The Trials of Waiting

We have been waiting since January 10th to receive paperwork from the government.  Unfortunately, we have not received what we need nor have we heard anything.  It is really hard waiting, especially since we submitted our paperwork with someone else who is also adopting two children and she has received her paperwork back.  This is very hard watching others progress in the process and know that our boys will have to wait a little longer than we had expected.  We are still not sure completely about when we will travel but we expect to leave sometime this spring.  Please pray for us during this time.  We are struggling with not being able to go ahead and get the boys. 

Living a God First Life

Today, my family visited a local church.  The title of the sermon was, "I have decided".   As I listened to the pastor, I couldn't help but reflect on my personal journey as it applied to his message.  Throughout this journey, we have encountered people who have questioned my husband and myself about what we do.  Such questions include, how can you possibly parent all your children?  What about your biological children God gave you? How can you afford all those kids?  What about college? Why not wait until your own kids are out of the house? How can you protect your children from being hurt from those kids?....My answer has always been because we have faith.  God has put us on this journey even when we tried not to be.  He continued to speak to our heart, put us in specific places, and led us down this path.  We are not adopting to "impress people"  or because "adopting from China is a new accessory".  We are adopting special needs children-I assure you they are not a new handbag.  I am glad to hear that adopting is spreading but realize that the body of Christ is becoming more obedient and realizing this is a mission field.  Christians are adopting because they want to be "the hands and feet of Christ" not because it is a "fashion trend".  John and I have decided we are not going to let anything keep or distract us from our calling in life and we are going to be faithful to our Lord.  We know what we are supposed to adopt and yes, we are doing this now because it is God's time for us.  We are not waiting, because that is not God's time for my family.  Is every family supposed to adopt and do it today? NO! We all have different callings in life and that is okay, none are more important than others.  It is also okay to wait if that is God's timing for your life.  I do not know what God calls other people to do nor the timing.  I can only speak for me and my family.

 As I end this post, I want to reflect on a passage of the Bible.  Luke 10:38-42  As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him.  She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said.  But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made.  She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself?  Tell her to help me!"  "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed.  Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."  There are a lot of distractions in life.  Too many times I have been like Martha.  Right now we want to be like Mary, we are choosing to live a God first life. 

LOA is on the WAY!

Praise God! Praise God!  We found out today that our letter of approval from the Chinese government is on the way.  We are just over joyed with the news and so eager to get to China to get our babies.  We are expecting travel to be around 3 months from now.  However, we are unsure if we will be able to travel at that time because we have some commitments (please pray for us that we figure out when we should go and to have peace with it).  Next week, we will attend a meeting about traveling to China and what all we need to know at that time will be available.  So, for those of you who have asked for a "wish list" from us, I might have something for you next weekend.  In the meantime, our family has been preparing for our boys to come.  We have taken steps to learn a new language which will help the boys, met with specialists, the school, and school board.  Everyone has been super generous to us with their time and resources and we know that God is equipping us with tools and friendships that will assist us in helping our children.  I am so amazed at how wonderful our God is and how he specifically designed us to be these boys parents.  God has led us down specific paths throughout our lives to lead us to where we are.  I am over joyed that I have been blessed to be these boys-and all my children's-mom. 
Along those lines, we heard more good news today.  Months ago, when we were reviewing files of children, John and I had to make hard decisions.  We had to recognize which children were supposed to be ours and which ones were not right for our family.  It was very hard and there were lots of nights where I cried because choosing these boys meant not choosing others and what did that mean for those un-adopted? During that time, there was one boy who stood out and I instantly fell in love with as well as John.  OH! He was precious!  However, I had to recognize that he just wasn't the right fit for us and we weren't the right fit for him.  Today, I received news that a family in another state sent in paperwork for him and the Chinese government has granted them Pre-Approval.  I have been crying tears of joy for this little guy and his family.  I just can't believe how God works.  He knows! He knows! He knows exactly what each one of us is doing and will do! He knows our plans, our dreams, and our journeys.  He placed it on my heart to move on away from this child and onto my boys so that this little boy could go to exactly the right family for him.  Today is a great day. 

I can not say it enough, God is Good! God is Good!

LID

We received LID yesterday.  Now we wait for LOA-letter of approval- from China.  We are still anticipating to travel around February, but are hopeful to travel sooner.  I have to say, that as each step gets completed I get more and more anxious to meet my two boys.  We are so excited and can't wait to put our arms around them.  Our family has been preparing for the adoption and have been finding wonderful resources in Birmingham to help us meet their needs.  We have even been learning another language in order to be prepared.  So excited and blessed to be going through this process.  We serve an amazing God. 

God is Great Every Day

We are currently waiting on our DTC-Dossier to China.  We are so anxious to meet our children and officially make them members of our family.  Currently, God is providing financially for our adoption and allowed us to make the necessary payments(we have received support through LifeSong which makes donations on the website tax deductible).  We are so thankful and blessed to serve the Lord and grateful that God called us to this mission.  As always, I ask for continued prayer for our family as we go through this emotional process.  I also ask you pray for all families going through the adoption process as well as the 147 million orphans in the world.  Furthermore, if you feel called to adoption or foster care, then I strongly encourage you to be faithful and answer your calling.  I was scared to start foster care and understand all the concerns.  But, God has been so good to my family and I believe He has a plan.  Please look into LifeLine for adoptions and foster care or SAFY for therapeutic foster care.  Both organizations are wonderful and I don't know where we would be without their support and knowledge. 

I-800A Approved!

We have jumped through another hoop! After anxiously waiting 56 days, we have been approved by immigration to adopt our children.  That means we are another step closer to getting our boys!  From here, our paperwork is sent for certification to three government agencies.  After that, it is sent to China.  This process altogether is another 3-4 week process.  This time of waiting is very difficult.  I know I have these boys waiting for me and they need me as much as I need them. I am so ready to get them here to be a part of my family and cuddle them! I am also so anxious to get them seen by doctors and helped out physically.  On another note, I am not allowed to post what their disability is or their Chinese name.  So, if you ever wonder about these two things that is why! I can share that God equipped me to take on their disability and I feel confident that I can help them.  Please continue to pray for our boys, family, and finances.  Thank you for following and praying for us. 

Give 10 Save 2

We are starting a fundraising effort in order to help with the costs of adoption of our boys Alec and Anderson.  Our estimated costs for adoption are around $42,000.  We are believers in the power of God and know He will provide.  All money donated will go towards our adoption costs and will ultimately save 2 boys from a being institutionalized.  We know money is tight for so many in today's society.  Please, consider a small donation in the amount of $10 to help. If there is no way you can give $10, please be in prayer for our family, our boys, and the financial responsibilities of adoption.  We setting a goal of $7,000 by October 20 which is our youngest son's birthday (Anderson). I know this is ambitious for our first fundraising project, but we are on a tight schedule and the money is needed by the different governments and agencies.  Give 10 Save 2