Before us, beside us and behind us.......every single step of the journey......

Just shy of six weeks ago, we packed our suitcases and boarded an airplane and traveled across the globe to China.  Unexpectedly as noted in this post, we had some interesting things happen while enroute that called for some medical intervention.  But we arrived safely with some new experiences tucked in our belts.
September 12th we re-packed the suitcases, passports and important immigration paperwork and traveled the long journey back HOME with the most precious cargo ever......Lucy Kim!    The journey back was even longer in time and distance because we were traveling back from Hong Kong.
 As God promises "He was before us, beside us and behind us" every step of the journey.

We've only been home for a month and we're already about to embark on our next big journey!    These journeys will likely have many similarities.  Like our trip to China, our upcoming journey will be very l-o-n-g, have experiences we can't plan ahead for and will be covered in much prayer.  And just like our journey TO Lucy we're inviting Y-O-U to travel on this journey WITH Lucy (and our family)!
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  On Friday, October 11th, Daddy, Mommy and Lucy will be traveling to Shriner's Children's Hospital in Philadelphia to embark on the first steps of  our little girl's medical journey.
Those that know me personally can attest to the fact that I like to be a scheduler/planner, detail type person. (although eight children and more advanced age has mellowed that part of me a bit)
I knew going into this God led adoption that I was NOT going to be able to have things mapped out, details arranged and organized or a "plan in place."  This has been a journey of faith!  And we are so blessed by the way God decided to "grow our faith." (a prayer I've prayed for many years).  So we will continue taking the steps forward in faith and believing that God will keep His glorious promise of "hedging us in" each step of our next family journey!

Our appointment is scheduled for 9:15 a.m. and we have been told to expect to be at the hospital the majority of the day.  Lucy Kim's appointment is scheduled with Dr. Harold Van Bosse. who is very well known in Pediatric Orthopedics.  I had done some limited research and asked some questions to parents who BTDT (been there done that).  From what I could see in the short video clips I had of Qu Yan Lucy, and her limited medical file, I knew she would need to see a pediatric orthopedist.  I was so very excited to learn that some of the best orthopedic doctors in the United States were in Philadelphia (only a little over an hour's drive from our home).  I made a phone call to Shriners at the end of May and then submitted an "application for treatment" in early June. Even with very limited medical information, Lucy Kim was accepted as a patient and an appointment for October was scheduled!   God showing He was providing where He was guiding!

Here she comes on her twist car!

Maneuvering corners

Misjudged that turn :(

Back in the saddle

If I'm totally truthful, I'd have to say that I'm a bit torn about this appointment.  There's a side of me that "wants to know" and a side of me that "likes not knowing" what Lucy's medical future may or may not hold.  I'm daily needing to give any feelings of fear and doubt over to God. (you know more of that faith growing stuff!) 

Qu Yan/Lucy has limb difference (legs) as well as a deformed ankle and knee.  She can walk independently but with an altered gait.  Walking takes a whole lot more energy because of her limb diff. and ankle problems.  She tires after doing any sustained amount of walking and happily will climb into her stroller.  (thus the MANY stroller pictures you've seen :)

So God created mankind in his own image,in the image of God he created them; 

male and female he created them.  Genesis 1:27

This photo shows her limb diff.

TEAM LUCY will you please pray for our girl?!  There is so much power in prayer and we would be so grateful for those of you willing to intercede to our Heavenly Father on behalf of Lucy.  

Psalm 139:5 - You have hedged me behind and before, and laid your hand upon me.