New Blog!

We have moved to one blog...
www.arnoldfamily7.blogspot.com
see you there!

LIBI IS CRAWLING!

He is the Healer!!!!!

We are rejoicing to see our sweet girl hit this amazing milestone!! Libi began crawling last night. Home for a year and a half...this is just one miracle of so many that the Lord has accomplished in this amazing girl! As Joel said earlier tonight...Wow, a year and a half ago she couldn't even hold her head up! Our Great God...You are Mighty!

I cannot share this accomplishment without sharing the prayer of one little 7 year old girl, Paige. This little prayer warrior has prayed that Libi would crawl to her sister, Haddie Hope when she comes home. Well, let me tell you...we are leaving to bring Haddie home on the 4th of December and I am guessing that Libi will have worked up some speed by that point. What a day that will be! Faith of a child, folks...faith of a child. Miss Paige, you have taught this mama MUCH about PRAYING BELIEVING!

Just a few pics to catch up on what has been happening here. Libi is getting up on her knees and pulling up...not onto her feet, YET. She is such a JOY! We aren't positive but it seems that she may have had the H1N1 virus and she seems to finally be on the mend from that.

My oldest son, Jacob, went to his first homecoming dance. He is so blessed to be in a Christian school with kids he has known for most of his life. These kids had a blast! It was like a big family getting together for a party. He had such a great time. I am so proud of that kid! I affectionately refer to him as my "man-child"...

NEW MOON FESTIVAL and new journeys

It has been a little crazy around the Arnold house. Not that there is anything new there, but there really has not been a lot of time for blog updates. Currently God has led us to bring Joel and Jack home for their education so this has created a little more craziness in our home.

Joel and Jack both have learning disabilities and have struggled in school. We have agonized over their education and learning for many years. We are so thankful for the Lord's clear calling to us. The changes that we have seen in the boys and in our home are amazing and we are excited for what lies ahead.

I get excited when the Lord sets a new path before me, especially one that involves something I've said I WOULD NEVER DO! Don't get me wrong; it is not ALL excitement. I have had my moments of shear terror! His calling us to home school reminds me of the feelings I had when He first brought our sweet Libi to us. Why do you think Libi's middle name is Faith? We felt great excitement, but also felt that we were not equipped.

I am doing this Bible study right now and we are looking at the life of King David. He was anointed by the Lord for His purpose that was not just about God's plan, but about God's people. Not even David's own father felt that David would be the one that God had chosen...but he was!

"How can I-how can we-walk confidently into situations we feel ill-equipped to handle? How will we stand on the platforms to which God has called us and face the crowd in our lives without shame over who we are and without fear about our ability to accomplish the task? We must come to our situations knowing that God equips for his purpose those He calls."
-Priscilla Shirer

"It is not that we are qualified to do ANYTHING on our OWN. Our qualification comes from God." 2 Corinthians 3:5

Priscilla goes on to say in the study:
"What the Lord calls, He establishes. That is: He brings into existence and assures the ability for the outcome to fulfill Hes purposes and plans. When God establishes a person for a specific purpose, as He did in David's cast, He secures, equips, and fortifies the person called so that he or she is fully capable of performing the task at hand."

So once again we stand with great faith that this is God's and He has a great plan for all of us in this new journey!


NEW MOON FESTIVAL

Brad was out of town last weekend with some guys celebrating his 40th b-day on the "greens". Yes, Brad will be 40 on Thursday! Anyway, while he was away I had the ladies and their kids to the house to celebrate the NEW MOON FESTIVAL. This is a Chinese holiday that can be compared to our Thanksgiving in many ways. It is about togetherness and harmony. The highlight was making lanterns and eating moon cakes. We had a great time! I couldn't help but wonder if our sweet Haddie Hope Jie was celebrating in China.

School Days!

Well, I have almost survived the day that I thought would be the end for me. My oldest boy started High School and my baby girl went to school.

We dropped Jacob off at school first. Jake is attending Cornerstone Christian Academy, a private school that he has attended since 4 years of age. So, it was not as traumatic taking him to the same place he has been going to for years. The familiar helped this mama a lot. He looked so big going into the building. I thought of him 10 years ago when I dropped him off for the first time and I pulled around the corner and sobbed and called my mom! Funny how after ten years of first days for him I still felt like doing the same thing today. My sweet hubby came with me today. I don't think he held the same sentiments about the day as I did, but he was aware that his wife would be in great need of moral support or a 911 call today.

After we dropped Jacob off Libi extremely vocal in the back. I could tell she was trying to communicate something. I thought that she just wanted a drink. It wasn't long before we realized that she needed the restroom. We stopped at a gas station and cleaned her up and I was praising God for the extra pair of bloomers in her diaper bag that worked just fine with her "first day of school outfit".

When we got to Libi's school and I pulled her out of her seat, I locked my arms around her and sobbed. I told Brad I didn't think I could do it. He reassured me, and we put her in her chair and wheeled her up to the teachers and other children. Needless to say, it was a long good-bye. I had to get her out of her chair just one more time and then we left.

I felt like I couldn't breathe! My hubby helped get myself pulled together. So thankful for him!
I came home and got busy with my "to do" list. It was a very productive 2 hours and then I FLEW out the door to get my girl.

Libi had a great day today. She was very excited when I picked her up. She had so much to tell me. Her teacher said her favorite thing today was pushing the cars and trucks. I was hoping for something more "girly". It sounds crazy, but I felt like she already changed and grew up so much in just this one day. I cannot imagine what the Lord is going to do in her this school year.

Thank you to all my dear friends who supported me with texts and prayers today. You are more than a blessing in my life!

Tupperware Girl

Libi Playing in Tupperware for the first time

Can I tell you how many times I was aggravated by the mess of Tupperware strewn about my kitchen? Well, I now have a knew and better perspective for this situation. I give thanks for little hands and bodies that can open cabinets and drag things out. I was so thrilled to allow Libi the opportunity to explore this cabinet, sitting up on her own and reaching in. I cannot wait until the Lord strengthens her body the the extent that she can toddle over to it on her own two feet and whip that cabinet open and go crazy!!! For now, I rejoice in this, for one year ago this would have been an impossible task for my baby girl.

Connecting the dots...

Have you ever sat back and connected the dots on events in your life and been totally amazed! God has chosen to reveal a little more of this amazing tapestry of Libi Faith.

So, go back with me to April of 2006.

Brad and I were “fresh into” this journey of adoption. God had moved our hearts to surrender to Him and adopt. We had just been licensed for foster care and we were waiting for a call for our first placement. I was imagining that it would be a baby that we would adopt and call our own.

Toward mid April we were asked to take in a unwed expectant young lady, Mandy, as many of you know. There was not much to consider when we were called about Mandy. Brad and I had many conversations about taking in an unwed mother, so we felt that God had prepared us.

I had a dream weeks before we received this phone call about Mandy. In my dream Brad and I were outside a delivery room and had a dark skinned, dark haired babe in our arms. There was a girl with long blonde hair in the delivery bed. After I had the dream I shared it with Brad. I was more intrigued about the baby than I was the girl in the bed. I assumed the girl in the delivery bed had to be my sister in law because I did not know any blonde women that we would be in the delivery room with.

A couple of weeks later I received my first email and pictures of Mandy. The first picture I saw sent me to the floor with shouts and tears. I had seen this girl before, Mandy was the girl in my dream! I had never had a specific vision like this before in my life.

I wondered and prayed that Mandy’s baby might be our child. I began to imagine a girl, I think because that baby in my vision seemed to be a girl.

So, how does this tie in with Libi? The day I saw the pictures and read the verses that follow was the day that Libi Faith was born in China! There was a strong desire in my heart for a baby, and the beginnings of a desire for a daughter. These are the verses that were in my journal that day:

Job 33:13-15

13 Why do you complain to him
that he answers none of man's words?

14 For God does speak—now one way, now another—
though man may not perceive it.

15 In a dream, in a vision of the night,
when deep sleep falls on men
as they slumber in their beds,

so...who was the dark haired babe? It was our foster daughter, Ari. We did not know that our arms would only hold her briefly to prepare us for one we would hold forever. The vision of 2 girls that were preparing me for THE ONE GIRL, born that very day! UNBELIEVABLE!!!! Thank You, God, for revealing this piece of the journey, You are AMAZING!

Libi's Eye Surgery

Today Libi had eye surgery. She has what they call epiblepheron. Yes, that is a mouthful! Say it 3 times fast. Anyway, her bottom lashes on her right eye grow toward her eye rather than away from it. This has caused pretty frequent tearing for her and it was starting to cause damage to the eye. We had a WONDERFUL doctor who took care of Libi today. Her expertise was a true gift from God!

Libi was so good. Her sweet, content spirit amazes me. It rook them 40 minutes to get an IV in the poor girl! It is quite a challenge to find a vein on this girl! She was signing "all done" after her surgery for about an hour.

Here is the crazy thing. In spite of her wiped out state physically. She has stayed fairly dry today with 4 successful trips to the potty. The last 2 trips were initiated by her. We have a sign for potty and it seems to be working well. She enjoys her reward of 2 chocolate chips when she is successful!

Pray for continued healing of her eye! Blessings to all of you for blessing us with your prayers!!!

Wonder Woman!

These are just some pictures of Libi working hard at Easter Seals. A sweet friend made her little Red, White, and Blue dress...so ADORABLE! I felt she was a little "Linda Cater"ish on this day. :)

LIBI ON THE BIG GIRL POTTY!!!!!!

CRAZY RIGHT!? Oh, I am beside myself tonight. This girl amazes me. There is so much that she gets that I do not give her credit for. I cannot even begin to imagine all that she is soaking in. Last night when I was getting Libi ready for bed I asked her if she wanted to sit on the big girl potty like mama. She shook her head "yes" and signed "more". So, I took her in and sat her on the potty. She thought that was the funniest thing to sit on the potty! I told Brad about it and we asked her tonight if she would like to do it again and her response was the same as the night before. So, I took her in and sat her down. I began to encourage her and she made a little grunt and furrowed her brow and she did it! She peed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Call me crazy, but that girl knew what she did and she was PROUD!

I cannot tell you how God will do things in this girl on a daily basis to give us hope for even MORE than we have seen so far.

I don't think I will ever rejoice more over a child peeing as I am tonight!!!! Praise songs and praise dancing in the Arnold 1/2 bathroom!

Look what Libi can do!!

We BELIEVE God to be Libi's HEALER!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lady Bugs!!

These are my sweet friend, and neighbor's little girls with Libi. My neighbor made them matching little dresses and we tried to get a picture of them. It was too cut to not post them all. We just crack up at their faces! How fun it will be to add Haddie into the mix of these 3!

I love my Daddy and my Daddy loves me!

In honor of the most fabulous father...My sweet husband Brad! I had to share these pics. Libi and her Daddy have these little love fests that make me sick. The sweetness that these two share is something to see!

I am so thankful for my husband who not only embraces the heart of adoption but also has embraced this sweet treasure of a girl...Libi Faith Jia Qi. It is hard to express how wonderful it feels to share the deep joy of this little girl with the one I love. Only you and your spouse love your children with the same pride and warmth. I am blessed to share the JOY of my children with such a wonderful man!

Catching Up!

Enjoying some R&R at the Wilderness Resort!

Loves balloons!

Libi meets her new friend Lydia!

Libi is sitting by me just pounding away on her xylophone. She is doing so well with her sitting. She has begun to use her legs to turn herself around while she is sitting. She loves to be "walked". It is difficult to hold her hands above her head and walk her because her upper body is still so weak. We just support her under her arms and she will walk away! She loves to go up stairs as well. I know this makes her feel like such a big girl. It seems like every day she grows more animated. Today she was laying on the floor just giggling at me. There is nothing like the joy I feel when Libi laughs out loud!

She is really enjoying the pool this year. She LOVES to be in the water! It is very motivating for her to use that sign for "more".

We continue to watch these changes in her and stand in amazement at the miracle in this little girl. I will try really hard to post some video of her doing some of her latest accomplishments. It really is a delight to watch her!

Brad and I began our Chinese language lessons last night in preparation for Haddie. Libi found a new best friend in our Chinese tutor. We have never seen Libi be so conversational. She had so much to tell this young lady. It was really sweet. Will try to get some video of that as well.

Libi was kicked out of the movie theatre this week. It was a strange experience for me. We were watching the movie "Up". If you have not seen this movie, there are a lot of balloons in it. Combine balloons with big screen animation and you have one very excited little Libi! I hear Libi verbalize with excitement so often it is no different to me than any other child expressing their excitement. Well, to someone else in the theatre that day it was a disruption. Their intolerance offended me. I explained to the individual that my daughter was mentally handicapped. She replied curtly with an, "oh".

As I have processed this incident it has made me think how many times I am intolerant. Intolerant of the person who is driving too slow when I am late. Intolerant of the neighbor who visits too long. Intolerant of my children who walk heavy footed down the stairs. Do you get the picture? Then, how do I handle those situations? Do I approach them selfishly? Most of the time, yes. I look at how the situation is affecting me and tend to not allow any room for grace, patience, "Christ likeness". So as ugly as it seemed to me that someone would kick a handicapped child out of the movies it is no different than the ugly that I display on a daily basis when I am intolerant. My ugly behavior is still ugly behavior. I just tend to excuse mine. God willing this will open my eyes to this for more than just a millisecond!!

Again, just more lessons that I learn from my sweet Libi! She is a tool that God has used and continues to use to cut away so many rough edges in me. How thankful I am for this little girl!

Mother's Day one year later

It is really hard to put words on my heart today. How do I even begin to describe the life change that was birthed into my arms a year ago through my precious Libi Faith Jia Qi.

I go back in my mind and revisit the day...

Butterflies were not even the word for what I felt in my stomach that morning. I physically shook ALL day! The peace that God brought just before we went to meet our little girl was amazing. We were in our hotel room and prayed with our sweet friends the Braniff's, who were about to meet their daughter as well. I was so aware of the life change that was about to take place for my little girl, but so unaware of the life change that was about to take place in me. I was looking out the window of our room when I saw a woman step out of a car with a little girl cradled in her arms. She was in pink, and she had pink shoes. I could not see her face, just enough to see it was a girl, and KNEW it had to be my precious Libi! I recorded this scripture passage in my journal:

And you (Zhang Jia Qi) will be called by a NEW name (Libi Faith Jia Qi Arnold) Which the mouth of the Lord has designated. You will also be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. it will no longer be said to you, "Forsaken", nor to your land will it any longer be said, "Desolate"; but you (Libi Faith) will be called, "My delight is in her."

Isaiah 62:2-4

The phone rang and we were told, "Your girl is here." I think I pretty much sprinted to the elevator. I was in that room so fast Brad did not have time to give video instruction to our friends. It was unbelievable to lay eyes on my daughter in the flesh for the first time. How beautiful she was! That sweet creamy white skin of hers, and those big brown eyes. Looking back on it now I see how stressed she was! She was very verbal, making noises...not like we have ever heard her do since. She was also arching her back a lot and just very stiff and rigid.

I remember the directors of her orphanage watching me with her and whispering back and forth. I am confident that there was concern in the room. The concern being that we would choose to abandon the adoption. There are a lot of reasons we know this now, but let me tell you, that thought, NEVER entered our minds! Was Libi how we "expected" her to be? No. The reality of her delays and challenges were overwhelming. Did I think I could handle it? No. Would it be easy for our family or for our children? No. The truth is, she was my daughter. I loved her. She was chosen for us and I have a Heavenly Father that thoroughly equips me for every good work He calls me to. He hadn't just called me to be her mama, He had created me for it!

We were very unaware at that time that many orphans are twice abandoned. This is something that I think I will always wrestle with and always advocte on behalf of. Who are we to "choose"? I will be the first to admit that in this world of adoption there are areas of control that can be very dangerous. Areas where we are tempted to choose under the thought process of what we can handle, what we want, and at times, what we think will be easy. I believe we can take those areas of control and make our checklist and ask God to work within it. I can't be silent on this issue, simply because we feel so strongly that so many of these twice abandoned children are the greatest abandoned blessings of peoples lives!

Yesterday, I was out to eat with my parents for Mother's Day. It was a very nice place to eat, linen table clothes...a place of elegance that women enjoy. There was a mom at a table across from me with her special needs son. My guess is that he was probably in his 30's. He was non-verbal and unable to feed himself. The sweet communication at that table was overwhelming nothing could be heard in spoken word, but yet, SO much was being said! That mother sat there and spoon fed her son and they exchanged smiles. She would wipe his mouth and speak so sweetly to him. You could tell that he loved his mama, but more than that...how much that mama loved her BOY!!!! I share this because, a year ago I would not have taken in that scene with the same emotion. I would have felt compassion for that mother, had a since of pity, I would have felt thankful that my children were all "healthy". What I sat there and KNEW was that mother has experienced more pride and joy over that boy than she could ever verbalize. I KNEW how thankful and blessed she felt.

Libi Faith, you have given your mama new eyes to see this world with, you have healed my heart, and I adore you, sweet girl!

Jacob, Joel and Jack, I would be a miss to not mention how my heart celebrates you today. You are such great blessed gifts to this mama! My dream to be a mother was realized in you Jacob, and you gave me something to love and care for apart from myself. That was a life change that was very necessary for me. Now, you have grown into a young man and I wish I could freeze time so that you would NEVER leave me! You exhibit more maturity at the age of 14 than I did at the age of 21 when I gave birth to you. I am thankful for you! Joel, you have been a joy to mother. You're hugs and words of love that you speak to me, make me melt, but more than that, the love that you have for your sister touches my heart so deeply. I am proud of you! Jack, there is no one in this world that makes me laugh like you do. You have been so easy. You have such a compliant spirit that blesses my heart. You are quick to serve and that is a quality that I continue to watch grow and I know the Lord will use. I am blessed by you! I am crazy about you 3, you are my BOYS, my MEN!! You made being a mama of boys so wonderful I never desired to have girls. :) You are a JOY! I love you with all my heart...

and Haddie???? well you will just have to read her blog. :)

http://www.haddiehope.bolgspot.com/

A Moment

Have you heard that song by Steven Curtis Chapman?

catch it on youtube here if you want
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rResKXjKqjQ

It's time for letting go
All of our "if onlies"
Cause we don't have a time machine

And even if we did
Would we really want to use it
Would we really want to go change everything

Cause we are who and where and what we are for now
And this is the only moment we can do anything about

So breathe it in and breathe it out
And listen to your heartbeat
There's a wonder in the here and now
It's right there in front of you
And I don't want you to miss the miracle of the moment

There's only One who knows
What's really out there waiting
And all the moments yet to be
And all we need to know
Is He's out there waiting
To Him the future's history

And He has given us a treasure called right now
And this is the only moment we can do anything about

So breathe it in and breathe it out
And listen to your heartbeat
There's a wonder in the here and now
It's right there in front of you
And I don't want you to miss the miracle of the moment

And if it brings you tears
Then taste them as they fall
Let them soften your heart

And if it brings you laughter
Then throw your head back
And let it go
Let it go, yeah
You gotta let it go

And listen to your heartbeat

And breathe it in and breathe it out
And listen to your heartbeat
There's a wonder in the here and now
It's right there in front of you
And I don't want you to miss the miracle of the moment

And breathe it in and breathe it out
And listen to your heartbeat
There's a wonder in the here and now (here and now)
It's right there in front of you
And I don't want you to miss the miracle
Of the moment

There's a wonder in the here and now. It's right there in front of you. And I don't want you to miss the miracle of the moment.

I had one of these moments the other night. Our boys finally received their Christmas present! When you order a basketball hoop in the middle of the winter it can be a LONG wait. The hoop was finally installed the other night. The boys were all home and they all had an unusual amount of homework that night. We had been talking to them about finishing the year well at school and they have really started to put forth great effort. I could see how anxious they were to just get out on the driveway and begin to shoot around, but not one of them asked me for a break. Of course, this mama told them to go out and enjoy it! Libi and I were up in her room watching her big brothers break in the basketball hoop. It was a glorious evening outside!! Libi could hardly contain her excitement watching the boys from her bedroom window. The boys would toss the ball up in the air right past her window and she would clap and squeal with delight. It was one of those moments as a mom, when you feel so very blessed. I just had to step back and let the Lord know that I do not deserve these awesome kids! They are a joy and delight to me. Then, I thought about this sweet blessing waiting for all of us in China...another blessing I have yet to meet...OVERWHELMING!

So, I encourage you today, what is it in your day today that is just a little sweet moment that is loaded with so much blessing that you need to stop and breathe it in? Do it, stop, thank your Maker and King who blesses you with every good and perfect gift in your life.

Happy Birthday Libi - Part 3

Okay, I know this is getting a little carried away, but I think 3 posts for a 3rd birthday is just fine, don't you?

We had the JOY of celebrating Libi's b-day with family this last weekend. It was a great celebration of this sweet little girl that has changed our lives! She enjoyed the party. her day started with some roses from her daddy. She was more impressed with them than we thought she would be. She kept smiling and grabbing them. She even pulled the whole vast over on herself...that was fun! She enjoyed opening her presents. This was a first. She has had presents before, but not really tried to pull paper or pay much attention to what it was. This time she was practicaly putting her whole body into those gift bags, trying to pull out the prize inside. I do beleive the highlight of the day was the cake. With Libi, this is no surprise. The girl just loves food, and she especialy loves sweets!

It was very emotional to celebrate this "first" with Libi. To be with her on such a special day for the first time was so wonderful. We are quickly approaching our one year anniversary of the day she was birthed into our arms. It seems like it wasn't that long ago, yet I feel that she has always been with me. I will never get over the wonder of adoptive love. Stay tuned for a post on May 12th!!!

Happy Birthday- part 2

Well, my birthday princess is in her bed after falling asleep in her mama's arms. I have been doing some intentional bonding time with Libi at night and it has been such a gift! She and I have this little "routine". For the last week she has been going to sleep in my arms at night and it has been wonderful for her and for me! Tonight she was actually crying and reaching for me. She has never protested like this before. I believe it was because she was tired and she was counting on me to help her meet that need. It is amazing to look into her sweet face and feel like I have been staring at it for years! From the moment we first saw her she seemed familiar to us. My heart rejoices over the greatness of God and His ways.

We had a full and fun day! I think Libi was getting into the birthday thing. We were on our way for Chinese tonight, but every time we asked Libi what she wanted to eat she told us, "umgeger"...which in Libi language is HAMBERGER! This has been her new word and she uses it frequently. It seemed more appropriate to take her to the place famous for "umgegers", Steak-N-Shake! Which incidentally was one of my first words as a baby (teack-n-nake) :) Think what you want, but my girl and I just like a good burger I guess. It is great to hear intentional language from her. Most everything is with a "g" sound at this point, but we are told that is the typical verbal pattern in a child. So, we are praying for the "d's" to come next!

Anyway, the highlight of the night was Libi's doll. She opened a little Asian Corelle doll. It looks a lot like Libi. She was very excited about it. She kept pulling the box to her face to get a better look. She kept smiling at the doll. Then daddy took the doll to set it free from it's box and Libi was not happy about that! She gave us some complaining. It was really sweet. We had never seen her care about a toy like that. She did not want anyone else to touch it once she had it in her possession. It was another glimpse of true toddler in our little Libi.

We give thanks to God for all that He is doing in this little girl!!! What a joy and blessing she is to us!!!!

Happy Birthday Princess Libi! Part 1

Today is sweet Libi's 3rd birthday!!!! We may have overwhelmed her this morning with the camera and the singing, but how can you contain the excitement of sharing a birthday "first" with your little girl?

I am overcome with emotion today. I am so blessed and so changed by the miracle of Libi Faith. She is a joy! She has given me a totally new view of the world. She works so hard to accomplish the smallest tasks. Make sure you look back later for Part 2 to get a glimpse of what Libi is doing now! :) Today we celebrate the wonderful gift of Libi Faith's life. Thank you God for such a magnificent work of Your Mighty Hand!!

A Glorious Easter

Just wanted to share some pictures from our weekend. We had a great weekend of celebrating Jesus and His gift of NEW LIFE!!