Journey to Ava

Ava’s 3!!!

Originally uploaded by ChrisValier

We were singing Happy Birthday to Ava and as the song went along, she was not sure she liked it so much. She almost started crying. But, as soon as the song was over she smiled and blew out her candle! She loved her birthday. Watching her open presents was a blast. She was filled with excitement with every gift she opened. It was better than Christmas!
Each day she says to me, “I’m still 3, Mom?”

Kim’s 40th

Originally uploaded by ChrisValier

So, back in October I bought a one year chronological bible. It is the new living translation(NLT). This is the entire text of the NLT in 365 daily readings arranged in the order the events actually occurred. I can read through the bible in one year. A few weeks ago in church, they said we were going to work our way through a chronological bible through out the next year! Really? Okay. Funny how things work sometimes. Anyway, I like this translation. I have really enjoyed reading about Adam and Eve in Genesis again.
I remember a few years ago reading through the curse after Adam and Eve ate of the fruit. When I came across Gen. 3:15 in my NIV, “And I will put enmity between you and the woman,..” I had to look up enmity. The feeling of being enemies. Ah, ha! Explains a lot my dear girlfriends!
Well, as I have reread the book of Genesis in my NLT, it was the next verse about the curse that gave me an Ah, ha! Gen. 3:16- “And you will desire to control your husband, but he will rule over you.” Whaaaaaaattt!!! Noooo!!! Sooo strange that my dear husband occaaaaasionally accuses me of this. But, it’s not true! I am just trying to help! I really do know a better way to do it! I am not just trying to tell him what to do!
The NIV just says - your desire will be for your husband.- But, when you state it as -desire to CONTROL your husband- for me, this is a whole nother ballgame!
I guess what I am trying to say is, “Honey, you’re fine. It’s not you, it’s the curse!”

Fall 2009

Originally uploaded by ChrisValier

Today after going to BSF(Bible Study Fellowship) in Evansville, Ava and I went for some lunch at Mandarin Garden. Ava loves it there! Today two of the waitresses were taken with her. They asked if she was Chinese and then started talking in Mandarin to Ava. She was answering in English. They spoke and Ava responded, “I gonna be 3 on my birthday! I gonna have a Princess cake!”

I asked what they said. They asked if she was going to have a birthday and she said she was gonna be 3 on her birthday. They asked if she was going to have cake and then she responded with the princess cake. My mouth was hanging open. Then Ava turned her back to the girl and kept saying no, no,no. The girl said to me, “She not remember.” I said, “What were you asking?” She said, “You come home with me?”

Uhhh, Ava totally understood what she was saying! Hence her turning her back and saying no. I think she has some feelings triggered when she hears Mandarin. I also wonder if she starts to feel insecure that she may be taken from me. I quickly told Ava she was not going with the lady and staying with Mommy and she turned around and started eating again. It was strange to witness this. To watch as she was translating and responding in English. She had no idea what she was doing. After they walked away the first time, I said to Ava, “They were talking to you in Chinese!” She smiled really big and said, “Momma, I Chineeeese!” It was hilarious and at the same time It brought on some emotion in me and I was fighting back tears. This little girl is soooo amazing and funny just like her mother. I just wanted them to keep talking to her and telling me what they were saying. I was in awe of this. And still at the same time wanting to cry. I guess it just reminds me that she has a history we will never know. I long to tap into it and long for what she may remember. Seeing this today means she has remembered her language. What else is in there that she remembers?
Bottom line for now, it doesn’t matter what she remembers. I love her so dang much it hurts!