. I was able to share with the EMT how God brought this little miracle to us. He was amazed and touched as I shared how God had rescued her. It was in that moment that I felt God giving me perspective.

Sweet Joel woke up as the ambulance was departing and wanted to come to the hospital and be with his sister. It was so neat to sit in the ER watching Joel take on such a comforting role with his sister. It made me wonder what the Lord is equipping him for.

We once again covet prayers. The doctors have Libi on a newer medication that is not suppose to have as many side effects. She made so much progress this last week off of medication. We were AMAZED at how she was verbalizing and moving around the floor. It is our hope that she will continue to be alert and engaged.

Thank you once again for standing beside us with love support and prayers. As I sat in the ER I was reminded of these verses...fighting to keep my eyes on Jesus and knowing that we have access to the greatest power source imaginable!!!!

2 Corinthians 4
7But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. 12So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

13It is written: "I believed; therefore I have spoken."With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak, 14because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence. 15All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.

16Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

What's new???

Well, A lot happening here. Jack enters the world of double digits! We had fun ringing in this new decade with Jack. He is such a joy and delight. It was good to have some time to celebrate him. It seems like the days fly by and not much gets accomplished, but one thing is for sure little Libi continues to blossom before our eyes. We cannot describe the changes in her.

Libi went to the neurologist last Friday and he was very upbeat about her. He did not feel like there were any major concerns at this point. He decided it would be best to pull her off of her seizure medications and see how she does. Again, this was a doctor that has been hand picked by God. He was not my first choice for her. In fact, he was pretty much my last choice. Once again, God showed me the importance of trusting Him to lead. He was so kind and wonderful with Libi. We were told that he prefers to use medication. I thought we would have to beg and plead to take her off her meds, but I did not even have to ask! We were encouraged by the positive report, but even more so by the perfection of our God and how He perfectly orders all things!!

Since Libi has been off her medication she has really come to life. She has become much more animated and opinionated. We have even seen her pitch some fits. Can you believe I am going to shout out a hallelujah on that? She is so much more alert. She is playing on her tummy and scotching around more. She has gained a lot of strength in her back and abs. We are hearing "gaggy", for daddy more frequently. She really enjoys playing. Right now she is next to me in her booster chair playing with a puzzle. She like to BANG!

So, the big event...last night Libi ate cake with her OWN HANDS!!!! We met with her feeding therapist yesterday morning and she was very confident that within 3 weeks we would see Libi putting food in her mouth. She gave me some wonderful tips. Last night, we rejoiced as she enjoyed her "mush cake" that was made for her open house. (Yes, we are just now getting to it. I told you we have been busy! But, obviously God's perfect timing) We can't wait to watch this new skill continue to develop.

More Open House Pictures

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Wanted to share some pictures from our wonderful photographer...Kristin Kindred. It was such a blessing to have the camera flashing as we had this awesome day of celebration! Again, thank you for helping us welcome this precious gift home! You have blessed our lives abundantly!

I still have a ? on 2 gifts...would love to know who these are from so I can thank you personally. :) We had no card with them when we got them home. The ladybug tie blanket and the silk "lovey" that came with the I Love You book....

EEG is normal!!!!!!!!!! Open House is a blessing!

The open house for Libi Faith on Sunday was beautiful beyond description. So many of you took the time to come and celebrate with us and for that we offer our deepest gratitude. We are so blessed by your outpouring of love and encouragement to us. This precious little girl does not handle a lot of people at once well. She tends to "buck" and arch her back...she just plain gets stressed. This was one of our biggest concerns heading into the open house on Sunday. Well, she was prayed over and the Lord blessed her with perfect PEACE! We have never seen her so peaceful for so long. We thank our gracious Father for such a wonderful gift of peace upon her.

This journey we are on with this little angel is something I will never fully understand. I am witnessing something about the heart of God in this child that I am blown away by. I think my daughter sees and knows God in a way that I never will.

The Lord continues to prove His healing in this little girl. Things we have been certain of have been proven otherwise. The "normal" reports that we have received this far are AMAZING! So far, we have good hearing, and vision. The most wonderful news has been this EEG. The report came back as NORMAL!!! I will tell you that when I received the message to call for the report today I felt sick to my stomach. My first reaction was fear. Was I ready to hear what the report had to say. I knew that we had just celebrated this rescued life the day before and the Enemy would not like what took place. I was prepared for some spiritual warfare. As I dialed the number to the doctor's office I told the Lord that no matter the report I was believing Him for a complete healing in Libi Faith. So, here I once again prove how weak my faith is. That report was beyond what I could have asked or imagined. Once again, I believe that God is working the miraculous in the life of this little girl and I will shout from the mountain tops...HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD!!!

I will post more pictures from the celebration soon...

Good morning all. I am going to move in on my wife's territory for just a moment. This is Brad, yes that is a pink shirt in the pictures. Not since junior high has anyone or anything motivated me to wear that color, but clearly I would do anything for this little girl. It seems that is the norm for her life so far. Even since being in the foster home God's favor has rested on this little one. From the Sunday School class at a small church in Beijing that helped pay for her heart surgery. To the sponsors that she had who helped provide for her care at New Day, and send her little gifts. To the hundreds of people that have partnered together to pray her home. The dozens of families that came to shower love and blessings on her at the open house this weekend. And the ladies who worked their tail off to make it all happen. Doctors seem to line up to provide care for her. We are privileged to have our 3 boys, Libi and all of you who are our fuel. May the Lord bless you for your faithfulness and generosity. We are grateful.

Libi says her first word!!!

We knew it would happen, and I have witnesses! Libi said "Ge Ge" (pronounced gu gu) which is big brother in Chinese. We frequently refer to her brothers by this name. Monday night Joel, Brad and I were chatting with Libi and we asked her where Ge Ge was. We turned her Joel's direction and there it came...Ge Ge. It was distinct and clear, and so was the smile and reaction of our sweet little girl who knew full well she had done something BIG! It was a MOMENT! One of those moments that you laugh until you cry.

We have had a "full" couple of days and Libi is just becoming more of herself. She is expressing more feelings. She has even begun to show her stubborn side. I LOVE it! Her cry is much like a puppy whimper. It really is sweet. She happens to get a glimpse of a bottle and she will start her pathetic little whimper. This is great progress that she is beginning to voice her opinions.

Today we got a bumbo chair She enjoys it so much! It really is hard work for her to sit in for very long. I am so proud of her and how hard she works. I know that I am so privileged to see the moment by moment progress in her. I feel like no one else can appreciate it like I can. What a blessing to be her mama!!

I am loving all of the wisdom being given to us through doctors and therapists. Her feeding therapist helped us tremendously! Who would have thought giving Libi "mushy" graham crackers that have been saturated in water would be one of the highlights of my day. She loved this little snack. All with the goal of working toward a whole,non soggy graham cracker, being self fed.

Goals...a funny thing. Think of the goals you have set for your own life over the last year. Do you want to know Libi's? Beginning stages of crawling, sitting up, feed independently...puts perspective on life doesn't it? Think of the simple things you and I do every day that we take for granted. I see it in the determination on her face these last few days. She is trying so hard! Every little thing that she accomplishes is so huge to me.

So here is the parallel...Your Heavenly Father looks down on you, and waits, face beaming, for what you are going to do next. He is so ready and waiting to tell you what a good job you have done and how much He loves you. Every little thing you do that moves you closer to the goal of becoming more like His Son He sees as a HUGE accomplishment. As each day passes and my love for Libi grows stronger I grow to know my God even more. This journey I am on with my sweet daughter is not unlike the journey He is on with me.

It blesses my life to share with you the story that is unfolding before us. Thank you again, for loving, supporting and praying....

Photo Shoot

Well, we had an amazing young lady, Kristen Kindred, stop by and shoot some pics of Libi...WOW! I must brag on her...this is just a sampling of her work. Libi was not even at her "best". We were so blessed by her initiative to do this for us so soon after getting her home.

More Precious with each New Day

Libi is taking a little nap and I have 45 minutes before her next appointment. So...time for a quick update. I want to once again say thank you for the prayers. We are continuing to see Libi come to life before our very eyes. I think you will be able to see it for yourself in these pictures.

The major medical breakthrough had been with her seizure medication. Her blood levels came back very high indicating a major adjustment being needed for this medication. Since we have changed this she has been much more alert and animated.

She is really showing that she "knows" her family. It is hard to keep her "in" and in just mamma's arms, but it really is best for her. Days where we are out a little more or around more people it seems to "shut her down" a bit. I see her security improving and know it takes time. I am so thankful for the divine wisdom that God has given to Brad and I to read her and know when she has had enough. I was sharing with a friend last night how she had all these little habits of soothing herself to sleep at night. She would go through her little routine of things before she would finally drift off to sleep. We have seen these behaviors grow less necessary for her. Praise the Lord! This is such a huge sign of her growing comfort and security.

Sunday we went out to lunch and she sat in a wooden high chair and opened her mouth for each bite until her whole jar of baby food was devoured! This is huge success for this little angel. Brad and I were so excited!!

She will continue to see many doctors over the next couple of weeks. This Friday she will have and EEG. To us this is probably the most critical test. It will show us what is going on neurologically. I don't know that we will know the results until the 13th when we meet with a neurologist.

On Sunday we were at church and Libi Faith came to life when we began to worship. She was belly laughing. Now for a little girl that you practically have to stand on your head to make smile, unless your name if Joel, this is HUGE! She was clapping and singing. She liked it so much more than our "Annie" sing along. Our pastor prayed for sweet Libi. Something that struck me in his prayer was when he prayed for Libi's healing, and thanked the Lord that it has already begun. I believe this completely. The day Libi Faith was birthed into our arms her healing began, and it continues with each New Day. Continue to join us in prayer as we see the Lord heal our daughter mind, body, and spirit

Jeremiah 17:14 Heal me, O LORD, and I will be healed;
save me and I will be saved,
for you are the one I praise.