Attitude of Gratitude

Our sermon last Sunday was about having an attitude of gratitude...I posted a week or so ago about my grateful heart and as I sort through dossier documents this morning I realize I left off something. I am sooooo thankful to have completed our dossier...SO! THANKFUL! And I am very thankful for a very special lady who let me borrow her dossier for reference, Mrs. Kim Rop! So now I am paper pregnant and can't wait for a little face to take the place of this ultrasound!!

Every post could be titled WAITING

Seriously, I feel like we are always waiting! You certainly learn patience during the adoption process. Waiting was easier before, but now that we are waiting on seeing Baby Girl's face IT SO SO MUCH HARDER! But I hear that once we see her face and are forced to wait once again before we can travel to get her will be agonizing. So, just a little update to say that we are still waiting!! I called CCAI Waiting Child Dept. yesterday to see what the timeline looked like for us. I was told probably around 6 more months before a referral. I honestly don't think it will be that long, but better to think longer than to be disappointed month after month. We have almost waiting one month since our LID (10/31/12). So 5 more to go??? Maybe we won't have her by the end of the year?? ALL in God's hands...His perfect timing!

In the meantime, we will continue to learn everything we can about China and attachment. And I will continue to stalk my DTC Fall 2012 fb group to hear all the updates and know one day WE will be the ones with updates!!!

The New "Normal"

This month has been INSANE...I haven't really had to much time to think which has been good since I am anticipating seeing Baby Girl's face. We started the month with my dad's election-he won...WAHOO!! Then, a week and a half ago Nick's dad died unexpectedly...I won't really say much about that here, but it has been tough...for a lot of reasons. In the midst of all that, I had to fly out to my Speech-Language Pathology National Convention in Atlanta, GA. I got back only last night. Our to do lists are over flowing and in my normal type A fashion I want it all done yesterday! So, I have spent much of November not at home and I am ready to get back to "normal." Although, I wonder if there will ever be "normal" again? Waiting for your child's file was never part of our "normal" and then waiting for all the back and forth from China was never part of our "normal." Buying gifts for officials on Black Friday has never been part of my "normal" list. Well,  I guess what we have always thought of as "normal" is no longer, but I am ready to have time to just daydream again about Baby Girl...her eyes, her lips, her smile, her room, meeting her..."normal" plus Baby Girl is better than the old normal for sure.

A Grateful Heart

Over the last 9 days I have been reflecting on what I am thankful for. Of course, I am extremely thankful to be a child of the King, for my family both immediate and extended, for my boys (God's greatest gift),  etc. etc. etc. But this year, my thankful list looks different than any other year and pertains mostly to adoption...it is for these things I am thankful...

1. Watching Oprah special on One-Child Policy in 1995.
2. Meeting Kerri Fowler Black, one of my best friends, who was adopted from Seoul, Korea in 1996.
3. Choosing to SEE by Mary Beth Chapman
4. CCAI
5. The Juliano's-first for David's initial meeting with Nick and then the friendship that formed after.
6. Family and friends who have loved and encouraged us (and not judged).
7. For a God who burdened my heart for the orphans of this world.
8. For a husband who had the courage to walk in faith and trusted God with me in this crazy journey
9. Eric Ludy-Depraved Indifference  (YouTube)
10. For my parents who understand!
11. For The Fosters, Altmans, Suttons, and Bertholics who have all be resources to us.
12. For the great blog writers who speak about adoption far better than I ever could (No Greater Joy Mom, Ashley Ann Photography)
13. For my faithful friends who have read the blogs with me just to know what we are feeling.
14. For my children who are learning more than I could ever say on this journey.
15. For those who have attended our fundraisers.
16. For those who have given.
17. For our references.
18. For God's provision in supplying all we need.
19. For Celeste Carr and her matching fund.
20. For China
21. For those who share a burden for orphans.
22. For Kat LaMons our social worker
23. For a job (and business partner) that will allow me to travel to China and love my little girl until she is firmly attached.
24. Parent training which we are required to take
25. For patience while we WAIT
26. For the Houston Courier
27. For a blog to express my thoughts and document this journey (thanks MM)
28. For all the pretty girlie clothes and shoes that have been given to us.
29. For the orphanage workers who are caring for our daughter.
30. That this time next year my biggest thanks will be that our sweet girl is celebrating the holidays with us.

If Not Us, Then Who?

I have said in several posts that I asked God to break my heart for what breaks His...He answered! If I could have written the perfect post yesterday on Orphan Sunday this would have been it. I am thankful No Greater Joy Mom shares the same burden and was able to express her heart better than I ever could have! I challenge you, friends, to read this post by No Greater Joy Mom....because if not us, then who?


http://www.nogreaterjoymom.com/2012/11/if-not-us-then-who.html

"Maternity" Pictures

 Already loved more than you know, Baby Girl!

 

 

Happy Day-LID!!!!

Today we received notification from our agency that CCCWA has given us a log-in date (LID) of 10/31/12!!! This is soooo exciting because it means the next step will be seeing our little girl's face. This week has been a big week for us...on Monday my heart skipped a beat when we received notification that our dossier was delivered to the CCCWA in China. The email stated it usually takes 3 weeks to receive a LID...so I am sure you can imagine my surprise when I received an email this morning stating we had a LID...in THREE DAYS...NOT THREE WEEKS!

Also, this week, we got some not so exciting news...we were denied an adoption grant we had worked really hard on and were sooo hoping for to help cover the additional $13,000.00 we need. Nick told me several times he didn't think we would get the grant, but I was praying for the impossible. So I am sure you can imagine my disappointed when I opened up the letter stating we didn't make the cut:(

Well, thankfully God knew my disappointment and sent me a little devotion to encourage me, CHALLENGE me, and really ask me if I can trust Him? Can I wait patiently on Him, trusting in His perfect timing? Can I believe He has our best in mind and is working on our behalf?

If there is one thing I have learned on this adoption journey is that with each step of faith we see God's provision. Sure, I wanted that grant...and I wanted it now. But God already knew that wouldn't be the path of funding for us...and He is behind the wheel...and He will provide...I just need to trust.