Family!

This past month we have had so much fun together as a family! Yesterday John and I celebrated our 12th wedding anniversary. It is amazing to think that one of the big reasons we decided to get married was to have a family together. The last few years of having Lucy part of our life has surely been the greatest blessing we could have ever asked for. Recently someone asked us why we adopted. Wow, to sum it up in a short answer is nearly impossible but really looking back at the years of infertility struggles and frustrations we now clearly see it was the lords plan for our life. As time has past our hearts have become aware and tender to orphans and knowing this both of us are willing to follow the lords calling to care for them. This photo might say it all. She asked her daddy to be her prince for Halloween.

Upon returning from China with Lucy we both secretly discussed doing it again if the money was available. With a few little things falling into place we together grabbed hands and decided once again to jump in! We fully trust and know that exciting things are about to happen to care for Wyatt.

In the last few weeks we have had James 1:27 which reads Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you. It is so clear that work needs to be done.

So last month it all came together. I was asked at work to sell some of my knitting and then a few days later I received a box of clothing from my friend Marie Bond for Wyatt. It hit me like a brick to the forhead when I discovered one of the tags on the shirt read YOU FOUND ME!

Of course I cried and then ran downstairs to begin a facebook page to post my knitting for money to help adoptions. In my first two weeks I have had so many blessings that I just can't explain. People donated over 30 bundles of yarn, I have mail orders for over $330 (the exact amount of Wyatts passport), a volunteer knitter (Jenny Van Meter from work) and a ladies house party that wiped out my entire inventory:) I addition I had several friends give us checks towards our mission.

 It is over whelming.

As we wait for the RA (final approval before travel) I am encouraged. I am glowing to share what all the lord is doing in our family!I promise to post more soon.

 

Tea cups to Tonka trucks

When we got home from China with Lucy we never dreamed that we would be returning. In fact when our social worker did Lucy's final visit we were told if we renewed our homestudy right then that it would be much cheaper for a second adoption. I remember jb and I looking at one another thinking we weren't sure we could afford the $250 application fee never mind the thousands we didn't have. In my heart I knew that if the money were available we would do it again in a heart beat!

Well two weeks later the door opened and the lord made it clear that this was his plan for our family! Jb's favorite saying is "wanna make God laugh, tell him your plans". So for the second time we began the dreadful paperchase and tasks of our homestudy. Months had past and several unexpected delays came and of course set backs, times of discouragement and frustrations all came and past. We stayed faithful to what we felt was the lord speaking to our hearts. Trusting on his provision, patients and timing.

Although it took a bit longer on finding a child, On August 22nd we accepted a referral of a little boy 3 years old from Baoji City, Shaanxi China. He like Lucy is special needs (according to China) and had a small hernia repaired about a year ago. When I saw his little face I knew instantly as I did with Lucy that he is ours!!In fact the first photo of both of them they are in the same exact position with an arm raised in the air.

So as we patiently wait once again for the offial referral certificate and travel approval I thought it would be a perfect time to update our blog and ask our friends and family to join us in praying for our journey to get our son: Chen Huanqing soon to be Wyatt Brown.

In the next 6-8 weeks when I am anxious to get our luggage packed and take off, I am going to gently remind myself to stop and just enjoy my time with my husband and beautiful daughter. It is the last of just the three of us as a family!

buckle up.

Ready for Wyatt!

With any adoption there is a vision, a death and a resurrection. I love looking back and seeing the hand of the lord in our story. Although that is Easier said when the result is in front of you.

Last month while at work I was heart broken when I noticed my jade bracelet that I bought with the intention of wearing it every single day until i gave it away to my daughter on her wedding day, was laying broken on the floor. I was crushed wondering how and why this could happen. My dear husband awoke the next morning eagor to share that he lay awake figuring out that the only reason could be that it broke in two because a second child was ready!

I lack in patients but during this waiting stage It has been revealed to me that we are being prepared for another family member. Our hearts are open and our guest room has transformed into a little boys room. It is full of family memories and trinkets of both Johns dad and my dads. We mutually agree that when john and I pass we will leave behind little money but an entire legacy through the chance we provided in our adopted children. I know that I won't be living in regret wishing I would have done it again if...

John informed me that If we can afford it he wants 3-5 Chinese kids in our forever family. I say let's get thru the 2nd and to be careful what you ask for. With several files of little boys reviewed so far we have not come across our next family member. In waiting my greatest hope is that I can be used to encourage someone else to follow our path in adoption. I trust in the lords great plan and anxiously wait for that to be revealed. We are ready to share the love we have for a little orphan boy waiting in China for us.

Stay tuned:)

A family for you!

Tonight I write with good news... We have completed our homestudy and submitted our waiting child application. This is an enormous process and with honesty it has been much harder this time around. I admit the tedious paperwork and multiple trips to the doctor, notary and endless hours of paperwork and classes there were times I was ready to just say "forget it".

That was until last night when I read this blog by our adoption agency, titled "Is there a family for you" please look it up. Go to http://www.awaa.org/ then go to the bottom and click BLOG. It was a beautifully written article about families adopting boys from China.

In the last couple of weeks Jb, Ladybug Lucy and I have been praying for another child to join our family. A short few days, maybe a week or so ago we finally began to feel that our hearts are ready. So over the last week, I realize I am nesting. My closets are being cleaned, projects and decorating ideas have started and most of all the peace of knowing right here on Monmouth Road in Convoy is a family waiting for him.

Adoption is by far the worst for someone like me who lacks patients and wants immediate results. It has it's moments but I know and trust tonight the lord is preparing us here along as half way across the world for a match to be made. I fully trust in his perfect plan and am ready for the call.

Adoption is a beautiful thing and I along with our family am so blessed. I hope to be updating our next post with either a face or a name and or finding this article to encourage someone out there to adopt:)

Good night Moon!

Thankful
It might be Corny but here is my list!
I serve an awesome God.
I am back to running (after 10 years since I completed the NYC marathon) I am up to 3miles 3x a week and feel great!
I was asked to speak at a public event on Dec 12 about our adoption.
Lucy is the joy of my life, She does cart wheels, wears pig tails and got promoted at swim lessons this week.
We finally received her passport and she is officially ready to travel to China!
Jb is the rock of our family, spiritual leader, financial provider and a terrific father!
We completed our 8 hour parenting class.
My dad is coming to visit us this week and he is going to help install a new garage door opener.
I have a two day work week.
I bought some really fun winter boots and can't wait to go sledding.
My house is clean and I am no longer sick so I can return from the guest room back to my BED!

And the chase begins!

 NEWS FLASH! Today we received Lucy's official Ohio State Birth Certificate. Yes, the actual document!! It only took 10 months, more tedious paperwork and $1,100.00 dollars. All that matters is that we have it!So tomorrow we will be going to CVS for passport photo's and then mail in the application Tuesday morning. It is official that we are beginning our second adoption.

Watch out China here we come!

circles!

Tonight our family came full circle!

If you ask lucy she'd say that her sheets on her bed are circles, but tonight was surely a wonderful Circle of life. In May of 2006 I tried to convince Jb to adopt and it was the video of Steven Curtis Chapman's family adoption story that touched Jb's heart in a way I will never forget. Right in our living room we watched the DVD from America World Adoption Agency and it was because of his testimony that we began the process.

Jump to The Van Wert County Fair the day before Labor day we were walking through the Commercial Building when we stumbled upon Jerry Beard at the Niswonder Performing Arts (PAC) table advertising Steven Curtis Chapman (SCC) concert in good old Van Wert! Jb purchased our tickets and Jerry explained that he may be able to arrange for us to meet SCC. How amazing!

As the weeks past before the concert we discussed how special it would be to attend. I made a little sign for Lucy to hold up during the show that reads "I'm adopted b/c of U SCC". Last week Jb received a lovely call from Jerry informed us that he made it happen and we will get to meet SCC back stage after the show for a special meet /greet!

So tonight we attended the show as a family! What a sweet time of praise and worship music along with great stories and mission work for orphans through SCC's organization called Show Hope. Please check it out as it supports orphans and families who want to adopt. After the show we got to meet SCC. We hugged him and Thanked him for helping our family make the decision to adopt. He will never know what an impact he has made to our family. He signed her scrap book "Lucy, you are a special treasure! SCC". We are ever grateful to Jerry for making the arrangements for us to meet SCC, it surely is a night our family will never forget and will cherish in our hearts forever!

 I took a couple of things from the concert. SCC's mother's favorite bible verse is Proverbs 3 vs 5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your paths. Thus being the very verse I clung to in the weeks prior to leaving for China when I doubted the finances would be provided and worried about every little detail of our trip.

And last, A song called "do everything" that recently hit #1. It is in everything that we do that we need to honor and follow the Lord. If only we listed and followed great things would come our way.