Living Full of Life: So Thankful!

What a fabulous way to end the year...an update and new pictures of Emma! I am even more in love today and was just so blessed to see her face when I first woke up this morning. She is growing some hair and she just looks so healthy. We got several questions answered too, which is just so great and I am just so thankful for how well she seems to be doing.

I haven't blogged about her 'special needs' because first, I don't want her special needs to define her. I don't want to label her in peoples' minds before they even meet her. Secondly, because there were just so many unknowns involved with her, it is hard to share what I don't know. The update answered some of those unkowns, which we were willing to deal with and accept as God's perfect plan for us and her, but it is so wonderful to see some of the concerns answered. It was a real concern that Emma may have some nerve damage due to a surgery she had early in her life, that would affect her ability to crawl, stand, and walk. We are so thankful that our update included a picture of her standing and the report that she can sit up steadily, roll over, and pull her knees up under her. While this doesn't mean she is all the way in the clear, it is certainly a great sign! Thank you, Lord! What a sweet surprise! I pray so often for His hand to be on her, protecting her little heart and mind from the ill effects of an orphanage, keeping her healthy and strong, but I haven't prayed a lot for her to not have side effects that are common with her special need. I was really trusting and feeling a peace that God has our backs and whatever problems she may have physically, He would supply the grace, energy, and peace to deal with them as they came up. What a great gift that she is standing! Wahooo!

Seeing new pictures makes me feel more connected to her and makes the wait a little more bearable. I also got updated measurements so I can plan her wardrobe and shoes for when we go get her. We also were able to share her English name with the orphanage staff and they agreed to our request of calling her by it from now on. She is just so precious and we can't wait to bring her home.