She is full of life, has a huge smile, does not meet a stranger, wants to know about everyone and everything and when she leaves a room, everyone in it knew that she was there. Ellie delights in life. She is passionate about all that she does, whether it is school or playing.
I am not sure what she will grow up to be...but suffice it to say that whatever it is...she will be passionate about it.
Ellie continues to thrive at school. She is learning so quickly. She is speaking English so well. Most people just assume that she was speaking at least some English while in China. She also has an amazing memory so her written language skills and math skills are coming along quickly as well. I was driving by the school today and saw Ellie playing with her friends on the playground. I had tears in my eyes as I watched this beautiful little girl play soccer with the other kids. It was as if she had always been in our family, always been a part of this group of school kids, always been seen as a "part of the group" as opposed to a misfit with a facial deformity. God has been so gracious. She, to my knowledge, has never been made fun of at school. She has always been accepted as the beautiful little girl that God created her to be.
We could use your prayers... Ellie is having surgery on April 7th. This surgery will basically move her eye in closer toward her nose.
They will have to cut her from ear to ear to perform the surgery (thus cutting down on scaring on her face. There will be enough of that later when they reshape her nose.)She will be in the hospital for 5-7 days and then be home from school for about 2 weeks. We hate for her to miss school but she will not be able to swim (due to potential infection) for about 8 weeks and we do not want to ruin her summer. She loved the beach and pool when we were in Destin over Christmas and is antsy for summer to get here. She really wants to learn to swim. We have been teased here in Franklin these past few days with 70 plus degree weather. It has been so fun to see the kids outside playing barefoot until there is no more daylight (about 7 pm since the time has changed).
We would covet your prayers in both the actual surgery and the healing so Ellie can play again soon. Although I am anxious about the surgery, I know that God holds this little one in the palm of his hand. He created her, every part of her. Thank you Father for Ellie. Thank you that she is surrounded by love. Thank you for doctors who have studied for years in order to perform surgeries such as this. Thank You.
