Landmarks with Hope

It has been quite an experience over the last few months to adjust to our growing family and witness the effects of an institutionalized system on a child.  Hope differed from all the other adoptive children my parents were with because she had had no previous bonding with anyone.  She found security in her own little world.  Some bonding landmarks Hope has made since she arrived home include intentional eye contact, obeying Mom and Dad (she is understanding the English we speak to her quite well), learning to trust Dad and Mom when food is involved (although we have much improvement still to be had in this area),  and preferring to play with others than by herself.
As we spend more time with and get to know Hope, our hearts weep for the other children still without families and Christ.  My parents will never forget going into Hope’s room and seeing 29 other children staring into space.
We appreciate all your prayers for our family and Hope!  Please continue to pray that Hope would love and trust her new family.

A few recent memories…

Kyle turned 17 in December and went on an elaborate scavenger hunt (that I had a great time planning).  The final gift was a leaf blower for his lawn business.

Hope loves to read books with us.  Ernie’s Bath Book is her favorite.

Entertaining ourselves while we wait for Mom in the car!

Philip sharing one of his favorite stories with little sis.

Special bonding time with Momma.  She learned early how to quietly sit with Momma during Bible time.  She did great at Church this past Sunday!

The Christmas Miracle with Jonathan Toomey is one of our favorite Christmas books.

Thanks for visiting!

When Hope Comes Home

The Lord has been leading our family down the adoption road for the past year and a half.  We were matched with a precious little girl in April and have been working ever since toward her home-coming.  Last month, Dad and Mom flew to China to pick up our little Hope.

The outside of the fancy hotel my parents stayed in throughout their trip.

Welcome to check-in!

The view outside their window.

My parents arrived on Sunday, November 10 and did their best to stay awake all day so they would be fresh to receive Hope on Monday.

Waiting for Hope to walk through the door.  Priceless!

Here she is!

Checking each other out.

The new family…Praise the Lord!

For the next 11 days, my parents visited government buildings and toured.  This structure used to be the highest in the world.

A Chinese farmer recreation at the history museum.

Playing at the park.

Hope is not used to being outside…so much to see.

A saleslady doing her best to sell tea.  I think the sweet cat is a set-up:)

Near the end of the trip, the trio visited the zoo.

Sleepy kangaroos.

Happy Guy:)

My parents brought home two calabashes.  They are similar to a recorder but have a more hollow sound.

Spending time with another adoptive family.

This was the best view of the pandas in the zoo, the rest were in a building behind a fence.

The rest of the crew waiting for the airplane to come in.

There it is!!!

Welcome Home!

Meeting her brothers.

What a wonderful homecoming!

The new and very happy family.

Hi Philip.

The rest of us were home with a couple from Church while Dad and Mom were away.

Jet lag:)

Miss princess with her Daddy, who is still sleeping!

Some daily steps of improvement include:

~ Making eye contact

~ Drinking American formula

~ Eating sweet potato puffs (from a spoon!!)

~ Allowing her hair and teeth brushed

“Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.”

Romans 15:13

Recent Adventures

It has been quite some time since we posted an update and pictures of our family.  We have had a very blessed and exciting summer!  Here are a few of the highlights.

Daddy, Momma, and Emilee shared a picnic in the gardens of Middleton Plantation.

 

With alligators lurking nearby:)

 

Emilee completed her senior recital.

The Lord was so gracious and brought to life one of my favorite verses which says “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”  (2 Cor. 12:9)

About a month before my recital, I cut the end of my finger with a knife and was unable to practice piano for a week and harp for two weeks.  Then the day before my recital I contracted a low grade fever and a sinus infection.  The Lord alone gave me the strength to complete the recital!

The family out for a hike while Emilee was in harp camp.

 

Out for a walk.

 

What can I say?!  The youngest with his beloved mousy:)

 

The harp campers at Bob Jones University.

 

All the Johnson boys with a friend went spelunking for a long weekend with Buddy Davis from the Creation Museum.

 

We are enjoying our time in the mountains of North Carolina and went to a mountain river today.

 

Can you spot the butterfly?

 

Kyle and Davis went exploring on rocks through the rushing river.

 

Philip determined to show his bravery in conquering the cold mountain water:)

 

“Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fullness thereof.  Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice before the LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth. “

Psalm 96:11-13