One year ago....

One year ago, I met this princess.

Sweet face.  Vacant eyes.

A friend said, "She needs you."

She was right.  In a way.

The truth is, it's not about me.  It rarely is.  (see last post... ha).  She needed SOMEONE.  Someone to love her and hold her.  And kiss her owies....

Well, she's got that now, and then some!

In six months' time, she has grown from 18.5 pounds to 26.25 pounds and from 27 inches to 33.6 inches!  Wow!   She's no longer a baby but a little toddler, although she has just now reached the 5th percentile....

And the beautiful thing is that on Monday, May 16, just three days ago, our judge entered the order declaring her a Steiner.  For life.  Elizabeth Mirembe.... now Leah Grace Elizabeth.  Woot!

Seth

It's been a rough week for my little man.  He woke up on Saturday with a fever and unable to walk.  But for the fact that my nephew Sam had this exact issue about a year ago -- twice -- I might have flipped.  Sam had a virus that attacked his hip joints and made it painful to walk.  The doc thinks that's what Seth has too.  It has been a rough few days with high (HIGH) fevers and inability to get around.  Would you pray for Seth?  I hate seeing him sick and hate as much that I can't spend quality time with Leah.  Eveline just called and Seth is now throwing up, too.  Oy.  Please pray.  We need some healing over here!

Seth

I was inspired reading No Greater Mom's story about their daughter who does not speak. (See her blog on the right margin.) No, Seth was never in an orphanage. No, he was not abused nor hurt in anyway. I was blessed to have him straight from the delivery nurse's arms. But nevertheless, as I've written, he has some little issues.

`

I got a note from his Occupational Therapist yesterday that read as follows:

`

"Seth used some spontaneous language today. He said, "bye, birdies" and answered the question, "What color is this?" He completed an alphabet puzzle and repeated the names of words beginning with specific letters. He spontaneously named objects on a number puzzle as well (baseballs, tooth brush and stars). Seth also enjoyed coloring and helping Joan erase what had been drawn on the dry-erase board. He identified which face was 'happy and sad.' Hope all is well. Seth is doing SO WELL! :-)" Joan

`

I was thrilled to see this note when I got home. And then, No Greater Joy mom reminded me that even the small victories in development are victories nonetheless.

`

Seth and I celebrated with ice cream. Ahhhh, summer. I won't tell you where that sherbet scoop was just moments before.... (sigh)

To GOD be the Glory!!

Today at church, I was talking with Katie and another new friend about health issues that arise and how they may impact our faith. As we shared about the way "sickness" has challenged us in our walks with Christ, Katie mentioned that she thinks of me and how I've handled (or not) health challenges. My mind immediately jumped to Seth and I gave a nice little speech about how his issues showed up slowly and then got scarier and now are on the down swing. Just a quick side note: we learned last week that after his December check up, he will only have to see the eye doc once a year. Yippee!! He only sees the endocrinologist twice a year, doesn't have to see the neurologist any more, and is weaning therapy needs, other than speech. Truly, to God be the glory!

`

But the funny thing about Katie's remark to me and my diatribe about Seth's health is that she turned to me when I stopped rambling and said, "I wasn't talking about Seth. I was talking about YOU." Wow. I totally missed that. It was far from my mind, which, after the last 8 months, is pretty hilarious. My health issues are far from my consciousness!! I feel great and healthy. I rarely have bad days anymore. I'm truly blessed to be healed and improving further everyday. Isn't it sooo totally awesome how God healed me?!?!? WuhHOOO!

`

I want to always remember that time -- the last eight months -- when I was taken to my knees and forced to rely on God and God alone. I wept and prayed and wrestled. I trusted and questioned and, yes, doubted. But my faith (greater and smaller at various points) remained. I'm grateful to many people for prayers and to my doctors for patience and to my nutritionists for thinking outside the box. But mostly to my Heavenly Father.

`

That's why, to GOD be the glory!!! Great things He has done.

Humbling

I am completely humbled by all of you who are praying for me. THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart. I now have a long list of people happily added to my prayer list, and what fun God and I have had talking about you (or the loved ones for whom you sought prayer)! I pray God blesses all of you!!

`

Much, much love, in Christ's name,

Deb

Prayers for Health!

Linn at A Place Called Simplicity has called for a Crazy love party based on prayer. http://aplacecalledsimplicity.blogspot.com/ (The first party was meeting people's financial needs. Boy was that fun!). I couldn't pass up the chance to participate. Who doesn't need prayer???

`

I haven't felt well for too many months. I've seen loads of docs and tried a myriad of fixes. And I must say that today I feel better than I did in a few months ago. Thank God!! But still it lingers.... Unfortunately, I had to put my (second) adoption on hold until I feel better. Not feeling well has also brought about a fair amount of anxiety about what's wrong with me and why it won't stop. I've spent a lot of time in prayer, and God and I have had some good talks about that!! More trust in Him. More surrender of my "stuff". More of You, less of me, Lord.

`

I know my prayer request isn't the most interesting out there but it's awful to feel lousy for so long -- particularly when you're a single mama!! I would love to tell our adoption agency that I'm ready to start the process for our second baby by June (or sooner). Would you pray I'm healthy and full of energy by that time? I'm humbled by your willingness to consider my heart's cry.

`

If you want to read more about Seth and me you can see his story at http://conceivedinprayer.blogspot.com/2010/03/seths-journey-home.html and my prayer for the second one at http://conceivedinprayer.blogspot.com/2009/12/great-adventure.html

`

I'm also committing to pray for anyone who is praying for us. So in your comments, please leave a request and it will be covered in prayer by me for at least a month.

`

Last, let's all pray for Linn and Dwight. They are blessing sooo many of us (far more than the 1000+ followers). Pray for Jubilee's surgery and for their upcoming trip to Uganda and for the next children to come.

`

"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us - whatever we ask - we know that we have what we asked of him" 1 John 5:14-15.

God Speaks

A few weeks ago, one of my dear friends said to me, of some of my recent blogs, "I envy your prayer life" or something along those lines. My first thought was to laugh and confess that I too envy my current prayer life! It isn't usually this way. I have too often in my life become one of those "pop corn" prayers kind of girls who shoots up praises and requests all day long without a sustained period of prayer time with my Lord. My sinfulness gets in the way of worship of my Savior. Ugh!

`

For the last several months, it has been different. And God has been different. I pray; He speaks. Literally. It is almost eerie it has become so real to me. I expect it now . . . listen for it differently . . . expect a miracle. There have probably been only two other times in my 40 years of living where I felt that same deep connection with God where we had a daily ongoing dialogue -- in both directions. It's my fault, I believe, because God is always there listening and waiting for that conversation. I fail to meet Him in His holy place. (sigh) That's disappointing!

`

Friday night, I met with God again. This time, I was in the middle of my Epsom bath soak (doctor's orders--ha) and began to pray for complete healing. God and I talked about it for a while. And then God brought to mind those healings performed by Jesus while he was here on earth. "Remember," God said to me, "People were healed by Jesus just by touching the hem of his cloak. Touch me, and be healed." It was interesting that came to my mind. I had never really thought about what a modern day healing looks like or how it might happen but there, in my relaxation, God said, "Touch me." Hmm.

`

After I was done, I was re-energized. I bolted up, threw on my jammies (ah...) and went downstairs. I put on some praise music and turned it up loud, and I worshipped. I sang and I danced and I threw my hands up to the Lord, worshipping. When is the last time I did that? Um, never. I'm too inhibited to worship like that. I'm too staid to worship like that, even alone. But Friday, in the privacy of my home, with my hands held high, heart open wide, and a reckless abandon that could only be called supernatural, I touched Jesus. And I'm believing Him for the miracle of healing. Now.