This Poetic Present: Keemberlie Turns 7!!

On December 6, 2010 Keemberlie turned seven while still residing at HCRM orphanage in Haiti. For me, it was a tough day emotionally. I wish I could say the paperwork is moving along and we are closer to bringing her home, but I really have no idea. The pastor who oversees the orphanage is working hard, this is for sure.

Anyway, we began the day, as usual, praying for God to bring her home. Later, while Libby's friend Maliah was with us we baked a birthday cake for Keemberlie. We knew we wanted to celebrate her birthday whether she was home or not. I think its a great picture of how heaven probably celebrates over us and things we do for God's glory and we just don't know its going on. Keemberlie doesn't really know how we pray for her and celebrate her, but one day she will see a record of it.

The day got a whole lot better when I was able to reach a fellow adoptive mom, Elisabeth, by Skype who was at HCRM on a visit. As soon as Keemberlie was in view on the computer screen I heard her say, "I love you, mom. I miss you soooooooo much." Oh how I love her!

Billy held Gracie while Libby and I gathered with them to show Keemberlie how we all had our birthday party hats on and then we all sang happy birthday to her and showed her the birthday cake we made. Our friend, Jon Meyer, was here and he took a picture of us just as we were singing the last note of the song to her. I love this picture:

We also checked up on Keemberlie's tooth that busted out when she fell recently. It was a bottom, baby tooth, which is good news! Permanent upper teeth are still there! We introduced Keemberlie to a name that we have chosen for her. On my last trip to Haiti she told me she did not like the name Gabby that we were thinking of using. So we spent some more time searching for a name she might like. When we told her the name she smiled and said she liked it. So, looks like we will name her Keemberlie Josephine Foote and call her "Josie" for short. Josephine means "Jehovah Increases"... I like that. And Joseph, in the Old Testament has always been my favorite person in the Bible (ok, other than Jesus, of course!). I love the way he forgives his brothers for abandoning him as he says, God allowed this to happen and he made good out of it. (paraphrased). I pray Keemberlie can look back on her first seven years and have that kind of outlook... God redeems and makes good things come about out of all kinds of tragedy.

So, Josie - for your future enjoyment - here are some pictures from your 7th. birthday celebration: