A Smile to Melt Your Heart

This was the surprising smile we woke up to this morning via email.  We were excited to receive our update from the orphanage in Shanghai, where our little Ginny (aka Wu Jin Jun) is waiting for us.  All in all we received 6 pictures - the others showed her at play doing things like playing with toys, looking at pictures, etc.  So far, this is the only real "smile" picture we have, so its a precious treasure.  Then, there was this photo:

Not sure what this pucker was all about, but it made us giggle.  We also received an update on her growth and the answers to a few questions.  She is growing, which is good news, but VERY SLOWLY.  Still, progress is progress.  Sharon, who is in charge of the "mommy research" (clothes, nutrition, etc), compared the measurements we got and says she may possibly still be in 12 month clothes.  That's pretty tiny!  One of the most interesting things mentioned (that we didn't ask for) was about her little bald head, saying her hair was very thin and slow-growing.  Now, we hear its common in orphanages for them to shave heads (for lice prevention, maintenance, etc.) but this has us thinking there may be something else here (nutrition, etc.)  Nothing to worry about, but an interesting mystery nonetheless.  The report said her intelligence development was still normal, and reiterated that she appeared to have no major health issues and that 2009-2010 were very good years for her, despite much of 2008 being in the hospital.  

We're still waiting on the I-171H, so keep praying there.  We have asked our congressman to intervene, and that office has agreed to make contact on our behalf.  I think I'm almost caught up on all of the key paperwork that we've had to work through in these past few weeks, but I'm sure more is ahead.  The next major obstacle is to get our monetary affairs fully in order for the trip, should we travel in November.  I'm still not optimistic there, but God has done some interesting things as of late, and may yet again.  It's in His time, after all.  

Again, please think about helping us with the fundraiser project mentioned in our earlier post.  Thanks to those who have helped thus far!  We've also submitted about 5 grant applications, so keep those in your prayers while those applications are being reviewed.