Some Good News!!!!

Finally! Something good to report. Let me go back a few days. As some of you know, there was another Reece's Rainbow family visiting their son who also lives in Victoria's baby house. They had graciously offered to try to get some information about her for us. I certainly didn't expect that they would be so successful!


Last Thursday, I was about as down as I could be. I could see other families proceeding with their adoptions and being blessed with their children.  It seemed like it would never be our turn. All I saw ahead was more months of waiting and uncertainty.  Was this God's will? Were we even supposed to be doing this?  Then....

Friday morning I woke up to a Facebook message from my friend Karen who said that day, while they were at the orphanage,  the social worker came in and said the hospital had just called and said they were expecting to send Victoria back to the orphanage at the beginning of July!!!  My friend asked about the TB, since we had just been told the prior week she was still testing positive. The social worker replied they would not be sending her back if she still had it.  I could hardly get this through my still sleep-fogged brain, but the more I thought about it the more excited I got.  I couldn't believe it. I certainly didn't understand it and I still don't.  But, finally, finally, something good. Words can't really express my happiness and relief at this news.  Now, to confirm this with our agency.

When I received this bit of information, it was the end of the work week there, so we had to wait through the weekend to find out if this was really true.  I am happy to say that just an hour ago, our agency called and said, "yes, she will be released later this week!"   We should also be receiving a medical report that will hopefully help fill in some of the missing pieces for us next week.  Our agency is as puzzled as we are. It truly makes no sense.

I would like to understand why things happened like this and why we were told what we were told.  But if we never understand, it really doesn't matter.  We are a big step closer to bringing our girl home and I'm so happy about that, I can live with the rest. 

If I had to say what has allowed us to get to this point today, without a doubt it would be because so many of God's people have been praying for us.  I can't say thank you enough to those of you who have.  So, hopefully the next time you hear from us, I will be announcing our court date.  Now, to schedule our dr's appointments (again, more bloodwork, yay!),  and get our police clearances (again). 

Oh, one more little thing.  We also found out that V. has started walking during her time in the hospital.  Now that makes this momma happy! 

Not the News I Wanted to Share.....

Well, friends, we did receive something of an update Saturday, not exactly what we were hoping for, though. We had a discussion with our adoption coordinator who informed us that Victoria has completed 3 months of treatment and is still testing positive for TB.  This was a surprise and disappointment for us. We were under the impression she was nearing the 6-month mark.  Furthermore, as far as they can discern, her treatment did not begin until sometime in February! What?! Really?! She was admitted to the hospital in November and treatment didn't start until February? Makes no sense to me. 

Let me just say that the hospital she is in is extremely closed, meaning it is very difficult to get any information. Legally, we have no rights to gain information on Victoria. Afterall, she is not our daughter, yet. I understand that. But they do not even want to give any info to the orphanage where she has lived her whole life.  All our agency and their staff can do is appeal to their compassion, but they don't have to tell us anything. 

So, our adoption coordinator wants to know what we want to do, continue to wait or perhaps accept another referral, meaning child.  We are still praying through this right now, but both of us are pretty sure we can't give up on Victoria. Not until the door is firmly closed. 

The waiting is just about the most difficult thing I've ever lived through. I hate it. But I know there's a reason for it. Yes, it is just possible that I have a few things to learn. Like patience, waiting on God, not taking matters into my own hands, attending fully to the needs of the children we already have, and the list goes on......

But we do need your prayers.  For more openness and a sense of urgency on the hospital's part, for discernment and clear direction for us, for Victoria's comfort, happiness, and health,  for the wait to be productive and go by quickly, and lastly - a negative TB test.  Thank you so much.

Just For Fun

If this doesn't bring a smile to your face, I don't know what would. I ask you, does this beautiful child deserve to be locked away in an institution the rest of her life? She has so much to give.

Practicing her walking. I just wonder how much practice she's had since then. you gotta love the outfit. We affectionately refer to this as her 'Sneetches' outfit after the Dr. Seuss book, you know "stars on their bellies."  Notice the sweater outfit, with heavy leggings and t-shirt underneath. On top of that, the rooms are very warm. This seems to be the orphange mindset, that young children must be kept very warm to ward off sickness. If they could only see me putting my children to bed in only a diaper in the warmer months. I would think they had to be very uncomfortable, but again, maybe they are used to it.

 Well, there are a couple of other videos I tried to post but my computer is not letting me. I think perhaps the other videos are too large. I must remember to make them shorter next time. So think of this as a teaser. I'll put Gabe on the job. He can usually work magic with computers. Hopefully more next time.