Showing posts with label Thankful Thursday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Thankful Thursday. Show all posts
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Thankful Thanksgiving!
One year ago at this time we had just received our "Letter of Acceptance" from the CCAA to adopt She Xia Chang. It was an exciting time for our family as we anticipated the arrival of Sienna Grace.
One year later, on a snowy and cold morning I give thanks for the way God chose to make our family. When Jeff and I got married we had never even discussed adoption. God clearly had other plans for our lives, and we could not be more grateful. It has changed us from the inside.. Our family and friends too. It has given truth to the Bible Verse where God asks us to take care of orphans. However, to me when I look at Sienna and Ruby I don't see orphans. I see two beautiful children that were born to adversity, but they were born to be mine. They are my daughters. I would do anything to keep them safe and to help them feel secure. A life long commitment. A gift from a Father who loves them abundantly.
I have been working on the Holiday card for Pearl River this week. On it there are 19 little faces starting at me. 19 little people that do not have a forever home to celebrate and give thanks in today. It pulls at my heart. I am grateful for the work I get to do to hopefully make a difference. I wish they could all be around our table today.
Today I give thanks for a husband who loves me, who works hard to provide, who puts his family first and who has grown so much in the eleven years we have been together. He is another gift to me.
Today I give thanks for the three sisters that are snuggled in their beds as I write. Parenting is the hardest thing I have ever done. As one Mom said to me last week, being a mother has deepened my faith. It has caused me to look at me deeper. (Not always so flattering by the way!) Children are truly a gift from the Lord used to sharpen us, to teach us, to mold us to be more like Him.
Today I am thankful for the friends God has given to me. I am thankful for conversations that go below the surface. I am thankful for these beautiful friends that share their hearts with me. Who have taught me more than I will ever teach them. For women who inspire me to be better!
Today I am thankful for the family that raised me. For two parents that are still here at 83 and 78. For the example they set, and for the way they have always sacrificed self to help others. I pray I can pass on this legacy to my girls.
I guess Thanksgiving would not be Thanksgiving if we did not pause to count our blessings, small and big. I pray you have a blessed day!
"There in the presence of the Lord your God, you and your families shall eat and shall rejoice in everything you have put your hand to, because the Lord your God has blessed you." ~Deuteronomy 12:7
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Thankful Thursday!
I have not spent much time here talking about Sienna's health. At some point I will be more specific. Thalassemia is complicated, and I want to make sure I have the time to give it the respect it deserves...But today I want to focus on how WELL Sienna Grace is doing. When we received her file from China along with updated information we were told that she was getting blood transfusions consistently on a quarterly basis. Her last transfusion was January 13, 2010. That is exactly FOUR months ago.... So, today I am thankful that Sienna has not needed to be transfused since coming home. We have seen her wonderful Hematologist monthly since her return and her Hemoglobin levels have remained constant! (Her next appointment is on the 21st.) This is truly answered prayer. We do know at some point she will be transfused, but the longer we can wait between treatments the better for her long term health!
Sienna will be having dental surgery on July 22nd. Since she runs on an overall lower Hb level than most children her age, she will need to be transfused for this procedure. I am praying we can hold out until then! It's possible!!
I am so thankful that Sienna came to us with a love for protein, and green vegetables!!!! I have been filling this girl with folic acid!!!! Yes, she loves spinach, broccoli, asparagus, etc... I think her body craves it!! Thank you Lord!
Sienna's diagnosis is Alpha Thalassemia, Hemoglobin H Disease. For any of you out there that may review files of children with this chronic illness, I want to encourage you! This disorder is manageable! If I didn't know it to be true, I would never think Sienna is ill. She is as active as her little sister in every way!
Lastly, I have a prayer request for Sienna. Her spleen is very large. When she came to us it was almost 10cm from end to end... Our prayer is for this to shrink on it's own.. Most likely she will be facing having her spleen removed. Perhaps even in the next year. But, if we can shrink the size of it, her surgery will be less invasive, and recovery so much easier.
One other miracle about Sienna to share.. We found out when her first blood was analyzed that she was NEVER vaccinated for Hep A nor Hep B. This child has survived 4 years of quarterly blood transfusions IN China without getting a serious disease from tainted blood! We know God has protected her since she was born, and we are so very thankful.
So for now, we will continue to pray for Sienna's Hb levels to remain steady or for them to miraculously increase... And, for her spleen to shrink on it's own... The only answer then, will be God.. Because these two things will not happen on their own and no medication exists to make it happen.
We are so thankful that we felt the nudge to seriously review the file of a little girl with Alpha Thalassemia! She was born to be here!
Blessings,
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Thankful Thursday!
It has been a while since I have posted on Thankful Thursday. It seems fitting today as we count down our days to Sienna Grace.... I am thankful for:- A little girl named Shaelee who is waiting for her best friend to come home...
- That one week from today we will be waiting in Guangzhou to catch our connection to Changsha, Hunan
- For the many friends who started praying for this journey with me long ago
- For women of faith that blow me away
- For family who have never questioned our choice to go back to China for #3
- For Kim who encouraged me from the very beginning
- For Denise who listened to God one Friday in September, 2008
- For Bridget who is just too far away right now...
- For Jen for sharing in the last minute milestones with me. And the cutest red shoes ever
- For Pearl River Outreach for blessing me and so many precious children
- For Sienna Grace's Foster Mother who is getting ready to let her go...
- For The Pearl who advocated for another sister from China and her willingness to go
- For the way that Ruby Mei has proven that it only takes faith as big as a mustard seed..
- For how God has stretched Jeff and me in many ways
- For a husband who loves me with all his heart
- For Camp H and their willingness to love on Ruby for 16 days
- For Katie who will be taking care of things at home for us
- For new friends that I will soon share this adoption story with in China
- For 2 very special women at Great Wall Adoption who believed it could happen
- For a little girl in Hengshan who soon will have a forever family
- For Jeff's willingness to travel this journey of the heart with me.... again!
My list could go on and one...
I plan to post one more time with our "My Adoption Website" address before we leave. Just know we are busy getting ready and very excited to meet our daughter & sister, Sienna Grace in ten days!!
Blessings,
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Thankful Thursday!
Today I am thankful for the picnic I was invited to yesterday! Her Rubiness and I were outside because I wanted to take some photos of her... Well, she had a much better idea... She ran in the house and came back with her Dora Picnic Basket. Then she took me down to the picnic table that is part of our play set in the back yard. She laid out all of the pieces, and even had me put my napkin on my "knee!" Then she proceeded to serve me a taco, and some milk! It was delicious!!!! She truly is the gift that keeps on giving!!!
I am also thankful today for some very special blog friends, prayer warriors, and fellow adoptive pals: Kim, Lisa, Leslie, Jenn, Heather, Jenn, Shauna & Stefanie! Thank you for inspiring me to do more! And, thank you for sharing this adoption and parenting journey with me!
Lastly, I am thankful for my husband, who reminded me last week that " If we don't use our ears to listen, how will we ever hear Him?" He amazes me! I love you honey!
Blessings on this Thankful Thursday!
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Thankful Thursday!
"The joy of the Lord is your Strength." ~Nehemiah 8:10
Today I am thankful that we got to have our sweet friends Michelle, Lauren & Nicolas up to the lake with us last weekend. Many of you have followed my friend's story, and I thank you for praying for them. Life without Scott has been very hard, but they are am amazing threesome, and they will make it through this very difficult time. Michelle is blessed with so many gifts, and God will use her to love and raise Lauren & Nicolas with patience and wisdom. She will be the first one to admit how hard life is here, but she also will tell you that we are just a "mist" so, make your time here matter! Scott knew that, and he did make a difference. He left a wonderful legacy for his children in his short 45 years.
The verse quoted above, is the first memory verse that Ainsley & Lauren have this week.
A perfect verse for the year ahead.
So much to be thankful for!
Blessings,
Diana
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Thankful Thursday!
Class of 2008
Today I am thankful that I get to be the Aunt to this amazing Graduate! Tonight Jake says goodbye to his high school class, and hello to a brilliant future. He is a focused, intelligent, wise beyond his years, loving young man who we are so proud of. His resume will impress any employer even before he starts his goal to graduate from college with a double major in Entrepreneurship and International Business. He will be attending Indiana University in the fall! Due to his outstanding academic achievements, he has already been accepted to IU's Business School!
Here are just a few of Jake's accomplishments for this Aunt to boast about today:
- Awarded Mr. Future Business Leader - State of KY
- Awarded a $20,000 Scholarship from The Toyota Company
- Channel 9 (Fox News) Student of the Week
- National Debate Finalist
- Minds on Fire Award
- Largest 3rd Party Fundraiser Organizer - Cutting out Alzheimers
- Florence Rotary Club Scholarship Recipient
- Kentucky Farm Bureau Scholarship Recipient
- Captain of Debate Team
- Future Business Leaders of America President
Jake's long term goal is to own his own successful global business in the sports marketing and representation field. I have absolutely no doubt that he will. It will be perfect timing too. Ruby will be in school by this time, and I will be ready to go back to work. Perhaps, I can get a job with my nephew!!
Congratulations Jake on finishing high school strong! We are so proud of your accomplishments. But, mostly we are proud of you for the person that you are! We wish you nothing but the very best as you move forward into this exciting time in your life! We can't wait to see the plans God has for you!
We love you!
Aunt Di & Uncle Jeff
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Thankful Thursday!
Ruby Tuesday Re-cap!!
Like so many of you have many blessings to be thankful for. Probably with the latest news in China, I am mostly thankful that Ruby is home safely with us today.
I am also thankful for the internet and that those of you with children waiting for you that you are able to get news that they are "OK!" Thank you Jenny Bowen from Half the Sky for your organization and for your communication!
I also have gotten news that a dear friend of mine is coming for a visit this summer with her family. I am very thankful & excited about that!!!!
I have a heavy heart for the suffering our friends Scott & Michelle are dealing with. I ask for prayers for unwavering faith for them to get through this. Not only is Scott not responding as they hoped to Chemo but their youngest child has a terrible virus that took Michelle to Urgent Care. One may ask how much can a Mom take.... Well, I am thankful to say that God equips us to DEAL with our reality as long as we turn to Him. That is what Michelle is doing, and she is doing it so amazingly well.... I am thankful for her strength today!!!! And, I am thankful for the other Mom's I know that are doing whatever we can to ease her burdens.... That is what we are called to do and it is such a gift and blessing not only to the receiver but to the giver!
So much to be thankful for, yet so much to be on my knees about today!
Blessings,
Diana
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Thankful Thursday!
Happy May Day! I wish I could say I have had the time to create beautiful May baskets to deliver today, but that is definitely not the case... Funny how a four-day trip can keep you busy for four days when you return! I can tell you that we really did have a great time away. The girls were fantastic! No drama traveling, which is always something to be thankful for. Ainsley is always a rock star when we fly. Not always the case with her little sister. But, Ruby rose to the occasion on both flights and did great! Even with an un-expected 3 hour delay to get to Nashville. I believe that was my birthday gift from 'Her Rubiness!'
I truly have so much to be thankful for. But, mostly I want to give thanks for my faith, and for good health for our family today. My heart is heavy this week as I watch closely a very good friend that I have mentioned here before, faithfully walk thru her husbands cancer battle. Scott has had some major setbacks and immediate Chemo began for him again on Tuesday. While I know there are moments she feels like she can not take one more thing, God gives her the strength to face the next hour. Michelle does not realize this, but even in her suffering, she is blessing everyone around her. She is humble and beautiful both on the inside and the outside. I feel very fortunate to be here to help if I can, but mostly to witness a family that is living out their faith even during the most difficult of times. What a testimony they are to all of us!
So this verse is for Michelle today:
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.
Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord and shun evil.
This will bring health to your body
and nourishment to your bones."
Proverbs 3:5-8
Love,
Diana
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