Update on Nai Nai

Thank you to everyone for the prayers for my mom and our family. My mom has been moved to a rehab facility and is doing better, however, she is not able to get up and go unless she is assisted. It's so hard to watch her try to manouver around in the bed just to try to move over to the edge of the bed and put her feet on the floor. The stroke was on the right side of her brain, so it affected the left side of her body. Just last week, I took her back to her house on Thursday after she spent a week with us. She and Emmi and Maggie had made Christmas cookies and we had had a good time together. She was up and about like normal. Now a different story, but I'm just so thankful to the Lord that she's still here with us.





We are so, so very thankful that the stroke didn't affect her mind. She has dozens of therapists, and on Wednesday she met with a speech therapist. The therapist told my mom that she was going to ask a lot of questions and they would sound pretty trivial (ie what day is it, what Holiday is coming up, what was last months Holiday, etc.) Mom answered all the questions correctly. The therapist told mom that she didn't need her anymore (except speech). Really good news!! So now she just has to get her left side moving again. She wears a prosthesis on her left leg which doesn't help, but we are hoping and praying that she can get back to walking without assistance.
Please continue to pray for my mom. Not knowing what the future will bring is very, very scary. But, I'm following God and walking with Him one day at a time.

I'll have to say that it was tough getting up this Christmas morning without Nai Nai at our house. Even Jacob commented last night that it wouldn't be the same without Nai Nai here. But again, we are so blessed that she's still with us. We packed up the gifts and off to rehab we went. We can celebrate Jesus' birthday anywhere anyway. It doesn't have to be in our living room floor. Happy Birthday Jesus!!!



"But the angel said to them, 'do not be afraid, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord."
Luke 10-11

Prayers for Nai Nai please!

Hi everyone,

Last night I had to face something that I've absolutely feared would happen. My mom had
a small stroke. As we were having our traditional dinner at my in-laws last night (my mom has been going
with us for the last few years) she had a stroke. She was admitted into the hospital this morning and has been undergoing assorted tests for much of the day. We still don't have "all" the results back yet, however, she is very, very, weak and can not get around on her own. Now I don't know about your mamma's, but mine is very independent. So for her not to be able to get around is major.
Please pray that God gives her strength, patience, and perserverence to get through this obstacle. So far I've been strong, but fear has crept in tonight. Leaving her at the hospital & seeing her lie in the bed, well I just lost it. So please pray that God gives me strength and wisdom to get through the coming days. Also, please pray for my daughter Emmi. She just loves her Nai Nai dearly. It's so hard seeing her reaction to all this. I know she's worried and
scared. Nai Nai traveled to China with me to bring Emmi home in 2000 as well as Maggie in 2003. She's a tough mamma, but definately needs all your prayers. I'm an only child so we're all very close.
Mom stayed with us last week and made cookies with the girls. Everything seemed fine and I
would never have thought that a week later this would happen. I trust in God's plan and know that He is in complete control. We're walking with Him and taking one day at a time.

God bless,

Anita

Adoption books auction -ending soon!!

Wow!! God has been soooooo good during this journey. We have raised almost $800 so far and are still in need of another $1300 for the rest of our homestudy fees. I had forgotten that $600 of post placement fees were due up front.

I found two different adoption books, "Mommy Far, Mommy near", 4 hardback copies &
"Happy Adoption Day", 4 soft back copies, that I had purchased and put away. I had hoped
to start an on-line business and had accumulated different adoption and Chinese cultural items to add to the sight. However, the sight never did happen. But I do still have some of those items and am hoping to sell to the highest bidder to help with Faith's adoption fund. These are
both wonderful books and would be a great addition to your library.

There is one day left to place your bid. We currently have 2 of the "Mommy Far, Mommy Near" books with bids. We still have 2 with no bids and 4 of the "Happy Adoption Day" books without bids. Just e-mail me with your bid, anitavan@bellsouth.net and I will post your bid. Once the auction ends, tomorrow, Sat. 18 at midnight, I will e-mail the winners. Payments can then be made through the "donate" button on the right.

We are also accepting donations if you already have these books and would love to help us with our journey to our daughter Faith. $5 donations add up quickly and we would so appreciate your help.

"Happy Adoption Day"

Book 1 High bid _____

Book 2 High bid _____

"Happy Adoption Day"


Book 3 High Bid_______
Book 4 High Bid_______

"Mommy Far, Mommy Near"

Book 1 High bid - $20.00

Book 2 High Bid - $25.00

"Mommy Far, Mommy Near"

Book 3 High bid _______

Book 4 High bid_______

"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me." Philippians 3:12

And the winner is . . . .

First, I must say "thank you" to everyone that contributed to this fundraiser giveaway. We were able to raise another $300 towards Faith's adoption fund. As yesterday drew closer, I wasn't sure if I would be totally stressed, or even hyperventilate (sp?) since we were so far away from our goal of $1800. And, somewhere down the road, I missed the additional $600 in post placement fees that had to be paid up front as well for the home study. But Friday night, I was at total peace not knowing the final outcome. I thank God for taking us one step closer.

So, the winner is . . . . . Debbie Ward.

Please check back often, I will be adding some great items to my blog to auction this week to continue our fundraising efforts to bring Faith home.


"You can be at PEACE about your future, when your future is in God's hands." This was
part of our sermon series back in the summer.
Matthew 6:34 "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

Only ONE day left to order!! Our Thirty-One fundraiser ends today, Saturday, December 11th at midnight!!!! Every donation counts!! Thanks so much for visiting our site.

If you are just stopping by, a very sweet friend, Anne Little, is hosting a Thirty-One party for our daughter, Faith's, adoption fund. She is donating 100% of her profits!!

Just by placing an order, you will automatically be entered into our current $100 Best Buy gift card giveaway too!! Just in time for Christmas. We will draw the winner on December, 12th.

To see the fabulous Thirty-One bags, totes, and goodies, just visit http://mythirtyone.com/AnneLittle

On the right at the bottom you will see "my events". Click on it and then go to Vantrease family. This way we will get credit for your order.

Thanks so much!!!