Again we made progress today. It is so encouraging. Layla is now a full time walker and she can be in another room than Shelley for little bit and be ok. We have started her on some other baby food. She ate some peas and corn today. Layla is even reaching out to me. Last night before bed I was laying on the floor and she would walk over to me and hit me with her gotcha bunny and laugh. I can see her eyes warming up to me. It is really heart warming for me. We are going at her pace so she knows her boundaries are respected. The picture at the right is of Layla and I playing the tilt the head game and video is me sticking my tongue out at her and then tilting our heads. We are feeling better and are less than 48 hours until we leave China.
I wondered how I would react to Layla and her cleft lip and palate. Someone made a comment that we should pray for her upcoming surgery which is a good thing. I was pleasantly surprised that I forgotten about the surgery. I am perfectly in love with Layla just the way she is.
10 comments:
Wow, it is amazing to me that love can happen so fast for a child, but it is obvious she loves both of you. She is really drinking in the love from you. It's been obvious in the pictures the way she is receiving you Shelley as mom. And Justin in this video, it's clear you are her dad. It's so precious. What a family :) And thank God for technology that Henry can experience it.
Yahoo for progress - physical and emotional. Justin I really appreciated what you posted about the things you'd learned from the situation; it's a rare gift to be reflective and learn from situations as emotionally difficult as this.
I'd also like to suggest one other blessing from this situation - one that you've hinted at. One of life's real joys as a father is to watch your wife - full of the grace of the Lord - care for your children. She is able to relate in ways you cannot, to care in ways you can only marvel at, to understand feelings and recognize concerns that are hidden to you. To see your wife be a mother to your children can leave you feeling inadequate but what a blessing and a joy. Praise God that you have a godly wife and that you can be a husband and father. It may be that there are father's who can be both the emotionally connected / aware one and provide the strength and objectivity called for, but I don't think I've met one. Recognize your gifts and Shelley's and, as best you can, be at peace in your role. Your gifts will be needed soon enough.
We can't wait to meet Layla and see Henry again.
She is just too wonderful! What a delightful laugh she has!!! And she's already falling for both of you so much! God is so good. He works so sweetly.
Justin, Here's the email I tried to send to Helen ...
Helen,
If it isn't too much trouble, could check with the Guangzhou airport to see if we left our MP3 player on the plane on the flight into there on 12/13. We think that may have been the last time we had it. That was flight NW 0027 arrving 10:35 pm. The MP3 player is black. May have had headphones attached.
the other possibility would be the flight into Tokyo - flight NW 0011
Maybe one of the returning families could secure it and bring it back... I don't know.
Hope all is well with you. Mayana is doing great and we will update you soon! Or check our blog ....
Pam Amlung
Somehow my first post ... asking for the favor, and expressing our delight in Layla's progress, seems to have been deleted and replaced by the other post. If you get the comments, we sure appreciate your passing it on to Helen, as she rarely gets a chance to check her email.
thanks! Pam and Tom Amlung
It's incredible to see how much she is "coming out of shell" each day. Her laugh is contagious!
I'm so excited for you to be coming home (finally) in a couple days. I bet you cannot wait! Safe travels and please keep us posted when you return so we can see pictures including Henry, etc.
Janet
Great video. Hearing Layla's laugh is really wonderful. It is awesome that you have experienced so much with her in such a short time.
I am so excited for you and can't wait to meet Layla! Love, Nicole:)
Hey guys! I am a friend of Kimbell's and she showed me your blog today. My daughter was born in Hunan and came home to us in 2006. I am so excited for all of you! I'll be praying for Layla to feel more and more comfortable with you both every minute! She is beyond beautiful!
What a wondrous thing to get to know this part of yourself that you never knew before. Surely Layla will bring new understanding of Jesus as our rescuer, of God's choice to be our loving father, of the parents you were made to be. We are praying for you as you travel -- cheering you on all the way. Just a tip -- start blogging about what kind of food you want in the USA when you get back, I have a hunch it'll be provided to you.
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