I really like the quote, “I have found there are three stages to every great work of God:
first it is impossible, then it is difficult, then it is done.” - J.
Hudson Taylor
And I have been anxiously waiting for impossible to turn to difficult. Impossible is just...not fun.
This absolutely looked not only impossible when we began but outright foolish. Yet somehow, as soon as we committed to the girls, we knew we had stepped over some invisible line, one that we hadn't known existed, into a whole other realm of obedience.
Unfortunately, that did not erase my night terrors, day terrors, and various other manifestations of fear. When is faith really required anyway? Impossible situations? Paralyzing fear? Horrible odds? Mountains of expenses? It sure looked that way to us: impossible. I have been walking forward, determined, but very, very scared.
Last week that $9000 weight dropped off our shoulders- an amazing gift from friends, new and old.
And here we are with more good news: It looks like we will be able to stay in state for the girls' medical care. I've spent the last few days talking to the experts in Philadelphia, then those in North Carolina at Duke, then back to Philadelphia to compare notes. Everyone believes at this point that those at Duke are able to take on this task. Duke, of course, has an incredible program, so I do not question their medical expertise, but the problem with this particular situation is that it is uncommon in the US. Here, intervention for SB starts in utero or at birth. Bringing in a child from a different health care system changes things up a bit. So finding a neurosurgeon with this experience is a bit tougher.
I have also been told to bring the girls home first. We need some time to evaluate their health, run tests, and make sure they have the strength they need for more complicated medical interventions. This may just be hours or days, but I will be so happy to be able to bring them into their home to meet their siblings and settle in just a bit before we head to the hospital. They get to see a home, their home. It is so significant. Plus, I get to hug my other kiddos!
So rejoice with me friends! It does seem that our basic medical team will be about 1 1/2 hours away. This will be a drive we make semi-frequently. But more good news! They have 'clinics' for their SB patients. This means all the specialists we need: neurosurgeon, orthopedics, urology, physical therapy, occupational therapy, developmental experts, etc. are all there at once. Think 'speed dating' with doctors. We will be able to do a very, very long day every several weeks/months to see everyone at once.
I know God knew all this back in June. But I didn't. It's funny how we interpret the unknown as impossible, when in reality, with a lot of hard work, it becomes doable. It never was impossible, I just had to keep walking long enough to see that it is only difficult.
Now I'm moving on to packing lists, bottles & formula (another thing that varies by nation. Sometimes this is difficult for the kids.), special needs car seats, moving furniture around to accomodate two more beds, arrangements with the bank for the proper money transactions, making sure the bio kids have the correct fall clothing since I will be out of country when the weather changes, school assignments, run my daughter up for another college visit, and try to unpack those boxes from last November. We're in a hurry. Another family got notice this week that they have an appt _next_ week. So we may not get much notice. And highchairs. I forgot about those. I think there must be a special needs highchair somewhere...
First posted at Paisley's Journey
And I have been anxiously waiting for impossible to turn to difficult. Impossible is just...not fun.
This absolutely looked not only impossible when we began but outright foolish. Yet somehow, as soon as we committed to the girls, we knew we had stepped over some invisible line, one that we hadn't known existed, into a whole other realm of obedience.
Unfortunately, that did not erase my night terrors, day terrors, and various other manifestations of fear. When is faith really required anyway? Impossible situations? Paralyzing fear? Horrible odds? Mountains of expenses? It sure looked that way to us: impossible. I have been walking forward, determined, but very, very scared.
Last week that $9000 weight dropped off our shoulders- an amazing gift from friends, new and old.
And here we are with more good news: It looks like we will be able to stay in state for the girls' medical care. I've spent the last few days talking to the experts in Philadelphia, then those in North Carolina at Duke, then back to Philadelphia to compare notes. Everyone believes at this point that those at Duke are able to take on this task. Duke, of course, has an incredible program, so I do not question their medical expertise, but the problem with this particular situation is that it is uncommon in the US. Here, intervention for SB starts in utero or at birth. Bringing in a child from a different health care system changes things up a bit. So finding a neurosurgeon with this experience is a bit tougher.
I have also been told to bring the girls home first. We need some time to evaluate their health, run tests, and make sure they have the strength they need for more complicated medical interventions. This may just be hours or days, but I will be so happy to be able to bring them into their home to meet their siblings and settle in just a bit before we head to the hospital. They get to see a home, their home. It is so significant. Plus, I get to hug my other kiddos!
So rejoice with me friends! It does seem that our basic medical team will be about 1 1/2 hours away. This will be a drive we make semi-frequently. But more good news! They have 'clinics' for their SB patients. This means all the specialists we need: neurosurgeon, orthopedics, urology, physical therapy, occupational therapy, developmental experts, etc. are all there at once. Think 'speed dating' with doctors. We will be able to do a very, very long day every several weeks/months to see everyone at once.
I know God knew all this back in June. But I didn't. It's funny how we interpret the unknown as impossible, when in reality, with a lot of hard work, it becomes doable. It never was impossible, I just had to keep walking long enough to see that it is only difficult.
Now I'm moving on to packing lists, bottles & formula (another thing that varies by nation. Sometimes this is difficult for the kids.), special needs car seats, moving furniture around to accomodate two more beds, arrangements with the bank for the proper money transactions, making sure the bio kids have the correct fall clothing since I will be out of country when the weather changes, school assignments, run my daughter up for another college visit, and try to unpack those boxes from last November. We're in a hurry. Another family got notice this week that they have an appt _next_ week. So we may not get much notice. And highchairs. I forgot about those. I think there must be a special needs highchair somewhere...
First posted at Paisley's Journey
No comments:
Post a Comment