Wisdom and Strength

Years ago, I would listen to Ben pray for wisdom and strength every time we prayed together. I have to admit at first I just thought he prayed that because he always had! I finally asked him about it one day and he told me that his dad had told him as he grew up to pray that God would give him HIS wisdom on what to do and the strength to do it. It has become a prayer we have clung to as we have walked this path we have been given. It is now something we are asking you to pray for us and all involved in the days ahead.

We are around five days away from our Johns Hopkins adventure. Sophia will go in for a procedure to diagnose her more clearly on Tuesday and then be admitted to get ready for her surgery the next day. We are so thankful for the gift of the people involved in helping her become healthier. It is hard to imagine, even with her lack of oxygen now, what we will be dealing with as this child gets stronger!! She is so strong already! (watch the video below to see!)

We are very aware as we have heard from our friends in Georgia, that if Sophia was not here, she would not have the chance at this life saving surgery. Right now because of the issue with Russia, the orphanage where she was from is having problems even getting food much less providing children with surgeries. Doesn't it make you shake your head a bit thinking, " why would I ever doubt God's plans" as we see all of this unfold.

Please continue to pray for us all as we prepare, for Sophia to get rid of this cold that has gone through us all, and that the doctors involved would truly have wisdom and strength!
On a side note, the series about Hopkins that aired this summer on TV showed on it's seventh episode a girl who was adopted who had a similar situation to Sophia in that they were not sure what had been done before she got to the states. The Doctor who did her surgery, Dr. Luca Vrecela, is the same person doing Sophia's surgery. We have heard wonderful things about him and are thankful for God's provision of a Hospital with such quality staff so close by.

So, please pray with us that God would give us the wisdom on how to love our children and each other during this time, how to prepare Sophia for this upcoming surgery, and the strength to do what He is allowing in our lives!

Gratefully!

carissa, ben, shane, jesse, sophia and chappy!!