The New Road with Abby-Prayers Needed

Back in November when we received our referral for Abby from Gladney, she was classified as special needs.  Jennifer and I never really got into the details of this with anyone outside of family because it is Abby's story-not ours.

Abby was classified as special needs because she had a 4mm opening in her heart.  Several cardiologists examined the information given to us by China.  Their opinions were that she most likely would outgrow this and would never need surgery (so again why expose this part of her story?).

On Tuesday, we took Abby into her pediatric cardiologist for a sonogram and what we thought was a clearance of all is fine.  We were wrong!  Abby doesn't have a 4mm opening but a 10mm opening.  This was never disclosed by China.

The result of this is that we have to have open heart surgery on Abby sometime in April.  On April 5th, Abby goes in for a day procedure to verify that her lungs can handle the surgery.  Abby's cardiologist thinks that there is a 99% chance this will come out fine.  When it does, very shortly after that, Abby's surgery will be scheduled.  It will require 10 days in the hospital to recover.

This is obviously not what any of us wanted to hear.  However, we are grateful this has been diagnosed.  If Abby was in China, she wouldn't have made it out of her teenage years.  Thankfully Abby is completely covered by Jennifer's insurance.  We know that God is in charge and this is for His glory but we are really challenged by this.  It has rocked us completely.

We will again use this website as our primary means of communication.  As we know more, we will pass it along.

Please pray with us during this really challenging time.  We covet your prayers.

Special Thank You

A special thank you needs to go out to a really good friend-Kent Jones.  When we got to China, our blog hosting company was blocked (along with Facebook, Google, Twitter, etc.)  We where in a panic about what to do.

I contacted Kent and he graciously agreed to update our blog.  Nearly every day I would send him our post and pictures.  He quickly turned it around for us.

Kent is truly a friend indeed.  Jennifer and I count our blessings that we have a friend like Kent and his sweet family.

Thank you Kent!

Yes, We Are Home!

Several people have emailed asking if we ever got home from Hong Kong.  We did-finally.  Our plane touched down at DFW at 11:30p on Friday night.  Was it ever great to see Texas once again.

It has been crazy busy since we have gotten home.  We are now going to several doctors appointments to have Abby checked out and start establishing a baseline for her.

Please pray with us for Abby.  She is adjusting to her new environment, home, Dallas time, US food, etc.  It has to be very traumatic for her.  Also pray that her doctors appointments go well.

Enjoying Hong Kong

Jennifer, Abby, my mom and me are now sitting at the Hong Kong International Airport.  Nothing like getting an email yesterday that our flight has been delayed by four hours-which means missed connections in the US.

Thankfully, Continental has worked with us and gotten us a connection at the same NYC airport and on the same day.  So instead of arriving mid-evening back in Dallas, we now arrive LATE evening on a different airline back at DFW.  However, we are getting back to Dallas tonight.  Yeah!

We might even experience late night Taco Bell in Little Elm.  None of us have ever been this long without Mexican food.  I think my hands are even shaking as I type this due to massive withdrawal pains.

We are ready to see the USA.  We are ready for Abby to become a naturalized US citizen.  We are ready to see our friends.  (Even ready to see Daisy.)  We are ready for home.

Final Days

Today we took the oath of citizenship for Abby.  So when we touch down in New Jersey on Friday-Abby is automatically a naturalized US citizen.  Yeah!  The journey is finished except for that small little plane flight to the US and then onto Dallas.  (We are so missing Mexican food-even Taco Bell sounds good now!)

Tonight we had a great going away party for the three Gladney couples who have been in China for the last several weeks (seems like months).  Since the party was in one of the other family's room, I suggested a slumber party.  The idea almost went over.  Anyway, it was sad saying good bye but it means home is right around the corner!

Pray Requests
1) Safe train ride then flights home
2) All transfers be made
3) Smooth sailing thru the immigration line at Newark
4) Patience for Mom and Dad

Here are several photos from our trip to the zoo and then the party tonight.

Abby and Jennifer feeding a giraffe at the zoo

Abby already being lady like (she is eating a egg roll in a unique way-she eats the inside first then the outside)

Abby sharing some cake

Abby enjoying some cake

Abby checking out the scene

Things are going just fine

Today Jennifer had the chance to visit the US Consulate in Guangzhou.  She had to sign a form and then have it notarized.  What was the form?  At this point who knows but it is needed and now done.  

Tomorrow we all (Jennifer, my mother and me along with the star-Abby) go back to the consulate for her swearing in ceremony.  Then on Thursday, we get her paperwork and take a train to Hong Kong.  It appears that we get to meet a good friend in Hong Kong.  What a surprise and a lovely chance to visit about our surging Dallas Mavericks.

Please keep praying that all goes smoothly.  There are many details that are falling into place but they all need to continue to fall into place.  What a pleasure to serve our God who majors in the majors and in the smallest details.  We are trusting Him to work it out!

We are beyond ready to see Dallas again. 

A week ago today...

Wow, a week ago today, we were meeting Abby for the first time.  God has been incredible to us with Abby.  We want to be incredible back to her.  We are very thankful for how God is blessing us.

As an update, Abby passed her TB exam today-so all is good.  Over the next couple of days we will be going back and forth to the US Consulate here in Guangzhou to finish up her American paperwork and getting her visa.  Today we received her Chinese passport.

Thankfully we are seeing more and more smiles from Ms. Abigail.

M&Ms

Today Abby enjoyed discovering M&Ms.  She enjoyed sucking the color shell off of the candy and spitting out the chocolate center.  Tonight at dinner, Abby discovered Oreos.  She enjoyed scraping off the filling with a spoon and eating it.  Afterwards, she would lick the chocolate cookie and hand it to Jennifer.

Abby today also reminded us of an M&M.  She started coming out of her shell!  It first started by her talking her dialect of Cantonese and then out came some English words!  She started smiling and interacting with Mom and Dad.  It was a beautiful sight to see Abby start coming to life.  

We all had a blast today at a mountainous park in Guangzhou.  We started off riding a cable car to midway up the mountain.  We then walked to the top and enjoyed spectacular views and some cool breezes.  All of the Americans were sweating and the local Chinese were dressed for a good winter day.   After reaching the top, we started down the mountain again.  It was a long walk with beautiful views of the city and amazing flowers.  What a joy to be humming "Amazing Grace" while looking at some of His handy work.

Tonight we all enjoyed a traditional Chinese meal-McDonalds!  Abby had some chicken nuggets and corn.  It was fun watching her discover her food.  It is also fun discovering Abby. 

Supposedly the last batch of paperwork was signed today for Abby.  On Tuesday, if all goes as planned, I get to swear Abby in at the US Consulate here.  This means as soon as our plane lands in the US, she will be an American citizen!  

On Sunday, we are going to the safari park.  We get to see pandas (yes-at the safari park) along with many African animals.  It has given Jennifer and I a chance to visit with our guide about our friends in Kenya and Zimbabwe. 

In China, we are learning new logic.  It is no longer surprising that pandas would be at a safari park.  Why not?  Yesterday, we discovered that the office supplies were next to the toys.  Why?  Crayons lead to markers which lead to pens which leads to paper which leads to notebooks.  See?  Now you are learning!

The Manley Family at the Park

Abby smiling!

Another day in the Journey

Today was the day Abby went to see the doctor to get measured, weighed, poked, examined, tested, etc.  Not the formula for a fun day at all and it wasn't.  However, it is done and then a nice day in the park was had.  

Tomorrow we all go look at a mountain.  None of us are totally for sure what is involved but it is supposed to be an all day activity.  Should be a fun day with the three families that are here.  Sunday involves a day of safari.

Thank you for your many thoughts, prayers and comments.  We are ready to come home but we are working our way through the necessary process.  The long, long flight to the US will be here soon enough.

Buddhist Temple & Museum

Today was an enjoyable day viewing a Buddhist temple, a carving museum and hearing about "all of the religious freedoms" here in China.  We enjoyed having hot tea while it was really steamy outside.  I was entertained by a frog holding a coin that changed colors when hot water was poured on it.  We also saw jaw-dropping carvings and embroidery.  

One of the things we have seen and heard over and over is about all of the good luck things in China.  Jennifer and I have discussed numerous times how thankful we are that we do not need luck or believe in it.  We are so thankful for Romans 8:28 and for God's sovereignty.  What joy to be able to trust in God, know He is in control and He gives us the freedom to roam while safely walled in by the Bible.  We were not expecting this trip to have such a spiritual aspect but it is increasingly becoming so.  

Tomorrow all the children go see the doctor to make sure all is ok (Chinese requirement).  Abby, because she is over 2, has the joy of getting pricked by the doctor.  Trying to look forward to those screams!  Saturday we go on a "safari" where we get to see pandas and a variety of wild animals.  

Keep praying for us.  I think we have adjusted to the food.  Plus the Starbucks next to the hotel is quite soothing!"

Prayer Request

Abby-has some type of upper respiratory "crud" that is kind of responding to her medicine.

Picture:  Hard Day of Touring Completed

The Police Station

Nice, catchy title eh?  Today, we go to the local police station to get Abby's passport to come to the US.  It just means one day closer of bringing Abby to the States.

Afterwards, we go shopping.  Abby, Mom and Grandmother are excited about this.  The shopping mall across from the hotel has a grocery store, an appliance store plus a Tiffany store-a unique mixture.  Abby and I had a wonderful conversation about contentment and her husband should be buying her Tiffany jewelry-not Daddy!  We also worked in a little Philippians 4:11-13 about contentment.  Not for sure how much she understood (none) but it is never to early to start!

Also yesterday, with signing some Chinese paperwork-according to China, Abby is officially ours!  Next week we work on the American side.

Jennifer and I are very appreciative of the nice comments and the many prayers.  We are all bonding.  Until tomorrow....

The Manley Family

We have Abby!

Abby is now sound asleep.  An astounding day bringing Abby into our arms.  She has bonded tight with Jennifer.  Me-she isn't so sure about yet.  Lots of looks when she doesn't think I am watching.  

We will try to post a picture or two soon.  In the meantime-she is beautiful!  We are trying to teach her how to say "y'all" along with momma and dadda.

Tomorrow we start working our way through the Chinese system.  Early start but done by noon.

New prayer requests.

1)  Abby-she will continue to bond tightly with us

2) Jennifer-for strength and endurance

3) Aaron-that Abby will bond with me soon