Elsa's eyesight...a bird in the hand is better than two in the bush

Elsa's eye doctor appointment under anesthesia was today.

It went very well, Elsa had to fast until noon, but she did great.

Here she is in her OR garb...

And playing with her hat....

The hospital staff seemed to enjoy their little patient.

We were praying for a wisdom for the Doctor, to have a solid answer on which direction to go.   We didn't want any uncertainty.   And we were blessed to have an answer.

The Doctor believes that she is seeing out of only one eye, and that would be the eye that would be operated on.  

He said he has worked on patient's eyes that have some of the differences that her eyes have (he also explained what was going on with her eyes); he said they tend to have complications and problems with cornea surgeries, and sometimes patients lose their eye sight completely.

A regular eye can have some complications with surgery, but with the other differences it guarantees problems.

He had one patient that was doing pretty well, but even he had problems.

He said since she has only one eye working, it wasn't worth the risk of her going blind through the surgery, and that with all the eyes he has worked on through the years, he would not do it.

And the man who would make money from a "yes" vote, said that he would not risk it.

He said she gets around great, and is doing well, and to leave her the way she is.

A bird in the hand is better than two in the bush, or in this case, it isn't even two in the bush...more like 1.25...because cornea surgery wouldn't fix all the other issues anyway.

He did say we should bring her in for regular visits, perhaps annually, to monitor the pressure in her eyes.

So we are thankful.   Thankful to have a clear cut answer from the nation-wide specialist in corneas, specializing in her situation.

Thankful that the child we have, who we were told was blind, can see well enough to get around.

Thankful to have answers and more information...and to move on from this point with greater understanding. 

And thankful for a little cutie pie...

...who is exactly how God made her to be.

Growing Pains

There has been so many changes with little Elsa, but first some pics....

 

 

On a hot day, we went to the mall for some fun in the indoor play area.   Elsa is just loving it.   Look at those hands clasped together.  Elsa is a joyful child.  
 

 

 

"I have a decree..."
 

Elsa likes her robe...and baths..she LOVES water.

She really enjoyed the trampoline park for her cousin Annelise's birthday.

She jumped and bounced with all her might.   

And on the practical side of life.    Her last eye appointment was pretty unsuccessful.   Squirmy little toddlers don't like eye machines!  

June 24th we go in for her light anesthesia and hopefully get some answers.

We don't want new corneas for her, unless they will give her much better eyesight.   The surgery comes with a price that's not just financial.   It will require a future of surgeries throughout her life.   Is it worth it?   Only if she can see much better.     That's what they will hopefully find out on June 24th.

Aside from that, Elsa has been eating a lot and growing.  We brought her home at size 18 months and now she is wearing 2T.

She used to have a flat stomach, and small little legs.    She now has a little belly, and scrumptious little chubby thighs. 

Other than that, we have been working and praying for more bonding between Elsa and us.   It's not automatic...it takes time and effort.  

Things have been improving greatly as the days go by.   We've done more "cocooning" as it's called.   More time together, and only we hold her, feed her etc.

As I have wrestled in my own heart regarding the growing pains of adoption.  I asked the Lord to help me, and I have heard this verse several times since then.

"Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink?   And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You?  When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’   The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me."  (Matthew 25:37-40).

This verse isn't to pat me on the back.  On the contrary, this verse is to give a new perspective.   That  my attitude about changing diapers, and cleaning up messes, isn't about how much I love Elsa.   It's about me loving Jesus.   Do I love Him?    Then I will show Him that through loving Elsa.

Tough stuff.   

Thankfully we are all growing closer, and things are becoming easier. 

Bonding...are we there yet?  
No...not yet.  

But are we closer?  
Yes...much closer.   

And for that I am really thankful.

She's worth it. 

Not just because I think so...but because He does.

Elsa's Ophthalmologist Update and Pics!

Elsa had an ophthalmologist  appointment today...but first here are some pictures of what she has been up to lately.  :)


Spending time with family....

Dressing up with her sister in Chinese clothes...

Playing in boxes...

Attempting to get dressed by herself...everything seems to become a dress...

Learning about Play-Doh....it's amazing stuff...

We've learned that Elsa may not eat all fruits, but she'll eat them happily in a smoothie!

We were in Carlsbad already and stopped for a brief visit at the ocean...she was so amazed...

Sheer joy...

Next time I'll bring swimsuits and we'll stay longer. 

And one last pic riding a horse....well it's Daddy pretending to be a horse anyway.  :)

Ok, so today at the ophthalmologist we learned that she doesn't have cataracts, the "white cloudy" portion is on the cornea.

We were told that the nationwide leading specialist in her type of eye condition just so happens to also work at UCSD; we will have a joint meeting with both doctors on June 2nd.

The good news is that the Doctor told us that her eyesight would not deteriorate.    

The only question is whether or not surgery for new corneas would be a good idea, and if her eyesight would improve much with them.   

The doctor explained that our eyes are like cameras, and if the lens on the front is smudged it won't take good pictures.   Her "lenses" are smudged.

However, underneath the lens is the film of the camera...and he doesn't know how well her film is working.

Perhaps her eyes don't work well enough to warrant a surgery to change out the "lenses", or perhaps it will improve her eye sight enough to do so.

They can not tell how well her eye functions underneath the cornea unless she has surgery and it is opened up.

Hopefully we will gain more insight at the next eye appointment.

We expected Elsa to be blind, but she can see.   She can see well enough to pick up a raisin for example.   She dodges obstacles and plays just like all toddlers do. 

So we are blessed that she can see.   She'll probably never have great vision, but maybe it can be improved.   We'll find out more on June 2nd.  :)

Happy Resurrection Day! Happy Birthday Elsa!

Throughout this adoption process, God has been teaching us about the similarities between God's adoption of His children- and our adoption of little Elsa Mei.

Elsa's birthday happened to fall on Easter this year.

Elsa turned 2 on Sunday.   

And, it was about 2,000 years ago that our Savior adopted us.

"But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ, by grace you have been saved..."

"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is a gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast."

"But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ..."

"Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God."

"that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints."

-passages taken from Ephesians 1 & 2

God makes things beautiful.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIroFNU1Y-Y

Happy Resurrection Sunday or should I say...

Happy Adoption Sunday!  

Home, Sweet, Home

We had such a good trip home-thank you so much for praying!

They told us the flight was going to be so full; however, we ended up with 2 extra seats next to us!      So then we were able to have a space for both Iana and Elsa to lay down.

On the flight over, Iana only slept 1.5 hours.    However, she fell asleep for 6 hours, and Elsa for 8.   We ended up waking them up for breakfast because we were concerned they wouldn't be tired after we landed!

Wow, what a blessing to be concerned they would sleep too long!     That usually happens to other people's children-not mine!  LOL

Elsa really  liked the music on the headphones...she was all smiles.

We are so glad to be back, and so thankful to live in the U.S....clear skies, edible food, drinkable water, among other blessings.   :)

***

When we landed at LAX, we were held in a dreary sort of room for about 30 minutes while they reviewed Elsa's paperwork...to make sure we could bring her into America.

There was a pretty woman also in there.  She was well-dressed with very nice thick, dark hair; she was probably in her 40's.   She was from Guadalajara.    I asked her what she was in for, and she said she had been there since 11 a.m. (it was then about 7 pm) and she had no idea why she was being held.   She comes and goes from the U.S. often.

She had brought her oldest daughter, who had gotten ill, sitting in that room without any food for so long.  Her daughter had gotten sick from seafood a couple months ago, so the combination made her sick.  They took the daughter to the hospital, but made the Mom stay there, much to her dismay.

While we were waiting, they finally told the Mom why she was being held (8 hours later).  Her daughter had gone to a summer program in the States- which was considered a high-school program and she wasn't supposed to return so soon.   The Mom said it was a mis-understanding...that it was just a summer program but it didn't matter..they had to return home. 

They had to go back once the daughter was back from the hospital-which was going to be a while.

The Mom was very distraught.   She said she didn't understand why they would treat her like this...captive in a little room with  no explanation.  She traveled to and from the U.S. often.   She spent her money in the U.S.   She was coming with her daughter to spend time with some good U.S. friends.   Why would they treat her like this?

I felt very bad for her.   The folks there weren't so friendly, and the room wasn't either.    I tried to encourage her...told her this would pass eventually, she would get through it, and I would pray for her.

She was on my heart all the way home.   My last glance at her, she was sitting with her arms resting on her knees, head down, crying.

I realized that they wouldn't keep a U.S. citizen in such a situation...and no matter how comfortable she is with her relationship with the U.S...the reality is -she is not a citizen.   She doesn't have the rights of a citizen..and that's why she was stuck in that dreary room.  

And it reminded me of the story from Matthew 22...a parable of a king that had a wedding feast for his son.

"So those servants went out into the highways and gathered together all whom they found, both bad and good.  And the wedding hall was filled with guests.  

But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment.  So he said to him, 'Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?'  And he was speechless.

Then the king said to the servants, 'Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.   For many are called, but few are chosen."

The sweet woman from Guadalajara wept, she was so sad because she was stuck in the shabby room and not allowed into the U.S.   

However, her situation is nothing compared to the grief that folks will have when they come to the realization that they do not have their Heavenly citizenship on that day.    

As much as I am so very thankful to have my U.S. citizenship- our heavenly citizenship is worth far, far more.

And the alternative...well the alternative to heavenly citizenship is much worse than a shabby room, without food, surrounded by crabby people.

What a beautiful city we have to look forward to...no crime..no pain..no pollution.   

All our invited.  Any immigrant is welcome.     

No fees...no gimmicks...the price is paid for by the King.  We just have to say yes to His adoption plan...His plan of redemption.

Unlike the power-seeking earthly leaders...

He is a wonderful Father, a sweet, beautiful, self-sacrificing King.

"Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.   

And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, 'Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 

And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away....

And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.

But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.   The city had not need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it.   The Lamb is its light.

And they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it.  But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life."

(from Revelations 21)

And that is truly...

Home, Sweet, Home.

Heading Home...and Prayer Requests/Praises

Picture from the garden at our hotel.

We are very ready to go home!    

Would you please pray for our return trip?    On our flight from Nanchang to Guangzhou neither of the girls slept and they were very fussy and that was a short flight...so we are a bit scared of the long journey home!

Ken's stomach is much better, which is a praise report.

Iana is not better.    However, today we were blessed with some Pedialyte and Kids Probiotics from a sweet woman named Kristy...there's something about that name ;).  

Hopefully those will help...otherwise the plane flight is going to be really rough.   Right now, Iana doesn't want to eat anything as she doesn't want to be sick anymore.

I ended up getting strep throat - but thankfully got some antibiotics yesterday and am feeling much better.  That's another story...and another answer to prayer.    :)

I am concerned that the girls or Ken will catch my strep-if you would please pray that they won't that would be great!

Anyhow, please please pray for our return flight...we need it!!

There's no place like home...there's no place like home...   :)

She's Ours!

We went to the U.S. Consulate today and had our adoption paperwork processed and said our adoption vows.   Elsa is now officially ours! 

Tomorrow Elsa's visa should be ready-so we can travel.

I could tell you that saying our vows was just so picturesque and serene....that it was just an amazing moment.


But I'll tell you what actually happened instead.  :)


When we got out of the van near the consulate- we were told we could only take our wallets and paperwork in. 

We walked a couple blocks and a thought crossed my mind- hey, what about Elsa's diapers?    Then I thought, oh' we should only be in there an hour...it should be ok.    We had to be on time for our appointment.

Then we were in a big room with other adopting families.     A woman with a microphone starts explaining everything- and then a terrible stench fills the air.   I look around - I hope - I hope - it's not mine.

Ken looks...yup, it's Elsa.  No diapers.. no wipes..and a horrible smell.  Oh' dear.

We start to say our vows...I lift up my right hand to start repeating...meanwhile Iana is asking me for a snack (I have to explain, several times, between the vows that all the snacks are in the van).    

There is a little girl that won't let Elsa play with any of the toys.   So Elsa walks around with a terrible stench.
And my throat is killing me (more on this another time).

We finish our vows. 

I notice a woman that has diapers-someone told her she could bring a clear bag with items in- so she brought some with her.  She is very nice and gives me a diaper and some wipes.

Her daughter happened to have exploded at the same time as Elsa.   That's double trouble for you!

I take her to the bathroom to change her diaper..and miss my number call to the window (it's kind of like the DMV)... so we wait and they call us again.

We went back to the hotel room, and I had to run down to the lobby for a minute.

When I returned, Elsa (for the first time) ran to me with a huge smile to give me a hug.   

And I realized that adoption...it's just like natural birth.

It is messy and there can be complications.

But at the end of the day...when you look down at that sweet face... you know...

That you just added another member to your family.

And that it was all worth it.  :)  

Prayer Request

Would you please pray for Ken, Iana and Elsa?  They all have tummy problems.    

Oh' and I mixed up the days...our Consulate apt is actually Wednesday...not today.

We played at the park a little today.

Elsa is always taking out her hair clips...that's why there is only one in the pics.   They are being scattered around China.  :)

Some fun Elsa pics

Elsa loves the water

Opportunities for Charity

We are so thankful to have gotten more sleep since we have been in Guangzhou.   The room is divided with a living room that can be separated from the bedroom.     

Iana is finally able to take a nap.   She was "nap-less" the whole time in Nanchang...that wasn't a pretty picture..no-sir-ree!

Here is a sweet picture of Elsa in blissful sleep.  

Guangzhou is more of a western type of city.   It is a very big city...our guide said there is about 15 million people that live here.

The air is not so clean like Nanchang.   But the city itself is cleaner, more orderly, and there are more options of where to eat.  :)

The people in Nanchang were mostly poor, but overall they seemed nicer...happier to interact with us.

Guangzhou is a wealthier city, it has a lot of visitors, from all of the world. It's really fun to see so many different nationalities represented here.

We had Elsa's medical exam yesterday.   And tomorrow we have our appointment at the U.S. Consulate to complete the adoption process.  We should be able to pick up her visa on Thursday.

There are so many people involved in the adoption process.   I don't know what we would have done without our guides in both Nanchang and Guangzhou. Such competent and also sweet women.   

They make the appointments....make sure we are transported and make sure everything goes smoothly. They know the ropes and they know how to take care of everything. I am so grateful for them.

Ken and I would like to be a blessing to the Chinese people.   We are only here a short time.

In the U.S. we have to be very careful with our finances...we don't eat out...don't go to movies..or buy new clothes.

But here the economy is very different.   A 10 RMB note is a good tip amount...that is about $1.50.   

Back in Nanchang, the hotel was right in the middle of a poor area, and there was a lot of opportunities to tip a little extra- which would make folks very happy.   

Ken noticed a girl in a wheelchair selling items at a little table...and told me we had to find something to buy from her. 

He discovered that she made the clear covers for on top of the phone screen.  He has been wanting this for a while anyway-so it was perfect.   She went to work cutting out the "film".

After she finished the film -she handed it back to Ken. Her bill was 10 RMB ($1.50).   Ken hands her 25 RMB ($4) and we turn to leave.   

She tried to offer us change, and we shook our hands no.   The girls sweet face was so joyful with a huge smile.   She was so excited...so happy.   

It didn't cost us hardly anything, but it really made her day.

There was a taxi driver...he seemed so mechanical... his eyes so dull.   I gave him a 5 RMB tip when we got out (.80 cents), and his eyes lit up, big smile...and he had a swing in his step...just like that he had a better day.  (The ride itself only cost 10 RMB). 

It seems wise not to over do it and give any larger amount away-it might create a mob scene!   So we just try to buy from them, and give an extra tip to play it safe.

I am so thankful for this opportunity to give just this little bit- that is able to bless them.

Please don't think I am bragging about giving away .80 cents!  LOL   I just think it is wonderful that the economies worked out in a way that we could bless people.

God gave me this verse a while back when someone (not a believer) gave me an oil change for free...which had made me quite happy.

Luke 16:8-9 says, "So the master commended the unjust steward because he had dealt shrewdly.  For the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light.  

And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, that when you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home."

It's a beautiful Biblical principle to use money as a tool- not just for exchanging goods- but for a greater good.   

We are so blessed to be given the opportunity. And I think -when we see their smiles- we may be more blessed then they are.  :)