Beauty for Ashes

Today my thoughts are on the blessing that we could have so easily missed... When I look at Vivi, I cannot imagine our lives without her! She perfectly fills the Vivi-sized space our family was missing. Without a doubt, I am confident God is doing an amazing work in her life, and without even coming close to deserving it, we are benefiting more than we could ever have imagined!

Vivi is a JOY! She is happy! She is loving! She is gentle! She is kind! And how she LOVES!! So pure and free, this girl knows what love is. She is teaching us all what it is to slow down, to see the tulips in "Holland", to remember to hug, and how to forgive and move on. She's like a little ray of sunshine. And to think we were scared of what it would entail... My heart can hardly handle the thought!

We petitioned the school to bring Vivi's school days down to 1/2 days, so she could get more rest, as well as have more positive time at home. She was arriving home at 4 pm each day, exhausted, cranky and just out of sorts. Evenings were rough, and as a result, it was tough to get positive interaction from her. Weekends were fantastic, as long as she got a nap in... Two weeks ago, the school agreed to try the half days. She's still getting on the bus at 6:45 am, but she's now home by 12:30 each day! What a difference this has made! There has been great results in the classroom as well, as Vivi has met more educational goals in the past 2 weeks than in the past 2 months! There have been no "behavior notes" coming home, she's happy all evening (as she gets a nap), and we have SO much fun having her around! 

Physically, Vivi has made astounding progress as well! She's went from a 2T/3T size to now a 5T/6 size of clothes! She's gained approx 10 pounds and grown almost 2 whole inches! She's also wearing a size 8 shoe, compared to the 6 she was wearing when she came home. She was not toilet trained, but now keeps her pull-up dry most days and nights as well! We need to remind her to go, but I count this as a giant success! 

We have seen nothing of the tantrums since the first month home. She is speaking in (some) sentences, compared to the occasion word or grunt-and-point method she was using! Her coordination has greatly improved, and the weekly falling off her chair, bench, toy, etc. trips to the school nurse (or me) have all but disappeared. The food hoarding, overeating, vomiting and gorging have not been an issue. Her hair has even darker and is glossy!

We are still waiting to get her into Children's Village for a full medical exam, but with the amount of growth she's had, we don't anticipate any major issues. She is loving her glasses and is pretty careful with them. Her walking has improved greatly with them, as well. 

So besides thanking and praising the only God Who is in the business of redemption, miracles, and making beauty from ashes, we want to thank YOU for your support! So many of you have been nothing but kind to Vivi and our family, making her feel welcomed and treasured and valued! She is blossoming right in front of us, and witnessing this miracle is a privilege we will forever be thankful for! 

But our family and friends? Our parents and siblings and nephews and nieces and grandparents and aunts and uncles and cousins and church family and friends... Oh, YOU have all made me so thankful to have you! I have watched you, some who had hesitation of the situation in the beginning to open your arms wide to this child! You have hugged her and delighted in her! You have taken her in your laps, held her in your arms, helped her with small tasks and you have LOVED our little girl! And I KNOW she has blessed you! I can see it in your eyes; you love her and I am so thankful. What a MIGHTY GOD WE SERVE!

Beauty for ashes...

To GOD be the glory, great things HE has done!

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.

Isaiah 61:1-3