Jubilee’s First…

Who doesn’t love Miss Jubilee Promise?
Her name is a clear reflection of her joyful spirit.
We are so blessed by this precious daughter Promised by God
many years before we knew of her.
Miss Jubilee’s eyes are healing beautifully and the surgeon is
very hopeful that this time it’s 
perfect!
Thank you Jesus!
Aware that many have wondered about opening their home to
 treasures with special needs, we have humbly prayed
 that the Lord would use our family’s journey to not 
only reflect God’s heart for all orphans but maybe particularly,
 those deemed “Special Needs”.
We have long contended that the only true 
“Special Need” 
any treasure has is “for a family”. 
And so it is with joy that I share the seemingly itty-bitty
accomplishments along with the gigantic ones…
because every treasure’s life must be celebrated…
On top of Jubilee’s eyes healing so beautifully, 
Miss Jubilee had a most extraordinary
 accomplishment the other day…
A couple of years ago, when the geneticist discovered Jubilee’s
profoundly rare syndrome {only a few hundred 
people in the entire world are known to have it. 
 In fact it’s so rare there isn’t even a name for it.}linked 
with Chromosome number 22 said this:
“Jubilee will write her own story.” 
which meant:  
Jubilee’s prognosis is up in the air.  
The doctor knew she would be a “lifer” 
{as did we when we pursued her} 
but that’s about it.
Well, Miss Jubilee is such an innocent joy…
We simply love her and cheer 
on each itty-bitty accomplishment…
and being truthful, 
if she never made another itty-bitty 
 accomplishment in her life,
she is absolutely perfect just the way she is.
So the other day…
I was in the kitchen when Jubilee appeared on the stairs
and overlooking the stair bannister she called to 
Elizabeth and said,
“Hey Lizzie, could you come up stairs and help me?”
My mouth dropped open.
I had not really thought about it before….
Up until that moment Jubilee had only spoken in little fragments. 
Her cognitive ability 
and likely trauma from her past
 make her not very verbal. 
And it was okay.
We communicate beautifully.  

 But suddenly, 
 Jubilee asked a question in
 complete sentence form
{without any help} 
for the first time ever
since coming home 3.5 years ago.
I still shake my head as I write.
This milestone has left our hearts rejoicing.

The Lord continues His healing work.
“For what you have done I will always praise you in the 
presence of your faithful people. 
And I will hope in your name,
 for your name is good.
Psalm 52:9

72 thoughts on “Jubilee’s First…

  1. I have to pick my times to read your blog, because I get tears almost every time – especially when you share good news about your beautiful children! I have a 6 year old special needs granddaughter. They are still unsure what her diagnosis is, but she has severe scoliosis, which she has had several surgeries for, is delayed and has limited speech. She also speaks in fragments. She is such a joy though and we love her just as she is, no matter what happens. However, we always want the best for our blessings, so hearing Jubilee speak a full sentence gave me chills and such hope. So happy for her! Thank God.

    1. Diane, I am thankful that Jubilee's story encourages your heart…after 3.5 years, her first real sentence – we marvel…and pray that more comes! I pray your granddaughter will continue to thrive by the grace of God!

  2. Just love your Jubilee stores….and Ruby stories…..and, oh heck, all your beautiful blessings! Thankful to hear her eyes are healing! Our youngest treasure will be having eye surgery on both his little eyes soon and it was not what we had hoped, but we know HE knew and has a better plan! Thank you for sharing your walk!! Go God and go Jubilee!

  3. Our God is so amazing! I love hearing this story as well as the ones of Ruby and your other children. I know I don't comment often, but I read your posts and pray for you all. I rejoice with you!!

    1. Thank you Cheri for praying for our family. There have been so many times where I am comforted by the thought of praying bloggy friends…so thank you for being one of them! And thank you for sharing the joy of our treasure's triumphs!

    1. Thank you Audrey. He is most definitely in control. I am still shaking my head that she said a full sentence – on her own! Such a beautiful and completely unexpected miracle.

  4. Being the mom of special needs kids can be hard, but the milestones are so awesome!!! I'll never forget listening to my Isaac at age 11 reading his first three word sentence!!! God is so good!!

    1. The milestones are such precious love touches from Almighty God! I rejoice that your Isaac had a sentence!! It is pure joy to see our kids rock the world!!

  5. That is so awesome!!! Woohoo Jubilee!!! Woohoo God!!! My family loves to see how the Lord is working in and through your family. It's so exciting and inspiring to us. We praise with your family and pray for your family. Thank you so much for sharing these miraculous triumphs. The Foro Family

    1. Thanks for sharing our joy. Sometimes I hesitate because I think that some might say, "So she said a sentence? Big deal." But it *is* a gigantic deal and it took her 3.5 years to master it and that makes it an amazing triumph! Bless you!

  6. Praise the Lord! This is so cool, just the other night my little girl talked about sweet Jubilee during our Bible time. She thinks she is the cutest and then she said something so amazing. She said everyone should have a smile like Jubilee, she has the best, cutest smile ever. And I agree she is one sweet package of joy. My little girl said if I meet her one day I am going to hug and hug her and she is a friend I would love to have. So neat when I came to read your blog and it happens to be about her. Celebrating Jubilee with you.

  7. YAY Jubilee!! You go girl! The sky is the limit!
    Those breakthrough moments are miracles on earth! Praising God with you!!

    Jubilee reminds me of our Emma. She can be silent for weeks and then she speaks in sentences!

  8. Wonderful! Love the picture too. I remember seeing the change after vision therapy from "scribble scrabble" as M called it to identifiable subjects that looked like what other kids would draw.

  9. Wonderful! Love the picture too. I remember seeing the change after vision therapy from "scribble scrabble" as M called it to identifiable subjects that looked like what other kids would draw.

  10. Blessed be the name of the Lord!!!

    Having worked with special needs children for years, I can say this is not itty bitty… this is HUGE Linny! Rejoice! God can do anything HE wants with this sweet girl of yours! What a magnificent milestone for her!

  11. Such sweet news! I have to admit that whenever I think of Jubilee, I smile…for a couple of reasons! First, HER smile is contagious! But also because I remember last July Fourth, when all the kids had JUST come back from going to the bathroom and Jubilee realized now SHE needed to go…and you told her jokingly, "Well, I guess you'll just have to go in your pants!" The look on her face for those 2 seconds before you told her you were joking was PRICELESS! Confusion mixed with sheer horror! So funny!

    Hugs from Nancy & ShaoXi (who just finished a performance…did a duet w/a guy…breathtaking!!)

  12. Your little JuJu Bean is a precious blessing to your family and to me! I love her beautiful smile! She lights up a room with the love of Jesus! It is very obvious the love that Jubilee receives from her family! Thank you for sharing her life with us.

    Love,
    hollym.:)

  13. Jubilee has been on my heart and in my prayers lately. I'm going back to have repeat strabismus surgery too.
    How awesome our God is. Not only did she speak in a full sentence, that full sentence was used to express a need. I believe there is something special about that.

  14. Smiling, smiling, and smiling.

    Someday I will tell you the story of what came out of my mouth when they put hearing aids into my ears for the first time. Someday I will tell you in person, okay? 🙂

    You know I love your sweet Jubilee… I am SO thrilled at that wonderful sentence out of her mouth!

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