AMY EMAIL

Dear Friends and Family,
Well, if you've been looking for some good news, you're going to get it. We made it through a scary night to see God's hope shine today. Brenna was quite sick last night and we had some fears that she could develop a dangerous syndrome due to an increase in her food intake after starving for so long. But mid-day today she started having relief from her fever and we've seen her personality start to shine. We have one more day of this critical time for potential refeeding syndrome and we'll slowly be able to increase her food intake more. I cannot explain how overwhelming and scary the last few days have been--essentially we've been caring for our child who would be in the hospital in the US under close supervision. So bizarre...but this level of malnutrition is not an uncommon thing here--just uncommon in these days of Ch int'l adoption...

She has really been funny today--kicking her legs, squealing, holding toys, trying to pull up... it's been so hard not to feed her more than we have been advised b/c she's so hungry!! Soon, baby girl, you can have all the food ou want!

So here's the kicker/the curveball from today....we went to the Chinese physical exam office where all adoptive families must have their children exaimined before the final adoption ceremony/visa stuff. They were totally overwhelmed at her state. They are now refusing to allow her to be classified as a healthy adoption...so they are requiring our status to be changed to special needs adoption. We have no idea what this really means at this point as far as paperwork adn timeline goes...my heart sank for about 1 minute when we heard this but then i thought, of course, the battle for her continues and we are up for the challenge through Christ who gives us strength. PLEASE pray for favor with the US consulate--to not require too much change (we're non-hague family which makes it easier) and to see that we need to get her home ASAP. Please pray for contd wisdom and peace as we care for her. Please pray for us all as we're so exhausted in every way. Pray for Micah--he's got a runny nose but no fever.

I have to end with a story of what God led us through today. This morning was NOT easy--we had great concern for her and came to a place where we felt God ask us to be okay with the thought that she may not make it--that our time with her may be very short. Somehow, God gave us the peace to do this--I don't know how, but He did. We felt Him ask us just to love her and to realize 1 Cor 13:12--that what we see is just a glimpse. We were very aware of every moment with her, taking pictures, loving her. Then, hope rose up! Funny how this mornng our group was focused on words of hope from Him... Seeing her blossom today has been a true miracle. She's not out of the woods, but she's one day stronger!!! I cannot wait for you all to meet her, God willing, and to see the amazing girl she becomes!!

Love to all,
Amy

PS, on a hilarious side note: we get these specal barbie dolls holding a chinese baby at the hotel as gifts!! We have two--I think Mariah Carey is the image they try to create with the mom barbie's hair and clothes--so funny!!