Monday, March 10, 2014
My basketball Sweeties!
We have one more week of Upwards basketball! I love it. I will miss it! I have 7 kids playing this year, on 4 different teams. So, it has been a little crazy, but well worth it. Upwards is a fantastic program, and Justin is a fantastic director. This was the first year Meng was cleared medically to play, and she did great! All of the kids did great!
Other news: Still no word from Illinois. This is week 5. We sent off more medical information on Friday, so I am hoping to hear something soon! My family has designated every Monday as Wen and Wu day. Several of us are fasting for the entire 30 hours, from Sun night to Tues morning. Others are setting alarms on the devices, to remind them to pray for W and W each hour! And for the state's decision. Will post when I hear anything...good or bad!
In the meantime, please help me pray for 2 little sweeties who have also won my heart. Silas and Hezekiah, who are both little Chinese cherubs, who have limb differences. They need a family of their own! If you are thinking about adopting, if God is speaking to you about adoption, or even if you just are curious about it.....PRAY for God's will in your life. Listen to His words, and Obey His call on your life! Statistics show that if 7% of all families who call themselves Christians would adopt a child.....there would be no more ORPHANS! WOW~ Come on people, let's set that goal!
Enjoy these photos of my BBall kids! Love them!
Other news: Still no word from Illinois. This is week 5. We sent off more medical information on Friday, so I am hoping to hear something soon! My family has designated every Monday as Wen and Wu day. Several of us are fasting for the entire 30 hours, from Sun night to Tues morning. Others are setting alarms on the devices, to remind them to pray for W and W each hour! And for the state's decision. Will post when I hear anything...good or bad!
In the meantime, please help me pray for 2 little sweeties who have also won my heart. Silas and Hezekiah, who are both little Chinese cherubs, who have limb differences. They need a family of their own! If you are thinking about adopting, if God is speaking to you about adoption, or even if you just are curious about it.....PRAY for God's will in your life. Listen to His words, and Obey His call on your life! Statistics show that if 7% of all families who call themselves Christians would adopt a child.....there would be no more ORPHANS! WOW~ Come on people, let's set that goal!
Enjoy these photos of my BBall kids! Love them!
Thursday, March 6, 2014
No News!
Well, I have absolutely no news from Illinois regarding Wen and Wu's adoption. We thought for sure we would have an answer of some kind this week, and we do not. We do know that we have an amazing social worker and an amazing agency fighting for us. We do know that they plan to fight all the way to the top if they need to. And most of all, we know that God is in control. It has taken me a while to get that through my head this week.
I thought we would hear on Monday, so I was a nervous wreck all day. Nothing. Then Tuesday came and went, with still no news. Yesterday, I hit the breaking point. Thought I had found the answer, a legal loophole that I thought would get us through Illinois' scrutiny. I was wrong. I misinterpreted the regulation. And I was so upset. I took Daley for a run, and as I ran, I cried like a baby. I came home and took a shower, and cried some more. I went to church, tried to put on a smile, but it kept slipping. And then it was time to teach my class. 16 of the sweetest kids ever. I threw out my prepared Bible lesson, and we talked about worrying. Basically, about how stupid it was. We put our worries into our hands, lifted them up to Jesus, and gave them all to Him. And then we made a plan for how to NOT take them back! I lifted up Wen and Wu. One child lifted up an injury. Another, her unborn sibling! Another, her fear, that something would happen to her mommy. And I have PEACE.
Really. I do.
I still wish I could peak into the future, and see if I have 13 children, instead of 11. I still anxiously wait for the call from our social worker, with the decision. But, I am ok. I am not stressing and freaking anymore. God has filled me with peace, and I am holding on! See how my heart works......it is through kids. I love them, and I love being a mom. Greatest Job EVER!
God bless you, and grant you with His peace!!!
I thought we would hear on Monday, so I was a nervous wreck all day. Nothing. Then Tuesday came and went, with still no news. Yesterday, I hit the breaking point. Thought I had found the answer, a legal loophole that I thought would get us through Illinois' scrutiny. I was wrong. I misinterpreted the regulation. And I was so upset. I took Daley for a run, and as I ran, I cried like a baby. I came home and took a shower, and cried some more. I went to church, tried to put on a smile, but it kept slipping. And then it was time to teach my class. 16 of the sweetest kids ever. I threw out my prepared Bible lesson, and we talked about worrying. Basically, about how stupid it was. We put our worries into our hands, lifted them up to Jesus, and gave them all to Him. And then we made a plan for how to NOT take them back! I lifted up Wen and Wu. One child lifted up an injury. Another, her unborn sibling! Another, her fear, that something would happen to her mommy. And I have PEACE.
Really. I do.
I still wish I could peak into the future, and see if I have 13 children, instead of 11. I still anxiously wait for the call from our social worker, with the decision. But, I am ok. I am not stressing and freaking anymore. God has filled me with peace, and I am holding on! See how my heart works......it is through kids. I love them, and I love being a mom. Greatest Job EVER!
God bless you, and grant you with His peace!!!
Sunday, March 2, 2014
Daley's Doodles and a new pic of the twins!
We have a wonderful nurse that comes for a few hours a day, to help care for Daley, while we do the bulk of our schooling. Miss Sandy is such a blessing. She is grandmotherly enough to be perfect, and resourceful enough to be creative, in finding ways to encourage Daley to play, learn and grow.
A few months ago, Daley got a new stander, and she is slowly learning to love it. Miss Sandy finds all kinds of things for her to do in it.....like play with her bead chain, her Christmas lights, or more recently....doodle! Yes, she actually puts the little maker in Daley's hand, and Daley makes beautiful little scribbles! It is actually so precious! You can always tell when she sneezes (long straight line), or when she gets bored (dark blob). We are going to frame some of her doodles, and offer them at silent auctions for adoption fundraisers. She has so many fans, especially at church. Perhaps some of them may want of her special doodles! And support a great cause!
In other news, there is an organization that is helping in the twin's orphanage. The orphanage was SO bad, but this group, called Half the Sky, went in and bought them mattresses~ And toys! And blankets! Sounds crazy, but they did not have these things before! Anyway, I have been following their blogs about the orphanage SO closely, hoping for a glimpse of the boys, and this week, there they were! I have shared their photo below. They look GREAT! And so big! We are still nervously awaiting Illinois' decision on our adoption. Our caseworker is pleaded our case tomorrow, and forwarding all of the additional documents we have prepared for our battle. Praying for good news!!!
Lots of birthdays this month! Meng turns NINE on the 8th, Twins Wen and Wu will be THREE on the 12th, Toby turns TWELVE on the 13th - same day Grandpa Cecil turns 79! And Brogan and Landon share a Bday, on the 19th! Brogan will be 23 and Landon will be 2! Love my TREASURES!
A few months ago, Daley got a new stander, and she is slowly learning to love it. Miss Sandy finds all kinds of things for her to do in it.....like play with her bead chain, her Christmas lights, or more recently....doodle! Yes, she actually puts the little maker in Daley's hand, and Daley makes beautiful little scribbles! It is actually so precious! You can always tell when she sneezes (long straight line), or when she gets bored (dark blob). We are going to frame some of her doodles, and offer them at silent auctions for adoption fundraisers. She has so many fans, especially at church. Perhaps some of them may want of her special doodles! And support a great cause!
In other news, there is an organization that is helping in the twin's orphanage. The orphanage was SO bad, but this group, called Half the Sky, went in and bought them mattresses~ And toys! And blankets! Sounds crazy, but they did not have these things before! Anyway, I have been following their blogs about the orphanage SO closely, hoping for a glimpse of the boys, and this week, there they were! I have shared their photo below. They look GREAT! And so big! We are still nervously awaiting Illinois' decision on our adoption. Our caseworker is pleaded our case tomorrow, and forwarding all of the additional documents we have prepared for our battle. Praying for good news!!!
Lots of birthdays this month! Meng turns NINE on the 8th, Twins Wen and Wu will be THREE on the 12th, Toby turns TWELVE on the 13th - same day Grandpa Cecil turns 79! And Brogan and Landon share a Bday, on the 19th! Brogan will be 23 and Landon will be 2! Love my TREASURES!
Saturday, February 22, 2014
News from Illinois
Well, Illinois has reviewed our home study. I talked at length with our caseworker this morning. She says this is going to be a battle to get approval. Mary D, the woman who holds all of the power to approve home studies in IL (yes, that is crazy) is SO anti-large family. She simply cannot imagine why we would want to adopt again. She made some rather rude comments about our family, and large families in general.
This is the deal. We have China's approval to adopt their children. We have an agency and a caseworker, who have given us their FULL support. They have interviewed Dale and I and our children, have toured and inspected our home, have checked and rechecked our backgrounds, and have spent hours getting to know us. They are in favor of our adoption. We have met and/or exceeded all of the requirements Illinois has put before us. We have glowing references, we are financially stable, and we have the space to house more children. They truly have NO grounds to deny us approval. But.....they don't understand large families. They do not think parents could possibly have the time for as many children as we have. Crazy thing is that I could give birth to 20 children, if I chose to (and God allowed it). Even if half of those children were mentally disabled, no one could stop me from having more....even if I was broke, a lived in a 3 room shack. Yet, when adopting - everything changes. *tears*
This woman, Mary, has asked that we leave her alone for a week, so she can try to "wrap her head" around our request. So, we will. But, trust me, I am not sitting here waiting! I am preparing letters, requesting additional references, putting together a family photo portfolio for her, and preparing for a FIGHT. And mostly, I am praying!
Have you read your Bible lately? God moves mountains, people! He changes people's hearts, He changes their minds, He MOVES upon them, to see His perfect will happen! My God does NOT want those boys to sit alone and unloved in that orphanage. I KNOW He can change Mary's heart and her mind. Would you PLEASE join me in praying for God's will! And for my boys! And for the hearts of my family....who are yearning and aching! This is hard to explain to the littles.....who are SO excited to meet their little brothers!
Thank you, for your support. I will post when I hear more!
This is the deal. We have China's approval to adopt their children. We have an agency and a caseworker, who have given us their FULL support. They have interviewed Dale and I and our children, have toured and inspected our home, have checked and rechecked our backgrounds, and have spent hours getting to know us. They are in favor of our adoption. We have met and/or exceeded all of the requirements Illinois has put before us. We have glowing references, we are financially stable, and we have the space to house more children. They truly have NO grounds to deny us approval. But.....they don't understand large families. They do not think parents could possibly have the time for as many children as we have. Crazy thing is that I could give birth to 20 children, if I chose to (and God allowed it). Even if half of those children were mentally disabled, no one could stop me from having more....even if I was broke, a lived in a 3 room shack. Yet, when adopting - everything changes. *tears*
This woman, Mary, has asked that we leave her alone for a week, so she can try to "wrap her head" around our request. So, we will. But, trust me, I am not sitting here waiting! I am preparing letters, requesting additional references, putting together a family photo portfolio for her, and preparing for a FIGHT. And mostly, I am praying!
Have you read your Bible lately? God moves mountains, people! He changes people's hearts, He changes their minds, He MOVES upon them, to see His perfect will happen! My God does NOT want those boys to sit alone and unloved in that orphanage. I KNOW He can change Mary's heart and her mind. Would you PLEASE join me in praying for God's will! And for my boys! And for the hearts of my family....who are yearning and aching! This is hard to explain to the littles.....who are SO excited to meet their little brothers!
Thank you, for your support. I will post when I hear more!
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
A Link to my Boy's story
No word from Illinois yet....although I am sure it is coming SOON, and I am feeling very encouraged! Our caseworker says she will call Mary D, if she has not heard from her by Friday. In the meantime, here is a link, with more photos and information on Wen and Wu, for those of you who have asked!
http://stopforsnowdrops.blogspot.com/2013/09/double-blessings-waiting-for-their.html?
Will update again soon!
http://stopforsnowdrops.blogspot.com/2013/09/double-blessings-waiting-for-their.html?
Will update again soon!
Thursday, February 13, 2014
My wonderful Landon, and "The WAIT"
Well, first of all, we just got back from a great weekend! My son-in-law had a job interview in Indiana, and we decided to meet them all there for a weekend visit! My friend has parents who just happened to have a lake house 10 minutes from the interview site, so off we went. I have not seen that much SNOW in many years, but it was beautiful! Spending the weekend with my grandson, Landon, daughter, Brogan and her hubs, Zachary was a wonderful time!~ Landon is so smart, and so fun! Below are some photos of him!
And in other news. ADOPTION. Well, our home study was submitted to IL a week ago today. And now we wait. It is SO hard. My boys are in a terrible orphanage. They need to come home. Their bedroom is done, our home is big enough, we have enough love, and we even have most of the money to cover the adoption expenses! But, we wait to see if Mary D, the woman with the power, will approve us for this adoption. It doesn't matter if our caseworker and agency are more than happy to approve us. She has to. It doesn't matter if we have glowing references, plenty of support, and well-adjusted, happy children. She still makes the final decision. And so we wait. And we don't even know how long. Our caseworker says 3-4 weeks. Some people are waiting 2-3 months. She held up one adoption for 10 months! We are prepared to fight. We are not just going to go away, if we are told NO. So, she needs to be ready for us! LOL
Other adoption news: Well, I received the information on a beautiful, but very ill, little gal, named Kacey. She is 13, and has Beta Thal, like Meng, and is also aging out of the adoption program in October, which is basically a death sentence for her. I began advocating for her, and immediately our Pastor asked for more information!!! To make a long story short, they have locked her file, are racing through thee home study process, and are completely excited about being her PARENTS! WOOHOO! Helping them through some of the paperwork and red tape has helped take my mind off of my boys. And another church family has stepped forward to adopt as well! God is moving on our church, and His people! IT is awesome to watch!
Well, I will update as soon as we hear from the state. Hopefully, prayerfully, with good news!
Enjoy these pictures of Landon! Sweetest grandson ever! LOL
And in other news. ADOPTION. Well, our home study was submitted to IL a week ago today. And now we wait. It is SO hard. My boys are in a terrible orphanage. They need to come home. Their bedroom is done, our home is big enough, we have enough love, and we even have most of the money to cover the adoption expenses! But, we wait to see if Mary D, the woman with the power, will approve us for this adoption. It doesn't matter if our caseworker and agency are more than happy to approve us. She has to. It doesn't matter if we have glowing references, plenty of support, and well-adjusted, happy children. She still makes the final decision. And so we wait. And we don't even know how long. Our caseworker says 3-4 weeks. Some people are waiting 2-3 months. She held up one adoption for 10 months! We are prepared to fight. We are not just going to go away, if we are told NO. So, she needs to be ready for us! LOL
Other adoption news: Well, I received the information on a beautiful, but very ill, little gal, named Kacey. She is 13, and has Beta Thal, like Meng, and is also aging out of the adoption program in October, which is basically a death sentence for her. I began advocating for her, and immediately our Pastor asked for more information!!! To make a long story short, they have locked her file, are racing through thee home study process, and are completely excited about being her PARENTS! WOOHOO! Helping them through some of the paperwork and red tape has helped take my mind off of my boys. And another church family has stepped forward to adopt as well! God is moving on our church, and His people! IT is awesome to watch!
Well, I will update as soon as we hear from the state. Hopefully, prayerfully, with good news!
Enjoy these pictures of Landon! Sweetest grandson ever! LOL
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)