Dear Ruthie,

I had a dream about you last night. You were running around and laughing. In my dream, I kept calling you Mei Mei. Your Chinese name is MeiWen Peng. I have never really thought about calling you by your Chinese name before mainly because God gave us the name Ruthie before I ever really knew who you were. I looked up the meaning of Mei today and it is "beautiful". It is a great name for you because you really are very pretty. I am starting to wonder if we should name you Ruthie Mei Karen instead of Karen Ruth. I can't imagine not having Karen in your name because it will be such an honor to be named after your Nana. I just think keeping part of your Chinese heritage makes sense and Ruthie Mei is just so cute. Your father is sitting on it like he does most decisions so I guess I will know his thoughts on the topic in a few days. Ruthie Mei Karen???

Love, Mom

Dear Ruthie- 

We requested updated records for you today.  The ones we have are from 6 months ago and I want to know if you are walking yet, how are your hands, and how much have you grown.  Leah our adoption coordinator said we should know next week if they are going to be able to provide those to us.  

On another note, I started painting your room today.  It is pink and yellow and looks like a bright happy day.  I hope it isn't overstimulating.  Sam did a really cute thing while I was painting.  He brought a stack of legos, 2 trains, and a plastic hammer and set them on your floor so you would have toys when you got here.  It was so sweet to see him take the initiative to share his toys with you and you aren't even here yet.  He is going to be a great big brother.  Jack keeps saying that he wants to teach you to read so I hope you are somehow learning english there because Jack is jumping straight to reading when you arrive.  

We love you and are praying to get to see you soon

Mom

Encouraging Email

I received this email from one of the families that I have met through the adoption group on Yahoo. I found this email to be incredibly encouraging and insightful. fyi- Half the Sky is an organization that has adopted Ruthie's orphanage and does outreach there.

Ginny, We too adopted from CQ Children's Home and although it was back in 2005 what a fabulous place. Our daugher was 18months at the time and not a special needs child. She didn't walk when we got her but within a few days quickly took off. I caught it on video tape. We were most impressed with this orphanage as we were told that that are 800 children at it. There was a clinic/rehab hooked on and it all is a giant complex--nicely decorated, clean and the children looked well taken care of. In our travel group we had 3 babies from here, another 5 from another orpphanage. They said that our orphangae (here) looked like the HIlton compared to theirs. We did get Half the Sky report of our daugher that showed her at 6months when she was given up. I am so excited for you and wish you God speed.

Coolest thing since last Wednesday

I found the coolest thing last night. There is a Yahoo group for families who have adopted from Ruthie's orphanage. They have pictures from their visits of the sleeping rooms and playroom where we recognized the painted flower wall behind one of Ruthie's referral pics. It was so neat to see where she is living and now be able to talk with parents who have been there or will be traveling there before us. They even said that some of the nannies who take care of the kids, follow this group so I am hoping that one of them will be able to tell me more about Ruthie. Wow- technology is an incredible thing.

How to Pray

Thank you so much for all of your comments to Ruthie. I am going to take them with her adoption confirmation papers and make a "pregnancy book" for her. I know your words of welcome will mean the world to her.

Many of you have mentioned that you are praying for Ruthie, so I thought it might help to let you know how we are praying for her.

1. For Health.

• We are asking God to heal her wrists which are currently turned inward (club hands),
• To help her catch up on her developmental milestones (she is behind but that is expected with her wrists and being in an orphanage)
• That there would not be any other health issues- her cognitive, speech, and emotional health would all be excellent
• That she would get the nutrition and attention she needs to thrive

2. For Travel

• That our paperwork would be processed quickly
• Trent is praying that we can travel to pick her up in April. This would defy all odds, but I am learning not to second guess his prayers. I am just hoping to be back from China before we travel to family camp in June. I think family camp would be a great place for us to connect as a family

Thank you for praying with us.

Ginny

My Head is Spinning

January 14, 2009

Trent told me several months ago that he thought we would get a call in January. Of course, I didn't believe him because that would mean dissapointment if he was wrong. Well, he was right!!!

America World called today around 1:15 and told us that they had a match for us through the shared referral program. After praying and consulting with a physician, we decided to move forward with locking the referral. The next step is to receive an acceptance from China and at that time I believe we can share her picture with all of our friends and family. We are supposed to travel to get her in 4-6 months.

What I can tell you is that she turned 2 in January. She is cute as a button. We are praying for healing with her specific special needs and that she will get the nutrition and attention she needs to grow and transition into our family perfectly. Please join us in praying for Ruthie Henderson.

I will post pictures and details as soon as I get the ok.
Also- I am going to take this information and place in her scrapbook so feel free to comment and leave her messages.

Ginny