This week we are praying for BIG news! Next week the courts shut down for Chinese New Year. We have been praying since we returned home from court that we would get our first decree issued by the week before CNY. So we are praying that it comes this week.....I am sure that if it doesn't there will be lots of emotional moments for me....but I have to remember that God is in control and His timing is perfect.
There is another possible BIG news item that could happen in our family this week. We would also love for it to work in the way we have been praying but we also know we have to trust in God if it doesn't. I hope to be able to share that news but I can't until it is final!
SO needless to say.....we are praying for a BIG week for our family this week.....will you please join with us?
Also if you look at the below post there are several items that I listed that need to be prayed about....please continue to pray for those items!
We appreciate everyone who has prayed for us and who has walked this journey with us so much! We COULD NOT do it alone!
Love to you...
Monday, February 4, 2013
Friday, February 1, 2013
5 months ago....
Richard, Kyler, and I had been at my mom's house celebrating Labor Day. It had been a fun day with cousins and siblings. The entire weekend I had been in a weird mood. More than once I had mentioned how much I wish we could adopt from Taiwan again. Even that day I had mentioned to my mom and sister...."I feel like we should just give up on adopting again....God is going to have to clearly show us what He wants us to do because I am so confused." My mom and sister really didn't know how to reply. They were both "wishing" we could adopt from Taiwan again too.
Backstory:
9 months earlier we were told that we would not be able to adopt from Taiwan because the new laws were really weird and THOGL was no longer adopting to second child families. We were crushed, frustrated, and confused. I felt like we had waited to long to pursue adoption again. If only we had contacted THOGL several years earlier maybe I would get my baby girl. But God had other plans. After being told "no" by THOGL we told them we appreciated their honesty and that they could take us off the list because we would be praying about other adoption options. That email broke my heart but we both really felt like God was closing this door.
Over the next several months Richard and I would still have various converstations about adopting from Taiwan (even in the midst of another country failed adoption attempt), neither of us could shake the longing but we knew we had to find peace in the situation...it was out of our hands.
So Labor Day...
After we got home that evening we were all getting ready for the work/school week. Kyler was in bed fast asleep, Richard was in the living room watching TV, and I was in our bedroom getting ready for bed. It was 10:30pm. As I was climbing into bed my phone began to buzz. It was from a number I didn't recognize, I knew it was an international number but it didn't register. I almost didn't answer but because it was late I figured it had to be someone we knew and I was praying it wasn't "bad" news. As soon as I said "hello"....I knew! The person on the other end didn't even speak yet but I knew it was THOGL calling. As the converstation began (and I ran into the living room to get Richard on the phone) small talk was made. I remember thinking is Ted just calling to check in or what is going on? I honestly was confused until he said...."So the reason that I am calling is because we have a precious 5 week old baby girl that would love for you to be her mommy and daddy". CUE the tears....no seriously....like ugly snotty nose tears. I couldn't even talk. For those of you who know me you know that is nearly impossible! The next few moments were a a blur as Richard and Ted talked. I finally got myself together long enough to ask "Are you sure?" Ted laughed (not quite the response most would probably give). I was just in so much shock that I thought he had made a mistake. Over the next 30 minutes we learned details about Kenzie and how the new laws would work. It was an amazing evening with NO sleep. Richard and I just laid in bed talking, rejoicing, and thanking God was faithfulness and miracles.
So 5 months......
That is how long ago since we go our referral. It has been the longest 5 months of my life but some of the happiest 5 months of my life because I know that we are over the half way point. We will get to bring our sweet baby girl home soon. And all the glory, honor, and praise will go to God!
Please Pray:
*That we will get our first decree issued before next Friday (that is when the courts close for Chinese New Year)
*After the first decree is issued pray that we will quickly get our second decree issued (this is the point we will be able to go get Kenzie).
*That Kenzie will remain happy and healthy
*That we will enjoy our final days as a family of 3 as we prepare for Kenzie to come home.
*Please pray for our friends who are also on this journey with us. They have the exact same emotions we have and long to have their babies in their arms soon!
*Finances.....we thought we had all the money we need for our plane tickets but we found out we have to purchase a plane ticket for Kenzie because it is an international flight. So we are about $500 short. We are financially maxed out (our first trip tickets cost more than we had planned for) and so we are asking for prayers and help!
Richard, Kyler, and I had been at my mom's house celebrating Labor Day. It had been a fun day with cousins and siblings. The entire weekend I had been in a weird mood. More than once I had mentioned how much I wish we could adopt from Taiwan again. Even that day I had mentioned to my mom and sister...."I feel like we should just give up on adopting again....God is going to have to clearly show us what He wants us to do because I am so confused." My mom and sister really didn't know how to reply. They were both "wishing" we could adopt from Taiwan again too.
Backstory:
9 months earlier we were told that we would not be able to adopt from Taiwan because the new laws were really weird and THOGL was no longer adopting to second child families. We were crushed, frustrated, and confused. I felt like we had waited to long to pursue adoption again. If only we had contacted THOGL several years earlier maybe I would get my baby girl. But God had other plans. After being told "no" by THOGL we told them we appreciated their honesty and that they could take us off the list because we would be praying about other adoption options. That email broke my heart but we both really felt like God was closing this door.
Over the next several months Richard and I would still have various converstations about adopting from Taiwan (even in the midst of another country failed adoption attempt), neither of us could shake the longing but we knew we had to find peace in the situation...it was out of our hands.
So Labor Day...
After we got home that evening we were all getting ready for the work/school week. Kyler was in bed fast asleep, Richard was in the living room watching TV, and I was in our bedroom getting ready for bed. It was 10:30pm. As I was climbing into bed my phone began to buzz. It was from a number I didn't recognize, I knew it was an international number but it didn't register. I almost didn't answer but because it was late I figured it had to be someone we knew and I was praying it wasn't "bad" news. As soon as I said "hello"....I knew! The person on the other end didn't even speak yet but I knew it was THOGL calling. As the converstation began (and I ran into the living room to get Richard on the phone) small talk was made. I remember thinking is Ted just calling to check in or what is going on? I honestly was confused until he said...."So the reason that I am calling is because we have a precious 5 week old baby girl that would love for you to be her mommy and daddy". CUE the tears....no seriously....like ugly snotty nose tears. I couldn't even talk. For those of you who know me you know that is nearly impossible! The next few moments were a a blur as Richard and Ted talked. I finally got myself together long enough to ask "Are you sure?" Ted laughed (not quite the response most would probably give). I was just in so much shock that I thought he had made a mistake. Over the next 30 minutes we learned details about Kenzie and how the new laws would work. It was an amazing evening with NO sleep. Richard and I just laid in bed talking, rejoicing, and thanking God was faithfulness and miracles.
So 5 months......
That is how long ago since we go our referral. It has been the longest 5 months of my life but some of the happiest 5 months of my life because I know that we are over the half way point. We will get to bring our sweet baby girl home soon. And all the glory, honor, and praise will go to God!
Please Pray:
*That we will get our first decree issued before next Friday (that is when the courts close for Chinese New Year)
*After the first decree is issued pray that we will quickly get our second decree issued (this is the point we will be able to go get Kenzie).
*That Kenzie will remain happy and healthy
*That we will enjoy our final days as a family of 3 as we prepare for Kenzie to come home.
*Please pray for our friends who are also on this journey with us. They have the exact same emotions we have and long to have their babies in their arms soon!
*Finances.....we thought we had all the money we need for our plane tickets but we found out we have to purchase a plane ticket for Kenzie because it is an international flight. So we are about $500 short. We are financially maxed out (our first trip tickets cost more than we had planned for) and so we are asking for prayers and help!
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Richard snapped this picture as I was holding and seeing Kenzie in person for the first time! I LOVE everything about this picture and just looking at it right now brings tears.
To my precious Kenzie,
The moment I saw your picture on Sept. 3, 2012 my life was changed. I knew you were my girl. Your chubby cheeks and scrunched up little body was perfect. I knew that at that moment I was willing to do anything to bring you home so that I could help raise you into an amazing woman of God.
You are so loved.
The journey to get you has been one full of ups and downs. Your daddy, big brother, and I have literally been all across the state, country, and world to get everything in order so that you can join our forever family.
You are so loved.
As I write this letter to you, I have no idea when I will see you again or have you in my arms again but I promise you that I am praying every single moment of every single day that it is soon. My heart aches for you.
You are so loved.
God has brought you to us and we are forever indebted to Him. We want you to know that through our entire process we want His name to be glorified because He is who matters! You are a miracle. We never thought we would be able to adopt a precious baby girl from the same country as your big brother is from, but God is good. He heard our cries, our pleas, and our prayers and blessed us with you!
You are so loved.
Sweet baby girl...
You will be home soon. We cannot wait!
I love you so much.
Love,
Your mommy
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
There has been some movement in Taiwan....PTL! Two babies that Kenzie is at the home with will be coming home this next week. We wish it was us that was bringing our baby girl home, but we are still thankful that things are moving forward with the courts.
We also found out that everyone who has been to court before us has received their first decree. We know that the judge does not always go in order but technically we are next in line for our first decree. So assuming that our BM report and SW report are done (like we have been told) we pray that we get our first decree within the next few days. It would be great to get it this week so that we can have a week of wait towards the second decree under our belts before Chinese New Year!
This week has been so hard for me. Each night I have cried myself to sleep and wondered if the whole process will ever end. I know it will but I miss her so much and want her home so badly.
Please continue to pray for us! Pray for BIG paperwork news this week! We know God is able!
Love you all!
We also found out that everyone who has been to court before us has received their first decree. We know that the judge does not always go in order but technically we are next in line for our first decree. So assuming that our BM report and SW report are done (like we have been told) we pray that we get our first decree within the next few days. It would be great to get it this week so that we can have a week of wait towards the second decree under our belts before Chinese New Year!
This week has been so hard for me. Each night I have cried myself to sleep and wondered if the whole process will ever end. I know it will but I miss her so much and want her home so badly.
Please continue to pray for us! Pray for BIG paperwork news this week! We know God is able!
Love you all!
Friday, January 25, 2013
TWO WEEKS....
That is how long it has been since we had our court date. My life is measured in weeks now...Friday to Friday. Another reason 2 weeks is significant is that is how many weeks we have until the courts close for 2 weeks because of Chinese New Year....so 2 weeks is a bittersweet number to me.
I am praying that in these next 2 weeks we will be issued our first decree. I know that it would be super fast in the world of adoption paperwork but because of paperwork that has already been completed in our case it is very possible. It would just be nice to go into Chinese New Year knowing that the process is almost complete!
Kenzie will be 6 months old on Sunday. Happy 1/2 Birthday sweet baby girl. I cannot wait to celebrate many more halves with you!
Thank you friends and family for your prayers! This is a journey that is not for the faint of heart....
That is how long it has been since we had our court date. My life is measured in weeks now...Friday to Friday. Another reason 2 weeks is significant is that is how many weeks we have until the courts close for 2 weeks because of Chinese New Year....so 2 weeks is a bittersweet number to me.
I am praying that in these next 2 weeks we will be issued our first decree. I know that it would be super fast in the world of adoption paperwork but because of paperwork that has already been completed in our case it is very possible. It would just be nice to go into Chinese New Year knowing that the process is almost complete!
Kenzie will be 6 months old on Sunday. Happy 1/2 Birthday sweet baby girl. I cannot wait to celebrate many more halves with you!
Thank you friends and family for your prayers! This is a journey that is not for the faint of heart....
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
This week I went back to school. It was good to get back into the normal routine of life...but my mind has been a million miles away. It is so hard to focus on anything else but Kenzie.
It has been fun to share with my students about sweet Kenzie. I really think they love her as much as we do!
As much fun as it was to talk about Kenzie and to show off her picture the question I was dreading came....
It has been fun to share with my students about sweet Kenzie. I really think they love her as much as we do!
As much fun as it was to talk about Kenzie and to show off her picture the question I was dreading came....
WHEN DO YOU GET TO GO BACK TO GET HER???
I wish I could answer that question. All I know to do is pray and to ask you to pray. SO PLEASE PRAY! Waiting is hard and I am sure that God will teach me something during the waiting but that doesn't mean that the waiting will be easy. :)
My heart aches for her. I want to hold her, cuddle her, watch her, experience new things with her. UGH....
So friends and family....I ask you.....keep me busy! When I am busy, I do not have as much time to think about going to get her. I know we are on the downward side of this process and honestly I am so happy and relieved. I know that we are blessed because we have a referral. This time last year we NEVER thought adopting from THOGL was possible again...but God had other plans.
So pray...
Continue to pray...
Start to pray....
JUST PRAY!
Daddy and Kenzie
I am a big girl!
Saturday, January 19, 2013
First of all I apologize for not updating the blog while we were in Taiwan.....for those of you who didn't hear or didn't get my FB message my blog would not work properly in Taiwan. So sorry!
I have so much to catch you all up on....
The most important thing you should know is KENZIE is perfect!
We have fallen in love with this precious baby girl and cannot wait to bring her home! Many have asked when that will be and honestly we have no idea. There has been so many variations in processed cases that we do not even have an estimated time. We will know more once our first decree is issued...but until then all we can do is trust and pray it is soon.
Leaving Kenzie was one of the hardest things I have ever done. My heart shattered into pieces when I had to say good-bye. Writing about it right now brings the tears and the emotions. Surviving over the next several weeks or months until we can bring her home is going to be so difficult. I ask for your prayers, support, and encouragement. I am going to do my best to focus on my family right now....these are our last days of being a family of 3. So I want to give Kyler the attention he needs before his world drastically changes too.
So Taiwan....
Everything was amazing. We had the chance to do some sight-seeing and a tiny bit of shopping. We mainly hung around THOGL and helped out with the babies. There are SO many babies there right now that they need all hands on deck. Plus it was important to keep Kenzie on their schedule since we would be leaving her.
Our social worker appointment and court appointment both went amazing. Richard and I were so nervous, but God went before us and all went smoothly.
Besides meeting Kenzie the highlight of the trip was meeting Kenzie's birthmother and grandmother. It was such a special meeting and God was glorified. There were lots of tears and questions...but we all left the meeting with a since of hope and love for each other. I am so thankful that I was able to take pictures to show Kenzie one day. What a special treasure that will be for her.
There is so much more to our trip that I want to share...but that is all I have the energy for right now. As a few of you know...when we got home (on Thursday) I got super sick. I call it my "jet lag curse". Everytime I come home from going somewhere internationally I get sick....vomiting and all of the not fun stuff that goes with that. I am finally feeling a little bit better this morning. Thank you Jesus!
Please Pray:
*Our paperwork will be processed quickly and decrees will be issued in record time. (It's been one week since court)
*The bonding that we started with Kenzie will not be completely lost
*That God will provide someone to travel with me on the second trip to pick up Kenzie. (We cannot financially afford for Richard to go so I am going to be traveling by myself.....it is very scary to think about traveling internationally by myself and then bringing a baby home internationally by myself. We know that God will give me the strength but it would be amazing if someone could go with me or we could come up with the money for Richard to go.)
*We have several adoptive family friends who are also waiting on decrees right now...please pray that they will get those decrees soon and that they can bring their babies home!
I have so much to catch you all up on....
The most important thing you should know is KENZIE is perfect!
We have fallen in love with this precious baby girl and cannot wait to bring her home! Many have asked when that will be and honestly we have no idea. There has been so many variations in processed cases that we do not even have an estimated time. We will know more once our first decree is issued...but until then all we can do is trust and pray it is soon.
Leaving Kenzie was one of the hardest things I have ever done. My heart shattered into pieces when I had to say good-bye. Writing about it right now brings the tears and the emotions. Surviving over the next several weeks or months until we can bring her home is going to be so difficult. I ask for your prayers, support, and encouragement. I am going to do my best to focus on my family right now....these are our last days of being a family of 3. So I want to give Kyler the attention he needs before his world drastically changes too.
So Taiwan....
Everything was amazing. We had the chance to do some sight-seeing and a tiny bit of shopping. We mainly hung around THOGL and helped out with the babies. There are SO many babies there right now that they need all hands on deck. Plus it was important to keep Kenzie on their schedule since we would be leaving her.
Our social worker appointment and court appointment both went amazing. Richard and I were so nervous, but God went before us and all went smoothly.
Besides meeting Kenzie the highlight of the trip was meeting Kenzie's birthmother and grandmother. It was such a special meeting and God was glorified. There were lots of tears and questions...but we all left the meeting with a since of hope and love for each other. I am so thankful that I was able to take pictures to show Kenzie one day. What a special treasure that will be for her.
There is so much more to our trip that I want to share...but that is all I have the energy for right now. As a few of you know...when we got home (on Thursday) I got super sick. I call it my "jet lag curse". Everytime I come home from going somewhere internationally I get sick....vomiting and all of the not fun stuff that goes with that. I am finally feeling a little bit better this morning. Thank you Jesus!
Please Pray:
*Our paperwork will be processed quickly and decrees will be issued in record time. (It's been one week since court)
*The bonding that we started with Kenzie will not be completely lost
*That God will provide someone to travel with me on the second trip to pick up Kenzie. (We cannot financially afford for Richard to go so I am going to be traveling by myself.....it is very scary to think about traveling internationally by myself and then bringing a baby home internationally by myself. We know that God will give me the strength but it would be amazing if someone could go with me or we could come up with the money for Richard to go.)
*We have several adoptive family friends who are also waiting on decrees right now...please pray that they will get those decrees soon and that they can bring their babies home!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)