Trip to Cincinnati....Accomplished....Again!!!

Today was another step forward to our precious JennaBeth (EmmaKate?) and I am happy to report that it went well. Tim, Rachel and I made yet another trip to the USCIS office in Cincinnati this morning to update our fingerprints again! I believe this was either our third or fourth trip for fingerprinting. And it was a peaceful and uneventful day!

Our appointments were at 10 am (Tim) and 11 am (Rachel and me). But we were all walking out of the USCIS office around 10:15 am...all finished! Yay! We didn't get lost going into the city. We didn't get lost leaving the city. It was a great day. We even had some good conversation with security guards at the Federal Building as well as one of the workers in the USCIS office. So we considered it a very productive and peaceful step toward our baby girl/s.

It never ceases to amaze me how God continues to take care of each step of this journey. There are always people who help us along the way as we find offices, complete documents, update, update and update some more. It is obvious that we are never alone in our journey. Thank you, God!

We often are asked how much longer this process will take. The answer is always, "We don't know." But...we do know that we are much closer to traveling to China than ever before. Much can change in the timing, but it is our guess that we may be on our way to our baby girl/s sometime next spring or summer. We contacted the agency in March of 2006, applied to adopt in July of 2006, sent our Dossier in March of 2007 and were logged in on April 13, 2007. Technically, we began this journey over four years ago and have been logged in over 39 months. So another year of waiting seems much closer to us than when we first began. :) We know God's timing, design and plan are much better than our own. So we wait...and trust...and update...and pray...and know that it will be worth it all when our little one/s are in our arms...and in our family forever!

Thank you for your continued prayers, love and encouragement. Thank you for joyfully anticipating the announcement and arrival of our little Jenna Elizabeth *Chinese Name* Lorenz (JennaBeth)....and perhaps even our little Emma Katherine *Chinese Name* Lorenz, (EmmaKate) too. The journey has been long...much longer than we anticipated. But it continues to be a tremendous Journey of Blessings every step of the way. We thank God for this opportunity that only He could have orchestrated, directed, provided and allowed. And we thank each of you as you walk beside us.

Hold on, little one/s. We made another step toward you today. Oh, how we love you and miss you. Daddy, Mommy, Rachel and Micah are so eager to welcome you home. But for now, as always, you are loved and cherished deeply in our hearts. What a blessed day it will be when you are home with us...forever!
Cherishing another step,
Terri & family

And Another Step Forward...To Cincy...Again!

There's another step forward planned in our journey to our little girl/s. Just today, we received word from USCIS (Homeland Security) that Tim, Rachel and I have appointments for re-fingerprinting! Every prayer concern we had was answered beautifully and abundantly.

First, our appointments are once again in the Cincinnati office! Yay!!! This is closer and much more familiar to us since all of our fingerprinting appointments have been at this office and not in Louisville. So we are very happy about that.

Second, it is on a day that will not interfere with any major scheduling conflicts such as vacation time, Tim's work schedule, other appointments, etc.. Rachel may have to adjust her work schedule a little that day but it should work out quite easily.

Third, our appointments are often very early in the morning. We usually have to leave home around 6 am to arrive there promptly. But this time our appointments allow us to leave a bit later than that. Yay! So we should miss the heavy Cincy morning traffic, as well as lunch hour traffic and evening traffic. We are so grateful!

We are confident that your prayers and the hand of God have provided yet another positive step in this journey. I can't imagine walking through this without God's love, provision, peace, assurance and perfect plan. Nor can I imagine walking through this without you, our dear family and friends who pray, care, encourage and love us through this amazing season of our lives.

We have been reminded so much lately that God's timing and design are much better than we ever realized. We are now the proud parents of a Kentucky Christian University Senior, (our daughter, Rachel), and a University of Kentucky Freshman, (our son, Micah). We are preparing for their moves to college this fall and while it is exciting, it is also a major adjustment for all of us. Yet, neither child will be more than two hours away from home and both will be visiting home regularly. (After all, dirty laundry does accumulate!) :) Yet, we will stay very busy between the time they leave for college and the time we go to China to meet our little daughter/s. I have lots of studying to do as well as lots of projects to complete here at home. We will visit our kiddos at the universities. And Tim and I will enjoy some time "recharging" as we prepare for "round two" of parenthood. :) It's an awesome journey!

So, Cincinnati, here we come....again. And JennaBeth, (EmmaKate?), we're taking one more major step toward bringing you home. Hold on, sweeties, we're closer than ever before! Meanwhile, know that Daddy & Mommy are getting so excited as we prepare for our journey to you in China as well as the journey when we will bring you home. We love you so much...and we will see you soon.

What a journey this has become. What faithful family and friends you are as you walk beside us with your love and prayers. What an awesome God who continues to provide and lead us toward our little daughter/s in China. This is truly...an indescribable Journey of Blessings!
Cherishing another step forward....
Terri & family ♥