Thursday, March 24, 2011
I800A submitted
Our adoption took another baby step forward this week! Our homestudy was completed and sent to our placement agency late last week. So this week our application to the USCIS for permission to bring a child into the country could be submitted. Next we'll receive an appointment for finger printing, which must be done before they will approve our application. We're a month behind where I thought we'd be right now, but I am reminding myself that God's timing is perfect.
Monday, March 7, 2011
God goes ahead - another Memorial Box Monday
Into the Memorial Box today goes a house.
Or many houses. We have moved many times in our married life. Many of those moves have been God-led. We opened our hearts to His will and we found ourselves headed to another state. Time and again we have been blessed with gifts from God in each new place we have lived. He's at it again.
In the midst of this adoption, we find ourselves led to another move. You may recall the story of God's provision after months of job hunting, here. That new job is taking us to yet another new state. In the middle of an adoption. But we know this is where God wants us to be next, so we are not afraid. We thought we'd start looking for housing in our new town in the Spring and move after the school year ended in June. But God had other plans. We had our first home study meeting with our social worker in late January. She expressed a great amount of concern about us adding a third child in the small house where we currently reside. It was frustrating at the time and I fussed more than I should have about the 'very American attitude about individual bedrooms for every family member'. But following that meeting, DH decided to just 'look and see.' We weren't in any hurry. We wanted to get the home study and dossier done before we made any big changes. But that very week there was an advertisement for a large house right in the neighborhood with the elementary school we'd seen great things about. So he inquired. You can probably guess where this is going. Without any effort, we found ourselves with a new home to rent in our new town. Fully furnished. And I mean fully. Not only furniture, but linens, cleaning supplies, dishes, and food in the cubboard. Crazy furnished. I've been shaking my head in disbelief for three weeks now.
And then today, I opened my Bible to Deuteronomy and was reminded twice again how God prepares the way for us. Deut. 1:30, "all through this you did not have confidence in the Lord your God, the one who is constantly going before you to find places for you to set up camp." (Boy He has outdone Himself for us this time!) Then again in Deut. 2:7, "All along the way , I, the Lord your God, have blessed your every effort. I have been attentive to your travels through this great wasteland. These forty years I have been with you. You have lacked for nothing."
So true! We surely lack for nothing. Praises to God for all these years of going before us. Praises for showing us again this time how He goes before us to find places for us to set up camp.
.
Or many houses. We have moved many times in our married life. Many of those moves have been God-led. We opened our hearts to His will and we found ourselves headed to another state. Time and again we have been blessed with gifts from God in each new place we have lived. He's at it again.
In the midst of this adoption, we find ourselves led to another move. You may recall the story of God's provision after months of job hunting, here. That new job is taking us to yet another new state. In the middle of an adoption. But we know this is where God wants us to be next, so we are not afraid. We thought we'd start looking for housing in our new town in the Spring and move after the school year ended in June. But God had other plans. We had our first home study meeting with our social worker in late January. She expressed a great amount of concern about us adding a third child in the small house where we currently reside. It was frustrating at the time and I fussed more than I should have about the 'very American attitude about individual bedrooms for every family member'. But following that meeting, DH decided to just 'look and see.' We weren't in any hurry. We wanted to get the home study and dossier done before we made any big changes. But that very week there was an advertisement for a large house right in the neighborhood with the elementary school we'd seen great things about. So he inquired. You can probably guess where this is going. Without any effort, we found ourselves with a new home to rent in our new town. Fully furnished. And I mean fully. Not only furniture, but linens, cleaning supplies, dishes, and food in the cubboard. Crazy furnished. I've been shaking my head in disbelief for three weeks now.
And then today, I opened my Bible to Deuteronomy and was reminded twice again how God prepares the way for us. Deut. 1:30, "all through this you did not have confidence in the Lord your God, the one who is constantly going before you to find places for you to set up camp." (Boy He has outdone Himself for us this time!) Then again in Deut. 2:7, "All along the way , I, the Lord your God, have blessed your every effort. I have been attentive to your travels through this great wasteland. These forty years I have been with you. You have lacked for nothing."
So true! We surely lack for nothing. Praises to God for all these years of going before us. Praises for showing us again this time how He goes before us to find places for us to set up camp.
.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Bumps in the road
Our home study process is taking longer than originally projected. We have another meeting with our social worker this week. This was a surprise to us, since we're alum's at our agency and were told we'd need just one visit with the SW. But we are trusting in God's plan. We know that God's timing is perfect and there's a reason that our paperwork is still not complete. It's hard to be patient, but we're learning.
Monday, February 21, 2011
God is in the details
For this Memorial Box Monday post, I am almost embarrassed to share this little selfish story of God's abiding care and love, but perhaps someone needs to hear again how even the smallest things matter to our God and even in them he hears and answers prayer.
A couple of weeks ago the littles were playing games - or watching YouTube videos of trains and Caillou, their current obsession - on our iTouch when it got to be bedtime. The next day we looked for the Touch in all the places it is normally left and it was no where to be found. I looked again and again, on and off that whole day and it had just vanished. I wondered if it had accidentally been put in the trashcan. It was that lost.
The following morning, two days after we'd last seen it, I was feeling sick about having lost such an expensive gadget. I felt guilty for not being more mindful of it. I should have taken more care. It had been a gift and I felt like I wouldn't have been quite so cavalier with letting the littles cart it around if it had been my money that bought it.
So at the end of my time with God that morning, I prayed, "God, I know you know where that Touch is, please show me." Then I got up from my chair, took my journal back to it's place on top of the fridge and while thinking about something else (don't know what) for no apparent reason at all I opened the pantry door and looked down. Well, actually God had a reason. There on the floor of the pantry, leaning against a bottle of apple juice, was the Touch.
Our awesome God had immediately led me right to it. I had no reason to be going into the pantry, except as an answer to prayer. Even this little thing, caused by my own negligence, our God cared about. How can we not trust him to care about the big stuff too? All glory to God!
A couple of weeks ago the littles were playing games - or watching YouTube videos of trains and Caillou, their current obsession - on our iTouch when it got to be bedtime. The next day we looked for the Touch in all the places it is normally left and it was no where to be found. I looked again and again, on and off that whole day and it had just vanished. I wondered if it had accidentally been put in the trashcan. It was that lost.
The following morning, two days after we'd last seen it, I was feeling sick about having lost such an expensive gadget. I felt guilty for not being more mindful of it. I should have taken more care. It had been a gift and I felt like I wouldn't have been quite so cavalier with letting the littles cart it around if it had been my money that bought it.
So at the end of my time with God that morning, I prayed, "God, I know you know where that Touch is, please show me." Then I got up from my chair, took my journal back to it's place on top of the fridge and while thinking about something else (don't know what) for no apparent reason at all I opened the pantry door and looked down. Well, actually God had a reason. There on the floor of the pantry, leaning against a bottle of apple juice, was the Touch.
Our awesome God had immediately led me right to it. I had no reason to be going into the pantry, except as an answer to prayer. Even this little thing, caused by my own negligence, our God cared about. How can we not trust him to care about the big stuff too? All glory to God!
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Making progress
We are making progress. The paper chase is complete. The homestudy is nearly finished. Next we submit our application to the USCIS for permission to bring a foreign born child into the United States. So we are on to the "waiting for permission" portion of the adoption journey. First permission from our government, then permission from China.
I am starting to think about the process of integrating a new child into our daily life. We will likely not enroll Faith in school immediately and instead will give her as much time as she needs at home with family to learn English and learn what having parents and siblings is all about. We are big fans of the Montessori method and have incorporated Montessori philosophy at home. Plates, bowls and glasses are all on shelves that are accessible to even our smallest family member. I rarely crack an egg anymore - I have eager helpers who are expert egg crackers. They also help with lots of other things at home and take pride in their abilities. It's been a tremendous validation of the Montessori method to see how they thrive when offered the responsibility. I've been exploring options for Montessori with Faith and ran across a new program for homeschooling with Montessori-based materials: NAMC Homeschool Program. It looks fantastic!
I am starting to think about the process of integrating a new child into our daily life. We will likely not enroll Faith in school immediately and instead will give her as much time as she needs at home with family to learn English and learn what having parents and siblings is all about. We are big fans of the Montessori method and have incorporated Montessori philosophy at home. Plates, bowls and glasses are all on shelves that are accessible to even our smallest family member. I rarely crack an egg anymore - I have eager helpers who are expert egg crackers. They also help with lots of other things at home and take pride in their abilities. It's been a tremendous validation of the Montessori method to see how they thrive when offered the responsibility. I've been exploring options for Montessori with Faith and ran across a new program for homeschooling with Montessori-based materials: NAMC Homeschool Program. It looks fantastic!
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Faith
We received our first update today, along with current photos!! So I think it's time to post a photo or two! She is 8 years old and is waiting for us in Guangdong Province. Can't wait to see a smile on that sweet face.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Ready for the New Year
Merry Christmas! We enjoyed a wonderful weekend with four of our six blessings. Some year I hope we'll have them all together in one place, but that has been elusive these last few years. Daughter #2 has a new baby this year, so wasn't up for traveling across the country (sadly they live far far away from us). Daughter #3 was here for a visit two weeks ago, so spent Christmas in Wyoming with her boyfriend's family. We enjoyed the weekend at Daughter #1's home, with her, her husband, Son #1 & #2, and Daughter #4. It was a houseful - full of joy and good cheer as we celebrated God's gift of Christ Jesus.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
PA
We received our pre-approval (PA) from China for the adoption of Faith! Now we must gather all the documents that are needed for the dossier. We have two months to do this and get a new homestudy done. The next step is "DTC" - documents to China. Aiming to have this done by the middle of March.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Memorial Box Monday
Some weeks ago I was moved to participate in the 'Generous Life 90-day challenge' - to tithe for 90 days and see if God doesn't heap more blessings upon you than what you have given away. Payday was Friday. On Sunday I put my first tithe in the church offering plate.
Here you need a little background...
My husband has been a stay at home dad to our two young children since early 2009. Earlier this year, after a year of being home with her Dad, our youngest started pre-school and hubby started looking for a new job. He's been looking without success for 7 months. Money has been really tight for us with just one income. We sold our house and moved to a tiny duplex so we could live on just my salary. We cut back and cut out to stay within our smaller means. Adding a tithe to the monthly expenses was really a leap of faith. But felt God nudging me to trust Him. And so, back to the story....
So on Sunday I put my tithe in the offering plate. On Tuesday my husband received a job offer. God multiplied my tithe more than I can even calculate! I gave God my meager tithe and God gave us a 100% new salary where there had been zero. How incredible is that?! In just TWO DAYS God poured out generosity upon us. Our God is an awesome God!
Here you need a little background...
My husband has been a stay at home dad to our two young children since early 2009. Earlier this year, after a year of being home with her Dad, our youngest started pre-school and hubby started looking for a new job. He's been looking without success for 7 months. Money has been really tight for us with just one income. We sold our house and moved to a tiny duplex so we could live on just my salary. We cut back and cut out to stay within our smaller means. Adding a tithe to the monthly expenses was really a leap of faith. But felt God nudging me to trust Him. And so, back to the story....
So on Sunday I put my tithe in the offering plate. On Tuesday my husband received a job offer. God multiplied my tithe more than I can even calculate! I gave God my meager tithe and God gave us a 100% new salary where there had been zero. How incredible is that?! In just TWO DAYS God poured out generosity upon us. Our God is an awesome God!
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Letter of Intent
Our letter of intent (LOI) was sent to the China Center for Adoption Affairs (CCAA) last Tuesday. Now we wait for China to send back preliminary approval (PA). Once we have that we will officially start the paper chase, including updating our home study and gathering all the documents that are required for the dossier and USCIS. Last time we were able to get everything together in about 10 weeks, which would put us DTC (documents to China) in late February. Here's hoping!
Friday, December 10, 2010
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Open doors
Less than a month ago we took a deep breath and started forward, following the urging in our hearts toward another adoption, believing that God was nudging us in this direction. We trust that if this is God's will, doors will open. In the last few weeks, doors have swung wide wide open.
I submitted an inquiry late on a Friday night. Before noon on the following Monday, the agency had sent me the full file. Less than two days later both our pediatrician and a specialist had reviewed the file - reassuring us that the medical issues were easily addressed and going so far as to suggest a future for her that is 'functional and happy'. Two days - for two busy doctors to take the time to review a lengthy medical file. Two days! And how amazing to see that little word in a medical opinion. Happy. She'll be happy. Another little sign from our great God. It makes me smile just to think of it.
Required in the first set of paperwork we sent back to the agency was a form, signed by a physician, that we had indeed consulted a doctor about the special needs in the medical file. All accomplished before the first week was out! Open doors.
And so now we have submitted the first of the paperwork. This will be translated and sent off to China, asking that we will be allowed to apply to adopt Faith. Now we wait for China's response. Meanwhile, DH's biggest worry is the money. It takes alot of $$ to complete an international adoption. I am trusting there will be a way. And as if to show just how faithful God will be, already help has come from many directions. We thank everyone who has sent support already - thank you thank you!! We still have a long long way to go to raise the full funds that will be necessary, but we're headed in the right direction.
In addition to generous donations, last week I discovered that my Flexible Benefits accounts for 2010 were carrying balances. I thought I'd submitted claims for the full amount that was being withheld way back in May. But last week I noticed (on an old paycheck - and I have no idea why I came across a pay stub from September) that I hadn't received the dependent care reimbursement that had been in every check since the first of January. So I investigated and discovered a claim that had been denied due to lack of documentation (my receipt stuck to the back of the claim page when it was faxed and they never saw it). I also discovered I'd submitted claims only through May 31st. So I sent in claims for June, July, August, September and October. This week those claims were paid, resulting in an unexpected $1300 in our bank account this week - and the promise of another $600 in the remaining pay periods of 2010. Just what is needed for our homestudy update! Our first big expense - covered. God is so good.
I submitted an inquiry late on a Friday night. Before noon on the following Monday, the agency had sent me the full file. Less than two days later both our pediatrician and a specialist had reviewed the file - reassuring us that the medical issues were easily addressed and going so far as to suggest a future for her that is 'functional and happy'. Two days - for two busy doctors to take the time to review a lengthy medical file. Two days! And how amazing to see that little word in a medical opinion. Happy. She'll be happy. Another little sign from our great God. It makes me smile just to think of it.
Required in the first set of paperwork we sent back to the agency was a form, signed by a physician, that we had indeed consulted a doctor about the special needs in the medical file. All accomplished before the first week was out! Open doors.
And so now we have submitted the first of the paperwork. This will be translated and sent off to China, asking that we will be allowed to apply to adopt Faith. Now we wait for China's response. Meanwhile, DH's biggest worry is the money. It takes alot of $$ to complete an international adoption. I am trusting there will be a way. And as if to show just how faithful God will be, already help has come from many directions. We thank everyone who has sent support already - thank you thank you!! We still have a long long way to go to raise the full funds that will be necessary, but we're headed in the right direction.
In addition to generous donations, last week I discovered that my Flexible Benefits accounts for 2010 were carrying balances. I thought I'd submitted claims for the full amount that was being withheld way back in May. But last week I noticed (on an old paycheck - and I have no idea why I came across a pay stub from September) that I hadn't received the dependent care reimbursement that had been in every check since the first of January. So I investigated and discovered a claim that had been denied due to lack of documentation (my receipt stuck to the back of the claim page when it was faxed and they never saw it). I also discovered I'd submitted claims only through May 31st. So I sent in claims for June, July, August, September and October. This week those claims were paid, resulting in an unexpected $1300 in our bank account this week - and the promise of another $600 in the remaining pay periods of 2010. Just what is needed for our homestudy update! Our first big expense - covered. God is so good.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Memorial Box Monday
A few weeks ago I followed a link from a link from a blog I read regularly and discovered A Place Called Simplicity. Since then, Linny has been such an inspiration. At the same time that I was discovering Linny's testimony, I was in the middle of both the Love Dare and the 40 day Spiritual Journey to a more generous life. God was working in amazing ways in my life! I found people living and blogging about God's generosity at the same time that I was reading his word as expressed through these two studies. But there's more.
While all of this was happening, God kept putting little signs up all over the place that seemed to be telling us we were not done with the journey to an adoption in China like we thought we were. Back in 2006 we submitted a dossier for a NSN adoption in China, expecting to travel in early 2007 to a new daughter. While we waited I made a baby quilt, with a map of China on it. In 2008, the wait stretching from months to years and years, we withdrew our dossier from China when we adopted from Taiwan for a second time. We believed at the time that the door to China had been closed for us. All this time my China quilt has waited on a shelf above the sheets and towels. Back in August I tried to get in touch with a woman I'd met during the wait, who was finally traveling to China for her daughter. I thought I'd give her the quilt. But I never heard back from her. I tried again in October to reach her, but still no response. Earlier this month I was lamenting the fact that I hadn't heard back. The quilt still sat in our closet and I was so eager to send it along. Out of nowhere my husband said, "Maybe it's not supposed to go to her." I looked at him, surprised, and instantly, without either of us having to say another word, realized we were at that moment both hearing the same thing from our amazing God - that quilt is for our daughter who is in China.
Not too many days later I found her on a waiting child list. We sent off an email of inquiry just before midnight on a Friday night. And with that, doors started to open. So many things have happened in the last two weeks that I could fill a year of Memorial Box Mondays, but I'll save them for another post. To God be the glory!
While all of this was happening, God kept putting little signs up all over the place that seemed to be telling us we were not done with the journey to an adoption in China like we thought we were. Back in 2006 we submitted a dossier for a NSN adoption in China, expecting to travel in early 2007 to a new daughter. While we waited I made a baby quilt, with a map of China on it. In 2008, the wait stretching from months to years and years, we withdrew our dossier from China when we adopted from Taiwan for a second time. We believed at the time that the door to China had been closed for us. All this time my China quilt has waited on a shelf above the sheets and towels. Back in August I tried to get in touch with a woman I'd met during the wait, who was finally traveling to China for her daughter. I thought I'd give her the quilt. But I never heard back from her. I tried again in October to reach her, but still no response. Earlier this month I was lamenting the fact that I hadn't heard back. The quilt still sat in our closet and I was so eager to send it along. Out of nowhere my husband said, "Maybe it's not supposed to go to her." I looked at him, surprised, and instantly, without either of us having to say another word, realized we were at that moment both hearing the same thing from our amazing God - that quilt is for our daughter who is in China.
Not too many days later I found her on a waiting child list. We sent off an email of inquiry just before midnight on a Friday night. And with that, doors started to open. So many things have happened in the last two weeks that I could fill a year of Memorial Box Mondays, but I'll save them for another post. To God be the glory!
Friday, November 19, 2010
Welcome
Welcome to our little corner of the world! We have been blessed by God with a passion for children and parenting. After raising four biological children, we were called to adoption. We brought our fifth child home from Taiwan in 2006 and our sixth in 2008. God has placed it in our hearts to open our arms to a waiting child in China. We'll keep you posted on the process and pray that many will be moved to help fund the cost of bringing her home. For this adoption we are stepping out in faith with only one tenth the needed funds. We have faith that God will provide. We hope you might be moved to help be God's hands in this work, help us see that there is one less orphan in need of a family.
In Isaiah 1:17 God encourages us to care for orphans:
Learn to do what is right! Promote justice! Give the oppressed reason to celebrate! Take up the cause of the orphan! Defend the rights of the widow!
We invite you to join us. Thank you for your prayers and support!
In Isaiah 1:17 God encourages us to care for orphans:
Learn to do what is right! Promote justice! Give the oppressed reason to celebrate! Take up the cause of the orphan! Defend the rights of the widow!
We invite you to join us. Thank you for your prayers and support!
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