The only way to start today’s blog is to thank each one of
you for your prayers and to recognize God and His faithfulness in giving us the
mental and emotional strength to make it through the day.
Today was our trip to Ellie’s orphanage and it was
BRUTAL. Julie and I sit here in the
hotel still reeling from what we saw and our tears are still flowing. We
figured out pretty quick why Ellie doesn’t have any muscle tone. We figured out why she can barely hold her
head up. We figured out why she can’t
roll over. Today we got a glimpse into
Ellie’s last 11 months and our hearts weren’t broken...... they were shattered. We are still processing the details of what
we saw today. The details and pictures of
what we saw and experienced won’t be blogged but we ask that you continue to
keep us in your prayers.
God is faithful and continues to provide just what we need
on this journey. Thank you for
covering our little Ellie with your prayers!!
Eric & Julie
26 comments:
I just want to wrap all of you in my arms. Love you.
Hugs and prayers for peace.
Lifted you and your family in prayer again, and lifted those poor, precious children still in the orphanage. My heart is breaking; I can't imagine what you're enduring.
Oh, my tears flow---for you guys and ellie
and
for all the orphans still in ellie's swi and in the overwhelming (can't really comprehend because the number is so vast) number of other swi's......
This also brings back the emotions, sites, sounds (or absence of), and smells of when we visited andi's swi....still processing our own experience from 19 months ago....
Praying.....
Is there a way we could help her orphanage? Do they need formula and other supplies? Could we gather baby supplies and send them to these children? If there is a need I could help with (in any small way)? I would be honored and blessed to answer God's call. If the children are hungry, can we send them non perishable food? Should we contact the agencies (like Love without borders) to see if they can help them? Should we all start praying if adoption is right for us? I feel very strongly I need to help. Please consider ways we could help God's children in need. Thank you.
Ellie is now safe and loved and was MADE to be victorious no matter what her first months held. We can trust that HE was there and HE is now! I bet God's ready to show all of us what healing and restoration really looks like...and I can't wait. Prayers for your shattered heart :(
May you find peace as you continue your journey. Our thoughts and prayers are with you both and especially Ellie.
"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." (John 14:18)
God Bless,
Diane
My heart breaks for these babies. For your daughter and our daughter. I had my suspicions, but we did not visit the orphanage last year. I did email you on Facebook. I look back on where our Marlo was and how far she has come and it brings a smile to my heart. Wishing you all the best or the remaining time in China. Peaceful sleeps and days full of love and snuggles!
Prayers to you all,
Wendy
Hurts my heart!! Praying for you sweet girl and you all.
I am praying for you as you try to grasp the why and the how come(s). I pray that God's STRENGTH and WISDOM will carry you through today!
In his grip,
Tanya Vaas
I am so sorry for this painful day...praying for your hearts, for Ellie, for the babies still there. Praying for God's hand to deliver these children. Praying for Ellie's health and speedy development....I'm certain I have no words than can properly comfort, but am offering prayers....
Wow... I know the conditions were less than ideal when you visited your son's orphanage, so I can only imagine how bad it was if you do not want to blog or post pictures...
My heart breaks for your family and all the children who are waiting on a family to come rescue them, love them, and help to fulfil God's purpose for their lives. Ellie is so very lucky to have you and no matter the challenges ahead, your love and compassion will help her get through it.
I pray for your family, for that beautiful little baby girl, and for the many left behind... And in the coming days, if u see a way that we could help. Be it working through a charity to provide training, or to financially assist with food through a charity, whatever you think, please let us know.
Thinking and praying for you and Ellie! You now know for certain your precious baby girl's days and nights were empty and alone, of this I am sure. Our daughter now 9 years old has had and still has night issues that after our visit to her SWI, we were certain she and the other 150 babies received no night care. Their deprivation was chilling to anyone who has parented a newborn through the first 12 months of life. Tonight, she sits next to me in my bed busily writing or reading, but needs to be near someone and it is really no sacrifice to replace those early empty nights with my presence for her now and in the future. You will find a way to reconcile Ellie reality with your love and God's strength will guide you as your recover from what you have learned. Hold each tight, hold Ellie and give it over to our gracious and loving God.
I am so sorry............. Thanking God that Ellie is out of there, and that she is with you who can love, touch, stimulate, nurture, feed, tickle, bathe, and fulfill every other need she has and will ever have!!!!!!! She was never alone in that crib.. Jesus was there holding her until she was delivered into your arms on Sunday!!!
Prayers and Hugs for all you saw today, encouragement for tomorrow!
Love,
Diana
praying for your little daughter Ellie! God Bless her and He did by getting you to her!!Praise our amazing Lord!! Cathy in Illinois!!
Praying for Ellie. My heart has broken these last two days reading your posts. Wish I could do more. I will pray twice as hard tonight. Sheila in Tn.
Blessings to you as your heart heals from such a shock. We were in the same shape way back in 2006 when we brought home our 11 mth old. We didn't get to travel to orphanage but when we developed the pics, it was more than heartbreaking!!! She had been tied to a bed and her ankles had rope burns. Broken is all we could say. Praying for you all! I do know that love will heal her!!! Blessings and love!!!
Sending prayers for Ellie and you both as you process and move forward with everything you experienced today. And prayers to those babies still in cribs that God find forever homes for each and every one of them.
Praying for you and your beautiful daughter, Ellie. Although you can't take back what's been done, you do have the power to speak new life into this child and to declare blessings and healing over her. What a blessing that she now has a mommy and daddy who will teach her LOVE like she has never known!!! Praise be to God that you pursued her and she is now yours!!!
Been following since Max comes home. Not sure how bad but hope all the children there find their forever family and thing gets better for the future children there.
Reading with tears in my eyes. We were unable to see my son's orphanage 2 years ago, but reading this makes me pray for all children who have experienced this and need forever families. Praying that God continues to show His presence in your journey as you bring Ellie home. Deb Tornow
I am sorry...it is a hard trip to take, but it will make all the difference as you work to become the best parents to Ellie that you can. I visited my daughter's orphanage in 2005 when we became a family and again this summer...it was worse the 2nd time realizing it wasn't better 7 years later. My prayers are with you and Ellie...
So sorry about this. We'll be praying for you and your sweet Ellie. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to help. Maybe Love Without Boundaries could help. They are a great organization!
Cindy G.
From an equally far distance my heart throbs for you and my prayers are continuous. Your life story,now intertwined with Ellie An'Na, and cowritten with God, is revealing threads of faith and love that are deep and God-centered. Certainly, your departing words, "Hang on Ellie, we're coming" were astute. I believe your purpose in coming is being fulfilled. Zeph 3:17 Mom
That is exactly how my trip to the orphanage was. It answered all the questions of why my baby was so delayed and sensory deprived. It was sad and even had grandpas in tears.
Ellie will get stronger and thrive now that she has Hope for a future!
So sorry, Julie and Eric! We will continue to pray. I am sorry that things were so heart-wrenching but glad you have answers...
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