Thursday, February 20, 2014

First of all, I want to say that ALL of your comments are like manna to us here. Your love and support shine through each and every word, and I want to thank you. Please keep them coming as those of you know from being here and others of you know from supporting past adoption journeys, it can be a lonely and overwhelming time during these first few days and weeks and especially over here in the trenches. Your prayers and support mean so much and are a huge part of helping us successfully bring home a “beginning to heal” little daughter instead of the frightened, overwhelmed, and out of control little girl we first met.

We can feel the prayers and know that God is working behind the scenes on behalf of Gracie and for us. We miss our families left behind in the states, and I miss my husband so much that it hurts. Kevin and my little sons had dinner with my sister- and brother-in-law last night so I planned to Skype them all. It was our Thursday morning, the morning of the blood draw and our trip to Safari Park, and I knew we needed to be well organized to get it done in our morning before our busy day. Gracie Cheng Mei woke up very grouchy and needy, and that made getting ready difficult. Then I couldn’t get our internet to work, so I phoned Kevin to explain I wouldn’t be Skyping. Just hearing his loving voice made me cry with longing to see him.

Deidra was such a rock when Gracie and I came down to breakfast. She is feeling the same way. It is so emotional to see Gracie’s needs and be over here without each of our husbands and other children and facing what might be a difficult time with the blood draw. But God. . . through your prayers and ours, He is making a way into Gracie’s heart. During Gracie’s blood draw, Sophia, Deidra, and I stayed out in the waiting room while John took her back. We three huddled together and prayed that it would be easy and not scary for her and that when she came out, she would seek me for comfort. We could hear her crying and it just broke our hearts, but when she came out, she was smiling and proud that she had been so brave, AND she came directly to me for a hug! She continued to cling to me in the van (unlike the day before on our way to the clinic when she had shut herself away from me and sat very closed and still with her coat and hood pulled tightly around her body and head, not looking out the window or at me).

When we arrived at Safari Park, Gracie was very interested in using a wheel chair for the entire day. Another answer to prayer. That made her feel secure and rested as we experienced what was the “first fun” family time together since receiving her. The park wasn’t crowded a bit, and we ALL enjoyed our sweet time together. Gracie appears to suffer muscle weakness on her left side, and walking great distances is hard for her. It wears her out, and that makes her less able to cope with her new environment. She also appears to have vision impairment, so imagine her joy and ours that she could relax and take in the new sights and sounds around her. The four of us along with our delightful guide John had the best time. We could be silly and happy, and it made a positive impact on Gracie. She only had one real meltdown! And on the way home, she LEANED into me and rested on my shoulder! Huge step forward!!