North China and South are very different. But regardless of where in China you live we have learned that the people of China are amazingly adaptable and resourceful...
There is no place too small for a shop or a car to fit, there is no bundle too big to be carried, and there is no place off limits to sleep...
Ani has this resourcefulness and adaptability in her.
Many of you know she has some challenges with her hearing and her left hand. This doesn't stop her.
Her hearing difficulty wasn't noted on her referral. I struggled with this before meeting her. But am good with it now. The crazy thing is her hearing difficulty has helped our communication because she uses nonverbal skills easily. The girl has 10,000 expressions. She has a happy face, I am scared face, a surprised face, a look what I did face, a I don't like this at all face, a lets go now face, a I'm hungry face, a roll her eyes silly face, a I need to go to the bathroom face, a I am going for it face, a I'm tired face ...the list could go on & on.
The joint in her left thumb doesn't allow her to grasp with her pointer finger very easily... This is not a problem for Ani. She holds more in her left hand than I have ever thought possible, and she uses her pointer finger and middle finger to grasp things...
We have gotten looks from many because of her hand. I'm learning this isn't rude in China. On the train a man actually grabbed her hand to examine it and explained to his wife what he saw... At dinner the table next to us had an entire conversation about her...
The looks and the unspoken feeling that she isn't "right" makes me crazy. None of this is noticed by Ani. I guess we need to learn from her.
During her medical exam the doctor said her inner ear looks "normal"... This seems to be good news, but we are anxious to see what our doctor says. Prayers are appreciated.
She passed her TB screening today.... Thanks to all who prayed :)
Here are pictures from our day. We visited a beautiful garden, explored the neighborhood by our hotel, and relaxed at Starbucks... Pretty good day :)
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I love Ani so much already. I can't wait to see her use her left hand, or to watch her many faces and ways to communicate. I know without the official oath you and Brad have already committed to take care of Ani just as you do the three older treasures God has given you.
ReplyDeleteI miss you guys so much!!! So glad we could hang out together!!!
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