EK settles in

beautifully.

Our girl is so courageous.  She is being so brave in the face of so many changes and what must feel like such uncertainty to her.  We know she is here with us forever...she doesn't know that with her heart yet.  We tell her, and she might hear us, but learning to trust that and believe it takes time.

Monday was a good day.  We felt the presence of the Lord with us in such strong ways.  Emma Kate was very upset each time anyone left for school or work.  And we leave in three shifts, so it made for a l.o.n.g. morning.  Cooper and Jeb left first, and Jim drives them to the bus stop.  Thank goodness he got back quickly.  Her face when he walked back in the door was priceless!  Anna and Luke went to school next, and while EK was joyous in the car on the ride, when they jumped out with hugs and kisses, she just fell apart wailing.  The translator is being put to much and good use.  While it doesn't immediately calm her down, she seems to understand what the robotic man's voice is saying.  Hopefully it is translating correctly!  Jim left last, and that departure elicited true cries of despair.  In her fear, though, she is letting me comfort her.  And she is learning that we all always come back.  She is learning to trust us.

One really fun and funny memory is when I sat down in the drivers seat for the first time since Emma's been home.  I turned the ignition on the car and started backing up only to hear a loud exclamation of, "Mama!".  I looked back at Emma and her mouth was dropped open and her eyes were popped out in amazement.  My cool factor skyrocketed.  She said something in Chinese that I translated as, "No way!  My mom rocks!  Look at this!  She is driving the car and she is awesome!  I have the best Mom in the world!"

Things just got better from there on in!  When I handed her the free sample of pumpkin bread from the Breadsmith she looked at me with a huge smile and eyes that gleamed.  Her little heart said, "My mom takes really good care of me!  She can get all this food just like that!"  We walked to the car afterward and sweet brave Emmacakes grabbed my face and pulled me in for a huge unsolicited and genuine kiss.  If my heart could have sung in that moment, you would have heard a psalm of sheer joy.  I know God did.

She didn't really like being at home without everyone else there, so we did spend most of the morning getting some errands done.  I hadn't planned on that at all, and yet we had so much fun and each new (boring) errand elicited great excitement for Emma.  I felt like she was just so ready to be out and about experiencing the world after five and a half years of living in a building.  Our girl is drinking it all in, and she is finding it good!  I'm sure the days of joy picking up Luke's prescriptions and dropping off Daddy's drycleaning will be short lived, but even I felt the privilege of doing these types of errands after time away in a land where many people will never ever even once in their lives drive in a car to a pharmacy that can provide them with whatever drug they need to stop a child's seizures.  I was so keenly aware of that as I walked through the doors of Olson Brothers.

I wish I'd had the videocamera running when we picked Jeb up from school.  Emma's eyes almost popped out of her head with glee!  And it only got better as Anna and Luke and then Cooper were ushered into the car!  The crowning glory of EK's day was when Baba (Daddy) arrived home.  He received true love from his littlest girl.

The day was completely different than I'd expected.  I woke up and drenched myself in Scripture and bathed in the Word of God.  What He brought us was something beyond what I'd even imagined or considered.  I'm still in awe of all that He brought to pass.  Even the dog that passed us on a little jaunt around the block was an opportunity for me to scoop Emma up into my arms and help her feel safe and protected.

Here are a few things we are discovering about our littlest girl:

• She finds the refrigerator an amazement.  Opening and shutting it is really interesting.
• The cupboards with food in them are amazing.  Even more so the drawers with utensils and cooking implements.
• The little girl who tripped over curbs and could barely navigate steps eleven days ago, now walks up and down the steps of our house with ease.  She goes from downstairs to upstairs and back all by herself and is fluid and steady in her steps!
• She seems to prefer her left hand, and may just be as clever as her Mama that way. :)
• Fruit: not so much.  Veggies: even less so.  We've got some dietary habits to expand!  I'm so excited for her to learn the good taste of healthy, fresh food!
• Loves, loves, loves bows in her hair.  We have a budding southern belle!
• Has the cutest new shoes that are purple and pink...and she won't take them off.  In fact, she took a short nap with them on today.
• Has a very funny and winsome sense of humor.
• Can count in English already!
• Is singing "Itsy Bitsy Spider" in English...wow!
• Slept in her bed one night!  Anna was so happy.  Last night, back in our bed.  Tonight: who knows!
• Loves eggs.  Any way they are cooked is good.  Breakfast is a favorite meal.
• Thinks the wind in her face is funny, and falling leaves are a wonder.
• Has a brave spirit and a gentle soul.  Is long-suffering and beautiful in her budding trust of us.  

Emma Kate has many doctor's appointments ahead of her this month.  This week, specifically, we go to the eye doctor on Friday.  Please pray for her that she would feel safe and secure with me, that the doctor would be gentle and kind, and that Emma would receive excellent care to help her see better!

Next week we have an ENT appointment with the doctor who will repair her palate.  The week after that is a ortopedist appointment for her sweet little hands, feet and leg, and a dentist appointment.  We have more, and it is all for the good.  I tried to spread them out about one a week, knowing we need to get them in as quickly and soon as possible.  I just don't want her to feel overwhelmed by them, and want her to feel secure with us as I am the one taking her to them.  

Our dear one has quite a journey ahead of her.  I love that we walk with God, knowing He has provision for our Emma above and beyond all that we could ask Him.  Our love for her is immense, and His love for her is even bigger.  If I am the mother lion for my daughter, He is the Lion of Judah for her.  We are thankful for His faithful and steadfast care.

That's all from here.  Time to go make Emma's day and pick up Jeb!  :)

Love from Meadowbrook

Sara