As the pace continues during this season, we all feel the increasing pressures and our family is certainly no exception. Our daughter is wrapping up the university's fall semester this week with her final exams. Our son is anticipating one more week of high school before a much deserved break. My husband is working hard at his job and trying to help me get projects completed. I am trying to keep the household running while running everywhere except at home...and feeling a bit overwhelmed. So it's a busy time but the blessings continue...and my, how they appear at just the right moment!
Yesterday I took a little break and had lunch with my friend, Judy. She is so supportive of our journey to our baby girl and she's one of those people that you just can't be around without smiling! This week had been a bit stressful and our lunch was such good medicine! What I had not shared with anyone at that point was that we received word just yesterday that some of the adoption expenses in China will greatly increase at the beginning of 2009 so our "walk of faith" has become more of an enormous "leap of faith" when I read that news. I had been holding this information inside until I could tell Tim and my heart was quite heavy about it. Like everyone else, we are experiencing the economy's effects and hearing about even more expenses just put a knot in my throat when I needed it the least.
At just the right time, though, a blessing was shared and I was reminded that we are not alone in this journey of life...adoption...economy...concerns...holiday stress...etc. As soon as Judy and I met, she handed me a beautiful pink gift bag and her smile illuminated the entire town! No kidding! :) I opened up the gift and there was the most adorable outfit for our little JennaBeth! It is an OshKosh pink "bib overall" set with a beautiful white shirt and I just hugged her...and it! For in that moment, I was reminded that we are not alone in the journey's challenges, mountains and valleys as we travel toward our baby girl/s. There are dear, dear people who are loving, praying, caring and encouraging us just when we need it most. Oh how my heart aches daily for our little girl/s. Oh how we miss her/them. Oh how we wish we could spend Christmas with our sweeties. But oh what a joy to know that as we wait, work, wonder and wish...we are given such dear blessings of true friends/family who love and pray us through! Thank you, Judy! I know that you don't do the things you do so that I will mention it on our blog. I know that your heart is one who praises God and glorifies Him in all that you do! Bless you, our dear friend! But I just had to share this perfect example of how God works things in His perfect timing, plan and people to help us keep moving toward our sweet baby girl/s!
I always strive to write positive thoughts and words on our blog. Yet at the same time, I must be realistic and share the concerns and challenges because the journeys of life, family and adoption are not always easy. But it is my deepest desire to share with you that in the middle of the struggles, concerns, frustrations or challenges...life is still a blessing! Holding on to those joys and blessings make all the difference as we continue our journey! So please understand that this is not about problems...but about praises we want to share with others along the way. We are so very thankful for all of you walking beside us, praying for our sweet baby girl/s, loving our family through this adventure...and cheering for us as we continue. It is our earnest desire to encourage you as wonderfully as you encourage us! Life is so much more meaningful as we walk together, isn't it?
So hang on, sweet baby girl/s! We have another adorable gift to share with you when we see you. It's going to be worth every step we take to finally meet you, hold you and bring you home. What amazing friends and family you will meet! What a gift you are to us already. What gifts these dear people are to us as we walk toward you! I miss you so much. Last night as I held the beautiful little outfit in my arms, your big brother, Micah, asked me what I was thinking. I asked him why? He quickly replied..."Mom, you had the biggest smile on your face when you were holding that!" Yes...I have some amazing reasons to smile...and life is blessed.
We thank God for each of you. We pray that we all remember that even when life isn't easy, it is always blessed! Thank you for blessing our journey!
Cherishing the blessings,
Terri & family
Jenna Elizabeth (aka "JennaBeth") Song Lorenz
Waiting For Our Little One To Come Home From China!
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Sunday, December 7, 2008
It's Almost Here...
Yes, it's almost here! The pace has begun. Yesterday we attended our town's annual Christmas parade in freezing cold and snowy white weather conditions. But that didn't seem to interfere with the season! (Of course, there was this most amazing young man in the high school marching band that we believe is the greatest trumpet player in the universe!) Ok...so it was our son but we are not one bit biased. :)
It's almost here! Just a few days ago, we traveled ninety miles one way to watch our alma mater's annual "Feast of Christmas" Dinner Theater/Music program. And there was a beautiful young lady who had to be the most amazing soprano on the entire planet! (Again, we are not biased but she just happens to be our daughter!) :) It didn't matter that it was cold outside and we didn't get home until way after midnight. The season has begun.
It's almost here. Today we're gathering the tree, ornaments, decorations and details to prepare for the Christmas season. The shopping has begun, (and we have more to do, for sure), and the plans are underway. The season has definitely begun to show all around us as homes, businesses and towns display their festive greetings.
Yet we are fully aware that as the season progresses, there are many folks struggling in multiple ways. The economy is affecting families severely. Friends have lost loved ones recently. Families are not always peaceful. Life is not always as we wish it would be. It seems the season simply magnifies the blessings...and yet the concerns...of life all around us.
Some would say that we must simply think positively and all will be ok. Others would resign to focusing on concerns alone. Some think of themselves only. Others ache for a hurting world and try to make a difference. Regardless of where we fit in those categories, the season is upon us and we must decide what this season means to us and how we will respond to it.
Oh, how I long for a perfect world. How I long for others to not hurt physically, emotionally, etc. How I wish that there was no disease, death, disappointment or despair in our world. How I long for everyone to get along and enjoy the gifts of life and love. How wonderful it would be if this world was one of peace.
And then I think...and wonder...and wish...and pray...and hope. For we are always "in a season" in our lives. We certainly don't have to wait until the end of the year to promote joy, hope, love and peace. We don't have to limit "good will" to others to a week or two in December. For how we live each moment, each day, each season is so very important. Yes...there will be seasons of pain, loss, sadness, confusion, discouragement and concern. But there are also reasons to hope, endure, share and love no matter what is going on within or around us.
As our family awaits the wonderful, amazing and incredible journey of our baby girl/s in the future, I am reminded of another precious baby who made His way to this earth many years ago. His life was not an easy one. He hurt. He had concerns. He was disappointed. He lost loved ones. He saw others who faced pain and disease. But His purpose continued and He made a difference! He still does. He was here for a season then. He is with us today. He will return later. Life is not just what surrounds us. It is Who lives within us!
Yes, there is an aching in my heart for our baby girl to be with us during this Christmas season. It's certainly not the same without her. But the time will come and it will be worth the wait and all that was involved until she joins our family. Likewise, there is an aching in my heart for our world as we see the cares and concerns of life obviously escaping no one. But we cannot forget that Baby born long ago. And He gives us hope in every season.
It's almost here. It IS here. There is hope for every season. May you and yours be blessed with peace, joy, hope and love during this Christmas season...and every season of your lives. You are never alone!
Blessings to you all with love,
Tim, Terri, Rachel & Micah
It's almost here! Just a few days ago, we traveled ninety miles one way to watch our alma mater's annual "Feast of Christmas" Dinner Theater/Music program. And there was a beautiful young lady who had to be the most amazing soprano on the entire planet! (Again, we are not biased but she just happens to be our daughter!) :) It didn't matter that it was cold outside and we didn't get home until way after midnight. The season has begun.
It's almost here. Today we're gathering the tree, ornaments, decorations and details to prepare for the Christmas season. The shopping has begun, (and we have more to do, for sure), and the plans are underway. The season has definitely begun to show all around us as homes, businesses and towns display their festive greetings.
Yet we are fully aware that as the season progresses, there are many folks struggling in multiple ways. The economy is affecting families severely. Friends have lost loved ones recently. Families are not always peaceful. Life is not always as we wish it would be. It seems the season simply magnifies the blessings...and yet the concerns...of life all around us.
Some would say that we must simply think positively and all will be ok. Others would resign to focusing on concerns alone. Some think of themselves only. Others ache for a hurting world and try to make a difference. Regardless of where we fit in those categories, the season is upon us and we must decide what this season means to us and how we will respond to it.
Oh, how I long for a perfect world. How I long for others to not hurt physically, emotionally, etc. How I wish that there was no disease, death, disappointment or despair in our world. How I long for everyone to get along and enjoy the gifts of life and love. How wonderful it would be if this world was one of peace.
And then I think...and wonder...and wish...and pray...and hope. For we are always "in a season" in our lives. We certainly don't have to wait until the end of the year to promote joy, hope, love and peace. We don't have to limit "good will" to others to a week or two in December. For how we live each moment, each day, each season is so very important. Yes...there will be seasons of pain, loss, sadness, confusion, discouragement and concern. But there are also reasons to hope, endure, share and love no matter what is going on within or around us.
As our family awaits the wonderful, amazing and incredible journey of our baby girl/s in the future, I am reminded of another precious baby who made His way to this earth many years ago. His life was not an easy one. He hurt. He had concerns. He was disappointed. He lost loved ones. He saw others who faced pain and disease. But His purpose continued and He made a difference! He still does. He was here for a season then. He is with us today. He will return later. Life is not just what surrounds us. It is Who lives within us!
Yes, there is an aching in my heart for our baby girl to be with us during this Christmas season. It's certainly not the same without her. But the time will come and it will be worth the wait and all that was involved until she joins our family. Likewise, there is an aching in my heart for our world as we see the cares and concerns of life obviously escaping no one. But we cannot forget that Baby born long ago. And He gives us hope in every season.
It's almost here. It IS here. There is hope for every season. May you and yours be blessed with peace, joy, hope and love during this Christmas season...and every season of your lives. You are never alone!
Blessings to you all with love,
Tim, Terri, Rachel & Micah
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