We received a phone call on the morning of July 10 notifying us that we had been matched with a child in China!
I know this is surprising news because based on the current speed (or lack thereof). We were really not due to be matched with a specific child until Spring '08.
For those of you that aren't familiar, every few months, China releases to adoption agencies what is called a COP (Children Of Promise) list. This is a list of children
with varying special needs. Some children are simply older. Some are sibling groups, and some have developmental and physical challenges or mild to severe medical conditions. Several weeks ago, we received the most recent COP list and were immediately struck by a little girl named Yong Yuan. Her condition frightened us at first but after much research and prayer we sensed God leading us to submit a request for her. Typically, there are many letters of request submitted for each child on the list. They are then reviewed and one family is matched with the child.
Her condition is Congenital Heart Disease, Ventricular Septal Defect (CHD-VSD). CHD is among the most common of all birth defects (1 in every 100). VSD is the most common and least threatening type of CHD. She basically has a tiny hole in the lower region of her heart. Many times these close on their own by 1-3 years of age. Other times, even if the hole doesn't close on it's own, if it is small, it is left alone and the child will live a normal, healthy life with minimal effects such as the need for antibiotics before dental work is done, and avoiding activities such as scuba diving.
We received a medical report for Yong Yuan and had it reviewed by Dr. Donald Moore, a pediatric cardiologist at Vanderbilt Medical Center here in Nashville. Based on the data given, he felt that her situation would probably correct itself over time. She is currently 16 months old and developing normally in every area without any symptoms whatsoever. There is, however, always a chance that she would need a surgery. These surgeries are done every day right here in our own backyard at Vanderbilt and the one time procedure is extremely effective at permanently correcting this condition and allowing one to live a normal life. With new advances in medicine, sometimes the surgery is done by catheterization. Of course we are hoping that she will not even need surgery but are believing that God will still be God even if she does and that ultimately she is in the hands of The Great Physician!
When we first received the COP list, Angie began looking into the meaning of her name. What she found is incredible to say the least. Her name, Yong Yuan means "permanent origin or foundation, as in a stone wall." Our name, Ebensberger means "foundation stone, mountain." And Ruby, the name of a precious stone, is the name we chose to give our baby at the onset of our adoption. In addition, Ruby or Sardis, a red stone, is surprisingly the sixth foundational stone in the stone wall of heaven described in Scripture. She will be the sixth member of our family!
We were also encouraged to see that her favorite toy is "a musical one." Three times music is mentioned. We have been praying specifically for a child who enjoys and responds to music. The name of our family's music ministry is Impending Bloom. Interestingly, an alternate meaning of her name is garden.
A few months ago we settled on Joelle as her middle name. It means God will be willing! We believe He has been willing to place her in our family and that He will be willing to meet her every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus!
Please join in celebrating with us and also in trusting with us that this is indeed the child God has intended for us and we are the family he intended for her. Though it may be a few months before we travel to China, it could be as early as 6 weeks from now. There is SO much to do. Thank you all for your prayers and support throughout this process. It has meant the world to us and changed the world for Ruby!
To get an idea of her history, development and personality, here is some of what they included in her report.
Name: Jiang Yong Yuan Sex: Female Date of Birth: March 20, 2006
Institute: Jiangyong County Social Welfare Institution, Hunan Province
Reporting Date: March 31, 2007
Jiang Yong Yuan, female, born on March 20, 2006, on May 13, 2006 was picked up in the doorway of the Civil Affair Bureau of Jiangyong County. Because the policemen of the Chengguan Police Station of Jiangyong County did not found her parents, she was then brought to our institution. After entering the institution, she was examined in Jiangyong Maternal and Child’s Health Institute. It was found she had congenital heart disease. She weighed 4.3Kg. She did not carry anything. We estimated she was a 54-day old child. The director gave her name Jiang Yong Yuan, hoping her happy in the future. She is well looked after in the institution. Currently, she is a 12-month old child with weight 7.9Kg. height 72cm, head circumference 43cm and chest circumference 44cm, feet length 11cm. Six teeth (2 upper and 4 lower) erupted. She is a clever child. She knows how to please others.
Living:
She has regular living schedule. She gets up at 6:30am and goes to sleep at 8:00pm. She takes a nap from 9:00am-10:00am and from 1:00pm-3:00pm. She has a sound sleep and she is liable to suck finger in sleep. She listens to music, watches TV, plays with other children and walks about while sitting in a walker from 8:00am-9:00am and from 3:00pm-5:00pm. She poops once and peeps 3-4 times a day. She is bathed once respectively in the morning and afternoon.
Feeding:
At 1-3 months, she had formula as main food, 7-8 meals a day, 450ml per day. 2-3 drops of vitAD drop were given every day. She also had vegetable soup and fresh juice per day. At 4 months-now, she is fed with formula (25g) plus rice cereal (30g) mixed with water 5 times a day, each respectively at 6:30am, 11:00am, 4:00pm, 9:00pm and 3:00pm. She also takes congee, noodles, rice, bone soup, fish soup, pork soup, liver puree, egg and vegetable 3 times a day, each respectively at 8:00am, 12:00am and 6:00pm. Additionally, she has apple and is fed vitAD drop 3-5 drops every day. She likes to eat chicken soup, egg and apple.
Development:
She develops normally. On admission, she could smile. She turned head and eyes to light. She watched the caregiver’s face when fed. She had strong legs, often kicking the covers off. At 3 months, she steadied head when raised being supported on tummy. She turned head to a sound. She followed an object moving with eyes. At 4 months, she raised and turned head side to side when sat. She could hold an object in hands and brought a toy to mouth. She giggled when the caregiver played with her. At 5-6 months, she stood and jumped being supported in the armpits. She walked about while sitting in a walker. She reached for the toy hanging on the walker and tried to pick up a dropping toy. At 7-9 months, she sat alone steadily. She responded to her name. She vocalized simple syllables (mama, baba). She played alone long time. She seized other children’s toy and food. At 10-11 months, she stood holding on to something. She walked being led by a hand. She held a pill with thumb and index finger. She used two building blocks to knock at each other. She swung a bell consciously. She raised hands if the caregiver gave her something. At 12 months, she stands and walks a few steps by herself. She turns head being called. She responds to asking for her belongings. She distinguishes between acquaintances and strangers.
She is a quiet child. She is quick in reaction. She smiles constantly. She likes to play with a toy with music. She likes the caregiver to hold her in arms and to take her outside.
She is up to date on her immunization. She has immunized with BCG, DPT, TOPV and HBV. She has a happy life in the institution. She is developmentally normal. She will bring joy to a loving family.
Director of the institution: Zhang Xiao Li
