Faith is deliberate confidence in the character of God whose ways you may not understand at the time ~Oswald Chambers

Friday, January 21, 2011

The Dance


I’ve heard this term used before and it seems to be very appropriate.  There are moments when I can’t believe how well she’s doing.  Then there are moments when she seems to push us (OK, mainly me) away and seems to keep to herself and I wonder if the bottom will fall out.

Even the most troubling moments are still very good  though.  She has not had any melt downs or out and out tantrums.  She definitely prefers her siblings and her daddy to me but she still lets me give her baths (and seems to enjoy it).  She even held my hand  (initiated by her) on our outing this afternoon.  Just when I think things are going to turn seriously south  something will happen that will turn things around and that brilliant smile of hers will reappear.

I really can’t imagine going through all that she’s been through.  Seriously, our family is considered  weird in our own culture let alone in a culture as different as China.   Her foster father mentioned yesterday how well she adjusts to new situations.  No kidding.  She’s a trooper.  And smart?  Oh my.  On the way home from the orphanage yesterday, she was solving basic math problems on a white board and then coming up with some for the kids to solve.  

Language continues to be our biggest hurdle.  She had a video sent with her from her orphanage and today she pulled it out and watched it several times.  I think she enjoyed seeing familiar faces and hearing her own language.  The funniest  part happened  when they were explaining about the medical facilities.   The nurses would appear and Lily would stick out her tongue and scrunch up her face.  Not exactly sure what to make of that but should mean the medical exam tomorrow is going to be loads of fun.

When we came back from dinner  tonight we pulled up Google translate and asked her some questions.  It’s the first time we’ve used it  (not sure why I didn’t pull it up sooner).   When she heard the Chinese, her face lit up as she seemed to understand what we were asking .  After a while we asked if she wanted to get a bath with Caroline.  She said “yes” and off they went.  From then on it was all bubbles and giggles.

Not too long after they were done we heard hysterical laughing coming from the bathroom.  Seems that Lily was teaching Caroline how to spit “Chinese” style while brushing her teeth.  Still deciding if that's a step forward or step backward :)

It’s definitely a dance.  Sometimes it’s smooth and graceful.  Sometimes it seems to be full of bumps an stumbles.  

I'm just glad I get to be a part of it all.




8 comments:

  1. God has orchestrated the dance; praying you all feel Him move as you build your relationship with Lily!

    Silly girls-- Chinese spitting! :oP

    Take care! :o)

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  2. Angela I am so thankful for your blog and how it helps me direct my prayers for you and yours. Know that I am doing just that, praying for you all.

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  3. I love the way you put that. It is a dance indeed. The Dance of a lifetime.

    So happy things are going well. I recall when I returned I read some where (wish I had known this in China) that many times they will bond faster with the adoptive father--and siblings--because they don't feel disloyal to the other women that cared for them so long. Sounds like she was very close to her foster mom and that she was a very good "mom" to your sweet Lily, which might be a struggle for her--emotionally when it comes to attaching to you.

    You would know if this is the case best--just thought I'd share.

    Sooo happy things are going as smooth as can be expected (actually better).

    Prayin' for you all!

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  4. Hey Angela. We've been really sick this week so I'm just catching up on the last few posts. Joshua wanted to see and I read some of it to him, though he didn't quite get my tears and laughed at my choke ups. I had to skip several parts! So thankful to hear all that is going on over there and pray that your bond with Lily will grow strong and that there will be no bottom to fall out.

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  5. Lily is definitely going through a lot, and so are you! It must be very stressful, but you have such a beautiful attitude! God is always faithful, so know you are not dancing alone!

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  6. Praying for you guys! I'm sure parts of this will be difficult for a while, but sounds like you're making progress. We love you and your weird family...in fact I was loving on some of them today!! :)

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  7. Thinking about you and your family during your first few days together. You are so right...it is a dance, and sometimes feet get stepped on...and other times you are both gliding along the dance floor.

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  8. She is a cutie for sure! Love your interesting blogging.

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