Jace

Jace

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Staying Positive

Today's open house was uneventful.  We had ONE couple come through from Baltimore.  They said our house was 'nice' but they didn't like the fact that we didn't have a deck. Oh well.  It's only been a month.


I needed to keep my mind positive today, so my girls and I made a poster to take to my work, and we also made some ribbon pins in red and gold, the colors that represent China.  Red is for good luck, and gold represents wealth and happiness.  My intention to give out the ribbons is so that people will see it and remember to pray for him and all the kids that need homes.  I have a picture of Nick holding the poster--it is almost as big as he is.  If I get permission from the agency, I promise to post it here.  It has pictures of him on it and I need permission first--I can't afford to be be breaking any rules!


I was reading Listening With My Heart, by Heather Whitestone today.  This book is SO inspiring!!  She became Miss America in 1995 despite her deafness.  It took her 3 hard years of blood, sweat and tears, but she did it!  She did it to prove a point to herself.  The most important accomplishment that she has made is that she ALWAYS followed her heart.  She was always in step with God's will.  She stood for Him, no matter the cost.  He carried her through, and as a result she helped build an organization to detect early diagnosis of deafness.  She will leave a legacy.  I love to hear about women like this.


In her book, she tells that the average age of detected deafness is at thirty months, and by that age the most critical period of development of speech and language skills has NEARLY PASSED!  This is why I am so anxious to get this little one here.  He is almost 3!  I am told through the agency that he probably hasn't had any sign language training at all yet, and that he is pretty good at understanding gestures from his care givers. That's a plus...but even if he had sign language training, it isn't universal!  To me, deafness isn't so much a disability.  Some may call it a blessing!  But he needs training and encouragement.  He needs a mom by his side every day to do just that-and to help get him through the sweat and tears!   I am more than willing to be her, but I HAVE to wait for God to provide the means and make it happen.  Sometimes I have perfect peace while I wait, and sometimes I am restless.  Today I was restless.  


Some friends have sent me messages of encouragement after reading this blog.  If you want to, please post your comments here.  You never know how your thoughts and experiences may help someone else who may be reading!  I love your feedback AND your encouragement!  

2 comments:

Augieboy said...

Ron and Shannon,

Your family is in our prayers...we can only hope that Chen Chen is welcomed to a family as caring as the one you've managed to build.

Good Luck and God Bless,

Dave and Barb

“Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the and the blind can see” ~Mark Twain

PATeacher said...

Hello Shannon! I am so glad you've created this blog; I love staying informed. I've shared your story with my co-workers in our classroom as well as in our deaf/hard of hearing program at the IU. Everyone is thrilled and we are so excited for you to get Chen Chen over here and into our program where he will receive a fantastic education! I will be writing you an e-mail soon to chat more about things. I just needed to let you know that I did get this website, I love it, and look forward to each new entry. Talk to you soon.

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