We have a new child!!

Don't panic... we gave the 9th child (visitor) back.  And we still only have EIGHT kids.


But you see... one of them has magically transformed. 


On Saturday we had one child... that child is the child that doesn't listen, that turns evil the moment we turn our backs (I don't say this lightly!), and that does any and everything possible to hurt someone, get them in trouble, aggravate people, etc... everything... without ceasing.  That child didn't even appear to HEAR, because not a single thing sank in.  It was really as if there must be some MAJOR problem going on (besides having Ds and being in an institution for 3 years...) because not only did she show so many many signs of RAD (reactive attachment disorder), but she also was not acquiring language, showing response or remorse, etc.


Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! (2 Corinthians 5:17)


And on Sunday, that child left.  I'm sure she may be back visiting from time to time... but she has been gone for 36 hours now, and instead of being in tears thinking "what are your PLANS, GOD??" as I was just three weeks ago when we discovered new behaviors which made us even more cautious to let her out of sight for even a moment's time with our other children...  we are now saying "could it be??  Could she have decided that she WANTS to be a part of our family, and WANTS to love??"


Dare I say that having our little visitor (baby #9 for the weekend) may have helped her??

She took in little "G" very quickly.  She was KIND to her.  It was as if... she was caring for the "youngest" that had just been moved to the orphanage.  Seriously, I think that's what it was!


And all of a sudden, after about 36 hours with our new friend, she decided... to listen.  To hear.  To respond.  To be kind.  To reach out.  To BE DESIRED.  To DESIRE.  I think she realized that she likes it here.


We have a new child!  I hope she will stay!!! 

We are at 8 1/2 months home.  It hasn't been an easy road.  But let me tell you, this last two days has proven to me that there IS this child in there.  There is potential for love and growth.  She's in there.  Even if she goes away and turns back to the "old tricks."  We now know that this is possible.  It gives us a glimpse of what will be, if nothing else.


Wow.  


""For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11