Hello Friends,

I feel like we are coming out of a fog.

I might not have been able to say that when I got up at 4:15 a.m. this morning to shower and get some things done – which is always done in an effort to have a morning where our sweet dimply cherub can visually see me 100% of the time.

He is an early riser.

And is not so on board with having me out of his sight.

In the adoption world, the time just home from China is called “re-entry.”

I don’t think you will find one China adoptive Mama (or Dad, for that matter) that will tell you anything except that “re-entry” is hard.

There are many, many victories as the transition takes place, but it is still hard.

We are slowly getting on the other side of “re-entry” and starting to talk about what our “new normal” will be.

One of the hardest parts of this adjustment period is everything I COULD NOT BE for everyone else that I love so dearly.

I am so thankful for the friends who have come along beside us these last months.

Ones that text or write an e-mail with no expectation of one in return – because they know we haven’t fallen of the face of the earth – but that we are hunkered down in this rambling old farm house trying to teach two traumatized precious children that they are dearly loved.

Thank you, friends!

Thank you for every prayer said on our behalf.

Thank you for every card, text, comment and e-mail!

Thank you for your offers of help.

We are hoping to widen Tate and Eliza’s world just a little bit and see what happens.

We are praying about what this looks like.

We know that filling our farm with people, like the days before adoption, is not the place to start.

The techniques I am using to help Eliza cope with her sensory challenges are working.

We have seen amazing change – it takes our breath away! – but she is still not able to keep calm in a crowd.

We are so pleased to be able to see her enjoy being outside on the farm just PLAYING!

That may seem like such a simple goal, but to us it is HUGE!

We have set other goals with Eliza’s therapist, but we are still working toward getting insurance approval to be able to see her once a week.

So, here we are again, asking for prayer.

It fills my heart SO full to know that we have some serious prayer warriors as friends!

Please pray with us as we try to move into our new normal.

Pray for what that looks like, not only for Tate and Eliza, but for the other children as well.

Praise the Lord AGAIN that Tate is not having spinal surgery today.

The gift of time that the Lord gave us (before Tate has that surgery) is SO PERFECTLY PRECIOUS.

Your part in what the Lord has called us to is so important!

Your prayers have sustaining power.

Thank you for your prayers, dear friends!