Eden's Surgery

Oh my goodness...it's been SO long since I posted and so much has been going on. I am home schooling Eden this year (K-5) and keeping precious, 17-month-old twin girls each day in my home. On top of that I continue to lead a Wednesday morning Bible study of Romans each week at my church. Needless to say, we are busy, busy around here. I love it, though.

All that to say, sorry I've slacked in the blogging world. I do miss you all! Real quick, let me update you on our adoption process, and then I'll get to the reason for this post - sweet Eden's upcoming surgery.

We are trucking along with our home study. We have done all of our meetings with the social worker and turned in most of our paperwork. We still need to do our medical exams and online training & reading that is required. We are also waiting on fingerprint clearances which we are told is taking 3 months in AL...so we will work on our reading/training while we await that. So nothing major to report, but each check off the long list of requirements brings us one day/step closer to our child. Please continue to pray for us as we trust God to provide the resources we need to complete this adoption.

The pressing issue on my heart right now is Eden. She is having surgery for her cleft this Wednesday March 30th. It isn't a "major" surgery...it's plastic surgery to revise her scar and do some minor nose and lip work. However, it feels major to her, and to us. Of course we know the Lord is in control and trust Him with her life and her well-being.

My concern is as much for the emotional aspect as the physical. It is becoming more difficult as she gets older to shepherd her through her questions and concerns about her appearance. I knew this would happen, I cannot say that I expected it at 5 years old. She is already comparing herself to other white, blonde-headed little girls. Why do we do this to ourselves, ladies??? Why??? I know it's "normal" but my heart just longs for her to know and believe that she is beautiful exactly the way God made her, inside and out. I know this must be how God feels about all of us that He created, chose and loves.

A couple of weeks ago we were in the car and out of the blue she said, "Mommy, I don't want to invite anyone to my 6th birthday party. I just want you and a daddy there." Now, her birthday is in December so I thought it odd for her to be thinking that far ahead. "Why not," I asked her. "I'm afraid someone will ask me what's wrong with my lip." I wanted to pull over, bury my head in my hands, and weep. After a little probing, I think she didn't understand that she wouldn't have stitches forever...at least that's what I hope it was.

I shared this with Dr. Grant's assistant and she suggested we utilize the Child Life services at the hospital. So, we are scheduled to go Tuesday to meet with them and have a tour. Eden is excited about this. Please pray this helps alleviate some of her anxiety.

As I was praying for her, the Lord reminded me that I can use these questions, insecurities and fears to point her to Him. He called to my mind all the verses and truths we have memorized and talked about this school year. It was as if He said to me, "Now Keri, show her how to believe and practice what are now just words she has memorized." My prayer is that she will know God, not just know "about" God...and she cannot know Him without hardship and trials. So as much as I want to shelter her from all pain, and fear, and cruelty...it is better to allow her to learn that God is bigger than all of that. He is with her.

So, please pray not only for her safety in surgery. Please pray that God would cause the seeds of truth we are planting in her life to take root and grow. And pray that Gene and I would shepherd her wisely through this long road ahead of surgeries and self-image issues.

And I cannot close without remembering that there are millions of children with both physical and emotional needs sitting in orphanages, foster homes, the streets, or even brothels all over the world with no one to tell them how special they are...how much God loves them. Please pray for these children as you pray for Eden...and I will do the same. They matter. They are important. We must not ignore them.

I will update the blog and facebook with details throughout the coming weeks as she goes into surgery and through her recovery. Thanks for your prayers!