Saturday, June 21, 2008

"The Princess" is NOT sick and is coming HOME!

Do you know how WONDERFUL it feels to write that title???

O give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;
For His loving kindness is everlasting.
I Chronicles 16:34 and Psalms 118:1 and Psalms 118:29 and Jeremiah 33:11

As I was researching to find the verse that fit how GOOD our God is, I found it interesting that in three places in the Bible the SAME words are used to convey the goodness of God. I think it should be no surprise that this statement should be written by people through the ages and I am so glad to be able to share that information with you all today. For those of you who have shared with me (and there have been many) that your faith is not my faith, I do not make light of your faith and your belief, but let me share that the God that I serve, love and worship is ONE MIGHTY BIG GOD who loves me a whole lot. My wish is that everyone could experience the magnitude, the love and the grace of my God.
As you all know and have followed along, we were given a referral of a BEAUTIFUL little one and travelled to Tokmok to visit with her and came to find out that she allegedly had a medical condition that we felt was way beyond our ability to handle. Through prayer and soul searching and with great heartbreak, we decided to turn down our referral and wait for another one. We came home and began moving on with our lives. And, actually, I had a conversation with my preacher that I was a bit disturbed that I wasn't more upset about this than I was.

On Wednesday this week, I was out with my son, my two nieces and my mother-in-law after we had taken the kids to see the free movies in Nashville. We had stopped at McDonalds and gone to the park. I noticed I had a voicemail on my phone and checked to see who it was. It was our agency calling and asking me to call back. I was a bit taken aback as I was not expecting to hear from them until after July 7. I called back and talked with Brent who told me that they had had the records reviewed by a very well-known, well-respected doctor who specializes in that medical condition and who is an international adoption doctor and that she said our little one did not have this issue. I stood, silenced for a bit. I asked if we could have an international adoption doctor from our area review the files and conference with the agency and orphanage doctor (who is in town, luckily) and he said he would facilitate making that happen if I could get it together by Thursday or Friday (no pressure -- one day!). The conversation with the agency was a long one and I walked away with wounds ripped back open and the pain all fresh and new. I called Kevin, who was out in the field behind a drill rig and unreachable -- JUST MY LUCK.

After I got home, I managed to make contact with Vanderbilt's International Adoption Clinic, told my story, explained our situation and the urgency of quickness. Josh asked if we could go to the golf course for him to hit balls and I agreed so I could have some quiet time to ponder this information. I will not say that I was able to accept, agree or process this information right away. It was just too -- odd. I called and left a message with the doctor that our agency had talked with and asked if she would call me back as well.

I got NO calls back on Wednesday. Probably best as I was still just in a state of shock and confusion (as can be evidenced by the post that night). I didn't believe it and thought there must be some mistake. The waiting and soul and mind searching were so incredibly hard. To be back in this place I thought I was past and had left was really hard.

On Thursday, Josh had a doctor's appointment and we were getting our hair cut. I got calls back from the Vanderbilt doctor and got the conference call set up. She spent about 30 minutes going over the information I had sent her and about the condition and possibilities. After that, she was scheduled to make the conference call. While I was getting my hair cut (great timing, eh?) I got calls back from both the Vanderbilt doctor and the specialist. I spent at least an hour on the phone with the specialist and about 30-45 minutes on the phone with Vanderbilt with them both explaining everything in her file and how they both came to the same conclusions -- independently -- that she did not have the medical condition we were concerned about. They were, in fact, both more concerned with her prematurity and small size and growth than anything else. That is something that just doesn't concern me at all -- when she is home, she will be "fluffy" like the rest of us, I'm certain. However, we were asked to get new measurements to see if the little peanut was growing.

I didn't expect to get the new measurements until next week, but on Friday, I got a call from the agency with new measurements. I immediately called Vanderbilt to share them as I was expecting an additional call back from them between 1-2 after they had reviewed her photos. After that phone call with her and the information she shared, both Kevin and I agreed that we had no reservations accepting her referral.

SO..... long story short -- we are back in the adoption process!! We don't know exactly when we will return to pick her up. I know there are those who are returning mid-August and I am hopeful to be able to return with them. I am still waiting to see if they will be able to get the paperwork done in time for her to go to court the week the staff returns to Kyrgyzstan.

So much to do now -- arghhh!! :-) But, we are SO excited. God has returned our joy to us; He has given us back our daughter. What an incredible blessing -- what a miracle.
"The Princess" is coming home. Thank you, God!

27 comments:

Jeanne said...

When you said there was amazing news, I knew it had to be this. I am SO happy for you, but most of all happy for her, the tiny baby whose diagnosis has gone from illness to health. Keeping your minds and hearts open has brought you all to this bright, wonderful future! I hope you can go back in August.

Anonymous said...

OH MARIA!!!!!!!!! I am so overjoyed for you and your family! I have tears in my eyes and don't really have the words, but my heart is just bursting with this news.

Oh yay, yay, yay! Now I can repay your kindness and flood your inbox with pics of her when we go back to get our little man.

I am sitting here smiling from ear to ear.

xoxo April Taylor

Margaret and Tom said...

Oh Maria, as I was typing you a message last night, I just kept going back and erasing all my thoughts, nothing seemed right to say...and now it looks as if all there IS to say is Congratulations!
Wow! God is very good :)

Christina said...

Congratulations on this wonderful news. You and your family have been in my thoughts and prayers.

Michele said...

God is so good! This is the news we were praying for. Thank God for his awsone prower. Can't wait to see her in your arms again. Congratulations!!

Betsy said...

Congratulations! This has truly been a week for great news :)

I think we need to give God a big high-five on this one!!!

Kelli said...

For some reason, I had a feeling this is what was going on and I couldn't be happier for you! Just overjoyed for you and your family of four! Congratulations!

Mayme said...

Maria, congratulations and isn't God the most amazing. I am so happy for you guys and will continue to pray that you travel quickly and that princess will continue to thrive and grow as she waits on her forever family. I have to give a shout out for the Vandy IA Clinic. I am very impressed with them. They were so helpful to me last Friday when everything was moving so fast. Cograts again!

Roy and Lori said...

Congratulations Guys!

We are so excited and
happy for you! I hope
things work out quickly
and that Ellie will
soon be at home with
her forever family!
God is Great!

Take Care!

Anonymous said...

Oh Maria, I am so happy for you and your family. I have been thinking about you everyday and this news bring tears to my eyes. (joyful tears, of course!!) I will pray that you can make that trip with the next group to bring your daughter home!!!

Lisa Brotherton said...

God is great!

Roy and Lori said...

Thanks for the wonderful gifts!

We loved and appreciate
everything! Can't wait
to see pictures of Ellie!

Take Care!

Unknown said...

What absolutely wonderful news! I am so, so happy for you!!

Unknown said...

What wonderful news! What an awesome God! I am soooo glad Ellie is coming home!

Khakismum said...

Even though you *know* God has a plan and is on control...don't you just *hate* being put through it all? ;-) It's all good and God DOES have a plan for you and Kevin and Josh and Little Ellie. Congratulations on everything working out just right. I guess GOD felt you still needed some object lessons on his supremacy in your life! LOL I'm so happy for y'all. Can't wait til I read she is home FOR GOOD!
Love ya!

Zach's Mom said...

I've been reading your blog for a while and have been thinking of you and your family for a while. This is such wonderful news! Congratulations! I can't wait to see the Princess's face.

Rachel said...

PRAISE GOD!!! I am so excited for you and I can't wait to hear more.

Stahnke said...

I believe it was my video that you watched on my blog from our Journey to Kyrgyzstan. It was strange because I have been following along with your blog long before that, and I have never left a message, and then you found my blog. I'm so excited that your little one is okay, and believe me any thing that this child has God will help you find a way through it. We have seen so many blessings and miracles through our little boy, and I would have it no other way.

God Bless,
Kim

Gen 's Family Story said...

So glad to hear everything is working out for you!
God surely does work in mysterious and AMAZING ways!
Congratulations to all of you!!

Wisteria MacBain said...

This is the best news EVER!!!! I'm so happy for you!!!

Cheers,
Marcy

janiece said...

Praise God!!! I am so overjoyed for you and the princess. This is the most amazing, wonderful incredible news. For those who don't believe in miracles--here is one for you!

Jennifer G. said...

I'm so thrilled for all of you, including baby Ellie! What wonderful, awesome news!

Jackie said...

I am so happy to hear this news, Maria!!

Mala said...

WOW!! That's amazing! Congratulations!!!!!!!! I hope you make a speedy return to get her.

By the way, where in TN are you? I used to live in Springfield

Anonymous said...

Oh boy! I can't describe my excitement as I read your blog. I am so happy for all of you. Congrats! You are blessed to have such a little princess. As always, let me know if we can help in any way! Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!

Anonymous said...

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! FLIPPIN SWEET!!! Oh my goodness, Maria. I am so happy. Overjoyed, really. I can't wait to see her!!!

TheHappyNeills said...

i didn't know about this exciting news! i guess it's been awhile since i've read...last i knew you had to travel and say a heartbreaking no :( i am beyond excited for you! this is just amazing! He is Good!!!