Tuesday, October 9, 2007

Thank you for your Prayers

It has been amazing to get emails and blog comments from so many of you, letting us know that you are praying for us. Many from friends, and many from people I know only from adoption lists, others who just stumbled upon our blog. A great big THANK YOU to each of you. I don't have time right now to write to each of you, but know that your encouragement and prayers are a huge encouragement to us.

MinMin is sleeping now, after a fairly good couple of hours. Praying that another good nights sleep will help her, and us as well.

Keep in touch, and thanks! So good to know that God is in control, and that He chose Janelle MinMin for our family!

37 comments:

Anonymous said...

Starla, we are thinking of you and praying for your whole family. It must be so hard for you to stay positive when she is so sad... you sound like you are doing an amazing job. I'm sure it will get better every day and she will lose her fear. Keep up the good work--- you've got a lot of prayer support!
Love to everyone,
Paula

Anonymous said...

Dear Family,

My heart goes out to you and MinMin on your journey to be Family! My sister is adopting from China so- I came across your site as I was looking at others on teh adoption site. You were all on my mind and heart last night and I couldn't wait to check in to your site to see if things weere better for you all
I have a 13 year old son-like MinMin- and can only imagine what he would be feeling if all he had ever known was changing- even if it was to a far better place! He is a great kid- but being a teenager he is moody
and hard to reason with at times -so I can only imagine with all the emotions and the language barrier how tough this must be for you all. Please know that you are being prayed for in your struggle and I will keep checking in to see how things are.

Tennessee Mom- USA

Anonymous said...

Oh Starla!
I'm so sorry Janelle is having such a hard time. We will certainly be praying for you!
Michelle Parsley

Donna said...

Glad to hear you are making some progress. Just another lurker praying for you and Min Min!

Anonymous said...

Starla and Richard,

Thank God MinMin has you. Your love, understanding and patience are just what she needs. As a parent I know it breaks your heart to see her go through this grief. No matter how much in our heads we know it's healthy it hurts our hearts. I wanted you to know we are praying for all of you.

Love,

Marjorie

Anonymous said...

Hi Starla,

It's Sara again from AH. It seems as though you are breaking down the walls, little by little...yeah!!! Last month while we were in China adopting Lauren it took six full days for her to even look at me. She would only let my two other children help her. She too did not want to eat much at all...LOTS of crying, I mean you could hear her in the USA. She would throw herself under her crib, face the wall and kick and scream for hours. I felt like you did...not being able to really communicate with her was the most difficult part. We are now a family for six weeks, and it is night and day. Lauren now completely trusts and loves us. Literally, it was as though someone turned a knob and made her a different person one morning after she woke up in her own room in her new home. While you are going through this part, just keep reminding yourself that sooner than later you will be a HAPPY family. She obviously had a wonderful SWI and foster family who taught her how to love and bond...there is no greater gift that you and your husband could recieve...and she WILL bond with you as soon as she is done grieving her loss. Keep smiling!!!
Sara Kleiner (AH)

Suzanne said...

My thoughts are with you. What a tough time this is. It's so hard to see a child grief stricken. Are you able to visit the foster parents so she can say good-bye? And maybe get their phone number so she can call them from the U.S.? This has helped many friends' older Chinese adopted children. Stay strong. You are doing all the right things! Suzanne

Kimberly said...

Starla,

It is great that you are getting so much support from her orphanage. It's good to read about the little breakthrough - I hope for more of those as the days go by. I'm keeping you all in my thoughts!

Anonymous said...

Starla,We are also praying as we "join " you on your journey. I know you are the family for this child and God will make your path straight. Very soon that fire within her will turn into love for you AND our Father.Did you bring photos of home? She might be willing to take a look at them with you....... Beth (who was 8) enjoyed shopping for treasures to share with her new sibs( and would bargain up a storm, feeling quite grown up and important ! )We also had her buy treats to send back to the kids at the orphanage, along with some photos of her with her new family. We bought a disposable camers and let her take pictures ( really cheep to have developed at the hotel) Nail polish and hair clips are inexpensive and helped us bond too....Daddy looked so cute with sparkly pink fax braids! It gets better, and you really are not alone!!! Praying for you and the child of my heart. Debbie

Lisa said...

Hey Starla,

Keep the faith and stay strong. Min Min needs that strength and love and security that only a mom and dad can give.

Still praying for you all.


Lisa (AH)

Kate said...

Glad things are getting better, slowly, but better. How great you got her to play some uno.

I had heard before how the digital cameras work magic, and wow, it seems it did.

Hang in there, it sounds like she has some great parents to work her through this time.

Unknown said...

Hi Richard & Starla,

Hope you were able to get a little more rest. This is really like giving
birth in a lot of ways. Janelle is facing a lot of major changes in her
world.
Thanks for keeping us all posted on
the progress. What an amazing amount
of people are praying with you in this.
May you continue to be refreshed and
encouraged as you demonstrate His love to her today.

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry to hear that this adoption is so difficult for both of you. I know the Lord will give Min Min peace in her heart to accept all the changes that will be taking place. Love you. Peggy

Anonymous said...

Starla and Richard, you are in our prayers for endurance and peace. Our daughter adopted at 2.5 greaved for the first week. She also hated to change out of her clothes, especially her shoes. It just seemed to symbolize the end of the day and a lost tie to home, and mama-ya, and baba-ya. She also tried to get out of our room.

She has bonded very well and is very loving. I loved hearing of your attempts at singing. That will be something you all laugh over in the future when Min Min can talk to you. We are praying for her peace and comfort, too.

Big hug to each of you. gayle k, also an Adoption House family

Anonymous said...

Starla and Richard--

We are praying for you and for Janelle! This has to be very frightening for her, but God will continue to work to bring her understanding and peace. I pray that you will be seeing her beautiful smile soon!

Lois O'Brien
owner/moderator clubfootadoption Yahoo group

Anonymous said...

Hi Starla,
I know it is still so tough (especially with not much sleep), but your little breakthrough post was wonderful to read. Each hour, day, week gets better and better even if only just a bit. It is nice to hear that Connie is being supportive and the orphanage. Keep smiling and she'll see your love shining through!
Bonnie Kitts

Kris said...

I found your blog on the adoption blogroll. I'm praying for you and Janelle's adjustment!

Anonymous said...

Starla, The first interaction I had with our 11 yr old daughter in China was playing a game of UNO. We must have played a million times in the hotel on the airplane etc! Do you have any other games? This was truly the ice breaker for us! I know it is hard to see her so sad. PLEASE take care of yourselves so that you will have the energy to help her. I hope that through this blog you will see that there are others who have been where you are and know what you are going through!! You are NOT alone in this journey! I LOVED the prayer someone left on your blog! I read it over and over again. I am praying for you ALL!
Linda T

Stefi said...

Starla,
We are praying for you! You are so kind and patient, surely Janelle MinMin will see your love and gentle ways. "He that began a good work in you, will see it through to the end." I am so glad that you have a strength in the LORD. Being a parent is heartbreaking in so many ways. I have been praying that the peace of Christ will reign in your heart and that Janelle MinMin will see this in your loving ways and actions. We are praying that Janelle MinMin will come to understand her grief and begin to accept the love you have for her. We are praying for you, my sister! Stefi

Anonymous said...

Hi Guys!! Just wanted to send you some loving thoughts from home. Good luck to you and to Min Min. I have known you 29 years now and know that nobody is more cut out for the job of loving and nurturing that beautiful little girl than your family. Be safe in your travels and know that we are sending nothing but positive thought and energy from Missouri. Love, Tiff and Barry

Anonymous said...

Starla, I'm so happy to hear that there is a little crack in the wall. This poor sweet child. I will pray that she will get it all cried out and will be ready for some food and that her eyes will clear up enough to begin to see into your hearts and to hear and instinctively know that she will be ok. Let acceptance sink in and then hope. God continue to bless and protect/comfort you all. Laurie

Anonymous said...

Starla, I have been praying for you and for MinMin, and my bible study prayed for her this morning. I am so glad you have Connie as your guide. She is just SO good and so experienced. Connie was my guide in June when I adopted my Olivia (Ting Ting, age 2, I know Connie will remember us because she got the big scars on her elbow and knee while hailing a taxi for us! So tell her hello and we miss her!) My heart just aches for Janelle and for you. I think you are doing such a wonderful job of keeping your spirits up and knowing that God has placed MinMin with your family. I am sure this is wearing on you and Richard. I am praying for God to give you strength and fortitude and to give MinMin healing and hope. God bless all of you and know that so many of us are praying.... and God is listening!

Unknown said...

We are continuing to pray for all of you. For rest, for strength and for comfort. I know this isn't easy on you Starla or on Richard. You both can get through to Min Min. You are so loving and patient. She will see the love in your eyes and hear it in your voice. I'm so glad for a small break through and praying for more and more progress. Love you all!

Ohilda said...

Starla,

My heart goes out to all of you, since I have been in your shoes, as you well know. Hang in there. God IS in control and Janelle's heart will be yours when she realizes that you are there forever.

Praying hard for all of you....

Hugs!

Michelle said...

Janelle Min Min is very lucky to have a family like yours. Its very inspiring to read about how you are handling such a really challenging situation. The good news is that her reaction to you is such a healthy one. When she bonds to your family, it will most likely be with the same passion and vigor she has had for her foster family.

Prayers going out to your family,

Tracy said...

I am praying Starla. I can't imaine what you are all feeling, this is so tough. Remember, try to focus on what is unseen, not seen. God has a mighty plan for this little one. I pray you will soon see the beautiful smile we all fell in love with when she was on the WC lists.

On another note, Connie helped us a few weeks ago in Guangzhou when we adopted Asher Chu-Chuan. She is lovely and was a great blessing. I didn't make the connection until I looked at the pictures again.

Hugs,
Tracy

Unknown said...

Hey - I just wanted you to know you have many of my Navy mom friends praying for you all. I will email you their notes of love and support.

Sherri said...

I am a member of LCC and saw that you asked for prayer.

We had a difficult adjustment after adopting our 2 year old in April. Spit in our faces; cursed at us in Chinese. I pray that each day is a little better than the day before.

We are praying for you.

Sherri in Alabama

Chelley said...

The love the is pouring in from so many people is amazing! All these prayers and thought of hope and surport I hope lift you and your hubby up and give you the strengeth you need...

And hugs for MinMin....

Life with JJ, Starr and Spice said...

Starla:

Sending thoughts and prayers to you and Janelle. I hope that she is doing much better today.
Hugs,

Lori W.
From your May2007 group

Charlotte said...

Starla,

With all these prayers from everyone, all will be well soon ! She is a beautiful young girl and she is grieving and you and your husband as the best parents ever for her to give her the time and space to do this, can't wait to see that first family hug and smile shot ! It is coming soon !

Charlotte
www.rachaeljanew.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

I agree with Charlotte. I am hoping for more improvement today. How tough this is for all of you. Did the venturing out go ok? Laurie

Anonymous said...

Dear Starla, Richard and Janelle -

I heard about your blog from the moderator of the clubfootadoption yahoo group, and I am sending many prayers to your family from Texas to Shenzhen, Guangdon, China.

I know this greiving process is tough for both of you to witness. Just think, our awesome God is mending Janelle MinMin's heart as we speak, and as you mentioned before, Janelle needs this time to heal. She will attach to you once she works through her grief and loss of everything that is familiar to her.

I actually know what you're going through. We adopted our 6yo son from Nanchang, Jiangxi in May 2007, and he was also with a foster family. He grieved hard for his foster mother, father and older brother, and he cried at the top of his lungs on our first night together. It broke my heart but I knew it was actually healthy for him to work through it. He is totally bonded now, and is a very happy boy.

I am praying for God to give you strength as the three of you work through this together. I can't wait to see her beautiful smile!

Hang in there!

Sending Blessings Your Way

Molly

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