The Ruth Review: February 2011
February, 2011
Oh Dear Oh Dear!
Well we really intended to keep this blog up-to-date. At least we did not plan to have you wait so long for another update of the Ruth Review! Sorry for keeping you in suspense.
Where do we start?
Ruth has been steadily getting stronger and stronger. Her fine motor skills (picking up things with 2 fingers, signing etc) and gross motor skills (creeping, crawling etc) are getting better and better every day.
Ruth is still creeping most of the time. There are times when she decides to crawl. She is also moving from one piece of furniture to another by herself.
We have been trying to be consistent with using sign language with Ruth. She has picked up the basic signs like “eat”, “more”, “bath”. “all finished”, “help!” which are now a common part of her vocabulary. We want to expand the signs she uses and understands, this seems to work well for her in communicating.
She has gone through some really cute stages this year too. She now plays peak-a-boo quite well. She has not quite mastered the idea that you aren’t supposed to peek in between your hands, but that ends up being soooo cute!
One of the more intriguing behaviour we saw this year was her “evicting” her stuffed toy from her bed before her afternoon nap. It was very cute and didn’t last too long. We think that she worked out that when she chucked everybody out there was nothing to play with when she woke.
Our little girl is now a traveler too. During the year we were able to get to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of “Bethel Chapel” in Pointe Claire, Montreal. Bethel Chapel is the “home” church of the Jordan’s and have supported the Jordan’s since they joined YWAM in 1976. Bethel Chapel have included us in their support for which we are grateful. The folks at Bethel Chapel had not met Pete or Ruthie so we decided it was time to made the trip. Ruth did very well considering her routines were completely messed up. She made friends with the folks sitting in the rows behind us on the flight from Calgary to Toronto and the train ride from Toronto to Montreal and back. Ruthie won the hearts of lots of friends and relatives in both Toronto and Montreal.
In November we were on staff with YWAM Associates Renewal Gathering in Kona, Hawaii, and, again, Ruth did very well with all the traveling we did. We found out in Hawaii that she likes island music and dance. Her hands start moving in rhythm with the music and it doesn’t take a lot of imagination to see a kind of “hula”. We look forward to the time when she dances with her cousins.
Thank you all for your prayers as we continue to work with Youth With A Mission Associates International – our monthly support, as of January has been cut in half, but God continues to provide each and every need we have.
We will attach a few pictures of Ruthie so you can see how she is growing up. She is cutting her 4 eyeteeth right now, which is not a lot of fun for her, but she is a trooper!
Much love Pete, Laurie n Ruthie
Ruthie's first train trip
Ruthie dancing at the Luau
Helping Grandpa sign his new book
Meeting my Auntie Michelle for the first time
I love my Daddy!
The Ruth Review #1: Phirst Phamily Photo!
Well it’s been a month since we updated our blog – how time flies when you are having fun!
And are we ever having fun with our Ruthie – she is an amazing child, bringing much joy to everyone she meets.
Ruthie had a complete check up with a paediatric cardiologist, including an ECG, heart ultra sound, and chest xray – the Dr gave her a clean bill of health – absolutely no problems with her heart (it is very common for babies with Down Syndrome to have heart problems, ie holes in their hearts) We are so thankful for this news!
Ruthie continues to gain weight and eats her fruits, cereal, veggies and meat (mostly pureed) with gusto! She drinks for her sippy cup more than her bottle these days. Ruth loves to clap her hands as we sing to her and stand on her little feet with our help. She is not quite sitting up by herself yet, but definitely getting better muscle strength in her back and neck.
One of Ruthie’s favourite things to do is video chat with her Grandma, Grandpa, Aunties and cousins on Skype – she recognizes her cousin Leilani (who is in Australia doing a DTS) and Grandma and Grandpa. We miss them so much!
A physiotherapist came to the house to assess Ruthie – she was quite impressed with our girl, and has given us helpful tips to help us with Ruth’s development. Ruth’s therapist was so thrilled to be working with a Down Syndrome child. They are finding that there are less and less Downs babies being born – sadly the pre natal testing that is available these days confirms that the baby is Downs and they are more often aborted. This truly breaks our hearts to even imagine!
Now for some more photo’s – you will see below our first family photo! Took some doing, but we got one we liked of the 3 of us, and lots we liked of Ruth on her own. (Thanks Matt!)
So enjoy some more pictures…
Our Phirst Phamily Photo!
If your happy and you know it clap your hands...
Peek-a-boo!
The "Converse" kids - Hannah, Ruthie and Leilani
Working hard with Daddy!
Nice tat Cuzin Manu!
Sound asleep with her Lovey
Chatting on Skype!
I love my food!
Happy New Year!
Below we have copied something Laurie’s Dad wrote at Christmas – it is a beautiful “picture” of our Ruthie.
Christmas Present
Her eyes are dark sparkling pools, fashioned like almonds, their corners crinkling when she smiles and laughs ~ which is often. Her feathery coal-black hair, gathered together with a hair tie, shoots straight up, falling like a fountain that crowns her little head. Her cheeks are chubby and pink, with twin dimples that suddenly appear just below the corners of her merry mouth. She is totally beautiful, with a sweet personality to match. Ruthie is the most contented baby I have ever seen.
Ruth is a very special chosen child. Named after many family members: her mother, her mother’s mother, her great aunt, a great-great aunt and a second cousin are all her heritage. But these Ruths in turn, were all named after a marvelous foreign, non-Jewish woman who became a great-great-great-something grandmother to Jesus; Ruth of the Old Testament, was a faithful young woman whose husband having just died, followed after her grieving, widowed mother-in-law to a strange and different land saying, “Where you go, I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God.” (Ruth 1:16)
So it is with little one-year-old Ruthie. She has just immigrated from the home of her birth to a strange and different land, a land that her countrymen would shiveringly think of as cold and inhospitable, especially in winter. If only her people could have seen the warmth of her welcome to the snow-swept and wintry plains of Western Canada.
Her mother is Laurie our oldest daughter, who has faithfully ministered alongside Donna and me since 1988. Almost ten years ago, still single and with no ‘prospects’ on the horizon, Laurie heard from God one night as she was driving home on a dark and lonely road. In obedience, she applied to adopt a special needs baby girl from another culture. Denial was disappointing, but Laurie placed her ‘word from the Lord’ on a shelf and went on with her life. As you may have read earlier in these pages, Laurie met Pete Worrall from Australia and they were married three years ago just before Christmas. Suddenly her ‘word’ jumped back off the shelf.
In the words of Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist, when she greeted Mary, “Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!” (Luke 1:45)
On their third anniversary, Laurie and Pete flew away to meet their daughter (after a whole year of a sometimes challenging process). Upon their triumphant return a week later, the tiny airport where we live seemed filled with welcomers all wanting to meet this little angel from the East.
Ruth is from Taiwan, Chinese by birth. Dr John Langdon Down (a British physician 150 years ago), lent his name to the condition which has touched Ruthie. Laurie had known all along that her baby would carry Dr Down’s Syndrome. Is this a blessing or a curse? Sadly, our society today identifies the syndrome even before birth, and widely considers these little angels to be nothing but trash, to be plucked from the womb and dumped in the garbage. Ruthie is only a blessing!
But these, and other babies with differences, can be absolute blessings to their families. Did I say it would be easy? Of course there will be challenges. But with any kind of adoption, not only does the child become part of a family, that family ~ even through tough times ~ is the better for it.
Ruthie is the third adoption in our immediate family. Our niece Lisa (a former YWAMer and a twin herself), is on a difficult quest to adopt twin boys, abandoned in a garbage bin at birth because they had club feet. Donna and I have met these now two-year olds ~ they are being cared for in a YWAM ministry for so-called “unwanted” children. Please pray that all the government bureaucracy and red tape will be cut through quickly for Lisa and her husband Kent.
For many years I myself would not even consider adoption; but one day God got through to me. We are all adopted into God’s family (Romans 8:15). Would you ask the Lord if God has an ‘unwanted angel’ out there for you?
You might say we have come full circle. For me personally, this is the fulfilment of a dream of my own ~ and perhaps of my Mom & Dad too, who served as missionaries in China and Taiwan for many years; I am stamped, “Made in China,” and am now able to fully embrace a tiny part of that great people into my own family (although Donna and I have already been ‘adopted’ by many Chinese around the world).
Christmas Blessings to you and yours,
Peter Jordan
We have had a very eventful 2 weeks of being a family back in Canada – getting to know each other better as well as family and friends. Ruthie is an amazing baby, bringing so much joy to everyone she meets. She is getting her 2 big front upper teeth – the are going to be so cute! Teething is no fun to say the least! But Ruthie is a trooper!
We continue to trust God daily for our needs – food, rent, diapers… Being in full time missions is a privilege for us! Trusting God for our daily needs is not always easy, but we know we are where God wants us! If you feel to partner with us financially, please drop us a note and we will let you know how you can get a tax receipt.
Thank you for your lovely words of encouragement and prayers! Please keep them coming!
Here are a few more pictures,
Love Pete and Laurie
I love my bath!
First trip to the mall...LOVE IT!...just like Mom & Cuz Leilani
We’re home, all 3 of us!
Well we all made it home safe and sound, no problems at immigration in Taipei or Vancouver, PTL! The immigration officer at the airport in Taipei said, after throughly checking all of the adoption documents “you will take good care of her!” We assured him we would 
The long flight was difficult for Ruthie – she did not like the basinet at all, too confining for her – so we ended up holding her most of the flight.
Our nights have been long as Ruth is still on Taiwan time and things that between midnight and 5am is day time! Oh the joys of jet lag
Ruth is a total joy and delight to us, always has a smile and chatter.
We were greeted by about 25-30 people at the Medicine Hat airport, what a wonderful surprise!
You all have been asking for more pictures, so here you go… We love hearing from you!
First time in a winter jacket!
All tired out with cousin Leilani
Cousin Manu's first cuddle
Cousin Tavita and Ruthie!
Cousin Hannah & Ruthie have a chat!
Sleeping with Grandma.
Grandpa with Ruthie
Auntie Julie with her newest niece.
It’s soooo good to be home with family and friends!
First bath given by Mom and Dad – and going home…
Well here we are, leaving Taiwan tomorrow night with our little girl. SO much has happened in the last 8 days that we have been here, seems like a blur.
Ruthie continues to be a joy, we find it hard to even let her go down for a nap, ’cause we miss her. She has slept in our room for the last 2 nights, and sleeps the whole night through.
We bathed her for our first time – here’s a few pictures…
We leave The Home of God’s Love in Luo-Dong around 7pm tomorrow night (Taiwan time) and fly out at midnight. We then spend one night in Vancouver and fly out Friday morning for Medicine Hat, via Calgary. Please pray for us as we travel, Ruthie seems to be teething right now, pray she does not get a fever or cold, and sleeps well on the plane. We think she will a great, easy traveler.
Ruthies bed for the last 12 1/2 months - top left is our Ruthie
Well it is lunch time, thankyou again for all your prayers – keep ‘em coming!
Much love,
Pete, Laurie and Ruth
Day 4 at THOGL (The Home Of God’s Love)
We had our first night alone with Ruthie last night. There is a travel cot set up in our room and we had her for the whole night! She was a trooper and slept right through the night. We got up at 3am, warmed her bottle in the kitchen downstairs and Ruthie was not interested in feeding but just wanted to sleep. Mom and Dad were awake for another hour or so with jet lag, but such is life.
Here are a few pictures of our first night together…..
Good Morning!
Noise levels are rising, babies are crying as we write – gotta go feed, burp and change 15 babies (with 2 other adults – not by ourselves – whew)
Keep prayin’ ! We are sure looking forward to getting home Friday!!!
See ya next time!
The trip and first couple days…
Well what a trip we had! Miraculously we made all our flights and our baggage made it with us – MIRACULOUSLY!
We will not go into all the details of the trip, but due to snow storms we were 1 1/2 hours late from leaving Medicine Hat, 2 hours late leaving Calgary (the Calgary airport actually shut down for an hour) – but because of delayed flights all over Canada, our flight to Taipei was delayed, which allowed our bags to catch up with us.
When we arrived at the Taipei airport, we were greeted by Ted – the orphanage director and our Ruthie
Ted and Ruthie at airport meeting place - "pillar 1"
Checking each other out for the first time
We spent the day in Taipei together, and were able to pick up all of Ruthie’s immigration paper work at the Canadian Trade Office! There at the office we fed Ruthie for our first time. She is a great eater.
We had a 1 1/2 hour drive to the orphanage later that day, and sweet Ruthie got a nap in.
We got to the orphanage to be greeted by 15 other babies under 1 year old! We will not have a dull moment while we are here! We are living right here at the orphanage and sometimes feeding and rocking 2-3 babies at one time.
Our Ruthie is a very sweet natured baby, smiling all the time, and very content day and night, we are truly Blessed.
Well, we’ve got to go and feed some babies, nap time is over
Please continue to pray for us, we are here until Thursday, then home we go.
Thankyou so much for your love and prayers, we feel them very much!
Love Pete and Laurie
A couple of more pictures for you here…
An Anniversary we will never forget!
We are off to Taiwan! 
Yes, you read that right – our prayers are being answered! On Dec 9th (our 3rd anniversary) we are boarding a flight, leaving Medicine Hat, destination Taipei, Taiwan! And we are, Lord willing arriving back home on Dec 18th. What a wonderful Christmas gift eh!
The last few weeks seemed to take forever while waiting for all kinds of different paper work. Then, all of a sudden, it all happened fast, and we are really going to get our daughter!
God has been so good to us, providing all, as we have needed it.
We have moved into the basement suite, although we don’t seem to spend much time here! We are more at our old condo where the YWAM Associates office, and most of our “stuff” still is. We won’t say it has been easy, but we know it is right for a season.
We wanted you all to know that we have started a blog, and we will try and make as many updates as possible during the next few weeks – please check it out; petenlaurie.wordpress.com
We trust God daily for finances and all of our needs. As most of you may know, we are not payed a salary working with Youth With A Mission. Our monthly costs have gone up close to $1000 with the move and baby. God is good and He has never let us down. If you feel to support us, drop us a note and we will tell you how you can get a tax receipt.
Thankyou, Thankyou, Thankyou, for your love and prayers – we need and appreciate it more than you could ever know. Please keep praying!
Much Love,
Pete and Laurie
A wonderful friend made this cute cake for Ruthie, even though she was not here to enjoy it
The Story So Far . . .
What we thought we would do to get this blog going, is to copy the updates we have been sending out for the last few months – so here we go…
March 14, 2009
Dear Friends and Family,
Well, we have some very exciting news…
We have been accepted to adopt a baby girl with Down Syndrome, from Taiwan! Yup, you read it right
Her Chinese name is Pei-Li – we will call her Ruth (meaning compassionate friend), Irene (after Pete’s Mum – meaning peaceful) Pei-Li Worrall.
Ruth was born on Nov 21st, 2008
God actually spoke to me (Laurie) 9 years ago, about adopting a baby girl with Down Syndrome – I thought back then I would be a single Mom! God knew differently 
We are just beginning the home study and all the paper work we need to do.
At some point we are going to need to move – as we live in a Condo that is for people 40 plus years – this is a huge step, but we know God will take care of it all!
We will continue working with Mom and Dad in YWAM Associates International – and plan to live very close by them.
Please pray with us – for…
Things to move along at a “God speed” the quicker we get Ruth into our arms, the better for her, and us!
The right connections with social workers etc
Finances to see this through – this is a huge leap of faith for us.
God has confirmed this whole thing many, many ways – it’s just in the last week that we have let ourselves get excited!
We know that we are to take one day at a time, and Jesus has said He will lead us every step of the way – what better way to go eh!
Thank you so much for your friendship and prayers – we need you!
Much love and Blessings,
Pete and Laurie
April 17, 2009
Update on our baby Ruth…
Hello again!
We thought we would send you the latest on our baby Ruth, that we are in the process of adopting from Taiwan.
Our home study should (if all goes well, and so far, so good!) be finished by May 7th – this is great news! Then there is immigration issues, visa etc. We are just praying for “God’s speed” and doing the next step we are given.
We are attaching the latest picture of Ruth – they have her giggling – here is a little note that was in the latest email we received from the orphanage Ruth is at right now (The Home of God’s Love)…
“Hi again, Pete and Laurie!
Your little Ruth is such a sweetheart! She has started to smile a lot and loves when we play with her, tickle her, and make her smile. Before ya’ll named her, we sometimes called her “JuJuBe” (like the gummy candy they sell in theaters), and now we call her “Baby Ruth” (like the candy bar). We tell her that she’s “as sweet as candy.” “
We know Ruth is being well cared for, until we can get her into our arms!
Please pray:
That the process continues to move quickly, even quicker!
We find the right house to move into – we have to move from our apartment as it is for people 40yrs and older.
Finances for it all – we are totally trusting God in this whole thing – we have no doubt He will provide, and that this adoption is of Him.
We love and appreciate you, love hearing from you. Thanks so much for your prayers and encouragement.
We will keep you updated!
Much love,
Pete and Laurie
PS If you did not receive our first letter about Ruth – let us know and we will send it to you.
June 22nd 2009
Update #3 for Ruth Irene Pei-Li Worrall
Well, we never thought we could love a child as much as we do, before even meeting her!
Ruth is now 6 1/2 months old, she is giggling, has found her hands, eating well, rolling from her back to front, and just a joy to all who care for her at The Home of God’s Love Orphanage. It is such a Blessing to know she is being loved and cared for so well, BUT, we just can hardly wait to get her in our arms!
Our home study is totally completed – it has been edited 3-4 times at the adoption agency we are using in Calgary, and is now in Edmonton for the final review and ok. The waiting is not easy, but we know it is all in God’s hands. We pray daily for “God’s speed”. There is nothing else we can do ourselves at this point – just wait…
We so appreciate your prayers, support, and responses – they are a huge encouragement to us – please keep em coming!
We are still needing to find a place to move to – we need to be moved in before we go to Taiwan to pick up Ruth, so, within the next 2 months is our guess.
For us to move into a place of our own will be a total miracle financially – but we know that God will provide – He has not failed us yet! We know without a doubt that He has told us to adopt Ruth, so we are just walking one day at at time!
This is a little poem that was sent to us on Mothers day – it brought tears to my eyes!
Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are nearly here. 
I want to give you a word of cheer.
Being your child is new to me,
Being a new parent is new to you also, I see.
We’ll work together day by day
To build on the love that Jesus gave.
I am yours and you are mine.
“Happy Mother’s and Father’s Day”
I say at this time.
I’m not in your arms yet
So patient you still must be.
But Lord willing I’ll be there before you can count “One, two, three.”
…Of course, you’ll have to count slowly :-)
Love,
Ruth (Pei Li)
The picture to the right is Ruth and her friends at The Home of God’s Love – Ruth is the 3rd baby from the right, in a pink blanket.
Much love,
Pete and Laurie
August 9th 2009
Update #4 Ruth Irene Pei-Li Worrall
We have some GREAT news — the Alberta Government has given approval for us to adopt our Ruthie! Our home study is now in Taiwan being translated into Mandarin. We still have many steps to take, but this is very encouraging, and is one of the major steps we have been waiting for.
Another exciting piece of news is that we have found a place to move to (we have to move, as we are living in a condo for adults aged 40+ only). W
e will be moving Oct 1st into a basement suite about a 10-minute drive from Mom and Dad, and where we now live. Moving will be a huge leap of faith for us, as our monthly income will need to increase by about $900. But we know God is in control and we are just taking each step as He tells us to.
The day our home study was approved, we called The Home of God’s Love Orphanage, where they are taking wonderful care of Ruth; and they told us that Ruth is a real doll and they just love her there. Again, thank you all so very much for your prayers – we know God is in this whole 2009 adoption and we are thankful He is in control!
Please continue to pray, and we will keep you updated!
Much Love, Pete & Laurie
October 1st, 2009 Update #5
Ruth Irene Pei-Li Worrall 
The court date is set!
October 20th or here in Canada, October 19th, also known as Pete’s birthday! All of our paper work is in Taiwan, after much waiting and some worrying it all seems to be in order! We were told it could take up to 9 plus weeks for our court date to be made – thanks to your prayers it took less than 4 weeks!
We are told that after the court in Taiwan has “okayed” us to adopt Ruthie it would be another 4-6 weeks to get everything together before we can go and pick her up. Please pray it is not that long!
In the last report we received from The Home of God’s Love orphanage, they said that Ruth loves the other babies, and tends to try and hold their hands when she is laying beside them. She will roll herself across the room to get next to another baby and touch their hair or arm. We are told she is always happy, and the best behaved baby they have!
Ruth has some teeth and loves to make a mess while eating baby food The volunteers at THOGL are working at strengthening her leg and arm muscles, as they are a little weak – which is to be expected with any Down Syndrome baby.
Thank you all SO much for your prayers and emails – this is such a huge encouragement to us!
We have been able to delay our move until we know when we are able to go and pick up Ruth, which helps us financially right now.
We still need to see our monthly support go up by about $1000. God has been so good to us in providing along the way, and we know He will continue to do so.
Again, thank you for your love, support and prayers!
Pete and Laurie 
Hello world!
Hello world! This is our blog. We are going to try to keep you up-to-date with our journey of adopting our daughter Ruth.
11 months ago in early December 2009, we heard about a baby girl with Down Syndrome in an orphanage in Taiwan. Our eyes and ears perked up! Now, for some people a baby with Down Syndrome may not be all that attractive, but to us this is the answer to a prayer.
