We know an extremely precious lady who is now battling pancreatic cancer. I had hesitated to call her since this is the same thing that claimed my grandmother's life almost 14 years ago. I was there at the end with my grandmother and it was tough and I just didn't know how I could say anything encouraging to our precious friend. Yet, she has remained on my mind and though I pray, I knew I needed to move beyond myself and make that call. So last night I was brave and called and... got an answering machine.
This morning as I was trying to recover my kitchen from the weekend when SHE CALLED ME! Oh what a precious conversation where she wanted to know about how things were going with the adoption. I haven't seen her in a while, so I wasn't sure if she knew. I told her how last week was so discouraging for me and she shared that that was an encouragement to her because she had felt the same and it was nice to know she wasn't alone. I knew that the frustration I had experienced last week was for a reason. I never imagined that it would be to help encourage a sweet lady battling for her life. The LORD works in mysterious ways...
For this precious friend and her honesty, I am so thankful. I pray that God answers her desire and she is able to meet Lillyanna.
After our conversation, I checked our email and found that we got our Article 5! I posted last night about how I will praise God even in frustration and today I was doubly blessed. Our faith is made real if we can praise Him even when it isn't going our way.
God is in control and works ALL things for our good.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Yet I Will Praise Him
All has been eerily quiet from China lately. No word on our Article 5 and whether or not we might get a medical expedite there as well. Chinese New Year, officially Feb. 3, but celebrated the 2nd -8th is looming like a black hole in my mind, sucking the energy, vitality and strength from me. Why?! Because EVERYTHING Chinese shuts down for that time.
This past week we have had several bits of discouraging information about our new home. It needs the septic tanks pumped (that's what's causing the odor in the home) and the bank is not willing to pay for it or to let us have it repaired before closing, REALLY?! We also can't get in AT ALL to do any sort of cleaning!?(before closing) "WHY?" I scream out to God. " I'm not superwoman! I can't get the house cleaned and painted in two days with five kids in tow!!!"
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corin. 12:9
This past week I've been so focused on what isn't happening that I have forgotten to praise Him for what is. God has provided a beautiful single story home on 15 acres and I need to have faith for the time to clean, the energy to paint and that our finances will pull through. God is adding a beautiful, precious four year old girl to our family through His provision in paperwork and once again I have to have faith for finances. On paper we have what we "need", but we all know that Murphy strikes. (like with the septic system or lines at the store, LOL)
God did not ask us to adopt Lillyanna because everything would be perfect. He wants us to have FAITH. Faith like a mustard seed can move mountains, but sometimes we still have to wait... this is my weakness, but yet I will praise Him.
This past week we have had several bits of discouraging information about our new home. It needs the septic tanks pumped (that's what's causing the odor in the home) and the bank is not willing to pay for it or to let us have it repaired before closing, REALLY?! We also can't get in AT ALL to do any sort of cleaning!?(before closing) "WHY?" I scream out to God. " I'm not superwoman! I can't get the house cleaned and painted in two days with five kids in tow!!!"
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corin. 12:9
This past week I've been so focused on what isn't happening that I have forgotten to praise Him for what is. God has provided a beautiful single story home on 15 acres and I need to have faith for the time to clean, the energy to paint and that our finances will pull through. God is adding a beautiful, precious four year old girl to our family through His provision in paperwork and once again I have to have faith for finances. On paper we have what we "need", but we all know that Murphy strikes. (like with the septic system or lines at the store, LOL)
God did not ask us to adopt Lillyanna because everything would be perfect. He wants us to have FAITH. Faith like a mustard seed can move mountains, but sometimes we still have to wait... this is my weakness, but yet I will praise Him.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Faith
We will shortly be saying goodbye to our home of 8 1/2 years. We will officially be moving after Lillyanna comes home, though we hope and pray to have all of our items at the new house before we leave for China. As we make minor repairs to our current home (I have time to reflect as I spackle and sand), I ask myself, why are we giving up all that we know- city life, convenience, our home- for one little girl? Why are we bringing a little girl we have never met and who breaks easily into a home with four rowdy boys? How am I going to be able to accomplish repairs, packing, adopting and moving without losing my sanity (let alone trying to school and now find another helper?!)? I am filled with questions, but I am also filled with faith. Faith that God has a plan, a purpose and a reason why all of this is happening. Faith, sometimes is all you got to go on. Faith...
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Our Newest Family Member!
I can now freely post about Lillyanna! Yeah!!!!
Let me introduce you to our newest family member. Lillyanna's Chinese name is Chun Li and means beautiful spring. This name was probably chosen because she was found in a phone booth one day late in March. The orphanage determined that she was several months old and decided for her birthday to December 8th. (who knows why they chose this day) She currently resides in Shenzhen, China. Where both Mr. Incredible and I have had the opportunity to visit! Mr. Incredible had just a couple of days before we found out about Lilly been in Shenzhen himself! At some point, possibly after her first break, it was determined that Lillyanna has Osteogenesis Imperfecta (brittle bones). We are unsure how severe her case is or if she has the sometimes accompanying dental issues. After some testing when we get home, we will most likely be seeing a specialist at Shiner's in Shreveport.
We Got It!
God came through again and the last of our paperwork is off to our agency tonight and then on to China tomorrow.
We can do nothing else but wait for our Article 5 (US Government), Travel Approval (Chinese Government) and Consulate Appointment (US Government). We can travel 3-4 weeks after we have our CA.
Prayer Requests are:
Getting Article 5 quickly, it can take a month.
China issuing TA quickly, it can take 2-7 weeks.
Getting a timely CA, they have been going as much as six weeks out from TA.
Wisdom on hotel and be able to locate good flights/airlines for $900/round trip ticket (this is almost a laughably cheap price, but God can do it) from San Antonio (or Del Rio) to Guangzhou (or Hong Kong).
Peace to permeate our household and God to prepare each of our hearts for Lilly, as well as prepare Lilly for our family.
We can do nothing else but wait for our Article 5 (US Government), Travel Approval (Chinese Government) and Consulate Appointment (US Government). We can travel 3-4 weeks after we have our CA.
Prayer Requests are:
Getting Article 5 quickly, it can take a month.
China issuing TA quickly, it can take 2-7 weeks.
Getting a timely CA, they have been going as much as six weeks out from TA.
Wisdom on hotel and be able to locate good flights/airlines for $900/round trip ticket (this is almost a laughably cheap price, but God can do it) from San Antonio (or Del Rio) to Guangzhou (or Hong Kong).
Peace to permeate our household and God to prepare each of our hearts for Lilly, as well as prepare Lilly for our family.
The Lord Works In Mysterious Ways!
I have spent three days calling and emailing the NVC. I have called 50+ times and only been able to speak with a person 3 times, it was busy the 47+ other times, grrrr. lol. So in my third attempt I was sweet and assertive and started the conversation out with answering the required data and then politely asked to speak to a supervisor. No supervisors had been available during my second call and apparently they are not allowed to put people on extended hold, grrr. The first two calls ended with being told that they couldn't email me a copy of the letter that is being mailed (snail mail) to me. I know that is bogus because our agency said to contact them for it and other families from our agency got it done in the last month, double grrr. All three emails sent Monday, Wednesday and today have gone unanswered as well. Well that blows out of the water the statement from the operator that they respond to all emails!
So back to the third call. I am transferred to the supervisor and tell him our woes- we got a medical expedite through immigration, the consulate will be taking Chinese New Year off and we really need to send our paperwork to China TOMORROW. Axel told me that he will get a copy of our letter emailed to me tonight. Let's pray that he isn't able to concentrate on anything else until he sends us a copy of our letter. Is that too selfish?! Who would have thought that a man named after a car part, or famous singer?, would be holding the key to keeping up the momentum on the adoption front.
So back to the third call. I am transferred to the supervisor and tell him our woes- we got a medical expedite through immigration, the consulate will be taking Chinese New Year off and we really need to send our paperwork to China TOMORROW. Axel told me that he will get a copy of our letter emailed to me tonight. Let's pray that he isn't able to concentrate on anything else until he sends us a copy of our letter. Is that too selfish?! Who would have thought that a man named after a car part, or famous singer?, would be holding the key to keeping up the momentum on the adoption front.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
The Onslaught Continues
I had a bright moment in the day on Tuesday, but Monday, most of Tuesday and starting at 4:30 am today the Enemy is attacking. I know we must be doing what God wants, otherwise it wouldn't be so tough right now. There really isn't much more to say without sounding like I am whining. (Which I honestly don't want to do :))
Please just be in prayer for our family, for our extended family, for progress with the adoption not to come to a screeching halt (I am really not liking federal holidays at the moment) and for our new home purchase- the septic system now needs to be pumped (pray that the bank (the home is a foreclosure) would pay that expense).
God reigns and sees the grander picture, but right now I just feel stuck in the mucky muck and like I'm a whiny child saying, "Help, Daddy, heeeeelp!"
Please just be in prayer for our family, for our extended family, for progress with the adoption not to come to a screeching halt (I am really not liking federal holidays at the moment) and for our new home purchase- the septic system now needs to be pumped (pray that the bank (the home is a foreclosure) would pay that expense).
God reigns and sees the grander picture, but right now I just feel stuck in the mucky muck and like I'm a whiny child saying, "Help, Daddy, heeeeelp!"
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Having a Crisis of Doubt
I have been fighting a HUGE cloud of doubt today. Maybe it's the weather. Maybe it's the Deceiver trying to whisper into my ear. MAN, it's been rough! All the what if's are rolling through my head on one of those scrolling screens.
What if we don't get the new house?
What if your house doesn't sell?
What if China doesn't issue TA and you have to wait to move?
What if she breaks really easily?
What if there's a car wreck?
What if this isn't obedience, but a silly whim?
See?! I keep reminding myself that we wouldn't be where we are without God's leading and direction. BUT! If you take that away, we look like total fools right now. (I don't like to look foolish unless I'm trying to and I am really not trying to.) I look at our bank accounts and what we have to pay to close on the house and what the adoptions projected costs are and see a huge ZERO staring back at me after everything is said and done. (I don't like zero's with no number in front.) And at least we seemingly have the money to cover the costs, but what about unexpected expenses? What if someone gets sick?...
Not only are we pouring out our life to bring Lilly home, we are going to be completely draining our accounts. It's on days like today when doubt is trying to seep in that I really question not applying for grants. But, we felt God clearly put a check in our spirits about that when we discussed those as an option. We felt Him tell us He would provide. I know that God could easily provide and I really think He is testing our faith in this. It's hard to have faith on days filled with doubt though. We did apply and are getting the State of Texas $1500 grant for special needs adoption, but that is the only one we felt was okay. That grant combined with cashing out an insurance policy, $1400, closing a retirement account, $1500, and the local Lion's club helping with E's hearing aids, $1800, are what's happened so far in the ways of provision. But $6200 in a $24,000-$28,000 bucket really feels like just a drop today. We know we will have medical testing costs when we get home. We are not taking the boys with us because the costs for them and an extra adult (we would need the extra help) comes to another $17,000. Am I putting God in a box by thinking He can't provide that? I just don't know, at least not today.
Lord, you are the Creator of Lilly's life, the author of her story, the maker of all mankind, the earth and everything therein. Please help me to have faith Lord. Faith in your provision. Faith that we are doing your will. Faith that our little Lillyanna Faith Chunli will come home in your timing. Amen.
What if we don't get the new house?
What if your house doesn't sell?
What if China doesn't issue TA and you have to wait to move?
What if she breaks really easily?
What if there's a car wreck?
What if this isn't obedience, but a silly whim?
See?! I keep reminding myself that we wouldn't be where we are without God's leading and direction. BUT! If you take that away, we look like total fools right now. (I don't like to look foolish unless I'm trying to and I am really not trying to.) I look at our bank accounts and what we have to pay to close on the house and what the adoptions projected costs are and see a huge ZERO staring back at me after everything is said and done. (I don't like zero's with no number in front.) And at least we seemingly have the money to cover the costs, but what about unexpected expenses? What if someone gets sick?...
Not only are we pouring out our life to bring Lilly home, we are going to be completely draining our accounts. It's on days like today when doubt is trying to seep in that I really question not applying for grants. But, we felt God clearly put a check in our spirits about that when we discussed those as an option. We felt Him tell us He would provide. I know that God could easily provide and I really think He is testing our faith in this. It's hard to have faith on days filled with doubt though. We did apply and are getting the State of Texas $1500 grant for special needs adoption, but that is the only one we felt was okay. That grant combined with cashing out an insurance policy, $1400, closing a retirement account, $1500, and the local Lion's club helping with E's hearing aids, $1800, are what's happened so far in the ways of provision. But $6200 in a $24,000-$28,000 bucket really feels like just a drop today. We know we will have medical testing costs when we get home. We are not taking the boys with us because the costs for them and an extra adult (we would need the extra help) comes to another $17,000. Am I putting God in a box by thinking He can't provide that? I just don't know, at least not today.
Lord, you are the Creator of Lilly's life, the author of her story, the maker of all mankind, the earth and everything therein. Please help me to have faith Lord. Faith in your provision. Faith that we are doing your will. Faith that our little Lillyanna Faith Chunli will come home in your timing. Amen.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Being Diligent
Life has been rocking the boat so hard around here that we are reeling with everything going on. If I look at the facts of we are adopting (again), we are buying a new home and moving soon, we homeschool (at least trying to get the major subjects done), M has been having MAJOR issues lately, E just got hearing aids (the Lord provided funding!!!), taking over the lead in our church's foster/adoption ministry and the simple tasks of laundry, dishes, etc, I start feeling so overwhelmed that I just want to crawl in a hole and sleep until the storm passes. The waves are crashing over our boat and though I know we are not sinking it is hard to have faith when EVERYTHING is so difficult. YET! If I place my focus on God and HIS provision and I set my sights to accomplish one thing at a time, it is doable. If I can be diligent to trust that HE is in control, He will show (and is!) Himself powerful. You can eat a whole pie, one bite at a time. We can get through all these tumultuous times, one thing at a time!
With that in mind- God is continuing to AMAZE us. Today we got Mr. Incredible's passport back, the agent had said that with adding pages it would take 7-10 days. We dropped it off on Tuesday and have it back on Saturday. That's FOUR days! Today we got the last paperwork for our State of Texas grant for special needs adoption. TODAY we got our I-800 Provisional approval in the mail! Just a couple of weeks ago it took 9 days in the mail to get our I-800A approval from immigration. This Provisional approval took TWO days in the mail!!!! (The difference between the two is you first have to apply for immigration for a child you are adopting and then you have to apply for the specific child you are adopting)
We have gone from submitting the contract with our agency October 14, 2010 to having full US immigration approval to bring Lillyanna home January 15, 2011 in 93 days! That is roughly the estimate for just getting paperwork through immigration now.
I know that God has big plans for Lilly's life if He is moving SO BIG just to bring her home. It's kind of scary since HE is entrusting her to US. I don't think that I think THAT much of myself. What does God expect from us?
My best answer is:
Obedience. A willing heart. And diligence in the midst of the storm.
With that in mind- God is continuing to AMAZE us. Today we got Mr. Incredible's passport back, the agent had said that with adding pages it would take 7-10 days. We dropped it off on Tuesday and have it back on Saturday. That's FOUR days! Today we got the last paperwork for our State of Texas grant for special needs adoption. TODAY we got our I-800 Provisional approval in the mail! Just a couple of weeks ago it took 9 days in the mail to get our I-800A approval from immigration. This Provisional approval took TWO days in the mail!!!! (The difference between the two is you first have to apply for immigration for a child you are adopting and then you have to apply for the specific child you are adopting)
We have gone from submitting the contract with our agency October 14, 2010 to having full US immigration approval to bring Lillyanna home January 15, 2011 in 93 days! That is roughly the estimate for just getting paperwork through immigration now.
I know that God has big plans for Lilly's life if He is moving SO BIG just to bring her home. It's kind of scary since HE is entrusting her to US. I don't think that I think THAT much of myself. What does God expect from us?
My best answer is:
Obedience. A willing heart. And diligence in the midst of the storm.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Wasting No Time!
It seems like have been working like mad on paperwork for the last two weeks and I guess I have! We are buying a house and adopting and there is paperwork for both. Friday I spent 8 hours immersed in paperwork- getting our I-800 packet ready to mail and getting financing started for our just signed by the buyers contract.
Monday was a little more normal. However at 11:57pm Mr. Incredible and I set off for our night of journeys. We arrived in Austin about 5 am and went to the McDonald's located near the capital. He worked while I sat with my head on my hands and tried to rest my eyes. At 7 we head to the Secretary of State office, it opened at 7:30, but we had to wait in the lobby until 8am. We were walking out at 8:09am with our I-797 notarized copy certified. Off to Houston we headed. Praying. Google said the 165 mile trip would take 3.7 hours with traffic. We prayed for no traffic. We had NO traffic. We arrived at the Chinese Consulate 2.5 hours from when we left the SOS office with 15 minutes to spare in getting our paperwork submitted for same day authentication service. We waited in line, and waited, and waited. At 11:07 I finally was able to step to a window and submit our paperwork. I asked for same day service and she informed me of being after the deadline. I politely as possible pointed out that we had been in line by 10:45am, that we had driven from Longview to Austin then Houston this morning alone all for this one document, please help us. She called her boss, we got the same day service! This document and our updated homestudy was then overnighted to our agency to that our "dossier phase" could be complete. We arrived home at 7pm. physically exhausted, mentally worn out and knowing that we had done everything humanly possible to get Lilly home quickly; while firmly believing that God had everything in control and was working on Lilly's behalf.
Wednesday I returned the call of the CIS officer assigned our case (she called while we were gone on Tuesday) and found out that somehow on Monday (when our packet was delivered) or Tuesday our packet was lost and she was wondering if we had copies of all we sent. Well I didn't have a copy of two items, so I hung up with her and dialed up our agency and within a couple of hours had the two copies I needed. In the meantime I had sent her everything that I had. Today (Thursday) we got notice that our I-800 provisional approval has been issued and is being mailed today. Hopefully we'll see it by next Thursday if that happens I can get our last packet to our agency by Friday am and then it will be on it's way to China Friday afternoon! The only thing we will have to wait for then is her visa approval and China to issue us travel approval!!! We will probably be in China in 2 that's TWO months!!!!
Believe it or not, I am speechless. God has taken a thought and exploded it into a reality. We made formal application to our agency only 3 months and 5 days ago! It is awesome, wonderful, scary and humbling to see God working like this. It has taken getting out, way out, of our comfort zone. It is being willing to obey even when we don't understand. It will be tough, but God is never failing.
Monday was a little more normal. However at 11:57pm Mr. Incredible and I set off for our night of journeys. We arrived in Austin about 5 am and went to the McDonald's located near the capital. He worked while I sat with my head on my hands and tried to rest my eyes. At 7 we head to the Secretary of State office, it opened at 7:30, but we had to wait in the lobby until 8am. We were walking out at 8:09am with our I-797 notarized copy certified. Off to Houston we headed. Praying. Google said the 165 mile trip would take 3.7 hours with traffic. We prayed for no traffic. We had NO traffic. We arrived at the Chinese Consulate 2.5 hours from when we left the SOS office with 15 minutes to spare in getting our paperwork submitted for same day authentication service. We waited in line, and waited, and waited. At 11:07 I finally was able to step to a window and submit our paperwork. I asked for same day service and she informed me of being after the deadline. I politely as possible pointed out that we had been in line by 10:45am, that we had driven from Longview to Austin then Houston this morning alone all for this one document, please help us. She called her boss, we got the same day service! This document and our updated homestudy was then overnighted to our agency to that our "dossier phase" could be complete. We arrived home at 7pm. physically exhausted, mentally worn out and knowing that we had done everything humanly possible to get Lilly home quickly; while firmly believing that God had everything in control and was working on Lilly's behalf.
Wednesday I returned the call of the CIS officer assigned our case (she called while we were gone on Tuesday) and found out that somehow on Monday (when our packet was delivered) or Tuesday our packet was lost and she was wondering if we had copies of all we sent. Well I didn't have a copy of two items, so I hung up with her and dialed up our agency and within a couple of hours had the two copies I needed. In the meantime I had sent her everything that I had. Today (Thursday) we got notice that our I-800 provisional approval has been issued and is being mailed today. Hopefully we'll see it by next Thursday if that happens I can get our last packet to our agency by Friday am and then it will be on it's way to China Friday afternoon! The only thing we will have to wait for then is her visa approval and China to issue us travel approval!!! We will probably be in China in 2 that's TWO months!!!!
Believe it or not, I am speechless. God has taken a thought and exploded it into a reality. We made formal application to our agency only 3 months and 5 days ago! It is awesome, wonderful, scary and humbling to see God working like this. It has taken getting out, way out, of our comfort zone. It is being willing to obey even when we don't understand. It will be tough, but God is never failing.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
The new year always makes me think of refreshment. Time to clarify goals and be more intentional in my life.
As 2010 drew to a close two things came to mind. One, where was the bookmark I bought? Secondly, for the last several months one of our children keeps praying for "----" to make it out of the fire safely. The name changes each night as he's asked to pray for various family members. Knowing his propensity to like to play with fire (that's the reason I don't burn candles), I kept thinking this was part of his fascination with fire. However, things have not been easy the last several months. Making the decision to adopt Lillyanna, looking for single story housing, schooling, issues with extended family, life in general could all be part of being in a fire. (Maybe he's had spiritual insight!) I do have the feeling that the next few months will be even harder, so maybe we haven't reached the fire yet. However, I am reminded of how one of the toughest times in our lives, the custody battle for Michael, was actually one of the most peaceful and wonderful times as well. The storm was swirling around us, but we were in the center and had complete peace that God was in control. Just like now.
Hope you have a blessed New Year!
As 2010 drew to a close two things came to mind. One, where was the bookmark I bought? Secondly, for the last several months one of our children keeps praying for "----" to make it out of the fire safely. The name changes each night as he's asked to pray for various family members. Knowing his propensity to like to play with fire (that's the reason I don't burn candles), I kept thinking this was part of his fascination with fire. However, things have not been easy the last several months. Making the decision to adopt Lillyanna, looking for single story housing, schooling, issues with extended family, life in general could all be part of being in a fire. (Maybe he's had spiritual insight!) I do have the feeling that the next few months will be even harder, so maybe we haven't reached the fire yet. However, I am reminded of how one of the toughest times in our lives, the custody battle for Michael, was actually one of the most peaceful and wonderful times as well. The storm was swirling around us, but we were in the center and had complete peace that God was in control. Just like now.
Hope you have a blessed New Year!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)