The Newest Addition

So, it seems we have probably found the next Harrigan!  The Lord began speaking to us a couple years ago about our daughter in China.  We didn't know much, but we started working.  We are thrilled to introduce her and share a bit more of her story.

She will be two years old in May, and she was born with a cleft palate and lip.  Her lip has been repaired in China, and her palate will be repaired as soon as we get back.

When we were presented with her file, it was incredibly daunting.  You read this patchy document, with all kinds of missing information.  You pray unceasingly for 48 hours.  You are incredibly, overly obsessed until the decision is made.

As we were praying one night, I had a picture in my mind of a massive swirling tornado.  We kept reaching into the tornado and pulling out pieces of trash that, when we turn around transform into puzzle pieces that form this little face.  It was as if there was swirling chaos on one side, and peace and calm on the other side.  After asking a dear friend in China what her Chinese name meant- I about fell on the floor.  The next morning I woke up to this email, "Now I CAN help you there: the name means calm and warm. Love y'all!"  Calm and warm????  Really Lord??  Amazing.  So, the decision seemed clear enough.  And sometime in the next 4-6 months we head to China to get her!  SO can't wait.  Could have gone yesterday.  But I know the Lord's timing is perfect.
  
 "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."  2 Peter 3:9

"Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies."  Romans 8:23  

The Growing Family

Helloooooooo friends!  It has been such a long time, and I am so sorry.  But we all know that internal processing, and then writing is not my strong point.  ;)  If I can't say it, then I have a hard time making moments in the schedule to communicate it well.  However, I have a moment of unexpected time this evening and felt like some of you needed an update.  So, I'll take it in two parts.

First, our sweet third born daughter.  Her health is doing amazing.  She is growing in stature and heart every day and I am so honored to be her mama.  We have come to a point of stability where her counts have stayed up and we know, for now, what medicines work to keep them up.

She is strong.  She runs fast, plays, hard, talks a LOT, and keeps all of us laughing.

 
Her older brother has turned 7.  And in our house, 7 is a big year.  He got to celebrate his birthday last month for 7 whole days.  And with that comes all kinds of big kid things.  He has new responsibilities, new freedoms, and new choices.  His allowance has grown slightly, and he has the freedom to spend or save (after tithing of course).  He is such a funny, smart little boy.  He has bug thoughts, and a bigger heart.  He is compassionate beyond belief.

 

My oldest born is growing faster than I can believe.  He is almost as tall as I am.  He is going away to camp this summer for the first time for an entire week!  He is determined, intelligent, a soccer player to the core, and a compassionate big brother.  I have often caught him reading to his little sister, without being asked.  And they are having a great time together!  He has good friends.  He is loyal.  And his heart is getting stronger and stronger.  I cannot believe it. :)  This picture is from January when he ran in his first 5k!  He is training to do another one this spring.  Pretty fun!

  

 The Chief and I are doing great.  We are amazed at life and marriage.  Next month, we get to celebrate 15 years of marriage!   And it's even better then it was then.  Amen and amen!