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

Home 6 Months!

Our little Joy Joy has been ours for 6 months today! We met her for the first time in China on October 29th. Half a year . . . that feels like a milestone! It is hard to remember life without her . . . she is such a joyful presence in our family. We just can't imagine not knowing and loving this precious little girl. Here she is on that "Gotcha Day" 6 months ago . . .

 

And here she is today . . . the pictures say it all . . . JOY!

 

 

 

 

And here is our family . . . she is ours and we are hers . . . a perfect fit . . . knit together through love!

 

Happy 6 months, Joy! We love you so much!!!



Sweet Linda

We just received some new pictures of our sweet Linda! These pictures were taken by a mom who recently traveled to bring home her daughter from the same group foster home as Linda. She graciously offered to take a gift with her from us. It was another chance to tell our little precious girl that we love her and are counting the days until we can bring her home. Here she is receiving the package which included a recordable book that we read to her along with our voices saying "ni hao" (hi) and "wo ai ni" (I love you). We also sent some clothes and art supplies which we were told she likes. Additionally, the guide was able to translate and read our cards to her.

It looks like she is waving . . . so cute! We miss seeing her beautiful smile, yet just to see her sweet face is such a gift. Whenever Joy sees a picture of Linda she lovingly sighs, "Awww!" That pretty much sums it up! We love you, Linda, and we are coming soon!

There's No Place Like Home!

When you are away from home, you always appreciate what a blessing it is. We are so happy to be home! The night spent in the hospital was a bit rough, and the discomfort for little Joy is so hard. The loving care of the kind nurses, assistants, and volunteers is wonderful, yet constant. From about midnight on, Joy was already asking for the "wagon". The wagon? She remembered that the last time she left the hospital to go home, she rode in a wagon. We're not sure how much of the hospital stay she remembers, but the wagon with the pillows was apparently a standout. A ride in the wagon = home!

Joy slept so much better in her own bed, and so did we! On our first night home last time, Joy woke up almost every hour trying to get comfortable. Last night she woke up only a few times for Tylenol and a snuggle, and then she was right back to sleep. The exhaustion has passed, and it is amazing what sleep does for a body! Thank you, Lord!

I remember speaking with an international pediatrician before we accepted the referral for Joy. She positively encouraged us that the surgeries and casting would help with our bonding. So true! Actually, going through all of this has served to enhance our bonding and confirm our attachment. When we first saw Joy in recovery she was crying and scared. I could hardly get to her fast enough! She looked at me, and instantly I saw a flood of relief in her red, swollen eyes. Tears of relief continued for a few more seconds, and then she relaxed and melted into my arms. She was comforted by my presence and my touch. And in my heart, I knew for certain that we have a bond. It goes deep. I am her mommy, and she knows it! She is my daughter, and she trusts me and depends on me. This reminds me of my heavenly Father. All I need is His presence, His touch. I can trust Him and rest in His unfailing love. What a beautiful gift! I pray that Joy will come to know and understand her heavenly Father's love for her in a deep and profound way.

"Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O Lord." Pslam 89:15

Victory!

And now 1 month down . . . 4 more spica cast months to go!



 





Surgery Success #2!

We made it . . . phase 2 of surgery is complete! Praise You, Lord! Here is our little sweetheart being wheeled away. That is the hardest part, the final hold of her little hand, the final hug and kiss! Notice that cute little left leg . . . it will be 4 months before we see it again. :(

The doctor said everything went great! Joy now has both hips back in their sockets! It is so amazing, and we are so thankful for our wonderful hip specialist of a surgeon. Also, the new tower at CHOC just opened up. It is a beautiful facility, and we are in such good hands!

Yet, ultimately we know and trust that we are in the hands of our sovereign Lord. We continue to stand in awe of His love and mercy. We give all praise and thanks to Him! We are also so thankful for all of His saints who are praying for us and Joy. The peace that we feel is a direct answer to all of those prayers. Thank you faithful prayer warriors from the bottom of our hearts!

Joy is our little trooper, and she is handling everything so well. When she woke up this time, it was already normal to be in the spica cast. She was definitely more accepting of her situation, and of course, the new cast is still pink! However, the new cast is bigger and a bit heavier, which just means a better workout for mom and dad!

Our little Joy Joy is so sweet, and she just radiates "joy" despite these intense physical trials. She brings a smile to everyone's face, and we pray that they will see Christ's love through our beautiful daughter!