Reflecting on a Miracle ...

"Don't You Just Want to Hug Me?"

"Miracles Happen Here"

"They Even Have Their Own Multi-colored Cow"

And an update on Lia Faith. Connie called me at work today and said "Lily just asked if Jesus removed the lump on Lia's head?" Wow, amazing stuff. Kids really know how things work. How do we mess it up so much as we get older? Lily has taught Lia to sing Jesus Loves Me and she walks around singing it all the time. What praise! How can I get to that point?

"They Don't Monkey Around in Here!"

"Give Me That Fish!"

"Wheeee! Let's Go Mommy!"

"Ah, the Life of a Princess!"

On Thursday, April 9th, Lia Faith underwent what turned out to be a minor surgery at Children's Hospital in Birmingham. While it's certainly not minor to have a several inches long incision in the back of your head, Lia's condition today, compared to what we expected, is absolutely a miracle. She was supposed to be in the hospital 5-7days, but she was dismissed after only 23 hours. She's been home for 7 days and appears fully recovered. Except for the rapidly healing incision on her head. She was swollen for several days and the area of her head around the incision was swollen and difficult to care for (thanks for your loving help Monica, you're the greatest!).

"Look, ma, twins!"

Now, she seems to be in great condition and is as happy as she could be. If anything, she seems even more lovable than before the surgery. Her hugs are stronger and the look in her eyes is deeper. Some people just know how to hug and Lia is one of them. She is full of love and it's absolutely contagious. She likes to kiss and hug even more than she did before the surgery. And that's a really good thing for her brother and sister and her mommy and me. She still has some things to get through, but finally getting the answers and resolution to the meningocele question was a major hurdle for her little body. She is really, really little! The pictures and measurements we were given with her biography and her updates suggested she'd be about Lily Grace's size - wrong! She feels light as a feather, just like Lily when she was three.

Lia Faith does have to go back to the neurosurgeon's office on Monday for a recheck, but we don't anticipate anything but positive results from that. I can't wait to talk some more with the doctors about what they discovered and what they didn't discover. After Monday's visit, she has some breathing issues to work out with the ENT (she's scheduled for a sleep test in mid May) and may require some minor surgery (tonsils, etc..) to correct problems there. And she still has to catch up on her immunizations, so there'll be a few visits to the local pediatrician's office that she won't like. Finally, she'll have a few more rounds of testing at the IAC in Birmingham and an eye evaluation. And then, she'll be on the normal track for toddler care! Hooray!

As far as her spiritual health, let me just say that she gets it. She tell us she loves us (I love you too too!) and she sings 'Jesus Loves Me' all the time - Lily Grace taught her that one. She bows her little head and prays with us at meal time. However, just like Lily Grace did, she sometimes keeps one eye open to see what we're doing. It's the funniest thing to see. Teaching her and Lily Grace about Jesus is the greatest thing ever. We are so honored that He chose us to do it.

Sorry, we didn't get many pictures on Easter. Lia Faith only lasted a few minutes at church, but those were precious minutes. Austin and I were sitting in the back, thinking Connie and the girls would come in that way. But they walked in the front and the whole congregation got to see the girls 'triumphant entry!' Lia with her head bandage and Lily with her sweet smile. Of course there were many oohs and aah's. Austin and I sat quietly, beaming, while Connie and the girls took a seat closer to the front. Here are three pictures of the girls counting down to Easter (in Chinese).

"Eee, er, san, tse"

"Oooh, lio, chee"

"Baa, joe, chur!

I would have to say that in the process of adoption, we have been drawn closer to God than ever before and we have been privileged to witness and receive numerous miracles along the way. He has met us face to face in the streets of China and the hospitals of Birmingham. It is so comfortable to feel His presence while we raise these girls - because I know for certain that we can't do it without Him! All the praise, honor, and glory to Jesus! For He is everything and without Him, we are nothing.

God Bless You,
Jerry, Connie, Austin, Lily Grace, and Lia Faith
Green, Party of Five