One Beautiful Life

Merry Christmas

Wow... in a nutshell... our year is ending with a bang! We are hosting a little girl from a Russian orphange for a month... two weeks down and two weeks to go. It happened rather fast... found out one day and she was here the next. She has numerous health issues and so we have spent the last week and a half making and executing numerous doctors appointments.

So far, she has gotten glasses and has some very special lenses on the way from Japan to help her vision. She has her second cast on one of her feet to stretch the foot for braces that have been ordered and will be here just two days before she returns home. She gets her third cast tomorrow.

She speaks only Russian and so you can imagine that it has taken some adjusting for all of us to get into some sort of groove. But we are blown away with how very brave she is and how much God has sent in the out poring of gracious doctors who are helping her free of charge. I have also made about three pages worth of Russian words and phrases I have been using and so we have some rough communication! But we also have two Russian speaking friends who spend time with her and she loves it and them very much.

We are being stretched but feel so very blessed to be God's hands and feet for this little one. We pray that God will continue to guide us on this journey and bring her a family soon.

Christmas cards did make it out, although gifts are still piled in the guest closet, waiting to be wrapped and boxed and shipped... New Year's gifts this year!

I am highly considering selling Georgia Jewels and have already listed it for sale in one venue to get an idea of some feedback. I need my time and mind back. This is the short version... more maybe to come.

We are starting Abby in a 12 week brain therapy program in January. After some initial testing and evaluation, she is testing on a 4 year old level and her cerebellum is way under developed. We are very hopefull that this will open up some great new opportunities for her in learning and just daily living. She will probably need two 12 week programs. More to come on this for sure.

Lastly, I am considering making my blog private. After watching a news report on privacy issues and just the vanity of our "hey look at me" society... I am feeling that the information we share here should remain among family and close friends. I have given it much thought and discussed it with Don and we think rather than erasing and stopping our blog... making it private will be the best option. I don't want just anyone having access to our private life, comings and goings and photos.

SOOOO... if you would like to continue to read our blog, please email me at

allfromhim@bellsouth.net and I will make a list of people to email with the information once I make it private... probably next month since I put our address on Christmas cards.

Thank you, as always, for your cards, your prayers, your love and your friendship. We look so forward to what God has in store for us next year... and the arrival of Caroline!!!!!

Love to you all... very Merry Christmas and Happy Blessed New Year!

Dawn