joy of the Lord

We are home.  And Emma Kate is doing beautifully.

She is in pain when the pain medicine wears off, and that is to be expected.  She wants to be near us all, so while I would love to tuck her in bed and the comfort of fresh sheets and a soft pillow, she is desiring soft sheets and her pillow on the family room couch.  Couch, it is!

Many of the same people we met during Emma Kate's initial palate closure at Children's were there for our stay again this time around.  The nurse who himself was adopted from China {Nepal, now} and raised by a priest in India was our day nurse.  He has an incredible story and is so quick to tell it through the lens of God's redemptive hand on His life.  It was a true privilege to hear more of his story today.  A true testimony to redeemed suffering and a God who provides in and through hardship.

Emma Kate completely ignored the nursing staff!  I was actually a bit tickled by this, as she would only talk to me, answer me, ask things of me.  This is beautiful evidence of trust built and love grown.  The difference in her bonding and attachment to our family, in a mere five months, from our first stay at Children's to now is simply breathtaking.

The joy of the Lord.  That is what has come to mind again and again as I think about it.  God setting her in our family and setting us in hers.  He knits so well.  And His handiwork is perfect.  There are no mistakes, and He works wonders.  Our family is evidence of this.

Beautiful.  Our Emma Kate.  So beautiful to us.

Today we rejoice in His goodness.  His provision.  His lovingkindness.  And the plenty He has given us in all seasons.  We never lack because we never lack Him.  He is sufficient.

While exhausted and weary this afternoon, it is the best of tired.  There is a deep rest in the Lord today.  I am renewed and deeply at peace.  And I see the same in our Emma.

Thanks be to God!

Thank you for praying for us.  We are ever so grateful.  Always.

Love,
Sara