Travel Approval!

We received word today that we have travel approval! We now just need to wait for the confirmation of our appointment at the Consulate, and then we can book plane tickets! All of the travel planning is about to unfold, and all of the many details will need to come together. But most importantly, our beautiful, precious girl is almost home! Also, today we received a few new pictures . . .

 

We are so smitten with this little girl . . . we can't wait to meet her, know her, and love her! Such a look of determination on that little face! Apparently, she likes hats . . . I see much "dress-up" going on in the Metzgar household! From the moment we laid eyes on her, there was just something about her eyes. They are deep and soulful . . . I simply get lost in those beautiful eyes. Her name, Linda, means "beautiful", and her Chinese name, Rui, means "precious one". She is a beautiful, precious child of God, and we are so looking forward to discovering who our heavenly Father has made her to be.

 

"I praise You because You made me in an amazing and wonderful way!" Psalm 139:14

 

We are praying for her little heart and mind as she attempts to grasp what is about to happen. So much change! We pray that through it all, she will come to know and understand the love her Father has for her. Her earthly daddy is ready to go get her and adopt her into our family. I just can never get over how adoption here on earth relates to our spiritual adoption. What a perfect picture of love!

 

"For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. IN LOVE He predestined us us to be adopted as His sons and daughters through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will." Ephesians 1:4-5

Bye-Bye Pink Cast . . . Hello Green!

Joy went in for a cast change yesterday . . . we are 50% done! After 10 weeks of being "the lady in pink", she decided to go "green"! But it's not just green, it's "bright green"! She is very pleased with the results. :)

We are so thankful to have hit this milestone, and we are so thankful for how well Joy is doing. The doctor told us that the incisions look good and are healing nicely. And I never thought that I would say that I actually now feel very comfortable going to the hospital. Of course, going home after the procedure yesterday rather than being admitted was a good feeling. No surgery was involved, so Joy just bounced back and acted as if nothing had happened. We interacted with familiar faces, and we always feel that we are in the best of care. Ultimately, we know and trust that God holds our precious daughter in the palm of His hands. His plans are always good and loving no matter what!

In 5 weeks, Joy goes in for one more surgery on her right knee. This knee never bent at all, and in fact, it bent backward. The surgery is more minor than the hips, yet still it's surgery with an overnight stay at the hospital. She will then be casted for a final 5 weeks, and we pray the cast will come off at the end of July.

The doctor gave her the go ahead to move and crawl around on the floor. She loves this! The kids put her on the skateboard the other day as seen in one of the above pics. She feels some freedom in the movement, and it gives her a good chance to work her little arm muscles.

Joy has begun talking about all of the things she wants to do "after the cast comes off". So cute! At the top of her list is to sing and move to the song "Jump, Jump, Jump into the Light, Light, Light". She so wants to jump and run and play. Her body may not meet her expectations as quickly as she might like. But once again, we will all have an opportunity to trust God and know that the joy of the Lord is our strength!

Waiting for Linda . . .

New pictures! It is such a gift while we are waiting! Precious girl!




 

Waiting . . . sometimes it is literally painful. Looking at her sweet face, knowing she is so far away, longing to bring her home. Yet, I know that our heavenly Father is with her watching over her. I know that she will not come home a day too early or a day too late. God is using this time to prepare us, to prepare her. He is at work in our hearts, and He is causing us to trust Him more. We are right where He wants us . . . clinging to Him! He receives the most glory when we rely on Him alone.

 

"But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds." Psalm 73:28