Monday, June 9, 2008

Last Post

This will be my last post on www.journeytomaliacampbell.blogspot.com because I will be moving over to www.bringinghomenaomi.blogspot.com. Come join us there as we continue this journey that the Lord has placed us on. I am learning even more that my life is not my own and that His plans for me are beyond anything I could have ever figured out on my own. I've told the Lord so many times that I just do not understand why Xi, Tao Yan did not make it and He has said "You don't have to understand , just TRUST me." So I am letting the sorrow and dissappointment go and turning the corner, to trust again His plan for me. It's freeing actually.

My heart really goes out the the Chapman's in their sorrow. Mine I know is nothing like they have experienced and nothing like the victims of the earthquake have experienced. I'm indeed thankful my REDEEMER LIVES, and because He lives I can face tomorrow, and with joy!!!!!

Saturday, May 31, 2008

MATCHED AGAIN

Well, we have been matched again. Introducing our baby girl Xi, Tao Xuan who is an almost 12 mth. old beauty from Wuxi Orphanage in Jiangsu Province. We are awaiting preapproval now and hopefully we will not be too far behind our orginal schedule. Tao Xuan is a beautiful little one and we are excited to be able to bring her home. We were able to see some video footage of her and her need and she is so sweet and calm. Dad said right away "we'll fix that calmness". I said "we need some calm in this house leave her be. " Somehow we have never had an easy-going child in our home and this is number 6. Do you think it is something we are doing????? She has the sweetest face and expressions and we find ourselves falling in love with her. She is adorable.

Needless to say I have had a roller-coaster of emotions this week as we reviewed her file and determined if she was the one. I know anger is one stage of grief and I found myself angry that Malia would not be coming home and then again anger when I looked at the special need that this little one had and thinking ---these little people have so many challenges in their young lives--life is just not fair.

Tao Xuan has what we think is fibular Hemimelia which is an orthopedic issue with her lower leg and foot. We have consulted with an Orthopedic Doctor in our area and will get several opinions to determine the best course of action to take with her leg.

Thursday, May 15, 2008

"HOPE"

Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul
And sings the tune without the words
And never stops at all

Emily Dickinson

I've heard it said when God closes a door
a window opens and perhaps it is true. I've
been hearing "Hope" for several days now.

To have "Hope" you must forget the past and
look to the future. We will not forget our
precious Malia Tao Yan but we will look to
the future. It is funny about the saying of Emily
Dickinson because just before we found out our
precious Malia had died there was a little bird
that would sing outside my window. Now there were
several birds singing but this one caught my ear.
I would open the window and listen. Not sure if
anyone one else heard it....it was MY little bird.
God says not one sparrow falls to the ground without
his knowledge and care....we know He loves our precious
Malia Tao Yan even more than we did. One day we will meet.

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Our Journey to Malia Ends

We received some very sorrowful news of our precious Malia last week. It seems that she contracted a bacterial infection and was not able to fight it. She died in the hospital on April 18th. Needless to say we are broken-hearted over this. She was so close to coming home. We were actually waiting for a call from our agency to say that we received final approval.....only to hear the sad news of her passing. It has been a difficult thing to come to terms with. So many people knew we were waiting and we have had to tell the story over and over. Never would we have thought that you could miss someone you never got to hold. But, she was in our hearts and we thought about her everyday. Where she would sleep, eat at the table, sit in the car. We miss her so....We have been assured of another match.....our arms will not be empty...but it will not be her....and so we are very sad. We are drawing close to the Lord and each other and feel the prayers of so many people who care about us and China's orphans. One thing this has accomplished is to make our love for China's orphans stronger and we are determined that we will not live our lives for just ourselves.

We know there there are many praying for us and our family ....we say thank you for your love and concern.

Saturday, April 5, 2008

Still Waiting

Well, we are still waiting for our precious Malia. We received an update on her surgery -lip has been repaired. She has gained a few pounds, but is still a little peanut. It has been about 8 weeks since we sent our dossier to CCAA and we think we may be next in line with our agency Homeland Adoption. We hope to travel sometime in May still but perhaps our travel will continue into June. Thanks to all of you who may be praying for us. Hey, feel free to leave a comment!

This is so sweet

Saturday, February 9, 2008

YEAH! PA!

Well we've got PA! That's preapproval for Malia Jeanette TaoYan Campbell. Such a long name for a tiny little girl. We are excitedly awaiting our turn to travel to China for her. Learned this morning that the temp. in China in May will be about 67 degrees. Looks like spring weather to me. That means long sleeves and sweaters. Still waiting on a new update to see how much she has gained and how tall she may be. She also may have had a lip repair. I soooo much would rather wait till she comes home for any repairs. So she would have the love and attention of a full-time mom and dad for something so major in her life. The orphanage she is in -I'm told- is exceptionally good for orphanages in China. I am sooo hoping and praying she is taken well care of if she does have the repair before we come to get her. This wait is hard but we do have so much to do in the mean time before she somes. And I do still have Mia and Marissa to care for in the wait. I have been putting together some of our favorite pictures of the girls at the beach. Hard to believe they have grown so much, especially Marissa who was such a baby. It will be the hardest I think on her because she will loose her place in the family and be the middle child. Mia is such a wonderful big sister and a big help around here.

Saturday, February 2, 2008

Our Newest Valentine

I know it is a bit early for Valentine's but we were presented with the sweetest Valentine on Jan. 18th....our Annazelle was born on the afternoon of the 18th weighing in at 5lbs. 15 ozs. Such a beautiful little one . Baby and mom doing fine now at home.

Friday, February 1, 2008

HAPPY VALENTINES TO YOU



Courtney, Mia and baby Annazelle
born Jan. 18, 2008


This is my Valentine Poem
I love you, yes I do
I love my Mom and my Dad
and love them very much

I love all of my family
and baby Annazelle, baby
Addison, baby Malia . Love, Mia