Day 2 at the orphanage

I have never seen the power of prayer more evident that I did yesterday. We started out the day full of unrest and fears and questions, and by the time we layed in our bed last night, we were filled with peace and joy in our hearts. After my last post, we got a good meal (finally), took a nap, had a cup of coffee, and spent some time in prayer.

We both agreed that we had come all this way for Ava, and birth father or not, we would not leave her here.She needs us, and we need her too.

So she is more delayed than we expected. Of course she is! She has spent all four of her years of life in a crib looking at white walls. She is malnourished, dehydrated, vitamin and protein deficient, lacking in stimulation. Just getting her in our home will make a world of difference. John said, "Even if she doesn't walk, so what? We'll just strap her on our backs and carry her until she gets too heavy, and then we'll get her a wheelchair." :) Do you see why I love that man so much? Happiness really has nothing to do with the ability to walk anyway.

So after making the decision, we began to feel tremendous peace. We missed our chance to see her in the morning (miscommunication on the visitation times), so we spent the afternoon taking a nap and doing paperwork. We gave her her name: Ava Alina Grace Urban.

On the way to the orphanage at 3:30, we began to pray for a second chance of special bonding time with her, and that the Lord would encourage us with signs of life in her. Then I realized, her name means life! Ava means life! When they brought her to me the second time, a love came over me like I can't explain. Not just a godly kind of love, but a maternal love! I held her in my arms and stroked her bald head, held her dry crusty hands, and rocked her emaciated pale little body, as John played "When Love Takes You In" by Steven Curtis Chapman. We both wept as we had the most beautiful time of bonding with her. Later I put her on my tummy and we looked at each other face to face and she looked into my eyes for a long time. She had an inquisitive look. She looked at John too, and stared into his eyes, and after a little bit she leaned in to him and started licking his whiskers!! (Hey-it's a start). It was so cute and it was cracking us up!

She was mesmerized by his iphone! She loves music, and followed the iphone with her eyes. She tracks and follows very well, which is huge!! Then I remembered the teddy bear that the kids had put together for her, and we got that out. I'm sure she has never seen a teddy bear that sings before. Especially one that has her brothers and sisters' voices on it.

Here she is with the box of kisses from her brothers and sisters. Thank you Simeon, Liesel, Jude and Hope. Ava doesn't know how to kiss you back yet, but maybe she'll give it a lick or two for you.


I stole this hairbow off the teddy bear and put it on her little tuft of hair. She was reminding me too much of Jimmy Neutron without it. Notice the rash on her arms and face. We patted her bottom and rubbed her back, and all we could feel were her bones and ribs. :(

Doesn't she look cute with the hat Oma made for her? We absolutely love her!!! She will fit so well in our family.

As we walked out of the orphanage, we both left crying and laughing at the same time. We both agreed it was a good day.

Last night when we got online, we saw the flood of email messages in response to my last depressing post. We read each message together and we wept again thinking of God's faithfulness to use so many of you to encourage us, and confirm in our hearts what he had shown us. We no longer felt isolated, but instead surrounded by your prayers, love and support. No wonder our day went so well! From the bottom of our hearts we thank you for joining us on this adoption journey.

They say international adoption is like a roller coaster ride. It's a good thing we like roller coasters. I hope you do too.