If She Only Knew

If she only knew how many people loved her.
If she only know how many people are praying for her.

I've received so much encouragement over the past month, as I asked faithful prayer warriors to life Ellie up in prayer for the 30 days preceding her surgery.

The founder of Ellie's foster home replied and asked my permission to share the prayer request with friends in Beijing who loved and cared for Ellie. The next day I received an email from a lady who lives in Beijing telling me she was praying for Ellie.

I received a message from someone in Canada who told me she was praying.

My wonderful group of prayer warriors from the Bethany COP yahoo group have been the best, most encouraging, uplifting group of saints I could have ever asked for. Ten years ago, would I have ever dreamed that I would have so many cyber-brothers and cyber-sisters.

We have a good friend from Kentucky who happened to be staying with us the week we started the prayer vigil. She went back home and her church and friends have joined us in prayer.

I really would like to take the time to list the names of all the friends from all over the country who are remembering Ellie. Two days ago, a message from someone I'd not heard from in months, who just "happened" to check out our blog...she's praying.
The next day two messages from "strangers", but not really, members of the family of God who followed a link to our blog. They are praying.

I checked out a friends' blog, and she had the sweetest post. She had a picture of our family and was requesting those who read her blog to be in prayer.

A friend from church mentioned how her family is praying daily for Ellie. And, one night, during that prayer, when her husband mentioned Ellie's name, her 3-year-old son said, "Because we love her."

Last night, our associate pastor told me as he was praying with his son, in second grade and in my Sunday School class, his son whispered during the prayer, "Don't forget Ellie."

My wonderfully spiritual hairdresser, who couldn't help but cry as she told me today she was praying for Ellie and her circle of prayer buddies were joining her.

And, the shepherd of our flock, a man of God, Brother Randall, who has Ellie's name on sticky notes to remind him to pray. One Sunday leaving church, he mentioned Ellie and then said he felt the LORD moving on him to pray right there while shaking hands in the back of the church. He began to pray, and then he was speechless. The Holy Spirit took over, and no words were spoken, but I can only imagine what sweet sounds the Son was uttering to the Father on Elllie's behalf.

And, to each of you, who have followed and prayed, cried with me, and rejoiced...
I thank my God upon every remembrance of you.

And, most of all, to the Holy Spirit himself who makes intercessions for us with groanings which cannot be uttered, for I so do NOT know how to pray. To Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, who is at the right hand of the Father, the right hand of righteousness, making intercessions for Ellie, for her mama, her family, for you, thank you.


May the LORD bless your faithfulness to us and to Him,
Robbie

Bring It On--One Week from Surgery

Lyrics by Steven Curtis Chapman

I didn’t come lookin’ for trouble
And I don’t want to fight needlessly
But I’m not gonna hide in a bubble
If trouble comes for me
I can feel my heart beating faster
I can tell something’s coming down
But if it’s gonna make me grow stronger then…

Bring it on
Let the lightning flash, let the thunder roll, let the storm winds blow
Bring it on
Let the trouble come, let the hard rain fall, let it make me strong
Bring it on

Now, maybe you’re thinkin’ I’m crazy
And maybe I need to explain some things
‘Cause I know I’ve got an enemy waiting
Who wants to bring me pain
But what he never seems to remember
What he means for evil God works for good
So I will not retreat or surrender

Now, I don’t want to sound like some hero
‘Cause it’s God alone that my hope is in
But I’m not gonna run from the very things
That would drive me closer to Him
So bring it on

Bring it on
Let the lightning flash, let the thunder roll, let the storm winds blow
Bring it on
Let the trouble come, let it make me fall on the One who’s strong
Bring it on
Let the lightning flash, let the thunder roll, let the storm winds blow
Bring it on
Let me be made weak so I’ll know the strength of the One who’s strong
Bring it on

Okay, I'm not there yet, but I want to be. I may not be able to sing every word with my whole heart, but I do want to live them. I want to be so in His will, that come what may, He will receive honor and glory. I pray every morning to be reminded that his mercies are new for the day, and enough for the day.
His strength is perfect in my weakness. And for sure His treasure in this earthen vessel reminds me that the power within is of Him.

This Crazy Girl!

So, I had this crazy girl at the urologist. (Yes, she does have a bladder infection. Please pray that this and her runny nose clear up quickly before her surgery.)

But, onto the crazy part: A man I know that Ellie has never met came in the door. I spoke to him and Ellie said, "I NOT have your sugar." Well, I truly believe she had mistaked him for another man with gray hair and a full beard who attends our church.

So, this man and I began to make conversation. He caught up on the changes in our family. Ellie quickly decided he was the kind of person she could enjoy talking to, so she told him, "Last night I poo pooed on the potty. And it was big snake, too, wasn't it Mama?"

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine! And, God is giving me many laughs before the BIG surgery day!

I Never Know

I never know what I will find when Ellie comes to bed. I will help her put her pajamas on, but when she comes to bed, something happens.

She is often busy while we are reading bedtime stories, so she may come to bed in her pajamas and a hat.

A few nights ago, she had put another shirt on over her hot pink pajamas, was wearing bright green bloomers from a dress, and a pretty pair of white shoes with pale pink trim.

Last night she went to bed with those some shoes on with her pajamas. Whitney and Caleb joked about how they would never have gotten away with that. I reminded them that I am 43 years old, and I have learned to look over what doesn't hurt a kid. Plus, I don't have the energy to start an argument with my 3 year old. ;)

Then, when I got Ellie up this morning....who knows when this took place. She had added a pair of socks to her ensemble--not just any socks, but green and red striped Christmas socks that went to her knees. This still with her princess pajama top, no bottoms, and her pretty white shoes with the pale pink trim. Where did she find Christmas socks in August? I wish I had the foresight to have the camera ready at 6:30 a.m.

Tonight was a little less humorous, but she surprised me when I changed her diaper for bed. She insisted again on only wearing her pajama shirt. She didn't have on the shoes. When I changed her diaper, though, she lifted her shirt, and she was wearing a bright orange head band around her waist.

This girl is a hoot!

Two Weeks Away From Surgery

"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us."


Last night, after my fatigue from work, hearing my children talk and play loudly all night, a headache, and little patience all afternoon, I marveled that God had entrusted me with these precious gifts.

I am out of my comfort zone with Ellie's special needs and her upcoming surgery, but this is God's moment. He can prove Himself for He will be my strength. He will comfort my Ellie. His grace is sufficient.

Please keep the prayers coming!

My Big School Girl

It seems like such a short time that we were in China bringing home our baby. And, today, that baby, Josie-Tatum had her first day of kindergarten. She went to pre-K last year, but she seemed so grown up today. She gets to ride to school with Mama, and she's at Mama's school. WHile our school is HUGE, over 1100 students, her room is very close to mine, so Mama could peep in once during the day. I looked in the window of the door, and she was enjoying herself playing in centers.

I took this picture of JT with her teacher. Funny, Caleb and Brandon are both SENIORS. Yikes! They pretended to be jealous that I was taking the camera to school to take JT's picture, but when I offered to take theirs, they changed their minds.

I left Ellie sleeping in the room with Whitney. Her college classes won't start until next.

I had a good first day, too. I enjoyed getting to know my students today. Their personalities are all unique.

And, tonight we get to watch the Opening Ceremonies!

God is so gooooooooooood, all the time!

Funny of the Week

So, you know, Ellie went to the gastroenterologist. After her not so fun, rectal examination, we discussed a test she would have when she was four.

Two days later, while I was driving down a busy highway, Ellie pipes in from the back seat, "I not go back to the doctor when I four. That doctor not touch my hiney again."

Well, Josie-Tatum decided she would intervene. She asked, "Ellie, do you want to keep pooping in your diaper?"

Ellie said, "No."

JT asked, "Do you want poop to get on your shirt when you have diarrhea?"

E said, "No."

JT said, "Then you have to go back to that doctor."

Ellie immediately asked her favorite question, "Why?"

Josie-Tatum sighed and said, "Mama, can you please handle the rest of this?"

Thirty Days of Prayer--Updated below

Ellie will have MAJOR surgery in 30 days. We will be going to Shriner's Hospital in Tampa where she will have surgery for her hip dysplasis. Following this surgery, she will be in a spica cast, from the waist to the knees or ankles for up to 12 weeks. Doctors will not promise, of course, but we are hopeful that, after the surgery Ellie will be able to walk independently.

I would be honored if you would join our family and church family in praying for Ellie over the next 30 days. If you can commit, perhaps you could do as our pastor suggested and post her name on your refrigerator or dash of your car to keep you in remembrance of her.

Here are my specific prayer requests. (Feel free to add your own. )

**That God would get glory in Ellie's life and the lives of all of our children.
**That, whether God chooses to completely heal Ellie or not, her mama, daddy, brothers, and sisters, and especially Ellie will know that God's grace is sufficent.
**That God would give strength to her family as we "nurse" her following her surgery.
**That God would make the healing time a quick one.
**And, if it could be His will, that Ellie would be able to walk independently, and develop some manageable control of her bladder and bowel.

My prayer and desire is to read, claim, and live 2 Corinthians 4:7-18. Thank you, Holy Spirit, for directing my path last night to these verses.

And, thank you my friends, who I thank God for, the body of Christ, determined to lift up, support and encourage.

I love you all!

Robbie

Update! Praise the LORD! Ellie saw the gastroenterologist today, and he is hopeful that she will develop the ability to control her bowels. Keep praying!

Tonight and Tomorrow

Tonight, I said to Ellie, "Hello Sweet Pea."
She said, "I am NOT sweet tea."

And, tomorrow, Stan and I are going tubing with Caleb, Brandon, Josie-Tatum, my sister Bobbie, her husband Shannon, and my nephew Joshua. (Whitney does not love the outdoors, and the 3 hour float will be too much for Ellie.)

I'm excited about spending the entire day with people I love, enjoying God's creation. I won't be able to post pictures, though. My digital camera has an aversion to water.

May God bless you all!
Robbie

Mama, LOOK!

"Josie's shoes almost fit me!"
Can't you see it?



Thank you, Jesus, for the rest I've had this summer, for teaching me to enjoy my blessings, to live for the moment, to truly listen to laughter!

Newest Member of the Mattox Family

No! We are not adopting again. Not that I'm opposed to the idea, but Stan says, "We're finished!" And God has not rained any money on us lately, and we now have 7 people living in 3 bedrooms.

So, while Stan and I have both said, "No," over and over again to a dog, we've had a change of heart. One day not long ago, this HUGE dog followed me home from my walk. Did I mention he was HUGE? Well, he was gentle and the girls were fascinated with him, still a little scared, but constantly saying, "Where's Elijah? Can I go see Elijah?" Anyway, Elijah disappeared in 36 hours. But, it got us thinking. The girls are both afraid of dogs. Perhaps owning a gentle dog would help them overcome their fear.

Which leads me to the introduction of Cocoa!






It is so hot here in south Georgia. The humidity would kill a person from Arizona, but the girls keep going outside. They come in dripping with sweat, only to go out again in a few minutes. They can't stay away from her.

Quote for the Day

I took this from the blog of one of my cyber-friends.
Thanks, Brenda.

Live your life in such a way that when your feet hit the floor in the
morning, Satan shudders & says...
'Oh crap...she's awake!!

Blessings,
Robbie

South Georgia Multicultural Festival

So, it really wasn't a south Georgia muliticultural festival, but it was quite an interesting reunion. Our God is full of surprises. Who would have ever dreamed, 12 years ago, when Sabrina and Amy were in my Sunday School class as teenagers, that I would have 2 daughters from China, Amy would have one son from Vietnam, and Sabrina would be waiting on her son from the Phillipines? Not to mention, Amy's husband's mother is from Japan, and Sabrina's husband's grandfather is Filipino/Hawaiian. It's a small world afterall.

The LORD has done great things for us, and we are glad!!! (Psalm 126:3)

Did we have a full house today? Not only were all seven members of our family here off and on throughout the day. Sabrina was here with her Kati and Eli. They are waiting on Levi. Amy was here with Blake, Grace, and Samuel. Samuel joined his forever family in February. Caleb's girl friend came over, as did my sister and her husband. Then the girlfriend's parents stopped in to say, "Hello," when they picked Sara up. It was a wonderful day.

Here are some pictures of the kids at the pool, 1 seven-year old, 3 five-year-olds, 1 four-year-old, and 2 three-year-olds. Got that?

And, to end our day of multicultural activities, when all of the guests were gone, we went swimming in the red neck swimming pool. Well, actually, it was playing in a mud hole. And, in case you wondered, this pool, uh hole, is in our driveway. We should fill it in sometime, but then where would the kids play?

Short Note

Last night, I had sent the girls to their room, and told them I was coming up, for stories and prayers before bed time.

When I walked to their bedroom door, the girls were standing on opposite sides of the door. Josie-Tatum said, "Your majesty," and her copycat Ellie said, "Your majesty." This was followed by many giggles and hugs. What a great way to end the day!

The Essence of Ellie and Josie-Tatum's Stunts

My favorite verse, those of you who know me is, "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory...." Ephesians 3:20
When I had two kids, and never dreamed of adopting, I could not have asked or even thought of my life today. Everyday I enjoy my children more than I could ask or think. While I worry sometimes about Ellie's mobility and other functions, her loving, strong-willed, charming personality is more than I could have imagined when we committed to being her parents. To Him be glory!!!!!!!!


This is Ellie with my nephew Joshua. Joshua plays with my girls at the swimming pool, entertains, accpets commands, and is just an all around good kid. You can see from this picture....and the video below that Ellie LOVES him! Of course, he is Aunt Bobbie's son, and Ellie LOVES her Aunt Bobbie.

Josie-Tatum continues to amaze us with her "stunts." Just 6 weeks ago, she didn't want her face to get wet. She surely didn't go under water intentionally. After mastering her fear, here is one of her favorite tricks.



This video has to be the Essence of Ellie. Nine months ago, she didn't even know English, but we knew she was strong willed. She is THE BOSS. Here sits a child with spina bifida who has NO clue she is disabled. My friend Joli says she is differently abled. I had someone tell me today, "You can't watch her and think she has a disability." She finds a way to do anything she wants to do. She enjoys life with all of her being. (Note it is my nephew Joshua following her commands.)