Did I tell you about the time I thought it would be a fabulous idea to sign my whole family up for lessons on how to speak Chinese? I've always heard how hard it is to learn Chinese, but it was a class at our local library for anyone over the age of 6...perfect, my boys had just turned 6! If they can teach a 6 year old to speak it, then they can teach Charlie and I to speak it...right?
Oh, how wrong we were!!!! I'm not sure when during that 1 hr. class that we realized that this might be our last...could have been at any of the following times: 1) When the teacher began to introduce herself, and I leaned over to Charlie and said, "I can't understand a word the woman is saying. You would think she was talking in Chinese." Charlie said, "That's because she IS talking in Chinese!" I swear her English sounded just like her Chinese too...I'm not kidding y'all! 2) When the lady explained how important it is to SING the words in the proper tone, I looked at Charlie laughing and said, "Well, you might as well go ahead and leave!" :o) I love my husband, but he can't hit a proper note to save his life. 3) When I looked at my kids and found not one but both of them upside down in their chairs.
Long story short...We flunked Chinese 101 (on the first night) in a library class, as a whole family. The nice lady said something (not sure, cause we couldn't understand her), and graciously gave us our money back. :(
We have decided to move on to plan "B"...I've downloaded a translator app on my iPhone. :o) If that doesn't work, we will try plan "C"...Talk really loudly, and use big hand gestures (learned that from my friend while on vacation once..."Hi Misti").
So, I think we are all set. Ready or not China, here we come!!!!!! :o)
This is the day that the Lord has made, and I will rejoice and be glad in it!
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Charlie, bar the door!!!!!
We just wanted to thank you all in advance for understanding our need of some alone time once we are home. I know how excited you all are to meet our precious gift from God (just like we are for her to meet all of you), but we also have to think about the emotional state she will be in and all the changes that will occur in such a short amount of time in this young little girl's life. Until she understands that we (her parents and siblings) are her permanent care takers, and that we are not going to leave her we will have to be very careful of how we introduce her to the rest of the world. We will also have to be very careful of who we allow in our home for the first several weeks. Please understand that this is nothing against any of you in any way, but about helping her establish a good secure level of bonding and attachment to us as quick as possible. Hannah will be almost 2 years old when we get her home. This is old enough to be very aware of all the changes and people coming and going in her life, yet too young to understand it all.
Due to us hoarding up in our home as much as possible, many of you have asked if you could come to the airport to greet us on the way home. The answer is YES...we would like to invite you (those who are able and want to) to come to the airport for a VERY BRIEF meet and greet before we head to the house and crash. Since the airport is already so full of people coming and going it would be better to do this there vs. our home. Please keep in mind that this will be a VERY BRIEF time due to the obvious. With all that said, we will eventually find our new normal, get her acquainted with life in the CrAzY Campbell family, take her to her new Sunday School class, and will soon have the chance to introduce Hannah to each of you...and we can HARDLY WAIT for that day to come. :)
Thank you all for your continued love and prayers for all of us. We could not do this without you.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Travel Itinerary....Where in the world are we going???
Isaiah 30:21 Whether to turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it."
Tuesday, October 4 Flight from DFW to LAX (departs 5:15 pm-Central time)
Tuesday, October 4 Flight from LAX to Guangzhou (departs 11:30 pm-Pacific time)
Thursday, October 6 Flight from Guangzhou to Beijing (departs 9:00 am-China time)
Thursday, October 6 Arrive in Beijing (tours setup for Thursday-Saturday)
Sunday, October 9 Take Bullet Train from Beijing to Hangzhou
Monday, October 10 Gotcha Day!!!
Friday, October 14 Flight from Hangzhou to Guangzhou
Wednesday, October 19 Finalize adoption at U.S. Consulate
Thursday, October 20 Flight from Guangzhou to LAX (departs 9:00 pm-China time)
Friday, October 21 Flight from LAX to DFW (departs 1:55 pm-Pacific time)
Friday, October 21 Arrive back at DFW (6:55 pm-Central time) (Flight 2448 American Airlines)
Thursday, September 29, 2011
How you can pray for us
We are so blessed to have so many people who care about us, and have offered to help in so many ways: from meals (once we are home) to clothes and furniture for her...really SO blessed! We are so thankful for each offer to help us out.
We have chosen to not have a baby shower for many reasons: 1) because this will be our 3rd child; 2) She is not a baby, so it would feel like registering for a birthday party vs. a baby shower; and 3) Because we do not know her sizes, personality, or interests I don't know what to ask for. In spite of all that, God has blessed us with little mini showers from so many of you showing up with clothes and gifts, and it's been such a sweet blessing and fun surprise.
The one thing we always tell people we need is prayer...and a lot of it. So I'm going to list out all the ways you can pray for us during the next few weeks as God brings us to mind (and I'm praying that will be a lot).
1) Pray for Hannah's transition from her foster family to the orphanage. We are not sure when this will happen; it could be any time during her last 2 weeks before we get her.
2) Pray for Hannah's health and the hole in her heart. The last info we had on her medical status was from last December. Pray with us that the hole has continued to close, and that she will not need the heart surgery. Her first doctor appointment is scheduled for November 8 at Children's Medical Center in Dallas.
3) Pray for Hannah's transition to us from the orphanage. Hannah's "Gotcha Day" will be on Monday October 10th (that's Sunday night for all our American peeps). Our greatest day, and her saddest day. We are all very nervous about this time for her.
4) Pray for us as Hannah's new family to be able to provide and quickly understand her needs...y'all she's almost two and speaking another language. We are going to need all the help we can get.
5) Pray for Charles who was diagnosed over a year ago with a skin disease called Granuloma Annulare which we were told there is no known cure for. He was also diagnosed with several food allergies (egg, dairy, wheat, corn, beef, etc.). These allergies can also affect his skin (we really think this is what is causing the skin disease). When he is on a strict diet his skin clears up, and we need clear skin so we do not face another staph infection while in China (it was scary enough when that happened in America). His Doctor has given us permission to do what we can while in China, but to also eat what we have to eat as well (i.e. McDonald's and Pizza Hut). So please pray we are able to keep his skin under control, and find enough foods for him to eat while away.
6) All the last minute details of packing and getting our family ready to be gone for 2 1/2 weeks. Please pray we have everything we need (medicine, food, proper clothing, and all paperwork that will be needed).
7) Pray for planes to not have any delays, and for all of our luggage to get to China...and back.
8) Pray for our boys to enjoy (quietly) their 1st plane ride 1/2 way around the world...Oh, and their 1st plane ride ever. :o) If you are a parent of young children (or ever have been) then I will just let your knowledge of things to pray for on that take over. One of the three planes we will be taking that 1st day will be 13 1/2 hrs. :(
9) Pray for PATIENCE for Charlie and I with our children, and each other while we are dealing with so much, sleep deprived, jet lagged, on a new time zone, in a foreign country, and our whole family is living together in one small hotel room...Maybe that should have been #1 on the prayer list...LOL!
10) Pray for our 6 year old boys to be able to handle all the changes once Hannah comes into our family. We have talked a lot about her possibly crying a lot in those 1st few days and needing A LOT of attention from us as parents, but until you are in the moment you really don't know how one will handle that. Pray they will somehow see their new roll in this, and be a source of comfort to her.
11) Pray for all the in-country travel we will be doing. We will be in 3 different cities from top to bottom on the east coast while in China (this also means 3 different hotel rooms, and having to pack and unpack all of us up over and over. :-/
12) Pray for all paperwork, interview, and swearing in to go smoothly. After everything we've been through with paperwork, I'm starting to feel nervous about this.
13) Please pray for our travel back to the States. We leave China on October 20th (coming home with 3 children). Pray Hannah can sleep most of the trip back, and that she will quickly learn to trust us (whether she likes us yet or not) to be able to keep her calm during that long flight.
14) Pray for ALL the changes Hannah will be faced with once she is in her new home on Friday October 21st (different sights, smells, sounds, language, foods, home, bed, people, and time zone). This is when we will finally begin to feel a sense of normalcy, but for her it will be a VERY SCARY time. Please continue the prayers for her once we are home...she is going to need it for awhile.
15) Last and certainly not least...Please pray for our sweet friends Amanda and Kevin Dearing who have taken 2 1/2 weeks out of their own lives to travel to the other side of the earth to help us out in any way we may need. They both have already been SO UNBELIEVABLY patient and understanding with all the changes in just getting to this place in the adoption. We are so thankful God placed them in our lives when He did. This will not be an easy trip for them either. Pray that we always make them feel welcome and part of our crazy family. We are excited about all the fun they will bring in those crazy upside-down moments (these people are CrAzY y'all) but feel even more blessed to have such a Godly couple who love the Lord with all their hearts to walk this journey with us.
Ok, so I know I have given you a long list, but really there is one more I've been debating putting on my list because it's kinda personal...but here I go, cause it really is a fear that is going to need some prayer.
16) Pray for the potty situation in China...Yes, I said potty! In most public areas (even airports) we have heard they have just a whole in the ground...and sometimes NO TOILET PAPER. :( I'm sorry, but for a girl who CANNOT cop a squat, this is not going to be easy. I have been known to pass out at dirty hospitals, so a dirty (hole in the ground) bathroom freaks me out. I know with everything else, and the bigger issues in my life at that time this should seem really small, but it just wont shrink. :-/
So, there you have it. We really do appreciate any and all prayers. It truly is the best gift!!!!
Philippians 1:19 For I know that through your prayers and God's provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened (or will happen while in China) to me will turn out for my deliverance.
We have chosen to not have a baby shower for many reasons: 1) because this will be our 3rd child; 2) She is not a baby, so it would feel like registering for a birthday party vs. a baby shower; and 3) Because we do not know her sizes, personality, or interests I don't know what to ask for. In spite of all that, God has blessed us with little mini showers from so many of you showing up with clothes and gifts, and it's been such a sweet blessing and fun surprise.
The one thing we always tell people we need is prayer...and a lot of it. So I'm going to list out all the ways you can pray for us during the next few weeks as God brings us to mind (and I'm praying that will be a lot).
1) Pray for Hannah's transition from her foster family to the orphanage. We are not sure when this will happen; it could be any time during her last 2 weeks before we get her.
2) Pray for Hannah's health and the hole in her heart. The last info we had on her medical status was from last December. Pray with us that the hole has continued to close, and that she will not need the heart surgery. Her first doctor appointment is scheduled for November 8 at Children's Medical Center in Dallas.
3) Pray for Hannah's transition to us from the orphanage. Hannah's "Gotcha Day" will be on Monday October 10th (that's Sunday night for all our American peeps). Our greatest day, and her saddest day. We are all very nervous about this time for her.
4) Pray for us as Hannah's new family to be able to provide and quickly understand her needs...y'all she's almost two and speaking another language. We are going to need all the help we can get.
5) Pray for Charles who was diagnosed over a year ago with a skin disease called Granuloma Annulare which we were told there is no known cure for. He was also diagnosed with several food allergies (egg, dairy, wheat, corn, beef, etc.). These allergies can also affect his skin (we really think this is what is causing the skin disease). When he is on a strict diet his skin clears up, and we need clear skin so we do not face another staph infection while in China (it was scary enough when that happened in America). His Doctor has given us permission to do what we can while in China, but to also eat what we have to eat as well (i.e. McDonald's and Pizza Hut). So please pray we are able to keep his skin under control, and find enough foods for him to eat while away.
6) All the last minute details of packing and getting our family ready to be gone for 2 1/2 weeks. Please pray we have everything we need (medicine, food, proper clothing, and all paperwork that will be needed).
7) Pray for planes to not have any delays, and for all of our luggage to get to China...and back.
8) Pray for our boys to enjoy (quietly) their 1st plane ride 1/2 way around the world...Oh, and their 1st plane ride ever. :o) If you are a parent of young children (or ever have been) then I will just let your knowledge of things to pray for on that take over. One of the three planes we will be taking that 1st day will be 13 1/2 hrs. :(
9) Pray for PATIENCE for Charlie and I with our children, and each other while we are dealing with so much, sleep deprived, jet lagged, on a new time zone, in a foreign country, and our whole family is living together in one small hotel room...Maybe that should have been #1 on the prayer list...LOL!
10) Pray for our 6 year old boys to be able to handle all the changes once Hannah comes into our family. We have talked a lot about her possibly crying a lot in those 1st few days and needing A LOT of attention from us as parents, but until you are in the moment you really don't know how one will handle that. Pray they will somehow see their new roll in this, and be a source of comfort to her.
11) Pray for all the in-country travel we will be doing. We will be in 3 different cities from top to bottom on the east coast while in China (this also means 3 different hotel rooms, and having to pack and unpack all of us up over and over. :-/
12) Pray for all paperwork, interview, and swearing in to go smoothly. After everything we've been through with paperwork, I'm starting to feel nervous about this.
13) Please pray for our travel back to the States. We leave China on October 20th (coming home with 3 children). Pray Hannah can sleep most of the trip back, and that she will quickly learn to trust us (whether she likes us yet or not) to be able to keep her calm during that long flight.
14) Pray for ALL the changes Hannah will be faced with once she is in her new home on Friday October 21st (different sights, smells, sounds, language, foods, home, bed, people, and time zone). This is when we will finally begin to feel a sense of normalcy, but for her it will be a VERY SCARY time. Please continue the prayers for her once we are home...she is going to need it for awhile.
15) Last and certainly not least...Please pray for our sweet friends Amanda and Kevin Dearing who have taken 2 1/2 weeks out of their own lives to travel to the other side of the earth to help us out in any way we may need. They both have already been SO UNBELIEVABLY patient and understanding with all the changes in just getting to this place in the adoption. We are so thankful God placed them in our lives when He did. This will not be an easy trip for them either. Pray that we always make them feel welcome and part of our crazy family. We are excited about all the fun they will bring in those crazy upside-down moments (these people are CrAzY y'all) but feel even more blessed to have such a Godly couple who love the Lord with all their hearts to walk this journey with us.
Ok, so I know I have given you a long list, but really there is one more I've been debating putting on my list because it's kinda personal...but here I go, cause it really is a fear that is going to need some prayer.
16) Pray for the potty situation in China...Yes, I said potty! In most public areas (even airports) we have heard they have just a whole in the ground...and sometimes NO TOILET PAPER. :( I'm sorry, but for a girl who CANNOT cop a squat, this is not going to be easy. I have been known to pass out at dirty hospitals, so a dirty (hole in the ground) bathroom freaks me out. I know with everything else, and the bigger issues in my life at that time this should seem really small, but it just wont shrink. :-/
So, there you have it. We really do appreciate any and all prayers. It truly is the best gift!!!!
Philippians 1:19 For I know that through your prayers and God's provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened (or will happen while in China) to me will turn out for my deliverance.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Thank you Claire!
Just wanted to give a little shout out to one of the best babysitters in the world, amazing friend, Godly young lady who loves the Lord more every day (who is also very much available gentleman), soon to be the sweetest nurse in Texas, and now a fantastic blog designer...Claire Asbell.
Thank you Claire for making my blog so cute, and helping it come to life with music (if you've been reading my blog with your sound off, you are missing out...Ok, except for Reba talking). You will never know how big of a blessing you are to me and my family. We are so thankful God placed you in our lives 6 years ago. You are truly one very amazing lady, and we're proud to call you our friend.
Love You,
Denise, Charlie, Mark, and Charles
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Things we know about our daughter
We were given a mini update on Hannah last night, and when you add it all up this is what we know about her...WARNING, it's not much. :( This update may have also come due to the fact that she was just placed back in the orphanage. :( Hey, the bright side is that 1 week from today we will be heading half way around the world to finally get her! That makes me very happy, and very excited!!! :)
-She is 22 lbs.
-32.3 inches tall
-Walking...even running
-Talking (keep in mind all Chinese words)
-Still on a bottle 3 times a day...bitter sweet
-Very attached to her foster mother
-Very scared of strangers...Us
-Has never seen a foreigner...Us (that she may remember)
-Has had 2 foster sisters her age, and 1 foster brother (who they do not think will be adopted because he has downs...Any takers???) in her home during her stay with foster family.
-There has been NO update on the hole in her heart since last December (almost 1 year ago). We are still praying and believing that this is still trying to close on its own, but you can imagine how anxious we are to have American doctors look at it. Her continued growth leads us to think it has at least closed some.
...and that's about it! Less than 2 weeks and I'll have lots more details, and pictures with her new family...Us. :o)
-She is 22 lbs.
-32.3 inches tall
-Walking...even running
-Talking (keep in mind all Chinese words)
-Still on a bottle 3 times a day...bitter sweet
-Very attached to her foster mother
-Very scared of strangers...Us
-Has never seen a foreigner...Us (that she may remember)
-Has had 2 foster sisters her age, and 1 foster brother (who they do not think will be adopted because he has downs...Any takers???) in her home during her stay with foster family.
-There has been NO update on the hole in her heart since last December (almost 1 year ago). We are still praying and believing that this is still trying to close on its own, but you can imagine how anxious we are to have American doctors look at it. Her continued growth leads us to think it has at least closed some.
...and that's about it! Less than 2 weeks and I'll have lots more details, and pictures with her new family...Us. :o)
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
We have a travel date!
Well after another crazy ride, we finally have a travel date! YEE HAA!!!! We got word last Thursday, but before I could get all excited our agent began to take the wind out of my sail by telling me we may have to travel in a few days vs. weeks...yep, I'm suppose to have all 5 of us packed for a 2 week trip to another country in a matter of days. All of this was due to upcoming Chinese holidays, and the consulate shutting down for the 1st week in October. If we did not get the early date, then we would have to wait several weeks and travel during the big trade fair that goes on for over a month and causes the travel rates to sky rocket (by that I mean: what was $150 per night per room becomes $750 per night per room...and we need 2 rooms!). So, instead of jumping for joy and feeling all excited, my heart sunk and I felt a little overwhelmed. :(
Once I recovered from my shock we decided it didn't matter if we only had a few hours to pack, we would make it happen to get to our daughter. We were told to expect a call on Tuesday that would tell the date of our consulate appointment and confirm if we would travel within 36 hours or less. So we pulled up our bootstraps and worked hard over the weekend to get ready for that possibility...crazy times people!
Finally at around 5pm tonight we got the email we would NOT travel this week, but we would have to wait until October...UGH!!!!!! Yes, this is still during the trade fair and the high prices on hotels, but we are assured we will not have to pay $750 per night rooms (agency is still working on that one). The worst part is really that our sweet little girl will have to wait several more weeks to have a family (and we have to wait to get our daughter)...that really stinks. We are SO READY emotionally and physically (really, we were ready to go). I know God has a better plan for us and her, so I choose His plan...but my heart is still sad. Please pray for Hannah as she spends her last few weeks in her home country (as the boys prayed this morning, "Send someone to love her"), and for our patience as we wait to travel over to get her.
Tomorrow we will begin to make plans, book our flights, and we will be one day closer to our date (yes, a real date) and I know the joy will come with all of that. We could use a little joy tonight. It will be nice (now that everything is done) to spend these weeks with our little family of 4, and to make sure our boys' hearts are full and ready for all the changes coming our way. This is going to be a hard trip on all of us. I kind of feel like this is our calm before the storm, and I plan to enjoy every minute of it.
Proverbs 3:5 Trust the Lord with ALL your heart and lean not on your own understanding. That was the scripture of the day that God gave to me today. It was written on the back of a car window that pulled out in front of me this afternoon....I think God is trying to tell me something. :)
Let the count down begin! :o)
Once I recovered from my shock we decided it didn't matter if we only had a few hours to pack, we would make it happen to get to our daughter. We were told to expect a call on Tuesday that would tell the date of our consulate appointment and confirm if we would travel within 36 hours or less. So we pulled up our bootstraps and worked hard over the weekend to get ready for that possibility...crazy times people!
Finally at around 5pm tonight we got the email we would NOT travel this week, but we would have to wait until October...UGH!!!!!! Yes, this is still during the trade fair and the high prices on hotels, but we are assured we will not have to pay $750 per night rooms (agency is still working on that one). The worst part is really that our sweet little girl will have to wait several more weeks to have a family (and we have to wait to get our daughter)...that really stinks. We are SO READY emotionally and physically (really, we were ready to go). I know God has a better plan for us and her, so I choose His plan...but my heart is still sad. Please pray for Hannah as she spends her last few weeks in her home country (as the boys prayed this morning, "Send someone to love her"), and for our patience as we wait to travel over to get her.
Tomorrow we will begin to make plans, book our flights, and we will be one day closer to our date (yes, a real date) and I know the joy will come with all of that. We could use a little joy tonight. It will be nice (now that everything is done) to spend these weeks with our little family of 4, and to make sure our boys' hearts are full and ready for all the changes coming our way. This is going to be a hard trip on all of us. I kind of feel like this is our calm before the storm, and I plan to enjoy every minute of it.
Proverbs 3:5 Trust the Lord with ALL your heart and lean not on your own understanding. That was the scripture of the day that God gave to me today. It was written on the back of a car window that pulled out in front of me this afternoon....I think God is trying to tell me something. :)
Let the count down begin! :o)
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Hearts are changing!
With each day that passes, we can understand how our hearts continue to grow to love Hannah more every day (even though we have never met her), but when God started changing the boy's hearts in such big ways it really shocked us...in a good way.
The week before the boys started 1st grade (sniff, sniff) one of them said, "Mommy, I can't wait until school starts!" When I asked him why, I totally expected them to say it was because they were getting excited about seeing all their friends...but I was wrong. Charles said (with pure excitement), "Because after school starts then it will almost be time to go to China!" Then I asked what part of going to China they were most excited about, now totally expecting to hear: 1) Flying on a plane (which they have NEVER done); 2) Staying in a hotel for 2 1/2 weeks; or 3) Daddy not having to go to work (This is definitely on the top of my list). When the answer came out I was shocked; they both answered (in a DAH tone), "Because we get to get our sister!" Oh what sweet words those were to my ears. Just another sweet blessing in all of this. :o)
As the next few days passed God continued to show us how he is working on their hearts. The boys had gift cards to spend at the book store, so the day before school started I took them shopping. They each had enough for 2 books, but as they made their selection and we made our way to the checkout Charles had a change of heart. He passed a jewelry section were he found a little panda bear box with a little panda bear necklace, and he HAD to have it. I tried to talk him out of it, but then he said (looking up at me with tears in his eyes), "But Mommy, I want to give this to her to help remind her of where she came from...I'll put one book back." Well, I had to let him. So with his own money he bought his little sister this sweet gift.
The other change we've seen is how they play. Always walking around with their swords and bow and arrows (ok that's no different than any other day), but now they pretend they are "Hannah's Protectors".
Now if that doesn't make your heart melt then you need to see a cardiologist!
OK, this one is just because it's funny...y'all pray she likes silly boys! :o)
The week before the boys started 1st grade (sniff, sniff) one of them said, "Mommy, I can't wait until school starts!" When I asked him why, I totally expected them to say it was because they were getting excited about seeing all their friends...but I was wrong. Charles said (with pure excitement), "Because after school starts then it will almost be time to go to China!" Then I asked what part of going to China they were most excited about, now totally expecting to hear: 1) Flying on a plane (which they have NEVER done); 2) Staying in a hotel for 2 1/2 weeks; or 3) Daddy not having to go to work (This is definitely on the top of my list). When the answer came out I was shocked; they both answered (in a DAH tone), "Because we get to get our sister!" Oh what sweet words those were to my ears. Just another sweet blessing in all of this. :o)
As the next few days passed God continued to show us how he is working on their hearts. The boys had gift cards to spend at the book store, so the day before school started I took them shopping. They each had enough for 2 books, but as they made their selection and we made our way to the checkout Charles had a change of heart. He passed a jewelry section were he found a little panda bear box with a little panda bear necklace, and he HAD to have it. I tried to talk him out of it, but then he said (looking up at me with tears in his eyes), "But Mommy, I want to give this to her to help remind her of where she came from...I'll put one book back." Well, I had to let him. So with his own money he bought his little sister this sweet gift.
The other change we've seen is how they play. Always walking around with their swords and bow and arrows (ok that's no different than any other day), but now they pretend they are "Hannah's Protectors".
Now if that doesn't make your heart melt then you need to see a cardiologist!
OK, this one is just because it's funny...y'all pray she likes silly boys! :o)
Monday, August 1, 2011
Lemonade Stand
We let the boys have their 1st lemonade stand to help them raise their own spending money for our trip to China.
Oh, the fun they had!
It was SO cute watching them get so excited and wave (with all their hearts) when a car would drive around the corner, and so sad when a car didn't stop...I mean what's wrong with these people who don't stop for two little boys out in this AWFUL Texas heat trying to sell a cup of lemonade for $0.50???
It didn't take long for some of our sweet neighbors to come over with full pockets of money. Now we are in business! :o)
Oh, the fun they had. We were so proud of them for sticking it out for almost 2 1/2 hrs. during the hottest part of the day (not sure just how hot, but it was definitely over 100 degrees). :~(
It was really cute watching them count their money and get so excited as the tally got higher.
The boys made almost $40.00. Divide that by 2, set aside 10% for tithe, and I think they are ready to do some shopping in China (we hear $1.00 can go a long way there).
I think the best part of the experience was listening to the kids talk about how God really blessed them for all their hard work. Mark's exact words, "Mommy, God really does bless you when you work hard, and have a good attitude about it...cause He sure did bless us today!" Love their little God hearts.
What a great memory none of us will ever forget...Thank you God! :o)
Oh, the fun they had!
It was SO cute watching them get so excited and wave (with all their hearts) when a car would drive around the corner, and so sad when a car didn't stop...I mean what's wrong with these people who don't stop for two little boys out in this AWFUL Texas heat trying to sell a cup of lemonade for $0.50???
It didn't take long for some of our sweet neighbors to come over with full pockets of money. Now we are in business! :o)
Oh, the fun they had. We were so proud of them for sticking it out for almost 2 1/2 hrs. during the hottest part of the day (not sure just how hot, but it was definitely over 100 degrees). :~(
It was really cute watching them count their money and get so excited as the tally got higher.
The boys made almost $40.00. Divide that by 2, set aside 10% for tithe, and I think they are ready to do some shopping in China (we hear $1.00 can go a long way there).
I think the best part of the experience was listening to the kids talk about how God really blessed them for all their hard work. Mark's exact words, "Mommy, God really does bless you when you work hard, and have a good attitude about it...cause He sure did bless us today!" Love their little God hearts.
What a great memory none of us will ever forget...Thank you God! :o)
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Again, we cling!!!!
Psalm 63:7-8 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. My soul CLINGS yo you; your right hand upholds me.
Not sure why we have moments like this, and not really sure sometimes if they are more about me or her. Since last night, I feel those overwhelming emotions bubbling up inside me. Everyone expects us to be over-joyed with excitement for the weeks ahead (and we are), but only those who have gone before us or are in our same boat truly get it. I find myself holding back my true feelings and emotions for fear that someone will think that my faith is weak, that I'm always seeing the negative side, or that I need a pep talk to cheer me up. Have you ever heard that a mother's heart is only as happy as her saddest child? Well, sometimes that's how I feel...for a child I have never met on the other side of the world.
What our daughter will SOON go through is not something you would ever wish upon your child, not to mention what she has already been through. These things are not something I'm worried might happen, but something that has already happened and will continue to happen over the next few weeks and months to come.
True, we sometimes do need to remember that God is in control (He knows and sees ALL); but I still find myself dwelling in those negative and untruthful thoughts even when I know better...but what kind of mom would I be if my heart didn't break for my daughter who will soon be ripped from the only home, "family", "sisters", and bed she has ever known to be put back into an orphanage in the next couple of weeks. We are told this is to help the child have time to disconnect from the foster family, therefore she will bond and connect to us easier when we get her...I see the silver lining there, I really do...but oh how I can't hold back the tears and emotions when I think of it (like right now).
There are a few blogs we follow when I get the chance (which is not that often), but seeing the fear in these little faces, and hearing their cries when their adoptive families come to get them is just heart wrenching. I think to myself, "Who are they crying for?" Sadly, I don't think most of them even know, but they do know that it is NOT for the people who are there to take them...people like us. It's crazy to think that our day of joy we have been waiting and praying for will be her saddest day...more tears. Those of you who have given birth can remember your children coming into the world with a big screaming cry (our's certainly did...especially Mark), but then they are given to their mom and they are instantly calm, secure, and quiet. Well, that is usually the opposite of an adoptive child at the age she will be when we get her (21 months).
So, today, I cling with everything in me to God's promises has given to us -Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." That is what God is doing for her now, so I continue to pray for her and all the changes coming her way. Oh, how I long to see that first smile, hear a big belly laugh, see her hug her big brothers on her own, kiss her daddy, and hear her say that one word that makes me melt, "Mommy" (Chinese or English I don't care) while reaching for me...Me! Until then, please forgive me if I am not as excited as you think I should be...God is just changing my heart to match hers.
Sorry this is not a "feel good" post, but it's what we are experiencing right now.
Not sure why we have moments like this, and not really sure sometimes if they are more about me or her. Since last night, I feel those overwhelming emotions bubbling up inside me. Everyone expects us to be over-joyed with excitement for the weeks ahead (and we are), but only those who have gone before us or are in our same boat truly get it. I find myself holding back my true feelings and emotions for fear that someone will think that my faith is weak, that I'm always seeing the negative side, or that I need a pep talk to cheer me up. Have you ever heard that a mother's heart is only as happy as her saddest child? Well, sometimes that's how I feel...for a child I have never met on the other side of the world.
What our daughter will SOON go through is not something you would ever wish upon your child, not to mention what she has already been through. These things are not something I'm worried might happen, but something that has already happened and will continue to happen over the next few weeks and months to come.
True, we sometimes do need to remember that God is in control (He knows and sees ALL); but I still find myself dwelling in those negative and untruthful thoughts even when I know better...but what kind of mom would I be if my heart didn't break for my daughter who will soon be ripped from the only home, "family", "sisters", and bed she has ever known to be put back into an orphanage in the next couple of weeks. We are told this is to help the child have time to disconnect from the foster family, therefore she will bond and connect to us easier when we get her...I see the silver lining there, I really do...but oh how I can't hold back the tears and emotions when I think of it (like right now).
There are a few blogs we follow when I get the chance (which is not that often), but seeing the fear in these little faces, and hearing their cries when their adoptive families come to get them is just heart wrenching. I think to myself, "Who are they crying for?" Sadly, I don't think most of them even know, but they do know that it is NOT for the people who are there to take them...people like us. It's crazy to think that our day of joy we have been waiting and praying for will be her saddest day...more tears. Those of you who have given birth can remember your children coming into the world with a big screaming cry (our's certainly did...especially Mark), but then they are given to their mom and they are instantly calm, secure, and quiet. Well, that is usually the opposite of an adoptive child at the age she will be when we get her (21 months).
So, today, I cling with everything in me to God's promises has given to us -Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." That is what God is doing for her now, so I continue to pray for her and all the changes coming her way. Oh, how I long to see that first smile, hear a big belly laugh, see her hug her big brothers on her own, kiss her daddy, and hear her say that one word that makes me melt, "Mommy" (Chinese or English I don't care) while reaching for me...Me! Until then, please forgive me if I am not as excited as you think I should be...God is just changing my heart to match hers.
Sorry this is not a "feel good" post, but it's what we are experiencing right now.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
She has a name, and we have LOA!!!
Well, we FINALLY decided on our daughter's name. :o) Charlie was able to get in touch with a Chinese professor at TCU, who was kind enough to check into the meaning of her name. After looking up the characters in her name, this is what he found: "Qing" means a color like blue, but the Chinese believe it is more beautiful than blue (probably like an aqua blueish-green color). "Chu" means pretty/beautiful.
We were relieved to find out that it had a sweet and kind meaning, yet we had not had the time to think and pray together over whether or not to use it as part of her name. Since we had this last minute trip (just the two of us) coming up, we decided to think it over individually and try and make a final decision when our minds were free to think more clearly.
July 7th we headed to the beautiful Kennebunkport, Maine. Oh, what a blessing this trip was to us in so many ways!
On our last night there we (I mostly, since Charlie was already there) finally got the peace we've been looking for. So here is Charlie and I writing her name for the very 1st time.
Hannah QingChu Campbell. QingChu will be one word (which is how most people do it). "Hannah" means favored by God; Grace, or merciful. It feels really weird to call her Hannah now, yet there is a sweet peace in it too. Yeah, one more major hurdle behind us! :o)
I've been saying all along that God will not grant us our LOA (Letter of Approval/final approval from China) until we come up with a name. We have been waiting on this a bit too long. Well, I was right! Between flights on our way back to Texas July 11th (the following day after agreeing on her name), we got the call from our agency, "Congratulations Mr. & Mrs. Campbell, you have been given LOA!" What perfect timing! We were SO EXCITED!!!! This is us getting that call and looking at our approval form online for the 1st time.
We were told to get everything ready because we will travel to get her in 6-8 weeks from now. So, that puts us the last week of August, or the 1st of September. Hearing this semi-final date sent our heads spinning. Not really sure why, it's not like we didn't already know this general time frame. The mental list of all the things still to do before we go began to flood our excited minds. Oh how sweet God was to provide a time of rest and togetherness before we begin this final count down. "We're coming Hannah!"
We were relieved to find out that it had a sweet and kind meaning, yet we had not had the time to think and pray together over whether or not to use it as part of her name. Since we had this last minute trip (just the two of us) coming up, we decided to think it over individually and try and make a final decision when our minds were free to think more clearly.
July 7th we headed to the beautiful Kennebunkport, Maine. Oh, what a blessing this trip was to us in so many ways!
On our last night there we (I mostly, since Charlie was already there) finally got the peace we've been looking for. So here is Charlie and I writing her name for the very 1st time.
Hannah QingChu Campbell. QingChu will be one word (which is how most people do it). "Hannah" means favored by God; Grace, or merciful. It feels really weird to call her Hannah now, yet there is a sweet peace in it too. Yeah, one more major hurdle behind us! :o)
I've been saying all along that God will not grant us our LOA (Letter of Approval/final approval from China) until we come up with a name. We have been waiting on this a bit too long. Well, I was right! Between flights on our way back to Texas July 11th (the following day after agreeing on her name), we got the call from our agency, "Congratulations Mr. & Mrs. Campbell, you have been given LOA!" What perfect timing! We were SO EXCITED!!!! This is us getting that call and looking at our approval form online for the 1st time.
We were told to get everything ready because we will travel to get her in 6-8 weeks from now. So, that puts us the last week of August, or the 1st of September. Hearing this semi-final date sent our heads spinning. Not really sure why, it's not like we didn't already know this general time frame. The mental list of all the things still to do before we go began to flood our excited minds. Oh how sweet God was to provide a time of rest and togetherness before we begin this final count down. "We're coming Hannah!"
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Changes and decisions. Oh, the decisions!
It's starting to look like another girl will soon be living here. If you ask Charlie he will tell you that his wallet looks like another girl already lives here...but nobody's asking him.
She now has a bed, mattress, bookshelf (our family is obsessed with books), bedding, fabric to make curtains and accent pillows, and a few clothes (sure wish I new her size). It's been a busy last 2 weeks, yet there is still so much work to be done in a very short amount of time. I'll post pictures when it starts to all come together. :o)
Now, the part we could use a little help on is naming this sweet child. We have narrowed down to a couple of names, but the hardest part is whether we keep her Chinese name as her middle name or not. This is a very difficult decision for us since we are having a hard time figuring out the full meaning of her Chinese name (apparently the characters of her name can change the meaning), and not sure if her name was given to her by the orphanage or her birth parents. We are waiting to hear back from an organization who will try and make a call to the orphanage for us with a list of questions. Unfortunately, any day now we must write her new name down on some immigration forms. Most people keep the Chinese name for the middle name, but we have also met people whose children's names meant something really sad. We have no problem giving her a whole new American name....remember that Jesus gave new names to some of his disciples when they began to follow Him. And there were so many others in the bible who received new names from God at a pivotal moment in their life. This is a forever decision and we just want to do the right thing...whatever that is???
Please pray we get answers A.S.A.P.
She now has a bed, mattress, bookshelf (our family is obsessed with books), bedding, fabric to make curtains and accent pillows, and a few clothes (sure wish I new her size). It's been a busy last 2 weeks, yet there is still so much work to be done in a very short amount of time. I'll post pictures when it starts to all come together. :o)
Now, the part we could use a little help on is naming this sweet child. We have narrowed down to a couple of names, but the hardest part is whether we keep her Chinese name as her middle name or not. This is a very difficult decision for us since we are having a hard time figuring out the full meaning of her Chinese name (apparently the characters of her name can change the meaning), and not sure if her name was given to her by the orphanage or her birth parents. We are waiting to hear back from an organization who will try and make a call to the orphanage for us with a list of questions. Unfortunately, any day now we must write her new name down on some immigration forms. Most people keep the Chinese name for the middle name, but we have also met people whose children's names meant something really sad. We have no problem giving her a whole new American name....remember that Jesus gave new names to some of his disciples when they began to follow Him. And there were so many others in the bible who received new names from God at a pivotal moment in their life. This is a forever decision and we just want to do the right thing...whatever that is???
Please pray we get answers A.S.A.P.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Our first "Family Photo"
On the last week of school Charles brought home our 1st family photo with his soon-to-be sister in it, so I thought I would share it with you. :o)
Just in case you are wondering, we are baby sea turtles trying to find our way to the ocean. :o) What a beautiful family we are. It's good to see the boys are processing this adoption in their own way. I think they are getting more excited with each day that passes...OK, maybe we all are.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
We've seen the face of an angel!
All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. Psalms 139:16
Tuesday April 26th we got the very much anticipated phone call we've been waiting for. On the other line was our agent announcing, "You've been matched!!!" She said the little girl's file was still being translated and I had about 20 minutes to get to my husbands' office or for him to get home. I grabbed my cameras and headed straight to Charlie's office. I called him on the way to tell him the exciting news. Do you know how hard it is to drive a car when you are shaking from all the adrenaline running through your body? Charlie arranged for us to go into a private conference room where we waited for the email to come through.
The moment we sat down the email popped up. This is what we saw:
Her Chinese name is Shao Qing Chu. Sorry, still not sure of an American name, or if we will keep part of her Chinese name. We want to wait and see if this is a name that was given to her by her birth parents who kept her for the 1st month of her life, or if this was given to her by the orphanage she was placed in. Her birth parents did leave her with a birth note (which is somewhat rare, yet a HUGE answer to our prayers). She is 17 months old (as of the 17th of April). She is from Hangzhou City in Zheijang Province (close to Shanghai). After initially living in an orphanage, she was placed in a foster home at 5 months and it sounds like she has received really good care from the foster family.
As far as her medical need...She was born with a hole in her heart known as ASD. This is one of the most common heart defects children are born with. The pediatric cardiologist who reviewed her file told us the hole seems to be closing on it's own, however we have about a 50/50 chance of her still needing heart surgery once we get her. All of this information was based on her last check up with the Chinese doctors this last December (which was also the time this picture was taken). We are praying that this hole will continue to heal on its own and that she will not need any surgery once she is home. She is very small in size (don't let the picture fool you...I think she is dressed in at least 15 layers under that fluffy white coat). She's so cute!!!
They have told us we should travel to China sometime in late August or September (do you know how long that feels after seeing that sweet face?). Oh my goodness, this is going to be the longest 4 months ever...Not that I have 1 thing for a 17 mo. old, or a room ready for a little GIRL.
Our boys are SO EXCITED. It was so cute to watch them tell all their friends and teachers the next day at school (BTW, Charles is dressed like this due to the Kenya tea party his class had for all the moms that day).
It has been so sweet to hear them make plans on who gets to pick out her blanket, who gets to pick out her stuffed animal, what they think her name should be (which surprisingly are very sweet names); but the sweetest moments are hearing them pray and thank God for their baby sister. I know bringing this little girl home is going to rock their world once she's here, but for now I will bask in the sweet blessing of their pure joy.
As far as how Charlie and I are feeling, I think this next picture sums it up pretty well...It's a GIRL!!!
Tuesday April 26th we got the very much anticipated phone call we've been waiting for. On the other line was our agent announcing, "You've been matched!!!" She said the little girl's file was still being translated and I had about 20 minutes to get to my husbands' office or for him to get home. I grabbed my cameras and headed straight to Charlie's office. I called him on the way to tell him the exciting news. Do you know how hard it is to drive a car when you are shaking from all the adrenaline running through your body? Charlie arranged for us to go into a private conference room where we waited for the email to come through.
As far as her medical need...She was born with a hole in her heart known as ASD. This is one of the most common heart defects children are born with. The pediatric cardiologist who reviewed her file told us the hole seems to be closing on it's own, however we have about a 50/50 chance of her still needing heart surgery once we get her. All of this information was based on her last check up with the Chinese doctors this last December (which was also the time this picture was taken). We are praying that this hole will continue to heal on its own and that she will not need any surgery once she is home. She is very small in size (don't let the picture fool you...I think she is dressed in at least 15 layers under that fluffy white coat). She's so cute!!!
Our boys are SO EXCITED. It was so cute to watch them tell all their friends and teachers the next day at school (BTW, Charles is dressed like this due to the Kenya tea party his class had for all the moms that day).
As far as how Charlie and I are feeling, I think this next picture sums it up pretty well...It's a GIRL!!!
Monday, March 21, 2011
Just as crazy in Houston
So we left right after church on Sunday for our adventure in Houston. Charlie was able to get two nights at the Hilton Galleria for only $65 per night, compliments of Priceline! We're looking at this trip like a little celebration. When we're done with Houston, we're done with the paperwork process....or at least we think we are.
Sunday was Charles' first fever free day, but unfortunately, I started feeling sick. A little achey, couldn't breathe real well, and wasn't sleeping very good. Other than that, Sunday was uneventful. However, we were feeling very anxious about what tomorrow could bring.
After waking up at 3 a.m. on Monday morning (told you I couldn't sleep), I had to lay there and wait for everyone else to wake up. Luckily we had an early wake up call so we could be one of the first ones to arrive at the Chinese Consulate. Much to our surprise, there was a line around the corner when we drove up 15 minutes before it opened!
After 9:00 we soon made it inside the building where we were greeted with a burly guard and a metal detector. He insisted that everyone turn their cell phones off. Normally, we might not have taken him so seriously. But we read on the internet that multiple people have had their phones confiscated after turning them on after getting inside the Chinese Consulate. So we settled in for a long wait in line without the ever-present crutch of our cell phones.
Luckily we did bring some coloring books and crayons for the boys. They camped out in a small waiting area to pass the time.
Let's set the stage a little. Imagine the Department of Motor Vehicles but much worse. There were two lines: one for dropping off (which we were in) and one for picking up. Unfortunately, it turns out that Monday is the busiest day of the week for dropping off. At the end of the lines is a row of Chinese employees behind a bullet-proof glass. Periodically, they would begin speaking in Chinese over an intercom, which the entire room could hear. About 90% of the people in line appeared to be Chinese and were in line for visa issues. The other 10% were other nationalities who were there for mostly visa issues as well. This surprised us a little because we just assumed there would be other American families carrying their packets that said "Dossier". We were the only ones and we felt like fish out of water.
I'm sorry to say the experience was equally as nerve-racking for the Chinese folks in line. It seemed everyone there had a very important situation they were dealing with. In fact, at times it was very much like the "Soup Nazi" episode on Seinfeld. One nice Chinese man goes up to the window (after waiting for 2 hours) and presents a form that he had printed the night before from the Consulate's website. The employee takes one brief look, gives the man a dismissive waive of her hand and says, "Form expired. Next!" He tries to explain that he printed the form the night before from their website and she simply says, "Expired! Next!" We saw similar scenarios play out several times while waiting in line. Everytime I would hear someone say, "Next!", I would look at Charlie and whisper, "They didn't get any soup!" Needless to say, we were nervous and didn't feel good about our chances.
Finally, at 10:30 our turn had come and we calmly walked up to the window. We shoved our large packet of papers through the tiny hole, only for her to glance briefly at them and say, "Only original, no copies!" What??? She said it again a few times and finally we realized that we were supposed to bring originals AND copies so they could keep a copy. Well that would have been nice to know. There is one pay-copier (coins only) in the place and we had a large stack and no coins. The nice employee (luckily we didn't get the Soup Nazi) told us to go make copies and come back. She said we could go to the front of the line IF we returned by 11:30.
The Consulate shuts down every day at 11:30 and does not reopen until 1:30. So that meant if we were not back by 11:30, then we would need to start all over and likely need to extend our trip for an extra day.
I decided to stay at the Consulate with the boys while Charlie took our papers to get copied. Charlie grabbed the papers and ran for the car. The moment he left the building, I needed to call him to ask him to bring back a bag of snacks we had left in the car (the boys were starting to get restless after almost two hours), but then remembered cell phones were not allowed!
The security guard had given Charlie some quick directions to a nearby office supply store, but that didn't work out well. While he was looking for the store, he decided to run into a CVS and ask for directions. As he was literally running up to the store, a very polite homeless man asks him for money to wash his windows. Charlie told the man he would be right back. After getting directions to an Office Depot, Charlie runs back past the homeless man and cleans out about $2 in quarters from the ashtray (every coin we had). Charlie quickly gave it to the man, leapt in the car and took off - no clean windows!
After driving about 5 miles to Office Depot, Charlie was able to make all the copies. We were told not to take any staples out of papers or someone might suspect the documents had been tampered with. Therefore, Charlie tried to be careful not to alter the documents in any way. After racing back to the Consulate, Charlie rushes back into the room at 11:10.
Within minutes we are back at the window and presented our documents - again. On the first document (there were 14 stacks in all) she reviewed, the date was cut off on the copy Charlie had just run across town to make. She slid the document back under the glass and said, "Go make copy," and pointed to the coin-operated copy machine. Unfortunately, we didn't have any change because Charlie gave it all away to a homeless man! I pulled out a dollar bill and turned around and asked the entire room loudly if anyone had change for a dollar. Everyone just stared at me! Finally, a nearby Chinese lady asked another American man if he had change. He very reluctantly reached into his pocket and pulled out a wad of quarters (why he didn't offer when I was loudly pleading with everyone in the room, I don't know). Finally, I was able to make the copy and get back to Charlie.
We then waited on pins and needles while she slowly scanned every detail of the remaining 13 stacks of papers. For some reason she focused on our Oklahoma marriage license and didn't like certain things about it (I suppose she won't be first or last to not like something about Oklahoma). But thanks to the incessant silent prayerful pleading to God from both me and Charlie, we ultimately made it through without any more hiccups.
I must ask forgiveness for my negativity through the ordeal. While we stood at the window, I kept whispering to Charlie, "We're not going to get our soup!" Charlie just kept whispering, "Sshhh. Be quiet!" But I knew he was thinking the same thoughts.
From here, there isn't much to tell. We did get our soup after all. We had to go back on Tuesday morning and stand in line for another hour, pick the documents up and pay our money.
This whole experience was a big wakeup call for us. It is definitely more real now than it previously was. I can only imagine how much more intense being in a country full of Chinese will be compared to being in a room full of Chinese. We have so much to learn about China and the Chinese people.
The good news is that we are now the proud owners of 14 stacks of papers with Chinese Consulate seals on them. This completes our long road of paperwork.
We mailed the dossier package to our agency in Georgia and they subsequently sent it to China on Monday, March 14. We were told it would arrive in China by Thursday, March 17. With a little luck, our dossier will be logged in by the end of Friday of this past week and we can officially begin the waiting stage.
If you read this post, please be in prayer for our placement. Please pray that the folks at Small World will have the wisdom to match us with God's choice for our daughter. Please also pray that we will feel the Holy Spirit's prompting in making our decision.
And now we wait........
Sunday was Charles' first fever free day, but unfortunately, I started feeling sick. A little achey, couldn't breathe real well, and wasn't sleeping very good. Other than that, Sunday was uneventful. However, we were feeling very anxious about what tomorrow could bring.
After waking up at 3 a.m. on Monday morning (told you I couldn't sleep), I had to lay there and wait for everyone else to wake up. Luckily we had an early wake up call so we could be one of the first ones to arrive at the Chinese Consulate. Much to our surprise, there was a line around the corner when we drove up 15 minutes before it opened!
After 9:00 we soon made it inside the building where we were greeted with a burly guard and a metal detector. He insisted that everyone turn their cell phones off. Normally, we might not have taken him so seriously. But we read on the internet that multiple people have had their phones confiscated after turning them on after getting inside the Chinese Consulate. So we settled in for a long wait in line without the ever-present crutch of our cell phones.
Luckily we did bring some coloring books and crayons for the boys. They camped out in a small waiting area to pass the time.
Let's set the stage a little. Imagine the Department of Motor Vehicles but much worse. There were two lines: one for dropping off (which we were in) and one for picking up. Unfortunately, it turns out that Monday is the busiest day of the week for dropping off. At the end of the lines is a row of Chinese employees behind a bullet-proof glass. Periodically, they would begin speaking in Chinese over an intercom, which the entire room could hear. About 90% of the people in line appeared to be Chinese and were in line for visa issues. The other 10% were other nationalities who were there for mostly visa issues as well. This surprised us a little because we just assumed there would be other American families carrying their packets that said "Dossier". We were the only ones and we felt like fish out of water.
I'm sorry to say the experience was equally as nerve-racking for the Chinese folks in line. It seemed everyone there had a very important situation they were dealing with. In fact, at times it was very much like the "Soup Nazi" episode on Seinfeld. One nice Chinese man goes up to the window (after waiting for 2 hours) and presents a form that he had printed the night before from the Consulate's website. The employee takes one brief look, gives the man a dismissive waive of her hand and says, "Form expired. Next!" He tries to explain that he printed the form the night before from their website and she simply says, "Expired! Next!" We saw similar scenarios play out several times while waiting in line. Everytime I would hear someone say, "Next!", I would look at Charlie and whisper, "They didn't get any soup!" Needless to say, we were nervous and didn't feel good about our chances.
Finally, at 10:30 our turn had come and we calmly walked up to the window. We shoved our large packet of papers through the tiny hole, only for her to glance briefly at them and say, "Only original, no copies!" What??? She said it again a few times and finally we realized that we were supposed to bring originals AND copies so they could keep a copy. Well that would have been nice to know. There is one pay-copier (coins only) in the place and we had a large stack and no coins. The nice employee (luckily we didn't get the Soup Nazi) told us to go make copies and come back. She said we could go to the front of the line IF we returned by 11:30.
The Consulate shuts down every day at 11:30 and does not reopen until 1:30. So that meant if we were not back by 11:30, then we would need to start all over and likely need to extend our trip for an extra day.
I decided to stay at the Consulate with the boys while Charlie took our papers to get copied. Charlie grabbed the papers and ran for the car. The moment he left the building, I needed to call him to ask him to bring back a bag of snacks we had left in the car (the boys were starting to get restless after almost two hours), but then remembered cell phones were not allowed!
The security guard had given Charlie some quick directions to a nearby office supply store, but that didn't work out well. While he was looking for the store, he decided to run into a CVS and ask for directions. As he was literally running up to the store, a very polite homeless man asks him for money to wash his windows. Charlie told the man he would be right back. After getting directions to an Office Depot, Charlie runs back past the homeless man and cleans out about $2 in quarters from the ashtray (every coin we had). Charlie quickly gave it to the man, leapt in the car and took off - no clean windows!
After driving about 5 miles to Office Depot, Charlie was able to make all the copies. We were told not to take any staples out of papers or someone might suspect the documents had been tampered with. Therefore, Charlie tried to be careful not to alter the documents in any way. After racing back to the Consulate, Charlie rushes back into the room at 11:10.
Within minutes we are back at the window and presented our documents - again. On the first document (there were 14 stacks in all) she reviewed, the date was cut off on the copy Charlie had just run across town to make. She slid the document back under the glass and said, "Go make copy," and pointed to the coin-operated copy machine. Unfortunately, we didn't have any change because Charlie gave it all away to a homeless man! I pulled out a dollar bill and turned around and asked the entire room loudly if anyone had change for a dollar. Everyone just stared at me! Finally, a nearby Chinese lady asked another American man if he had change. He very reluctantly reached into his pocket and pulled out a wad of quarters (why he didn't offer when I was loudly pleading with everyone in the room, I don't know). Finally, I was able to make the copy and get back to Charlie.
We then waited on pins and needles while she slowly scanned every detail of the remaining 13 stacks of papers. For some reason she focused on our Oklahoma marriage license and didn't like certain things about it (I suppose she won't be first or last to not like something about Oklahoma). But thanks to the incessant silent prayerful pleading to God from both me and Charlie, we ultimately made it through without any more hiccups.
I must ask forgiveness for my negativity through the ordeal. While we stood at the window, I kept whispering to Charlie, "We're not going to get our soup!" Charlie just kept whispering, "Sshhh. Be quiet!" But I knew he was thinking the same thoughts.
From here, there isn't much to tell. We did get our soup after all. We had to go back on Tuesday morning and stand in line for another hour, pick the documents up and pay our money.
This whole experience was a big wakeup call for us. It is definitely more real now than it previously was. I can only imagine how much more intense being in a country full of Chinese will be compared to being in a room full of Chinese. We have so much to learn about China and the Chinese people.
The good news is that we are now the proud owners of 14 stacks of papers with Chinese Consulate seals on them. This completes our long road of paperwork.
We mailed the dossier package to our agency in Georgia and they subsequently sent it to China on Monday, March 14. We were told it would arrive in China by Thursday, March 17. With a little luck, our dossier will be logged in by the end of Friday of this past week and we can officially begin the waiting stage.
If you read this post, please be in prayer for our placement. Please pray that the folks at Small World will have the wisdom to match us with God's choice for our daughter. Please also pray that we will feel the Holy Spirit's prompting in making our decision.
And now we wait........
Monday, February 28, 2011
Craziness in Austin
It's been a while since we've blogged. We finally received our approval from Homeland Security (or US Immigration or USCIS, whichever you want to call it). They believe we are fit to be parents! It took them two months to come to that conclusion, but at least we passed.
Our next step is to go to Austin to get various documents certified. Actually, every document that has been notarized by a Texas notary must be certified by the State of Texas, stating that the notary is in fact a real person authorized to notarize in the state of Texas. So we're basically have certifications certified.
I've been a little nervous about making this trip by myself. I wasn't really sure why I was nervous, but Charlie didn't help matters. He tells me that the stretch of highway between Waco and Austin is one of the most dangerous highways in the country. So I was a little nervous. So God in his infinite wisdom decided to give me two traveling partners - Mark and Charles each got sick (cold and strep) the day before so I had to hold them out of school.
We left early this past Friday morning (6:30 I think) and headed to Austin, hoping to make it home for an afternoon nap. We walked in to the Secretary of State's office right at 10:00, only to soon find out that one of our documents is not an original, but a copy (you would only know this if you had a spy glass like the lady used). Then (and this is way too many details), it turns out that one of the notaries has recently renewed her certification using her full first name rather than her first and middle initials (which is what she used to certify our documents). How in the world are we supposed to control things like that???? Fortunately, the nice lady at the Secretary of State's office was able to correct that problem (I think she felt sorry for me and saw me starting to panic).
But the first problem with the "copy" of the original was not so easily corrected. I called Charlie (aka "my hero") at about 10:30 panicked. He immediately drove to our doctor's office to try and get the originals, but to no avail. It seems our doctor leads a very busy life and they could not guarantee that he would have time to sign a new form that day. Charlie then drives home, only to miraculously find the originals in a stack of adoption papers. Thank you God! Charlie then hops in his truck and drives 3 hours to Austin to deliver by closing time.
When I found out that Charlie was on his way, I calmed down and began to plan a fun day with the boys. The State Legislature is in session and we decided to do some home schooling at the capital after lunch.
We were having a grand time when suddenly Charles' went down hill and began to whine about how he didn't feel good (this is after they made me walk up four flights of stairs to the top of the capital building). I didn't think much about it at first because he had been sick the past day or so. But when he refused to get up from a bench and started crying and begging to go to the car, I knew something was up. He started saying, "This is the WORST day ever!" I felt his head and he was burning with fever. After pulling a sick crying kid 9 blocks, I finally found a CVS. Charles finally melted down as we walked in and fell on the floor crying and refused to get up. I yanked a bottle of motrin off the shelf and let him chug a lug right there, before I had even paid for it. (We later find out that Charles had the flu and several other kids in his class had the same thing).
I had no idea how I was going to get him back 9 blocks (uphill) to the car. Here is where I need to tell you what else was going on....
Our sweet friend Amanda Dearing (who will be traveling with us to China, with her husband Kevin) sent me this text..."Not sure where ya'll are or what you're doing, but you need to know that at 2:45 exactly God put ya'll on my heart. So I stopped and prayed for all of ya'll."
I heard my phone ding but I was at no place to stop and read the text - I was busy trying to figure out how to ride a city bus (sorry but I've never actually ridden a city bus in the United States and I didn't know how this all worked). While I'm standing on the street corner in front of CVS, I hear behind me "ding, ding". One of those bicyle drawn buggies comes pulling up behind me. I looked at the man and said, "How much?" He said he worked on tips and I said, "Get in kids, we're riding a bicycle!" Once we're riding down the road I saw a sign in the buggy that suggested a tip of $20. Unfortunately for him I only had $12 on me. The buggy fit 3 people exactly. He drove us right up to our car, at which time Charlie called and said he would be pulling up soon!
I don't know if I'm getting the stress across that I was feeling - it was STRESSFUL!! But I held it together and was calm throughout the whole thing. I never broke down or cried, even though I felt like it. Charlie drove up a few minutes later, gave me the original documents and said, "You go and I'll stay with the kids in the van."
As I'm walking back to the Secretary of State's office, I check my phone and read Amanda's text (thank you Amanda for not only listening to God's prompting, but also for letting me know - it was a huge encouragement). Then the lady tells me that the notary who signed the original form let her commission expire. It was in good standing when she signed the documents, but currently it was expired. It seems like that would not be a problem, but apparently it might be a problem. She decided to certify the form anyway, but cautioned us that the Chinese Consulate in Houston may not like it.
After all of this, I took my "now certified" documents back to the van to find Charles asleep in Charlie's lap. This is when I finally lost it. I broke down crying but really happy that we had accomplished what we set out to do!
A special mention needs to go to Mark. He was unbelievable for the whole day. He was such a trooper and had a wonderful attitude. He was helpful to me and patient with Charles. I could not have done it without him.
So after struggling through Austin rush hour traffic, we finally made it home around 9:45. So much for the afternoon nap! But.....God is good and he is the ultimate planner. If the boys had not been sick, my plan was to return by 3:00 to pick them up from school. If that had happened, I would have had the car seats and Charlie would not have been able to pick them up from school and deliver the documents to Austin. Then we would have had even more delays and likely another trip back to Austin. So thank you God for the crazy details and the stress and the kids getting sick and Charlie having to make an extra trip and us getting home so late.
Our next step is Houston - home of the Chinese Consulate General. Basically we will have the same thing done again, only by the Chinese government. And apparently they are much more strict than the state of Texas. Remember, we have one form we're really worried about. We are leaving on Sunday. Really??? Sunday??? Here we go again.....
Our next step is to go to Austin to get various documents certified. Actually, every document that has been notarized by a Texas notary must be certified by the State of Texas, stating that the notary is in fact a real person authorized to notarize in the state of Texas. So we're basically have certifications certified.
I've been a little nervous about making this trip by myself. I wasn't really sure why I was nervous, but Charlie didn't help matters. He tells me that the stretch of highway between Waco and Austin is one of the most dangerous highways in the country. So I was a little nervous. So God in his infinite wisdom decided to give me two traveling partners - Mark and Charles each got sick (cold and strep) the day before so I had to hold them out of school.
We left early this past Friday morning (6:30 I think) and headed to Austin, hoping to make it home for an afternoon nap. We walked in to the Secretary of State's office right at 10:00, only to soon find out that one of our documents is not an original, but a copy (you would only know this if you had a spy glass like the lady used). Then (and this is way too many details), it turns out that one of the notaries has recently renewed her certification using her full first name rather than her first and middle initials (which is what she used to certify our documents). How in the world are we supposed to control things like that???? Fortunately, the nice lady at the Secretary of State's office was able to correct that problem (I think she felt sorry for me and saw me starting to panic).
But the first problem with the "copy" of the original was not so easily corrected. I called Charlie (aka "my hero") at about 10:30 panicked. He immediately drove to our doctor's office to try and get the originals, but to no avail. It seems our doctor leads a very busy life and they could not guarantee that he would have time to sign a new form that day. Charlie then drives home, only to miraculously find the originals in a stack of adoption papers. Thank you God! Charlie then hops in his truck and drives 3 hours to Austin to deliver by closing time.
When I found out that Charlie was on his way, I calmed down and began to plan a fun day with the boys. The State Legislature is in session and we decided to do some home schooling at the capital after lunch.
We were having a grand time when suddenly Charles' went down hill and began to whine about how he didn't feel good (this is after they made me walk up four flights of stairs to the top of the capital building). I didn't think much about it at first because he had been sick the past day or so. But when he refused to get up from a bench and started crying and begging to go to the car, I knew something was up. He started saying, "This is the WORST day ever!" I felt his head and he was burning with fever. After pulling a sick crying kid 9 blocks, I finally found a CVS. Charles finally melted down as we walked in and fell on the floor crying and refused to get up. I yanked a bottle of motrin off the shelf and let him chug a lug right there, before I had even paid for it. (We later find out that Charles had the flu and several other kids in his class had the same thing).
I had no idea how I was going to get him back 9 blocks (uphill) to the car. Here is where I need to tell you what else was going on....
Our sweet friend Amanda Dearing (who will be traveling with us to China, with her husband Kevin) sent me this text..."Not sure where ya'll are or what you're doing, but you need to know that at 2:45 exactly God put ya'll on my heart. So I stopped and prayed for all of ya'll."
I heard my phone ding but I was at no place to stop and read the text - I was busy trying to figure out how to ride a city bus (sorry but I've never actually ridden a city bus in the United States and I didn't know how this all worked). While I'm standing on the street corner in front of CVS, I hear behind me "ding, ding". One of those bicyle drawn buggies comes pulling up behind me. I looked at the man and said, "How much?" He said he worked on tips and I said, "Get in kids, we're riding a bicycle!" Once we're riding down the road I saw a sign in the buggy that suggested a tip of $20. Unfortunately for him I only had $12 on me. The buggy fit 3 people exactly. He drove us right up to our car, at which time Charlie called and said he would be pulling up soon!
I don't know if I'm getting the stress across that I was feeling - it was STRESSFUL!! But I held it together and was calm throughout the whole thing. I never broke down or cried, even though I felt like it. Charlie drove up a few minutes later, gave me the original documents and said, "You go and I'll stay with the kids in the van."
As I'm walking back to the Secretary of State's office, I check my phone and read Amanda's text (thank you Amanda for not only listening to God's prompting, but also for letting me know - it was a huge encouragement). Then the lady tells me that the notary who signed the original form let her commission expire. It was in good standing when she signed the documents, but currently it was expired. It seems like that would not be a problem, but apparently it might be a problem. She decided to certify the form anyway, but cautioned us that the Chinese Consulate in Houston may not like it.
After all of this, I took my "now certified" documents back to the van to find Charles asleep in Charlie's lap. This is when I finally lost it. I broke down crying but really happy that we had accomplished what we set out to do!
A special mention needs to go to Mark. He was unbelievable for the whole day. He was such a trooper and had a wonderful attitude. He was helpful to me and patient with Charles. I could not have done it without him.
So after struggling through Austin rush hour traffic, we finally made it home around 9:45. So much for the afternoon nap! But.....God is good and he is the ultimate planner. If the boys had not been sick, my plan was to return by 3:00 to pick them up from school. If that had happened, I would have had the car seats and Charlie would not have been able to pick them up from school and deliver the documents to Austin. Then we would have had even more delays and likely another trip back to Austin. So thank you God for the crazy details and the stress and the kids getting sick and Charlie having to make an extra trip and us getting home so late.
Our next step is Houston - home of the Chinese Consulate General. Basically we will have the same thing done again, only by the Chinese government. And apparently they are much more strict than the state of Texas. Remember, we have one form we're really worried about. We are leaving on Sunday. Really??? Sunday??? Here we go again.....
Monday, December 13, 2010
Amazing Husband!
Yes, I have an amazing husband! If I had any doubts about where my husband stood in all of this adoptions stuff (and I don't), they would be all erased after that last post Charlie wrote.
I was on my way to bed when Charlie came in from a walk and asked me how to get on my blog. I showed him and went to bed (I was SO TIRED). Later the next morning I found myself sitting in front of the computer reading his sweet prayer he blogged and crying tears of joy. Wow, has God done a work in his heart (our hearts) or what? I asked him later where this "All of the sudden" need to blog came from and he said, "While I was walking that night I just felt so burdened for her. I wanted to post my thoughts to record the moment and share with others the feelings I had just in case someone else felt called to pray."
The amazing thing (ok things) about that is that I had been feeling the same thing all week, but God knew I needed rest...and rest I did that night.:) God gave the burden to Charlie to carry for the night. How sweet of Him to work in such a way. :) The 2nd thing is that just around the same time I realized just how much I am falling in love with a little girl on the other side of the world whom I have never even met. It's amazing and weird all at the same time. Never in a million years did I believe that would happen without even seeing a photo or having something to go on...Just a calling. Then to read Charlie's post, made me realize God is growing his heart too. Oh, how blessed we are!
Yes, I have an AMAZING husband and outstanding Godly father to our children...All 3 of them!!!! Love you honey.
I was on my way to bed when Charlie came in from a walk and asked me how to get on my blog. I showed him and went to bed (I was SO TIRED). Later the next morning I found myself sitting in front of the computer reading his sweet prayer he blogged and crying tears of joy. Wow, has God done a work in his heart (our hearts) or what? I asked him later where this "All of the sudden" need to blog came from and he said, "While I was walking that night I just felt so burdened for her. I wanted to post my thoughts to record the moment and share with others the feelings I had just in case someone else felt called to pray."
The amazing thing (ok things) about that is that I had been feeling the same thing all week, but God knew I needed rest...and rest I did that night.:) God gave the burden to Charlie to carry for the night. How sweet of Him to work in such a way. :) The 2nd thing is that just around the same time I realized just how much I am falling in love with a little girl on the other side of the world whom I have never even met. It's amazing and weird all at the same time. Never in a million years did I believe that would happen without even seeing a photo or having something to go on...Just a calling. Then to read Charlie's post, made me realize God is growing his heart too. Oh, how blessed we are!
Yes, I have an AMAZING husband and outstanding Godly father to our children...All 3 of them!!!! Love you honey.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Dear Heavenly Father,
Lord, I praise you because you are the creator of the ends of the earth. You do not grow tired or weary and your understanding no one can fathom. You give strength to the weary and increase the power of the weak. Those who put their faith in you will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not be faint. Who has done what you have done, calling forth the generations from the beginning? You have made all things, you alone have stretched out the heavens and spread out the earth. How awesome you are, Lord Most High! You are the great King over all the earth!
Lord, please forgive me of my sins. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me. I need you Lord. My family needs you. My daughter needs you.
Lord, she is likely alone tonight. In an orphanage or a foster home with multiple other orphans. It is 36 degrees in Beijing and she may be cold right now. She could be in pain from some medical issue that we don't even know about yet. Lord, you have chosen us to be her family; to love her; protect her; provide for her every need. But I can't do anything to help her right now. But Lord!!!! YOU defend the cause of the fatherless!!! Though our fathers and mothers forsake us, YOU will receive us!!! Lord, you already know our daughter. You created her inmost being; you knit her together in her mother's womb. I praise you because she is fearfully and wonderfully made. How precious to me are your thoughts of her, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. Lord, even when she wakes in the morning, she is still with you. But she doesn't know you (yet!). Lord, please wrap your loving arms around her tonight. Lord, calm her emotions. Give her your peace. God, that you would take away her pains. Please give her sweet dreams. Provide her with extra blankets if she is cold; good food if she is hungry; medicine if she is sick. Lord I pray you would raise up a helper to look after her; to love her and hold her; to talk to her and sing to her; to tell her that everything will be ok. Lord, send your Holy Spirit to prepare her for us. I pray you would put a vision or dream in her mind to prepare her for the day we meet. Lord, continue to prepare us for her.
Lord, please continue to mold me into the husband and father you want me to be. Show me how to be a father to a little girl. Help me to love her mommy in a way that she will have a Godly vision of the type of man to seek out one day. And Lord, I pray for the day that she will truly know your son Jesus. I thank you for this special time that you and her can have alone together. I pray that because of this special time, her heart would one day be more tender toward you. And I pray in the name of Jesus, backed by the power of the cross and His shed blood, that my daughter will grow to be a healthy, vibrant, GODLY woman who will love you and serve you all the days of her life.
Lord, you are Holy. You alone are worthy. May you and your son Jesus be glorified through our journey.
In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Charlie
Lord, I praise you because you are the creator of the ends of the earth. You do not grow tired or weary and your understanding no one can fathom. You give strength to the weary and increase the power of the weak. Those who put their faith in you will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not be faint. Who has done what you have done, calling forth the generations from the beginning? You have made all things, you alone have stretched out the heavens and spread out the earth. How awesome you are, Lord Most High! You are the great King over all the earth!
Lord, please forgive me of my sins. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me. I need you Lord. My family needs you. My daughter needs you.
Lord, she is likely alone tonight. In an orphanage or a foster home with multiple other orphans. It is 36 degrees in Beijing and she may be cold right now. She could be in pain from some medical issue that we don't even know about yet. Lord, you have chosen us to be her family; to love her; protect her; provide for her every need. But I can't do anything to help her right now. But Lord!!!! YOU defend the cause of the fatherless!!! Though our fathers and mothers forsake us, YOU will receive us!!! Lord, you already know our daughter. You created her inmost being; you knit her together in her mother's womb. I praise you because she is fearfully and wonderfully made. How precious to me are your thoughts of her, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. Lord, even when she wakes in the morning, she is still with you. But she doesn't know you (yet!). Lord, please wrap your loving arms around her tonight. Lord, calm her emotions. Give her your peace. God, that you would take away her pains. Please give her sweet dreams. Provide her with extra blankets if she is cold; good food if she is hungry; medicine if she is sick. Lord I pray you would raise up a helper to look after her; to love her and hold her; to talk to her and sing to her; to tell her that everything will be ok. Lord, send your Holy Spirit to prepare her for us. I pray you would put a vision or dream in her mind to prepare her for the day we meet. Lord, continue to prepare us for her.
Lord, please continue to mold me into the husband and father you want me to be. Show me how to be a father to a little girl. Help me to love her mommy in a way that she will have a Godly vision of the type of man to seek out one day. And Lord, I pray for the day that she will truly know your son Jesus. I thank you for this special time that you and her can have alone together. I pray that because of this special time, her heart would one day be more tender toward you. And I pray in the name of Jesus, backed by the power of the cross and His shed blood, that my daughter will grow to be a healthy, vibrant, GODLY woman who will love you and serve you all the days of her life.
Lord, you are Holy. You alone are worthy. May you and your son Jesus be glorified through our journey.
In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Charlie
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Medical Need
Yes, we are choosing to adopt a child with a medical need. Crazy, but this was not the hardest decision we've made in this process. I think getting to the decision just to adopt was the hardest decision. When God called us to adopt, we very quickly began to feel this was part of His calling. At this point we don't know what that medical need will be, and we do hope and pray that whatever the need is it will be something we can eventually overcome through therapy or medical assistance. We have heard many stories on both ends of a medical mis-diagnosis; we pray we will end up on the right end of one of these, but we are also preparing ourselves to follow God no matter what. When and if the time is right I will one day blog about whatever medical need we are facing, but until God calls us to share that info we may be a little private about it to protect our child.
Just adopting an orphan from another country brings so many hurdles and obstacles to get over, and we can only prepare as much as we can before hand (we realize this is not going to be a piece of cake). We also know that God does not make mistakes, and He calls us to love and look after EVERY orphan.
Because our twins were almost 6 weeks early we needed a lot of help through physical, occupational, and speech therapy. The first 2 years of the boys' lives were hard and at times very challenging, but we got through it and now you wouldn't even know how hard we all struggled at times. The boys are growing and doing so well in school that we sometimes forget where we once were.
When we are reminded of those times with our boys, it makes us so sad to think how many people wanting to adopt would have passed them over just because they weren't the typical picture of a "perfect" child. When we found out how many children are placed on this medical list with some very minor or correctable needs (lazy eye, birthmark, premature birth, missing digits, need of braces for club foot, or a surgery they have already had, ect.) and their odds of ever being chosen because of being placed on this list, it was a no-brainer.
Let me say that we 100% know that this is what God led us to, and in no way believe this is for everyone wanting to adopt. There are SO MANY children in this world who need a forever home to call theirs, so if we all went this route then we would have thousands of healthy children waiting on some list. However, that being said, we have become huge advocates for the ones others might pass by without realizing the truth behind the list. In the end God calls all of us to help these children in some way (James 1:27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress..), but it's between you and God which path is right for you and your family. For everyone it will look different.
A lot of people may think we are crazy for choosing this path; but that would mean we are crazy for obeying and following God. I think the hardest thing has been telling people (the few who have had to know this far, or trying it out on perfect strangers)and watching their faces light up when we tell them we are adopting, but then watching their face change when we tell them we are choosing a child off of the medical list.
The other hard thing to swallow is everyone has a story to tell; and good or bad (mostly bad), they are going to share their story whether we like it or not (oh, how UNencouraging this is). I know they are trying to help, or just don't know what to say. What they don't realize is that we have become very educated on the matter through adoption training, visiting with therapists, doctors, and friends who have already walked the path before us. Really all we want or need is support, prayers, and some encouragement to keep going.
We have learned that everyone's story is different and to just take their stories with a grain of salt; but sometimes too much salt can be unhealthy and taste very bitter. I cringe that one day people will say these things in front of our adopted child (yes, aparently it happens way more than I'd like to think). :( In the meantime we will try to extend a little grace, and get our key responses ready (just like we did when we had twins) and move forward through yet one more crazy part of this journey.
We begin telling family and friends soon, and we feel a little nervous about it. We do realize this decission does not just effect us, and we have also had a lot more time to process this...Bitter Sweet, but I think we are finally ready.
Just adopting an orphan from another country brings so many hurdles and obstacles to get over, and we can only prepare as much as we can before hand (we realize this is not going to be a piece of cake). We also know that God does not make mistakes, and He calls us to love and look after EVERY orphan.
Because our twins were almost 6 weeks early we needed a lot of help through physical, occupational, and speech therapy. The first 2 years of the boys' lives were hard and at times very challenging, but we got through it and now you wouldn't even know how hard we all struggled at times. The boys are growing and doing so well in school that we sometimes forget where we once were.
When we are reminded of those times with our boys, it makes us so sad to think how many people wanting to adopt would have passed them over just because they weren't the typical picture of a "perfect" child. When we found out how many children are placed on this medical list with some very minor or correctable needs (lazy eye, birthmark, premature birth, missing digits, need of braces for club foot, or a surgery they have already had, ect.) and their odds of ever being chosen because of being placed on this list, it was a no-brainer.
Let me say that we 100% know that this is what God led us to, and in no way believe this is for everyone wanting to adopt. There are SO MANY children in this world who need a forever home to call theirs, so if we all went this route then we would have thousands of healthy children waiting on some list. However, that being said, we have become huge advocates for the ones others might pass by without realizing the truth behind the list. In the end God calls all of us to help these children in some way (James 1:27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress..), but it's between you and God which path is right for you and your family. For everyone it will look different.
A lot of people may think we are crazy for choosing this path; but that would mean we are crazy for obeying and following God. I think the hardest thing has been telling people (the few who have had to know this far, or trying it out on perfect strangers)and watching their faces light up when we tell them we are adopting, but then watching their face change when we tell them we are choosing a child off of the medical list.
The other hard thing to swallow is everyone has a story to tell; and good or bad (mostly bad), they are going to share their story whether we like it or not (oh, how UNencouraging this is). I know they are trying to help, or just don't know what to say. What they don't realize is that we have become very educated on the matter through adoption training, visiting with therapists, doctors, and friends who have already walked the path before us. Really all we want or need is support, prayers, and some encouragement to keep going.
We have learned that everyone's story is different and to just take their stories with a grain of salt; but sometimes too much salt can be unhealthy and taste very bitter. I cringe that one day people will say these things in front of our adopted child (yes, aparently it happens way more than I'd like to think). :( In the meantime we will try to extend a little grace, and get our key responses ready (just like we did when we had twins) and move forward through yet one more crazy part of this journey.
We begin telling family and friends soon, and we feel a little nervous about it. We do realize this decission does not just effect us, and we have also had a lot more time to process this...Bitter Sweet, but I think we are finally ready.
Friday, October 1, 2010
The Dreaded Home Study :(
OK, so tonight was the 1st of 4 in home interviews. This is where a lady comes into our home to check us and our home out to make sure we are fit and sane enough to adopt a child. Oh, the fun we've had thinking up all kinds of fun ways to freak this women out just to make tonight a little more fun (like answering the door dressed in our Ike and Tina Turner costumes from Halloween; leaving a bunch of CRAZY things all over the house and telling her that's what we use to spank our kids with; answering every other question with a Chinese accent; letting the kids run around naked the whole time, etc.). But, then we may never receive this sweet blessing God has for us. :( So, we'll just act our age tonight and try our best to fool the woman. ;~)
The crazy blessing in all of this is that I happen to know this women. We have had our children in the same Mother Day Out schools over the last couple of years (I am so amazed at all the little ways God keeps showing himself to us through this process). An agency out of Amarillo picked someone I knew! In all this time of casually talking with this lady I never knew she did this type of work. Now, here she is in my house doing our Home Study. Just Crazy!
Tonight went AMAZINGLY well!!! We got through our couple interview, and the kids had their interview (without us in the room). It feels so good to know that this lady is working for us and not against us (I've heard some crazy stories)...that reminded me I need to share my scripture of the week:
Romans 8:31 If God is for us, then who can be against us.
This was the scripture that has come across my mind so many times in this last week. I even began to wonder why it kept coming up. Then yesterday I found out something we would be asked (knowing our answer would not look good for us and knowing Charlie and I had not talked about it yet, nor would we be able to talk before tonight's interview due to his ridiculously late nights at the office this week). I began to panic a little. I finally called our sweet agent out of Georgia to ask her how to handle the situation only to have her quote this same scripture from Romans. Wow! God gave me this scripture before I needed it! Why am I surprised that He knew I was going to hit a wall this week, and there He was already preparing me for it? The moment I heard her say this, it hit me like a ton of bricks (I kind of even remember yelling at her,"That's it! That's it"). I realized at that moment that if God has called us to this adoption (and He clearly has), then no one can stand in our way (not even some bad note on our 10 plus page report she will send to China about us). So, tonight when the issue came up, she passed it off and it was never an issue at all. Wow, I can't begin to tell you how good it feels to know that we have God going before us, paving this CRAZY road all the way to China.
One, down. 3 more to go! The next 2 interviews will be our individual ones where she will ask us all about our families, our marriage, and our sex life (yes, I said sex life). I just think it's funny that you still have to have sex to have a child even through adoption (go figure). I probably should have prepared the sweet lady that I have NO problem talking about sex. This is one area I know we don't have anything to worry about. ;~) T.M.I.??? Naa.
Funny, but I don't dread the HS process anymore (I never thought I would say that).
The crazy blessing in all of this is that I happen to know this women. We have had our children in the same Mother Day Out schools over the last couple of years (I am so amazed at all the little ways God keeps showing himself to us through this process). An agency out of Amarillo picked someone I knew! In all this time of casually talking with this lady I never knew she did this type of work. Now, here she is in my house doing our Home Study. Just Crazy!
Tonight went AMAZINGLY well!!! We got through our couple interview, and the kids had their interview (without us in the room). It feels so good to know that this lady is working for us and not against us (I've heard some crazy stories)...that reminded me I need to share my scripture of the week:
Romans 8:31 If God is for us, then who can be against us.
This was the scripture that has come across my mind so many times in this last week. I even began to wonder why it kept coming up. Then yesterday I found out something we would be asked (knowing our answer would not look good for us and knowing Charlie and I had not talked about it yet, nor would we be able to talk before tonight's interview due to his ridiculously late nights at the office this week). I began to panic a little. I finally called our sweet agent out of Georgia to ask her how to handle the situation only to have her quote this same scripture from Romans. Wow! God gave me this scripture before I needed it! Why am I surprised that He knew I was going to hit a wall this week, and there He was already preparing me for it? The moment I heard her say this, it hit me like a ton of bricks (I kind of even remember yelling at her,"That's it! That's it"). I realized at that moment that if God has called us to this adoption (and He clearly has), then no one can stand in our way (not even some bad note on our 10 plus page report she will send to China about us). So, tonight when the issue came up, she passed it off and it was never an issue at all. Wow, I can't begin to tell you how good it feels to know that we have God going before us, paving this CRAZY road all the way to China.
One, down. 3 more to go! The next 2 interviews will be our individual ones where she will ask us all about our families, our marriage, and our sex life (yes, I said sex life). I just think it's funny that you still have to have sex to have a child even through adoption (go figure). I probably should have prepared the sweet lady that I have NO problem talking about sex. This is one area I know we don't have anything to worry about. ;~) T.M.I.??? Naa.
Funny, but I don't dread the HS process anymore (I never thought I would say that).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
