baby blessings…

The last couple of weeks have been a little hectic but so full of unexpected blessings! 

I'll try to recap the events since my last post in a list form for easier reading. But first, check out this amazing photo of Seoul, S. Korea…

compliments of http://thebesttraveldestinations.com/tag/korea/

1. We received "veggie baby's" first Well Baby Clinic from Korea. She is still noted as "cute and fine"…the terminology on their reports always makes me chuckle. Maybe it's just the translation that suffers because I would have put her in the "beautiful and devastatingly adorable" category.

2. Later, we received another blood panel report from last month which freaked us out because it stated that her phenylalanine levels were "markedly elevated" from the previous month. yikes!!!

3. The next day, we finally heard back from our metabolic specialist in town with GOOD news regarding the 30+ pages of medical info on her disorder. It looks like she has a milder form of PKU *praise the Lord*! And the "markedly elevated" blood levels were still within the "good control" range. (thanks for the unnecessary coronary - probably another result of lost in translation) Time will tell how strict we will have to be with her diet, but basically we will be monitoring her PKU through a vegetarian/vegan/gluten free diet…and NO beans, nuts or seeds. Surprisingly, there are a lot of foods that she CAN eat - just NOT the typical American diet - which is FINE by me! Here's to positive thinking!

4. God has been providing for us to bring home "veggie baby" through some totally unexpected ways. We received a brand new, beautiful baby crib, mattress and changing table - a completely unexpected surprise! And last week we received two very unexpected donations for our adoption expenses. One came from a church in Scotland who hosted a bake sale to benefit our adoption! The most amazing and humbling part is that I've never even met the members of this church - except for ONE member who was a roommate from my college years. Wow - what an expression of God's love. We were speechless!

5. My super talented and artistic sister has spent many, many hours refurbishing furniture and designing items to sell in support of our adoption. I can't thank her enough for the long nights and hard work she put into all of that. You are awesome, sis! 

6. My sister-in-law, the master crochet-er/seamstress, has also been feverishly working on market bags and crocheted creations to help bring "veggie baby" home as well. The items are super cute for babies, kids, AND adults (we both wear them). I will be selling these at the community garage sale this weekend in the North Main area (come out, all you garage sale divas) and at the Family Adoption Fundraiser that Julie Zimmer is hosting for us on August 6! (my family and friends are priceless!)

7. Finally, in regards to the uncertainty about the EP situation in Korea and not knowing if we will be able to bring our little girl home this year or next…it probably goes without saying that I have been praying for a miracle a lot lately. I usually end up praying myself to sleep about it and last night was no different. I asked God for peace (and a miracle) and told him I know he controls the situation and "the kings heart"…I think I drifted off at that point. So this morning I decided to read the "Proverb of the Day" and guess what the first verse told me - "The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turns it wherever he will" How cool is that to hear God respond like that! It is ultimately up to him when we will be able to bring our baby home and it's great to know that he is also in control of the EP situation in Korea! We are believing that we will be able to bring her home this year - maybe even before her first birthday.

There have been so many little blessings that I could probably write a book. I know I'm forgetting to mention something (which is why I need to post on here more regularly) but hopefully I've communicated enough to show my gratitude and awe.

So, what's next? More waiting and hopefully shorter but even more exciting blog posts in the near future…