Once upon a time......

 Once upon a time there was a wise man

who used to go to the ocean

to do his writing.

He had a habit of walking

on the beach

before he began his work.

One day he was walking along

the shore.

As he looked down the beach,

he saw a human

figure moving like a dancer.

He smiled to himself to think

of someone who would

dance to the day.

So he began to walk faster

to catch up.

As he got closer, he saw

that it was a young man

and the young man wasn't dancing,

but instead he was reaching

down to the shore,

picking up something

and very gently throwing it

into the ocean.

As he got closer he called out,

"Good morning! What are you doing?"

The young man paused,

looked up and replied,

"Throwing starfish in the ocean."

"I guess I should have asked,

why are you throwing starfish in the ocean?"

"The sun is up and the tide is going out.

And if I don't throw them in they'll die."

"But, young man, don't you realize that

there are miles and miles of beach

and starfish all along it.

You can't possibly make a difference!"

The young man listened politely.

Then bent down, picked up another starfish

and threw it into the sea,

past the breaking waves and said-

"It made a difference for that one."

New Fundraising Page --

Added a new fundraiser page to our blog :-)

Look over there on the right ----------->
Do you see those links?
Those are the other pages to our blog....
Now check out the new Fund-raising Page to read an update....
Kinda big news!

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Make sure you type your e-mail address into our feedburner and all updates will be sent to your e-mail!

My heart is longing for an array of pixels

So excited for so many in our Connected by Congo group that are nearing the finish line. My heart and prayers are connected to faces and people I do not know. Yet, I stand on the sidelines as they run the race... cheering them on, praying for endurance and mercies along the way.... Praying for smooth appointments, piles of paperwork that will not need revision, VISA's issued without delay, and safe traveling mercies....

And as each new picture pops up here and there my heart squeezes a bit with a hope that soon I will receive an array of pixels that come together to show me a son that God has chosen for our family far before I even knew it. I find myself without words so many times to even grasp that He chose us for this. Some can not see past the price tag of adoption... I am probably blind by love but all I see is this amazing gift that God chose for our family and I am just accepting it... humbled, awed, and overwhelmed at what God is giving to me.

I must admit at the beginning of the journey I was a bit naive, thinking I was somehow saving a child. This is simply not so. If anything this child is saving me. Opening my eyes, stripping off my layers of ignorance, engaging me in divine moments that without him I would have missed.

My blood work finally came in. All our physical papers are in the mail for the home study. References are trickling in one by one - just a few last things on the check list for the home study....

Phase 3 of Home Study Complete!!

We had our home inspection on Friday - our last home study visit with J. until post placement.  We had a very nice visit.  My kids adore J. and had so much fun showing her our home.  Ryan gave her quite the show -- trying on every single super hero dress up outfit he owned -- and at times running by in just his whitey tighties.  Well, I can honestly say she got a great glimpse of how our normal life usually goes.  Aleigh even strummed her a few chords on her guitar.  Just a few paperwork things to wrap up and our physcials which are scheduled this week and our home study is very close to completion.  Is that not wonderful? 

Do you know what is so exciting!?.... Around 16 families will be traveling in the next few months from my agency to bring home their sons and daughters to their forever families.  How awesome is that?  Will you join with me praying for these families.  There already has been some unexpected complications with travel dates.  This can be a very emotional and trying times for families as they go in not knowing what to expect.  Especially pray for our director J. as she has so much she carries.  I seriously, very much, ask you to pray!  I totally believe in the power of prayer and my heart shares a burden with these families who are waiting...waiting...waiting... to bring their child/children home.

 

Interviews tomorrow!

Phase 2 of the Home Study happening tomorrow - Interviews!  I get to share my life story.  :-)

These little steps forward.... keep me going.....

I am not nervous as all get out like I was the first time around.  J. our caseworker was so nice.  She did her job and was professional but I instantly liked her. 

I thought of my little boy yesterday as the kids and I played down in the creek bed.  I just thought it might be a little more fun if there was another little boy there with us. 

It is Ryan who keeps getting my heart.  The other day snuggled up in my lap he told me he couldn't wait to get his new brother.  He then looked at me ever serious and said "Mom, I just wish I had lots of money to give to you so we could go get him right now!"  It was so sweet.  My heart melted all ooey gooey.  He just does not understand the process of adoption.  To be honest sometimes I don't either.

I am not the best at waiting.  Or being patient.  Just ask my husband.
I live in the world of instant gratification.

Yet, I have had such a peace through everything thus far. 
I am thankful for that.
Trusting in God's timing.

Government Shutdown??? Need to pray

What a Possible Government Shutdown Means for Adoptions
Article by AWAA Adopted by Designs (Click to read full article)

"As rumors of a possible shutdown of the U.S. Government increase, we wanted to take a few moments to pass along some information about how this may affect America World families. Currently, members of Congress are working with the Obama Administration to pass a budget for the 2011 fiscal year. If an agreement is not reached by midnight on Friday, April 8, parts of the federal government will close until a new budget is passed.

We are working to stay on top of the situation and to get accurate information about what adoption services will be affected if a shutdown occurs. It is important to remember that, at this point, a shutdown is only a possibility and is not guaranteed.

While the information coming out of Washington is unclear, what is known is that a shutdown would result in the furlough of any “non-essential” government personnel. It is unclear exactly which services are considered “essential,” but it appears that “essential” functions are those that the government considers necessary for the protection of human life and property (i.e. national security, air traffic control, medical care, etc.).

Unfortunately, it appears that the Department of State and USCIS will be affected if a shutdown occurs. Information that we received from a recent meeting held at the Department of State indicated that furloughs will affect many staff who work with adoptions at DOS, USCIS, and embassy and consulate offices around the world. Embassies will be officially “closed” during the shutdown, meaning that embassy staff will not be able to serve the public during this time. If this happens, delays in processing paperwork and completing adoptions are likely."

This will affect all families that are in the process of adopting.  I know so many that are planning to travel soon and have already waited so long.  So this article this morning wrenched my heart.  Once again giving all the unknowns to God.....praying fervently to continue to be voice for the orphans who are waiting to be with their forever families.

Just wanted to share this information and prayer request.  

On a side note: Craig and I did our fingerprinting yesterday.  One step closer to completing our home study.

Also I added another page to my blog if you check out the right hand side bar you can navigate to my other pages.  I now have one with our testimony timeline and then added another one all about DRC.

Focus on the Family Broadcast

This was a very informative broadcast from Focus on the Family about the challenges of adoption/foster care. This is a great video to watch for not only the family that is adopting/has adopted but for the family and church family that is supporting someone that is. It helps to understand what they can do to help.



Would love to hear your thoughts on all of this. Different things I pulled out were:

• Be willing to make a fool out of yourself and get right to their level. Don't fix it, listen and identify. Repeat, repeat, repeat

• Touch is important to the bonding process (I love orange scented cleansers)

• Limit interaction and the importance of cocooning

• Embrace the fears - Information and Knowledge will help you with your fears and then press through in spite of your fears.

• The Christian life is about risk - "It is not about me" This is what the child needs

• Do not react to their reaction - Baby Steps - Swimming is good - Don't force it, give the child what he/she needs - Go slow and build on their responses