A Christmas Eve Eve Update!

Merry Christmas Eve Eve, everyone! As we prepare for this wonderful celebration of our Lord's birth, we wish you a very Merry Christmas! Today is the day before Christmas Eve...Christmas Eve Eve, as we call it. Due to a power outage last night, I am behind schedule in some preparations but hopefully I will get caught up today.

Yes...a power shortage occurred in our county last night and it was very, very dark in our neighborhood...even around 6 pm.. As I was lighting candles around the house, I was reminded how much the darkness is pierced with a single glow of light from a candle. Of course with my analytical mind, I made a comparison to life with that. :) But it is true. No matter how dark life can be at times, a single glow of light makes all the difference! A hug from a friend, an unexpected phone call, a note of encouragement, a moment of good news....are all wonderful blessings on a long and weary journey. At just the right time, we are encouraged, refreshed and renewed by a relatively simple reminder that the journey continues in His perfect plan and timing.

As I shared with you recently, our last few months have been challenging. In fact, 2011 has been full of blessings but there have been some interesting "detours" in our journey, as well. So we are always thrilled when precious "lights" illuminate our path along the way. Today is no exception.

First, we are reminded that our lives are never without purpose, love, hope, peace and joy. The fact that God's own Son became a baby in a manger so He could come to save us is amazing! God...with skin on...here on Earth...to love us and sacrifice Himself for us...so we can be with Him eternally...is a tremendous Light on our journey! That's what Christmas...and life are all about! Our lives are never the same when we hold onto that truth! I hope we are all able to realize and remember that in the midst of so many activities during the Christmas season...and beyond.

Additionally, we received news today from our adoption agency. Our initial Travel Letter has already been sent back to China. The agency said they would let us know when, (not if, but when), the new Travel Letter arrives! That sounds so very hopeful! That means we should have an extension of three months to trust, prepare and anticipate the long-awaited trip to China to meet, hold and bring our baby daughter home. How precious that on Christmas Eve Eve, we celebrate the coming of our Lord....and the news of another baby who will enter our lives in a few months! Wow...thank You, God!

So...our hearts are filled with more light...and joy...and celebration today. Our very long journey seems to have brightened at just the right time! Seeing little Jenna Beth Song's ornament displayed on our tree...and a precious Panda Bear toy her brother placed under the tree for her...are tangible reminders of the beauty and hope of Christmas.

Merry Christmas Eve Eve, dear family and friends! Cherish this season...and the message it brings to all of us each moment of every day of our lives. We thank God for you...and for the gift of hope.
Cherishing His Light in the journey,
Terri & Family

A Glimpse of Hope...

It's exactly one week before Christmas and life is busy, as always. The tree is up. Wreaths are hanging on the doors. Secrets are held close with smiles, mystery and laughter. Last minute trips to the store are planned with "just one more thing" to add to the list. Christmas music fills the air and our family enjoys each moment of being together...again...finally.

We are enjoying the Season...the celebration of our Lord's birth. We are enjoying the Hope that His Presence brings into our lives. We are once more reminded that because God loved, He gave...and a precious Baby Boy traveled here from Heaven to bring eternal Hope, Love, Joy and Peace.

We are thrilled. Our Rachel is moving back to our town soon to begin her new job at the local hospital. As we make moving arrangements, apartment arrangements & packing arrangements...we are so glad that she will no longer be over 120 miles away...but around six miles instead. There's just something about having family closeby to share life with in good times and not so good times. There's truly no place like home.

We are thankful. Micah's long and challenging semester at UK has come to a close and he feels a sense of accomplishment and relief. He is now home for three weeks and we love having him closeby. He brings so much joy to our lives and we cherish each moment he is with us. As I watched him put up the Christmas tree recently to surprise his Dad, I thanked God for our precious children who are amazing gifts from God.

We are encouraged. Our adoption agency believes that China MAY extend our travel time another three months since we are going through so many schedule conflicts presently. Hopefully...we can bring yet another precious daughter home from China sometime in early spring. We continue to seek God's direction, provision and protection as we face more "faith-building" challenges with documents, health, expenses, etc.. But we know we are never alone because God still holds us...and all these challenges...in HIS hands.

We are blessed. Although our 2011 has been full of challenges and unexpected situations, we are truly blessed to have amazing family, friends and faith that carry us through each moment. We believe that Hope changes everything...and we choose to focus on Hope through Him no matter what lies ahead.

May you find hope, joy, peace and love in this season and in each moment of your journey. We appreciate you...and your continued prayers so very much. Know that you are always in our hearts, thoughts and prayers, as well.
Cherishing the blessing of Hope in Him,
Terri & Family

A Long Overdue Update...

Well, it seems like a very long time has passed since I last wrote on our blog. Much has happened and I apologize for the delay. I don't really know where to begin so please bear with me as I try to explain.

To say that our adoption journey has been a rollercoaster ride recently is a major understatement. We have been so thrilled about the Referral of Song to our family. We truly hoped that we would have her home...or almost home...at this point. But that is not the case so far.

Once the Referral was made, we received our Pre-Approval, Letter of Acceptance and Travel Letter very quickly. However, there were repeated issues with our USCIS form that made our trip to China impossible in the expected time frame. It has been frustrating but we kept working...and working...and calling...USCIS...and we hope it has been resolved for now.

However...in the meantime...other issues have developed and, quite frankly, we do not know what will happen in our adoption journey in the coming weeks or months. We will not be able to travel in the alloted time frame due to a vital surgery date in our family. Other concerns have presented themselves, as well. So...our hearts are aching and our prayers are rising continually.

We love little Song so much. We have her pictures on our fridge, on our cell phones and have shared them with relatives and friends. We have named her...and have received gifts for her. Yet...we realize that the present complications could cause major obstacles in our adoption process. We have been so stressed over this...and our hearts ache over what may...or may not...happen.

Our journey of blessings has been very long...extensive...expensive...and intense. It is so easy to begin asking "whys" and "hows" at this point. However, we know that we began this journey trusting God...and we will continue to trust Him in this season, as well. He knows what is best...for Song...for our family...and for His honor and glory. Only He knew that the initial adoption "estimated journey" of eighteen months to two years...would turn into almost triple that time frame...as we begin to see the six year mark next spring/summer. Only He knew the twists, turns and reasons for each step of the journey, And only He knows how this journey will proceed. He is the God of yesterday, today and tomorrow...and we have trusted Him long before this journey began...and each moment since then. And we trust Him now..and in the future. We simply ask you one thing...

Please, please pray. Please pray for His will in all of this. Please pray for what is HIS will in little Song's life. Please pray for what is His will in the lives of our family. Please pray that our hearts, minds and lives will know peace, hope and joy in Him through it all. If He allows Song to join our family, please pray that He will work as only He can to make it happen on every level. If His plan is otherwise, please pray that we will accept, trust and believe completely in His plan...even when we don't know what lies ahead. Please pray that He will hold little Song in His loving arms to protect and provide for her always. And please pray that He will always be first and foremost in her life and in ours.

I will try to keep you updated better than I have done recently. I was quite ill the entire month of November. Our daughter was also ill and was brought home to recover. She now has a job change and a move back to our town in the near future...and our son is finishing his week of finals this week. Tim is working long hours and so much continues to keep us busy. Of course, it is Christmastime and we have much to do as we prepare for that.

May your Christmas be blessed...and your New Year be healthy, happy and holy. May your journey of blessings be peaceful, purposeful and postive. May you always know that you matter to God and to us. Thank you for your prayers as we continue our journey of blessings in His perfect plan.
Cherishing the blessing of trusting in Him,
Terri & Family

Update for Prayers...

Well, the excitement continues as we move forward in this process. It is definitely thrilling...overwhelming...concerning...and amazing. After all this time, everything is moving very quickly.

I do need to ask for your specific prayers. First, there is a paperwork issue. It was unexpected but is extremely important. So we ask your prayers for that issue to be resolved very soon. God can handle it. It is vital to obtain this document in order to travel. Your prayers are most appreciated.

Second, please continue to pray for little JennaBeth Song. She is about to enter a different season with a new family she has never met, traveling to a country where she has never been and make many more adjustments in her young life. It's difficult for adults to adjust so I can only imagine how she will feel when everything she knows changes. Please pray for her to find peace, comfort and ease as her life changes so quickly.

Please pray for our family. It is a very busy, hectic, overwhelming and yet frustrating time on many levels. We have so much to accomplish in such a small amount of time. So we ask you to pray for God to prepare our hearts, minds, bodies and home as we draw so close to this highly anticipated season. Please pray for Him to provide all the many needs involved. There is so much to put in place in the coming weeks.

We are thankful for all of you who are involved with us on this journey. You are true blessings. What a difference it makes to know that we are NEVER alone as we face a major time of transition, challenges, demands and plans. We truly feel God has placed many of you in our path as He works so beautifully to bring this precious little girl into our Forever Family.

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. Please continue and know that we are thinking about and praying for you!
Cherishing this exciting journey to our little Song...
Terri & Family

MORE Exciting News!!!

Wow!!! Tim and I are in shock, to say the least! On October 13, we found out we had "Pre-Approval" for little Song. What that means is that China had her "on hold" for our family and they would be reviewing all of our documents before the final approval that everything is in order to adopt this precious child. Our advocate told us that we could expect to wait one to three months before receiving our "Letter of Acceptance" from China...the long-awaited document that confirms total approval. So...we estimated that we would probably hear something around December or January and then travel in January or February.

Today proved God's timetable far exceeds our own! Just a few days past one week after getting the Pre-Approval, our LOA arrived at the adoption agency for the Lorenz family to adopt little Song! What could have taken one to three months was processed in a little over a week! Now we prepare to make travel plans! This could be within six to eight weeks...approximately somewhere in the middle to end of December! We will let you know more as we know more.

Please pray for little Song as she waits for us to arrive in China...to hold her in our arms, to do all the necessary paperwork in China...and to bring her home. Please pray for us as we work VERY quickly to prepare a nursery...and to prepare to fly to China! There is so much that needs to be done! We trust God for His plan in our lives, His provision for all our present and future needs and for His protection for our little daughter in China...and all of our family waiting here for her. Please also pray for all the workers in the USA and PRC who are helping to bring our Forever Family together. From the depths of our hearts, we are very grateful for Song's birthparents who have shared this amazing blessing with us in a way far beyond anything I could ever imagine. They will never be forgotten, will always be in our hearts and forever in our prayers.

Thank You, God, for the gift of Song...and for all You are doing to touch our lives forever...as we learn more and more about Your love. Thank You for all the wonderful family members and friends...and workers all over the world who have helped in this journey of countless blessings! May all we do, say and live reflect Your love, hope, joy, peace and grace. Please hold little Song closely as we plan to travel soon to China to bring her home!

Jenna Elizabeth Song Lorenz..."JennaBeth Song"....it's now a matter of weeks before we will hold you in our arms....and prepare to bring you home! We know God is holding you in His arms...while we hold you in our hearts! Hold on, sweetie! We'll see you soon...and love you forever! Your Daddy, Mommy, Big Sis Rachel and Big Brother Micah love you very much! Welcome to our family...forever!
Cherishing this amazing journey to Song....
Terri & Family

Picture # 3 Of JennaBeth Song Lorenz...Outdoors!

Picture # 2 Of JennaBeth!

Here She is...."JennaBeth Song" Lorenz! :)

We Have An Announcement!!!!!! :)

We have the official word from China! Tim, Terri, Rachel and Micah Lorenz would like to announce that China has pre-approved our family to adopt a precious little girl named Song! As soon as I can get to it, I will post the pictures of Jenna Elizabeth "JennaBeth" Song Lorenz. This is the news we have been waiting for over five years! Wow!!!

We may wait another one to three months for the "LOA"...which is the Letter of Acceptance from China that EVERYTHING has been approved. Our agency advocate believes this will happen without any problems since our Dossier has already been reviewed a lonnnnng time ago and there were no issues at that time.

We are a MAJOR step forward now in bringing our little "JennaBeth Song" Lorenz home! Please continue to pray! God is so great and we are so blessed! Thank you for continuing to pray during this entire journey and in the months ahead! We are amazed...and blessed.

I will work on those pics as soon as possible!
Cherishing God's amazing gift of "Song!"
Terri & Family

Waiting for the Official Word!!!

As usual, our journey involves many times of demanding deadlines....and then the times of wondering and waiting. This part is no exception. We continue to wait for the official word from China that we are "pre-approved" for the little girl whose Referral we accepted two weeks ago. Our advocate at the agency said this part usually goes through without a problem. Plus, our Dossier was already a long time ago with no concerns. So it seems to be a wait for official word more than anything else.

Are we excited? Absolutely...thrilled beyond words, actually! Is this part of the journey tough to endure now that we have seen this precious little girl's face and read all about her? It's a mixed blessing. We are so excited to know her name, face, information shared from China, age, etc. and are now much more familiar with this precious little sweetheart than ever before. Yet....we know God's perfect timing in bringing her home to us is always best. We have trusted Him in this journey for over five years. We can certainly trust Him in the remaining months before we hold her in our arms for the very first time.

I look so forward to sharing her picture with you as soon as possible. I look forward to letting you know more about her personality, preferences, etc.. But...I truly believe that this time of waiting before we are able to do so...has great purpose. So we wait until official word is received from China and our agency...and we use this time to pray on multiple levels.

For now, I ask you to pray for our little one....for all the people who are working so hard in the PRC and USA to take care of her and prepare for her to come home with us...and for God to be honored through each step of the way. May our hearts, lives, family, preparations, home and every plan ahead be in accordance with His will, design and purpose. Please pray for our family. There is so very much to do here. But may our focus always be on drawing closer to Him and His will for our lives in this amazing journey. He will supply our every need as we draw closer to our trip to China. He will supply our every need as we prepare the nursery. He will supply our every need as we begin preparing to parent another beautiful blessing to call our child, a true gift from God. He will take care of all that lies before us...and all that our little sweetheart in China faces as she begins a new life with her family here. He will also help me prepare to board many airplanes when I have never flown before! :) Thankfully, Tim has flown so I am relieved to know that one of us knows more about that part!

So now...as we wait for yet another portion of our journey of blessings, we thank God for drawing us closer and closer to Him through it all. There have been many lessons learned so far. We thank Him for teaching us about His love for us through adoption. We thank Him for each family member, friend, doctor, nurse, agency worker, office worker and prayer warrior who faithfully choose to be a tremendous part of our journey each day. We thank Him for those of you who care about us in ways that touch our hearts deeply through each step along the way. We thank Him for those of you who never leave us alone on this journey and who shower us with your love so genuinely and consistently. It has been a lonnnnng journey and knowing we could lean on you when we were weary, searching or overwhelmed...has been amazing! We thank Him for working through your hearts, minds, words and lives when we needed you most! Thank you! This journey of blessings is not just about bringing a precious little girl home to be a part of our Forever Family...although that is a wonderful part of it! This journey of blessings is living proof that God cares, directs, works and blesses us in each step of life whether we see the details ahead...or even more likely...when we don't have a clue how it is all going to work out on many levels. But He does...and He is always with us...and He works His plan and purposes out in beautiful, unexpected and incredible ways far beyond anything we ever imagine. We simply need to trust Him...be still...and wait for Him. After all, it's not about our lives or our plans...it's about Him...and what He has brought us into this world and on this journey to do for Him.

Please know that we continue to thank Him for you and we ask that He will bless each journey you experience in life. May you always know that you are never alone and always loved by Him. May your journey be blessed as richly as you continue to bless our journey. I will definitely keep you updated as we learn more.
Cherishing the purpose and plan He has in another season of waiting...
Terri & family

A Very Special Day....as we celebrate Rachel's 23rd Birthday!

Today is full of memories, love, joy and blessings. It is a day that celebrates the amazing time when our first daughter entered this world...twenty-three years ago! It is so hard to believe that it was that long ago...but it has been an amazing twenty-three years and we are so thankful!

Happy Birthday, Rachel Victoria! We are so proud of you. What a beautiful, amazing, intelligent, funny, talented and tenderhearted young lady you are as you touch this world with so much love! You changed our lives forever and we thank God every day for you.

It's been an amazing journey so far. We have gone through kindergarten, grade school, middle school, concerts, high school, learning to drive, four proms, your first car, relationships, four years at KCU, vacations, Nursing boards, your first full-time job, moving you away from home, (sniff, sniff), and watching you grow, learn, love and live to touch others for your God. What an incredible journey and we can hardly wait to see what God has in store for you next.

Please know that no matter where you live, no matter how old you are, no matter what's going on in your life...you are loved...unconditionally! We are so very proud of you. May you remember that you are never alone and always loved...and always a part of our lives, home, family and hearts.

Happy Birthday, Rachel Victoria Lorenz! You are a tremendous gift from God! There's never a day that I don't thank Him for you, pray for you, love you and wish the very best for you. I love you, Princess! ~Mom
Celebrating our daughter Rachel,
Terri and Family

Wonderful News!!!! And a Beautiful Reason to Pray!

Yay, God!!!! It is my pleasure to share with you some wonderful and exciting news! More than ever before, we ask your prayers for a precious little girl in China...and a family in Kentucky praying to bring her home!

Last Monday evening at 10:10 p.m., the phone rang and I answered, quickly realizing that it was our SN advocate from the adoption agency. Deep within, I thought..."Hmmmm, surely this isn't what I think it might be!" But...indeed it was! Our Special Needs advocate told me that she had a little girl for us that she had "locked in" on China's newly released list! She told me that she would email us this little one's pictures and medical records for us to consider. I was surprised, excited and yes...even peaceful as I realized that this may very well be our new daughter in the very near future.

Tim was at work for the evening. Rachel was working at the hospital. I was home alone...and Micah was in his apartment in Lexington. I immediately called Micah and told him to watch for the email I was sending that might be his future little sister. As I opened the email from the agency, I immediately saw several pictures...and my heart melted with overflowing joy, hope, peace and love. I listened as Micah opened the email...and he immediately said, "Oh, Mom...she's adorable!" :) We discussed each picture of her and then I began reading the records about her personality, behavior, health, etc.. I was so thankful that Micah was walking through this amazing moment with me! I messaged Tim to call home as soon as possible...and I called Rachel at work. Before long we were all "ooooohing and ahhhhhing" at the pictures of this beautiful, smart, adorable, petite little girl who needs a Forever Family....like us. :)

On Tuesday, we had to contact the agency and let them know if we were choosing to pursue the adoption of this little girl. (There is a very limited amount of time to do so or she would be returned to the list for others to consider her for adoption.) That meant we would need to complete more paperwork, consult our doctors to review her health records, and prepare for further steps in the process in order to request for China to "hold" her for us on an extended basis. It was a very special, exciting and yet stressful time, to say the least. But most importantly, it was time to pray for God's obvious and very clear answers as we decided whether or not to pursue this little girl to become our future daughter.

I am thrilled to tell you that all doctors we consulted were in agreement that this little girl should live a normal, healthy life. All the friends whom we confidentially asked to pray for this little one and the decision before us...felt peaceful and positive about the possibility. And each family member here...Dad, Mom, Sister and Brother...has felt that God has brought this specific little girl into our lives for a very obvious purpose.

So...we immediately began working on paperwork, continued to talk with doctors, our social worker, advocate, etc....and it is wonderful to be able to share with you that as of this moment, our paperwork has been sent to China to request their acceptance of our family to become this little girl's Forever family.

I cannot tell you that it is definite yet for we will not hear anything until next week. The CCCWA is closed this week for a holiday and they will not be back in until next week. But as soon as we receive confirmation, I will introduce you to more specific details and pictures of this precious little girl. I can tell you that she is absolutely beautiful and that she even looks like our family! As our children even said, she would fit right in! :) We have been advised to not reveal her name, pictures, etc. until we have definite confirmation. But I assure you that as soon as we have the word, we will share all we can with you about this little sweetheart.

Until then, we wait.....and pray that if it is God's obvious and perfect will, we will bring this little girl home sometime in the next few months...possibly somewhere between mid-December and February. Would you please pray that God will direct us in the way that honors Him the most and allows this little girl the kind of life and care she deserves?

Please remember that NOTHING is definite at this point. What we do have is a Referral which means that we have been given the option of accepting or declining a specific little girl from China. Until we accept and hear China's confirmation to allow us to adopt her, we will not be able to tell you that it is certain. But we are definitely very close to seeing this very long dream become a reality. We have been working over five years in this process and our Dossier was logged in 54 months ago! So it has been a long journey but one that is definitely in His hands!

Please pray for this precious little one as she continues to grow and wait for her Forever Family. Please pray for all those involved in the USA and PRC who work so hard to bring precious children and Forever Families together. Please pray for our family as we seek God's continued direction, protection and provision in this journey. Please pray that above all else, His plan, purpose and praise will be honored as we wait to adopt a precious child to call our own.

I will definitely keep you updated as we learn more. Tim and I went to Cincinnati last Friday to be refingerprinted again. We even received a phone call from Homeland Security this morning as they work to process all of our updating paperwork and latest fingerprinting information. We know that God is working on so many levels to bring about His master design and plan.

Thank you for your prayers. That makes all the difference to us in this long wait...and now as we move closer and closer to bringing this precious little one home with us! What an incredible journey of blessings...and walk of faith...far beyond anything we ever imagined. What an incredible God who knows just the right child for our family...at just the right time...in just the right way...for just the right purposes He has designed in all of our lives...for His glory! Please pray continually and specifically! We are so very grateful for you all!
Cherishing the blessings in the past, present and future!
Terri & Family

53 Months...and Waiting...Again!

Today marks the 53 month mark since our Dossier was logged in China's adoption system! That's a long time of waiting. We have actually been in this process since July, 2006 but the "waiting ticket" is the Log-In Date. So we continue to pray, hope, wait, trust and anticipate the sooner-than-later moment when we will see our precious little girl...or two.

In the meantime, our official updated homestudy has been sent to USCIS (Homeland Security) for reapproval. We also received notification from USCIS a few days ago that Tim and I will go to Cincinnati soon for more refingerprinting sessions. :) So the usual "hurry up and wait" cycle continues. But we are thrilled that we are 53 months closer to our little sweetie/s.

Last weekend, Tim and I had the blessing of meeting with some dear friends of ours who have adopted three little girls from China. As soon as we met them, those precious darlings were hugging us, holding our hands and talking with us as we ate Chinese food, of course. :) I even got to carry Maria back to the car and realized that it all comes back so easily when we are holding and carrying little one/s. Thank you, Forrest, Robin, Laura, Shiyan and Maria, for spending the evening with us. You are such a blessing to us in our journey and we thank God for you and all of your family, including your precious three sons.

As September begins, I ask for your continued prayers for our family as we prepare for this new season in our lives. If you know us at all, you know that 2011 has been an extremely busy year full of transitions, challenges and much work...and that's just the beginning! Of course, it has been an incredible year of blessings on many levels. We have some of the most precious friends and family on this planet and are so thankful for them. It has been amazing to watch God work through them at just the right time in our lives. Now we begin to prepare for a trip to China someday soon...and for our new daughter who will come home with us. And we have no doubt that God will protect, provide and promote His perfect will through it all. Please pray for our family as we seek His direction on various levels. There is much that needs to be determined, done and directed before we board a plane to China. It is exciting...overwhelming...and a gift from God to be given this opportunity to bring home one of His precious children to raise as our own child. Wow!

For now, please pray that we will have peace, wisdom, discernment, as well as open minds and hearts as we wait for yet another call from the agency. It was so very difficult to "decline" the recent referral possibility. Yet we have complete peace that we made the right choice. But please continue to pray for us as we wait...and seek God's specific and obvious direction the next time the agency calls. We want to do His will above all else.

So...we wait...and prepare...and go to Cincinnati for more fingerprinting...and wait for more documents...and pray, pray, pray. Our hearts are filled with love for this little one...and we already consider her a definite part of our family. Now if we can just see her face and hold her in our arms...and bring her home. Yet we know that God has His loving arms around her each moment.

As with each journey we take in life, it is sometimes more waiting than we would like. But it is such a comfort to know that we are never alone in our wait...and each moment is never without purpose. May your journeys be blessed with peace, hope, purpose and assurance that you are never walking alone, either. Sometimes it is refreshing to wait...and listen...and count our blessings along the way. Then when God directs our steps to move forward, we are ready to do so. Thank you for walking this journey of blessings with us. We thank God for each of you.
Cherishing this season of waiting, listening and counting our blessings,
Terri & family

Tests, Surprises and Nods from God!

The past week has been very eventful, to put it mildly! There were exciting moments, surprising moments, overwhelming moments, challenging moments, studious moments, uncertain moments, "I can't believe this is happening to us" moments, frustrating moments, determination moments, exhausted moments, victorious moments, are you serious moments...and wow, God, thank You for bringing us through it all moments!

Last week, Tim and I were rejoicing about the completion of our latest home study update process. We had turned in all the necessary paperwork and were waiting for the final touches to be finished at the agency, after which it would be sent to Homeland Security to update our I-600A status...which is the official USCIS approval for us to adopt. That's a verrry big thing! :)

The phone rang Thursday morning and our social worker had a few questions for us from the agency re: some details before sending off the home study. One of those questions involved parenting classes. Yes...we still need to take parenting classes. I know....we have an almost 23 year old daughter and an almost 20 year old son...and we stilllllll have to take parenting classes. This is more about the needs, conditions,care, etc. of adoptive children so we knew it would be informative and helpful. No problem. We would get that done in the near future. However, due to some recent changes in Hague Convention requirements, (an international arrangement), parenting classes must NOW be completed before home study updates. Whaaaaaaaaaat? Our home study had to go to USCIS NOW before it expires in September...or we would have to start this process all over again...and I mean completely start all over again. During our Dossier and last two updates before this one, we had been informed that our parenting classes would not be addressed until we were much closer to going to China. Ok...no pressure...until RIGHT NOW!

The parenting classes were online so I quickly ordered them and set them up for immediate use. The "alleged" 10 hours...notice I said ALLEGED ten hours..meant watching four different classes/sections, taking tests, watching a Culture segment...and then receiving proof of passing the course by receiving certficates of completion. Hmmm. It sounded a bit involved...but doable. So Tim and I quickly realized that our weekend plans would be changed and we would take the four classes, take the tests and move forward. I wish it had been that easy. But, satan had another idea.

There had already been an earthquake in my home state of Virginia that week and Hurricane Irene was bearing down on the east coast where we have so many wonderful friends. And yet, this weekend brought a storm of its own into our adoption journey. Tim and I worked all Saturday afternoon on the first class. We passed the tests, (we had to take each of the four tests individually), and vowed to take the remaining three classes on Sunday. However, Sunday became much more interesting. For some reason, many segments of the videos would not download...while others did. We tried several different ways of trying to work with the delays...and total absences of some segments...but it was not working at all. We called our social worker. We called the class seminar company in Missouri...who, of course, was out for the weekend. So...we both went to separate ends of our home...and prayed. Although the classes were still not easily downloaded or easy to watch, we slooooooowly viewed piece by piece of the remaining courses. We worked throughout the entire day...through most of the evening...and until 4 am on Monday morning. At this point we had passed all four tests. All we had to do was watch the required section on culture and our classes would be complete. We finished that around noon on Monday.

Tim and I were extremely exhausted...very overwhelmed...and discouraged. Although we have never doubted God's leading, we had pushed a parenting course that should take a month or two into about forty-eight hours or less. And that alleged TEN hours I mentioned earlier...became more like twenty or more by the time everything was done! Not only did we have to watch videos and graphics, plus check other resources...but we had to then study...take the tests...and move forward. We both felt extremely under satan's vicious attacks on many levels of life at this point. But GOD........

That's what I love about God. No matter what is going on in life...it is never the end with God. Our Monday was busy getting things done at home and work. And then along came Tuesday. Tuesday morning brought a call from the parenting class company in Missouri. They apologized repeatedly and are sending us additional resources in the mail to help in our adoption journey. Well, that was nice, I thought. The certficates arrived by email so we quickly printed those, copied them and sent them off to our agency so the home study is OFFICIALLY now complete. Yessssssss! Whew...now we can breathe. Sounds like a pretty cool day, right? BUT GOD......

Then it happened. A phone call from our adoption agency telling us about a little girl in China who just might be of interest to us! Whaaaaaaaat???? I talked to the SN lady at the agency and she explained that this precious little fourteen month old girl...born less than a week before my birthday in 2010...had been "locked in" China's just-released list for our consideration. Wow! However, her Special Need situation is quite severe...and one that we had not agreed to on our SN checklist form we had turned in just a couple weeks ago. We had checked that a minor form of this would be considered...but the agency wanted us to see her "just in case" before making her available for other agencies.

Tim and I immediately prayed about this possibility. The SN lady asked if we just wanted to see the medical records...or if we wanted the pictures, as well. I told her we definitely wanted to see all of it because this little sweetheart was not just a "condition"...but a precious child God had created...and we wanted to see her! As Tim and I opened the email, we looked into the face of a precious little girl who has spirit...determination...beauty...and a bright future ahead of her. Of course, we want to bring her home. But...we also want what is best for her complicated needs. We had several phone consults about her...and although our hearts were very moved by this little girl, we knew right away that she belongs to another family who can care for her needs more sufficiently than we can. It wasn't easy to say that to her adorable face, her beautiful pictures...or her documents that talked about her love for music...but it was a totally peaceful decision. You see, this journey is about following God's plan...not ours. It's about what is best for that little girl who will need many, many professional services to take care of her. It's about waiting...working...waiting...and watching for God to move in such a way that we have absolutely, positively no doubt whatsoever that the child/ren He places in our lives are exactly what He planned and designed....as our Forever Family is brought together while her needs are met in every way she deserves and requires.

So why did this happen? I can't speak for God, of course. But I know this. Sometimes...when we least expect it...God does something that grabs our attention so strongly...that we KNOW He is preparing us for something far greater than we can ever imagine. Sometimes, He doesn't say yes...or no...or even maybe. He just NODS...and He assures us that He IS working it all out. He has NOT forgotten what He has called us to do or what He has promised to do. He is simply nodding His head forward and backward saying..."Watch out...it's coming soon...and I want you to be READY!" Tim and I...and both of our children...firmly believe with all of our hearts, that the "sneak preview" of God's amazing hand at work...was allowed into our lives today to remind us that it is almost time...and to be ready...to pray, prepare and be at peace as His plan unfolds so very soon! At a time when Tim and I have been so excited about our 54 month update's completion...only to be bombarded with satan's schemes to distract and discourage us in different ways recently...God has stepped in....and said...I AM GOD....HOLD ON!

Today I ask that you pray specifically for the precious little girl we have nicknamed "Lili" ("Leelee") who has lots of surgeries and work ahead of her. She's definitely going to make it! And her new family will be blessed beyond measure to have her. What an incredible life and story she will have to share in the years ahead. Pray for all those involved in taking care of her. What a joy it would be to somehow hear how her life unfolds.

So now...we wait. Many tests and trials have come upon us. We have had human moments when we felt frustrated, annoyed, discouraged, alone...and impatient. That's from satan's schemes, no doubt. But we have never stopped believing that God is in control and He will make a way for just the right moment...for just the right little girl/s...to come home to us. Were we surprised today? Sure! I never imagined that after a grueling parenting class marathon, we would within hours receive a call from our agency about a little girl in China who needs a Forever Family and home. I never imagined we would see the words "Referral Information" on our computer screen so suddenly. I never imagined we would decline the referral. But I am certainly learning about what I like to call "Nods from God." As He moves His head back and forth toward us, I can't imagine what He has planned for us...and our little JennaBeth. He knows. He has it all worked out just right. He is waiting for just the right time to bring her into our lives. As God nods...I can only wonder what He will do when we see her face for the first time...finally hold her in our arms...and bring her home. I believe, as a friend said to us today, that God will smile, laugh and cry tears of joy with us when His precious baby girl is brought together with her Dad, Mom, Brother and Sister, friends and relatives who have waited for so long to bring her home. We are so thankful...and we rejoice...for this amazing Journey of Blessings...complete with tests, surprises...and Nods from God.
Cherishing each step toward our baby girl/s,
Terri & Family

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Today is a very special day! Eighty years ago on this day, my precious Dad was born! I am so grateful to him for being a wonderful Dad and grandfather to my family and me. He has taught me so much about life, unconditional love, laughter, integrity, music, faith and perseverence. I will thank God through my last breath for blessing me with such an incredible Dad.

Dad has taught me a lot about family. I have countless memories of him through my childhood that are wonderful examples of parenting. He is patient in life and with those he loves. He loves his family and never stops loving or caring for us. He believes in God and living for Him no matter what. He is generous in helping others, loving others, laughing with others, serving others and caring about others...even if he doesn't know them. He is faithful to our country. Dad served in the Korean War...was wounded and awarded a Purple Heart...and I have never heard him criticize his country no matter how tough times may become. Dad is a hard worker. Even at 80 years of age, he always has another project...or several...to work on. I often remind him to try to take it easy. He always seems happy when he is working. And whatever he does...he does well! Nothing is done half-way. Dad believes and lives for God. Even when life is difficult, unfair or frustrating, he doesn't question why...but tries to find the right way to handle it. Dad loves unconditionally, consistently and selflessly. He is genuine and kind. He is polite, gentle yet unafraid to be firm when he must stand for truth or what he believes. Dad is truly "the real deal."

As a little girl....I remember Dad always being very involved in our lives. It was not unusual for him to play baseball, croquet, badmitton, horseshoes, cards or games with us...all five of his children! We always loved when he came home from work on paydays. There would be something special for us to share...including those wonderful orange circus peanuts. We just knew Dad would make that day special for our entire family. A tradition I carried into my own family now is the "Friday Night" celebration. Dad always made it a special time whether we watched a special show on tv, had a special snack, played games...or sat on the front porch talking. It didn't have to be "major"...it was simply...special.

I also remember some wonderful one-on-one time with him. If Dad was changing the oil in the car, I was there to "help." If Dad was driving the tractor to my Granddaddy's farm, I "had" to ride with him. When I was little, I would sit in his lap or on the tractor seat. But once I was a "big girl," I rode on the tractor fender all by myself after being firmly reminded where/how to sit and hold on! When I was small...around two years of age...in the days before carseats...and Dad drove the pickup truck to the store or to a neighbor's house, I had my very own special spot. I stood on that seat right beside my Daddy...and put my left hand on his right shoulder! We talked. We laughed. I asked him questions...lots and lots...and LOTS...of questions. Soooooo many questions that Dad finally had to find a more permanent and peace-promoting answer..."Terri, it's that way to make little girls ask questions!" I still sometimes hear that response...even now! From what he says, I have always been inquisitive. I really don't think that will ever change! :) But we didn't just talk. We sang...lots. I remember him teaching me songs like "Down By The Old Mill Stream"..."Jesus Loves Me"..."When The Saints Go Marching In" and lots of other songs. Dad taught me...how to teach...by letting me watch...and do...and ask...and "help" him when he was working. I loved sitting on his work bench when he was building furniture, shelves, etc.. To this day, when I smell sawdust or go into a Lowe's or Home Depot Store...I think of him. We went to lumber stores, too. It doesn't bother me one bit to this day to have a hammer, screwdriver, level, paintbrush or wrench in my hand. And...it was always fun when I drove my VW to college...and he reminded me to check the oil, fill the tank...and adjust the clutch, if necessary! I was even able to help some college friends when they needed me to "pop the clutch" for them during their own car repair moments. I was always sure to carry tools with me when I traveled which, of course, Dad had placed in my VW "just in case." Yes...Dad taught me lots! :)

Dad never got upset with me when I made honest mistakes. Of course, when I did something wrong, all he had to do was look at me...and I knew to never do it again. It wasn't that he wanted to scare me. Just realizing that I had disappointed him or did something that wasn't right or respectful...was enough to change my behavior. Of course there were times I lost privileges...like my stereo or bike...but he never made me feel worthless. He simply taught me responsibility! Then there were those times when I caused some "interesting moments." Around five years old, I broke my leg. It had lots to do with my horse stomping me which initially caused an unknown hairline fracture...and then playing leapfrog...when that same fracture grew into a major break from my knee down to my ankle. Dad remained calm...wrapped my leg with an Ace bandage...and saved me from major surgery by his quick thinking and calm response. I feel bad that my parents had to carry me around for six weeks since my cast was from my foot to my thigh. But...it was ok...no complaints from them. I just sat on the porch during the day and sang those songs Dad taught me. There was the time I drove my bike down the hill...and surprisingly crossed the fence...without the bike. Dad was at my Grandfather's farm...came to get me on the tractor...wrapped his handkerchief around my torn finger...didn't fuss about my missing glasses...and took me home without one negative comment. Oh yes....then there's the time I tried to drive his "three speed on the column" pick up truck while I was also trying to learn to drive for the first time. He didn't have much tolerance for that...but he didn't fuss. He just told Mom that he couldn't do that any longer. (I finally learned to drive...and later bought a 4-speed on the floor manual transmission VW!)

Dad is a man of faith. He has always wanted his family to know God, as well. As children, my four brothers and I were taught the Bible...and what it meant. I can remember standing in front of the fireplace and reciting ALL the books of the Bible...OT and NT...from Genesis to Revelation...at around five years old! We named the apostles, the Ten Commandments, learned to search for books/chapters/verses at very young ages...and we knew that Church time meant that's exactly where we would be! But even more importantly, I grew up seeing my Dad sitting in his chair reading His Bible...regularly. He didn't announce it. He didn't mention it. He just did it...consistently. That influenced me the most. We never ate a meal without praying and we always knew that people were to be treated with respect. Dad walks what he talks!

Dad is gifted! He built our home a couple years before I was born. He could look at something and build it. Better yet...he could not see something...create it in his own mind...and build that, too. His house, furniture, buildings and projects were never made without being built to the very best of his ability. Dad could make a garden and knew just when to plant, etc. He can hunt, fish, cook, refinish furniture...and sing! He rebuilt the engine in my VW when it broke down. Dad was the worship leader at my home Church when I was growing up. Wow! And when he found out that I sang and played piano at a young age, he didn't hesitate to encourage me...or my brothers in our music interests...or anything else we did and do. Some of my greatest childhood memories are sitting at the piano...with my legs not even reaching the floor yet...and Dad standing beside me singing. We would sing folk songs, Christmas songs, hymns, country...but I don't think I have ever heard him singing rock songs...except Jingle Bell Rock. :)

Most of all, Dad continues to teach me to never, ever give up. Whether as a child, teen, college student, young adult, wife, minister's wife, mother, woman or child of God, Dad has taught me through example to not give up! He believes in seeing the Truth, accepting what is or is not, doing our very best in whatever we do...and never giving up even when...especially when...life is unfair, challenging or overwhelming. Dad has taught me to persevere in my faith, family and future. Somehow,in the middle of each moment of life, there is a purpose, plan, promise and peace that we cling to no matter how tough life becomes. My wonderful Dad lives his life like that and whether it's in my blood or in life-lessons, I have been blessed to continue learning that from him. It is my hope and prayer that my own children....Rachel, Micah, and our little JennaBeth in China...will learn those same lessons that he taught me.

Happy Birthday, Dad! May your life be blessed as richly and beautifully as you have blessed the lives of so many others in this world! I love you, Dad...and will always be your "little girl."
Cherishing the blessing of my Dad,
Terri and Family

54 Month Update...Done!

We have reached another exciting milestone in our Journey of Blessings! This week, we received our final papers needed to turn in for our 54 Month Update. Today we took all the remaining papers, copies, etc. to our social worker and have completed our 54 Month Update! Wow! We also sent our Special Needs checklist and papers to the agency so that we are in the official wait for SN possibilities. It's been a great week...and another wonderful segment of this journey. We have now been in the process for over five years....Logged In for over 52 months...completed our third update after sending in our initial Dossier...and we are so very grateful.

I often hear the term "angels among us." I have no trouble whatsoever understanding that term. God has been working through so many wonderful people in this journey. Each factor is an amazing story in itself. Perhaps I will write a book about this someday. I would love to do that! For now I can share that the countless ways God has made this journey possible have touched our hearts forever. There truly are "angels among us" without a shadow of a doubt! He has put such precious people in our path no matter where we go or what we have had to do to reach this point. When we were uncertain, someone had an answer. When we needed direction, someone "just happened" to be available. When we considered this or that, another individual was in the right place at the right time to explain options or experiences. When we didn't know how our budget would work out, He made a way! It has been awesome to watch God work each day and we thank Him for each of you who are a part of this journey.

As we now wait for what lies ahead in His perfect timing and master design, we still have much work to do. We have lots of research to continue in the various SN options. We have parenting classes to study. (Yes, even as parents of adult children (22 and 19), we must study parenting resources to learn more about bonding, handling adopted children situations, etc..) I also have a list of various organizations to apply for grants to cover the many adoption expenses we have faced in the past, face presently...and will face in the months and years ahead with adoption fees, traveling costs, court dates, medical needs, etc.. On top of all those applications, we need to plan and prepare the nursery as well as gather other baby items we will need...stroller, car seats, diapers, clothes, etc.. As I always say, there is never a dull moment in the Lorenz home! There is also never a moment when we are not blessed!

Yesterday, a dear friend/family member brought some precious toys to our home for our JennaBeth/(EmmaKate?). It is beginning to feel like there is light at the end of this tunnel as we see tangible reminders of preparations for our little one/s. It seems like just yesterday we were preparing for Rachel and Micah's arrivals! Now Rach has graduated from KCU and is living on her own, working at her new job as an RN. Micah will begin his new year at UK next week. And although the years with them have gone way too fast, we rejoice that we have been called by God to bring another precious child or two into our family. As people continue to ask if we are ready to "start all over again," we are thrilled to answer "Ohhh, we never stopped!" Our family was never complete and we look forward to it growing in such a beautiful way...by the miracle of adoption. Thank you, Mama-Love Judy & Papa Ralph...and their wonderful family in IN, who have shared toys, clothes and gifts with our little one/s in China. You are amazing gifts fron God and we thank Him for your love, kindness, generosity and prayers as we walk this journey. YOU are definitely some of the angels among us!

So now...the 54 month update paperwork is done. More projects and plans lie ahead. And our prayers continue for our little daughter/s in China as well as all the wonderful people...angels among us...who God blesses our lives with each step of this journey. What an incredible journey of blessings we have been given. Thank You, God, for all You are, all You do, and all Your love! May You be praised and honored each step of our journey!

Now...we wait...patiently...prayerfully...purposefully...and positively...on God to lead our next step...and the remainder of our journey. In the middle of all the paperwork, projects and preparation...we simply wait. For only then will we know and follow Him...and all He has planned. May we remain still enough to hear Him each moment.

Hold on, our sweetie/s in China...we're getting so very close to you! Our love embraces you. Our thoughts accompany you. Our prayers surround you. And our God holds you in His loving arms while we hold you in our hearts. See you soon, little one/s. You are never alone...and always loved.
Cherishing this amazing journey of blessings,
Terri & Family

52 Months LID, Another Update...and Good News!

The last several weeks have been so busy...and exciting! It's hard to know exactly where to begin but I will try my best to cover everything as concisely and completely as possible.

Our family continues to adjust as Rachel lives two hours away from home. She was here this weekend for the first time in a month. We were so thrilled to be together again. Of course, she will come home as often as possible and we will visit her and spend weekends with her when we can. But we are grateful that she is doing well and enjoying the opportunities God has given her.

Micah has moved into his new apartment and we have been working on it for the past few weeks. He continues to work at the pharmacy but after this week, it will be every other weekend for awhile. He will move "officially" to his apartment this weekend for his new year at the Univ. of KY. It sounds like an exciting year is ahead for him and we are thrilled. We're going to miss him here everyday but he isn't too far away and that is a blessing.

Tim has been very busy at work. It is highly suspected that there will be much overtime in the coming months due to new model changes beginning immediately. So we are thankful for his job and prayerful for his safety while there.

I have been very busy, as well. It's been much like "Grand Central Station" here all summer. With graduation, job searches, moves, updates, paperwork, appointments, the home study visit and many other things going on in our lives, our home is always busy and full of life, love and laughter. :) I am grateful that I enjoy multi-tasking! :) It's the only way I can get things done...but I am so blessed to be a wife, mom and all the other roles I have in this life. I can't imagine it any other way.

As of last Saturday, we have been "Logged In" 52 months in our adoption journey. We have been in the process for over five years and our paperwork has been in China almost four and a half years. It's been quite a journey. But so much is happening now and we are more excited than ever!

Just before our Home Study visit with our amazing social worker, I decided to look around on our adoption agency website. I noticed a new checklist for Special Needs and mentioned it to our social worker. We had never seen this before, for "some reason." We were approved for Special Needs during our 36 month update but had not heard anything about this form. From what we understand, the SN system had been revised after our 36 month update and we were not made aware of it until I discovered it. But we truly believe that God's hand was in this all along. Our social worker immediately connected us with the SN Advocate at our agency. We set up an appointment with her and had a wonderful meeting with her last Friday.

During all this time, Tim and I have been praying for God's direction...specific, obvious and unquestionable direction...in regard to His will and plan for our little one/s in China and our journey to her. We know we are NOT making a choice simply based on a time frame...and that we are very willing to wait as long as it takes to do whatever God leads us to do. We continue to pray for God to open the doors He wants us to enter and He has been doing just that.

There have been countless incidents of God's direction and assurance. Whether in doctor's offices, conversations with friends and family, notes that "just happen" to come to us in amazing perfect timing, our daughter's job at KDMC in a specialized area...or other areas, God has laid it on our hearts to consider Special Needs options even more seriously. The more we pray about this, the more peace we have and the more clearly God directs our path. We know that at our ages, we are not able to handle a severely disabled child. But there are children with "mildly correctible" special needs...such as minor heart defects that are correctable..and often done before we bring her home...or club feet (which tugs at my heart because of my brother's childhood experiences with this)...or a birth mark...or a missing finger...or a minor scar...or something else very small and treatable. Tim and I have completed the newly-discovered form and are sending it to the agency tomorrow. This does NOT affect our possibilities for "healthy" children nor does it commit us to a special needs option alone. It merely opens the doors even wider for us to be ready for God's leading.

The Special Needs Advocate told us that there are regular monthly lists that become available. Upon their receiving and acceptance of our checklist, we will begin waiting for opportunities quite soon. There is an estimated time frame for a Special Needs adoption referral for us somewhere between the next five to seven months! That is very exciting! The wait for non-special needs is at least another two to three years. Again, we are willing to do whatever God calls us to do. But for now, it seems God continues to open doors consistently and clearly for us in Special Needs, as well.

For this month's prayer request, I ask that you please pray for God to continue making His perfect will OBVIOUS to us. We have no doubt whatsoever that God is at work and making our path very clear. Please pray for the child/ren He has created and designed to come home to us. We know it will be a major adjustment for her and for us. Please pray for all those who are working so hard to bring these precious children together with their Forever Families. And please pray that we will honor Him in this journey, in the wait, in the process of special needs and healthy opportunities...and that He will protect and provide for all those involved. We are absolutely amazed at how He continues to take care of our every need when we simply don't know how He is going to work it out. But He always does. He called us to love and take care of His precious child/ren in China....and He has never let us down in this journey. I truly pray that all we do, say and share in this journey honors Him above all else!

JennaBeth...(maybe EmmaKate)...we are quite possibly MONTHS from seeing you and bringing you home! Hold on, sweetie/s. You are definitely in God's arms of love, protection and provision. We hope to see you soon...and we are holding you in our hearts until we hold you in our arms. We love you so much already!

To all of you...our family, friends, doctors, nurses, office staff, agency, USA government offices...and the PRC...thank you for all you are doing for Him, for our precious children in China...and for all the orphans and Forever families. You are truly blessing our journey more than we ever imagined. We thank each of you for your prayers and kindness. May you all be blessed on your journeys as beautifully as you are blessing ours.

I will continue to keep you posted as we learn more in the days...weeks...and months ahead....
Cherishing His perfect plan and master design,
Terri & family

Moving Forward...the theme of the Lorenz Family!

The past week has been very exciting in the Lorenz family. Last weekend, we moved our oldest daughter, Rachel, to her first apartment about two hours away from home. She is now an RN, working at a nice hospital, and found an adorable apartment, surrounded by wonderful friends from our KCU family. We packed her furniture, books, clothes, books, stereo, books...and lots of other wonderful items, (did I mention she has lots of books?)...on a moving truck and took her to begin a brand new chapter in her life. It's been an adjustment for all of our family, but we are very excited for her. Thank God for cell phones, texts, pictures and laptops which keep us connected daily. We miss her so much but know we are always close in heart.

Yesterday, we moved our son, Micah, to a new apartment. Thankfully, he is in the same building so the move was not as major as it could have been. But we still had to pack things up, move things out, unpack...and set up. He will begin his sophomore year at UK in a few weeks so we are excited for all the new opportunities ahead for him. He continues to work at the pharmacy and doesn't live too far from home so that makes our contact with him much easier.

We have also been working diligently on our third adoption update. So far, it is going well. We have all the necessary appointments made...are getting paperwork out and back...and seem to be progressing smoothly. We will also have a home visit this week from our incredible social worker...a true gift from God! We are definitely moving forward in our journey to our baby girl/s!

It is not always easy to adjust to changes. Watching our precious children move away from home is no exception. It is not easy to look at an empty bedroom when we were used to having our daughter home...or at least the majority of her belongings...with us here for almost twenty-three years. Although we have taken some of our little one/s' things to the empty bedroom, I have told Rachel that there will always be a place for her to come home to and visit. There will always be a place for her to sleep, stay and be surrounded by family who loves her. Our family is growing on many levels...distance, maturity, addition/s of our baby girl/s, etc.. But our hearts and home will always make room for the love and laughter of our family.

Through all of the moves, changes and adjustments, we realize now more than ever that a family can...and does...love across the miles. Whether it is our daughter two hours away, our son an hour away, or our little daughter/s in China halfway around the world, we love our family and hold one another closely in our hearts. Of course, we look forward to the day when we are all under the same roof, even if only for a short time...and can celebrate, love and embrace the moments together. But between those times,our love reaches beyond miles and holds us together through it all.

We are so thankful for all of you who walk beside us in this journey. Whether you are our precious friends, dear family, doctors and nurses, adoption agency workers, office officials or Church family, we thank God for each of you. Your prayers, assistance, hope and help along this journey are so appreciated. May your journey be blessed as richly as you have blessed ours.
Cherishing the journey as we move forward...
Terri & family

Fifty-One Months...and Updating...and Waiting...and Trusting!

Fifty-one months ago today, our Dossier was logged-in China's adoption system! Wow...that's a lonnnnnnng time ago. It was also five years ago this month that we first began this journey by applying to adopt. That means that we are so much closer to seeing, meeting and bringing our little girl/s home. We are very excited as we move forward in this journey. Each step, each day, each moment, each part of the journey takes us closer and we are thrilled!

We are presently updating our paperwork for the third time. It is quite unusual to have to update at this point. In fact, our adoption agency had a staff meeting recently to determine how to update at fifty months since it is not something they are accustomed to doing! Leave it to us to be the "pioneers" in this stage of adopting! :) So far, we are making good progress. We have a few more appointments ahead and have done most of the paperwork. Our social worker will do a home visit very soon. Micah was re-fingerprinted last week. Tim and I will be re-fingerprinted again in the near future. So we are moving forward. Hopefully we will not be required to update again. Of course, we have said those words the last three times, too. :) But in God's perfect timing, it will all work out according to His amazing plan and design.

It is a very busy time in our family recently on other levels, too. Our daughter, Rachel, began her new job as an R.N. at a hospital a couple hours away. We will move her things to her new apartment in the coming days. Our son, Micah, is already getting plans together for the beginning of his sophomore year at UK next month. (Where did the summer go?) We have had other major events going on in our lives the last few months, too. So there is no time for boredom in the Lorenz home! We are so blessed with dear friends who help us at times like this. We could never do this alone and are very grateful for each precious person who helps us along this journey.

So for now we hurry up...and wait...as always. We will continue updating paperwork, adjusting to our adult daughter moving away, our son returning to college, pursuing our family and individual plans and trusting God as He guides, protects, provides and promises to never leave us alone.

Something I recently told our daughter as she begins life as an "independent adult" also applies here. The phrase is often used that someone is "living on their own." But I couldn't disagree more. Whether it is our Rachel working/living away from home, our son living/studying away from home, our baby daughter/s living in China until we bring them home....or the many family and friends who live far away or closeby...we are NEVER really on our own. God is holding each of us in His loving arms while He places loved ones in our paths to help one another. What a blessing it is each day as a wife, mom, daughter, sister, friend or other loved one to know that we are never alone in any situation we face. Walking this amazing journey of blessings would not be possible "on our own" either. We could never go through all the intense paperwork, the countless appointments and challenges...the continuing and increasing expenses...the heartfelt longing for our little girl/s to come home...the hope of our family being together someday soon...and the uncertainty of the time involved in this journey...alone. We thank God for each of you as you pray, care, hope, trust and walk beside us each day. We thank God for calling us to this incredible journey that only HE could orchestrate and make possible. We thank Him for holding our little JennaBeth/EmmaKate in His hands...as He holds all of us together in His arms. That, my friends, is what we call "never alone" and "never on our own." Please pray for our little ones, our family, those who are caring for our baby girl/s, those helping us move closer to her/them in this journey, and for one another in each journey of life faced.

Hold on, our precious little baby girl/s. I long for you each day. My heart leaps as I think about you....miss you...love you...and pray for you. I can only imagine how wonderful it will be when you are in our arms...finally. But until that day...you remain in our hearts, lives, hopes, thoughts and prayers...continually. While I carried Rachel and Micah in my body before holding them in my arms, I carry you deep within my heart...and you are never alone, sweet one/s. Dad and I will see you very soon.
Cherishing fifty-one months of blessings....
Terri & family

Fifty Months....and Moving Along!

Another month has passed. More milestones have been reached. And now we celebrate fifty months since Log-In. Wow! What an exciting, busy and interesting time in our lives.

Last month I mentioned that our daughter, Rachel, graduated from KCU with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. Our son, Micah, also completed his first year at UK. Now our Rachel has been hired by King's Daughters Hospital in Ashland, KY and is planning to move to that area very soon. It's the first time in twenty-three years that she will move away in a more permanent way. Of course, she will not be far away and we will see her when she comes home for occasional weekends...or when we visit her. But things will not be the same again. How did these years go by so quickly? We count our blessings that she has done so well in her life and now begins a new chapter. It's another reminder of cherishing each day, opportunity and season. Life passes so quickly.

A few days ago, on June 13, we reached the fifty month mark since Log-In. Now we begin yet another round of updating our paperwork. It's a grueling, extensive, expensive and detailed process but we continue to look forward to bringing home our little daughter/s from China. We know it will be worth every effort in this journey. Our Micah is scheduled for another fingerprinting appointment in Cincinnati soon. Tim and I will do so in the next couple of months. Plus all the new reports, appointments, inspections, etc. will be processed, as well. Here we go again....hurrying up...and waiting once more. Our social worker told us that the Adoption Agency met recently because they had to discuss the requirements for 50 Month updates. They have never had to do updates this far along in the journey before as families wait longer now. But...we continue to trust that God knows what is best and will do exactly what is in His perfect plan and Master Design for our little ones in China...and for our family here.

Please continue to pray for our baby girl/s. We pray for a Referral soon but realize it could be another year or so since the wait in China increased in the last year. However, we now have a little more time to plan and prepare the bedroom and necessities for our little one/s. Meanwhile, please pray for our sweet daughter/s there and for her birthmom, the caregivers and all the government workers in China and in the USA as they care for the little ones and help these children connect with their Forever Families. Please pray for our family. We are going through so many transitions. It is not always easy, but it is exciting. Please pray for us as we try to relocate in the near future. We realize that we truly need to find a larger home for many reasons and with one child left in college...and a continued adoption process, the house needs to be within our budget, as well. Please pray for our family as we adjust to our oldest daughter relocating to her own place. She is excited but it is also a change for her. We are a very close-knit family and our hearts will remain close, but it will be different than before for all of us. Please pray for protection, provision, safety, health and faith as we continue to wait for JennaBeth/EmmaKate? to come home. Our Journey is indeed blessed. Our God remains in control. Our hearts continue to long for our baby girl/s to be with us. Our family continues to enter new seasons along the journey...but with joy, hope, faith and gratitude. Thank you for praying and for persevering with us along this very long but very worthwhile journey. We thank God for each of you as we continue moving forward.
Cherishing the journey,
Terri & family

Forty-Nine Months, Graduation & Updating!

Wow...it has been a busy season recently. We have had so many celebrations in our family and I have been eager to share all of them with you. On May 7, our daughter, Rachel, graduated from Kentucky Christian University with her BSN...Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She is now home for a little while as she continues to work at the pharamacy and consider different job opportunities. Ironically, Rachel graduated exactly 29 years to the day after I graduated from the same school. So we are thrilled for her. But it doesn't seem possible that she has grown up so fast. Micah also completed his freshman year at the University of Kentucky. Where has the time gone?

Then we enjoyed a wonderful Mother's Day on May 8, our 27th anniversary on the 12th, our 49 Months of Log-In on the 13th and Tim's birthday on the 15th. What an exciting time. But...it is going to remain busy for awhile. Now we are beginning to update our paperwork for our adoption and that is always an interesting, exciting and demanding time. We would truly appreciate your prayers for God's continued protection of our little one/s...and provision for all that we must do in the coming months of updating. It is a challenging and expensive process...but we know it will be worth it all when we bring our little JennaBeth(EmmaKate) home with us.

So...our journey continues and we are thrilled that we are 49 months closer to our little girl/s. Meanwhile, life continually changes here at home with Rachel's graduation, Micah's progress at UK, Tim's work and my ever-growing to-do list at home and elsewhere. We thank God for each of you along this journey. Thank you for your thoughts, prayers, faith and understanding as we continue to move closer to our little sweetie/s in China. The journey may be long but it is definitely blessed.
Cherishing each step closer,
Terri & Family

Four Years Since Log-In!

Wow....as of Wednesday, April 13, our Dossier has been Logged-In for four years! It has been a long, extensive and expensive journey but God has faithfully protected and provided for us all along. Of course, no one ever expected that the wait would extend this far but we know God is in control of this journey to our little one/s. He led us to this journey over five years ago and He will continue to see us through to the time we meet our little daughter/s and arrive home as a Forever Family.

We began this journey in March of 2006 when we began talking about it, praying about it and meeting with the adoption agency. In July of 2006, we submitted our official application and began compiling our Dossier. In March of 2007, we sent our paperwork to China and on April 13, 2007, our Dossier was officialy Logged-In. The Log-In date is the "waiting ticket number" for the order of Referral. So our wait has been long but we choose to perceive it as being that much closer to seeing, traveling and holding our baby girl/s for the first time.

We originally prayed that all of our children would live together at home when our little one/s from China arrived. But it just didn't work out that way. We were a bit concerned that our travel time to China might conflict with Rachel's high school graduation, Micah's high school graduation...or Rachel's college graduation. But that didn't happen, either. Our Rachel will graduate from KCU next month and we are so proud of her. Micah will not graduate from UK for another three years so we firmly anticipate having our daughter/s by then! :) We are thankful that although the wait has been long, we didn't miss these important milestones in our children's lives. Again, God has taken great care of the details along the way.

Now we anticipate our oldest daughter's college graduation in a few weeks, the close of our son's freshman year of college in a few weeks...and the continuing journey to our little daughter/s in China. Tim and I will also celebrate our 27th anniversary in May. Yes...life is blessed.

Hold on, precious Jenna Elizabeth (JennaBeth) and possibly Emma Katherine (EmmaKate). We are four years closer to you and the time is much closer now than ever before. Although we long to hold you in our arms and bring you home, we continue to hold you in our hearts, thoughts and prayers each day. You are loved so very much.

Many thanks to all of our dear friends and family members who continue to walk this journey with us. Your prayers for our little girl/s in China, our family here in KY and God's protection and provision as we continue this journey are appreciated immensely. It will soon be update time again for our paperwork...but we know God will see us through the challenges of that season, as well. For now, we celebrate four years of waiting...and loving our little girls! Each moment is definitely worth the wait of this wonderful calling God has placed before us.
Cherishing four years of waiting for our baby girl/s,
Terri & family

Thinking....and Praying...and Missing our Girl/s...

We're only one week away from being logged in China's adoption system for four years! That's so hard to grasp. Since the wait was eighteen months when we first logged in....and it was much less than eighteen months prior to the beginning of our journey...it's very difficult to imagine that we have already waited almost forty-eight months since our Log-In time. But every day brings thoughts, prayers and dreams of having our little daughter/s home with us soon. And we continue to hold onto that dream with much hope, trust, love, joy and peace.

It's also difficult to believe that in about one month, our daughter, Rachel, will graduate from Kentucky Christian University with majors in Nursing and Bible. Wow! Our son, Micah, will finish his freshman year at the University of Kentucky around the same time. Life is so blessed and moving so quickly. Well...that is in every area except for bringing our little ones/s home from China. :)

It occurred to me tonight that as much as I ask for your prayers on behalf of our little daughter/s in China...and our family as we take each step toward bringing her home, that I have not asked for your consistent prayers on a more specific level. Of course, we realize that God's perfect timing and Master design include each day of this journey already and will also include each day ahead. But I think it would be very meaningful to ask you to pray daily for more specific areas of concern along this journey. Perhaps each month I can post detailed requests as we approach each step toward our little one/s and determine new information. Would you be so kind to do that for our precious daughter/s?

For April of 2011, I ask that you pray for the birthmother of our daughter/s. After giving birth twice to our now adult children, I cannot imagine the heart of our daughter's birthmom knowing that her little girl/s will be placed in the care of another family she has never met. It has to be so very difficult to love her little one/s and realize that someday she will no longer hold her baby girl/s in her arms or see her/them again. My heart aches for this woman who loves her baby girl/s so much that she is willing to choose adoption for their well-being. I thank God for this birthmother and I will always be grateful for her sacrifice. Our little daughter/s will always be aware of their incredible birthmother who shared them with us. May God hold her, comfort her, strengthen her and give her peace now and in the days ahead. While it is challenging for us to wait until we see and hold our baby girl/s in our future...I cannot imagine how heartbreaking it will be for the birthmother to miss seeing and holding her daughter/s in her future. She will always be in our hearts, thoughts and prayers.

Thank you for your prayers for JennaBeth/EmmaKate...for her/their birthmother...and for our family as we continue this long yet very worthwhile journey. We thank God for each of you in this journey of blessings.
Cherishing the gift of our daughter/s' birthmother,
Terri & Family

Forty-Seven Months & Holding on to Our Dream!

We have reached another milestone! As of yesterday, March 13, we have been logged-in China's adoption system for forty-seven months! The wait is definitely longer than we ever expected but we believe the joy will definitely be more amazing than ever imagined. So we continue waiting, loving, praying and holding on to the dream of bringing our little girl/s home from China someday soon.

Ironically, Tim and I took our daughter, Rachel, and her boyfriend, Zack, to the Bluegrass Airport in Lexington early yesterday morning. They flew to Florida to visit Zack's family during spring break this week. It was exciting to watch her prepare for the trip and go through the process of boarding the plane...and then hear that they landed safely. We look so forward to meeting them back at the airport next weekend and hearing all about the wonderful time they had. I can hardly wait to see them coming down that escalator and seeing their faces again.

I must share that while we were at the airport yesterday, Tim and I were also thinking about a day in the near future when we will be going to the airport to fly to China. We will be loading our luggage and baby supplies, as well as the hopes, love and prayers of our faithful friends and family, to make the journey to our little girl/s so we can bring her/them home. We aren't sure yet if we will leave the Bluegrass Airport in Lexington or the Cincinnati/Northern KY International Airport. But we know that it will be a dream come true when we are that close to seeing, holding and loving our little daughter/s. As we look forward to seeing our Rachel's face this coming weekend when she returns home from Florida, I am sure it will be so exciting when Tim and I return to the airport with our JennaBeth/EmmaKate. I can only imagine how wonderful it will be when our Micah and Rachel see their baby sister/s for the first time coming down the escalator! I can only imagine how thrilling it will be when our faithful friends and family await this arrival and are within sight of the newest Lorenz family member/s! The day is coming and our hearts rejoice for our present journey and the joyful celebration to come.

Just yesterday I posted on my Facebook wall that we are celebrating forty-seven months of Log-In. A precious friend of mine named Sharon shared these amazing words that touched my heart so deeply. Here is what she wrote:

"Imagine all of the angels in heaven dancing and singing with you today because of God's never ending love! We too rejoice! Praise God from whom all BLESSINGS flow! May the doors fling wide open and your hearts not never miss a beat of this incredible culmination of your waiting on the Lord for your hearts desire!"

Thank you, Sharon! You, too, know the journey of adoption. You also know the abounding love and commitment of traveling to another country to share your hearts with those you love.(Sharon and her husband, Gary, are missionaries in El Salvador.) Just when our hearts long so intensely for our little girl/s that it is unimaginable and indescribable, God speaks through you, dear friend, to bless us with the strength, joy, hope, endurance and love we embrace as this very long journey continues to unfold. We know it is worth it. We trust that God's plan, design, timing, protection and provision are absolute and perfect. We are delighted to be called to walk this long road to another exciting chapter in our family...bringing home our dear little girl/s to their Forever Family. What a blessing that God calls us to be Dad and Mom to one or two more daughters! Wow! He never said it would be easy...or quick. But He asked us to follow Him...and that is what we will do. He didn't say it would be without sacrifice, patience or endurance. But He did say He would be with us each step of the way. What a celebration that awaits in this journey! The love, understanding, encouragement and Christ-like example you and and Gary live each day...are nothing less than a gift from God. Thank you, Sharon...for listening to His call in your life, family, ministry and outreach to others...including our family. We thank God for you and the way He spoke through your beautiful words of hope yesterday. I love you, my friend!

So...it's another day closer to our little one/s and the journey continues. Many thanks to all of you who pray and walk beside us. You are loved, appreciated and cherished. I cannot imagine facing this long road without you...and the amazing ways God works through you as we continue to move closer to our baby girl/s. As God holds our precious little girl/s in His arms, we pray that He will hold all of us together in a way that honors, praises and glorifies Him each step of the way.
Holding onto Him...and the dream,
Terri & family

Forty-Six Months...And Remembering.....

Why is it that the days seem to pass so quickly before I write another entry on this blogsite...yet our journey to our baby girl/s seems so slow? Although I am a few days overdue in writing, as of February 13, we have been logged-in China's adoption system Forty-Six Months! So we are taking more steps toward our little one/s and we rejoice that we are getting closer each day. Of course, we wish we were awaiting a Referral at any moment...but we continue to trust God in this very long journey. We have been so blessed by the encouragement of friends who have learned of the longer than expected delay...again. As disappointed as we all are, we know that God is working it all together and it will be wonderful when we are ready to see her/their Referral picture...and prepare to fly to China. Until then, we wait, pray, hope and trust. It's certainly not easy to wait...but it will definitely be worth it all.

A couple days ago, I saw a friend who told me about being in the Lexington airport just one day before. While waiting for his relative, he noticed lots of people standing around with balloons, welcome home posters, etc.. Then he saw a family coming toward them with a little Asian daughter...and a younger Asian son. The little girl had obviously been adopted a few years earlier..but the little boy was coming home for the first time. My friend said he immediately thought of my family and how it will be when we arrive home with our little one/s. That made my day. The next day, as I watched the news from Lexington, they showed another family who had just arrived from Africa with three little ones to add to their growing family. They already had a couple biological children...but now they were blessed with three more precious children. The news anchors talked about how very long the journey had been because they had waited over three years! My heart was leaping for joy for both of these families. I wanted to call the tv station and tell them that we are going into our fifth year of this process! But I felt a peaceful nudging within me. Just as the perfect time came for the family with the little Asian daughter and new little Asian son....and then for the family who added more children from Africa to their precious family...so our time will come, as well. God knows which child or children He has created and designed to be with us. And although His timing is obviously very different from ours, we must trust the One who led us to this journey to bring us all together in just the right season of life for our daughter/s...and us. I admit it is difficult to wait longer...but it isn't about what we feel or want. It is about what is best for our little one/s in China. God knows what is best for them and so we wait, trust, pray, love, hope and prepare for what He is doing now and in the days ahead.

I also want to take a moment to wish my dear Grandmother a wonderful ♫ Happy Birthday ♫ tomorrow...February 22. If she were still with us, she would turn 101. Instead, she is celebrating in an incredible place where she is surrounded with love, joy, peace and no pain, illness or sorrow. However, she lives on within our hearts, our memories, our lives and our family each day. I vividly recall one of our last phone conversations before she went Home. She mentioned how she always wished that she could have had a granddaughter named after her but it never happened. The interesting thing is that without hesitation, I immediately and genuinely promised her that if my husband and I ever had another daughter, we would name the little one after her. I had no immediate plans of having another child...and certainly held no certainty of specifically having another daughter. But I felt such peace and joy as I heard myself make that promise to her. Grandma Jenny laughed and said..."you would really do that, wouldn't you, honey?" "Of course I would, Grandma! It would be an honor," I replied. "You can count on it. If God ever blesses us with another little girl, she will be named after you!" I was surprised to hear myself say that but I meant every word. She and I both knew it was a promise sealed in love. Not long after that conversation, Grandma went Home...and it wasn't until several years later that my husband and I were called to adopt a little girl or two from China. I wish Grandma Jenny could hold JennaBeth in her arms here on earth. But JennaBeth will always know about her dear Grandma Jenny who now lives in the presence of the God who made our little one/s and brought them into our lives. Meanwhile, we remember my dear Grandma who loved unconditionally, shared unselfishly, lived faithfully and honored God with her words, actions, heart and life no matter where she was or who she met. I miss you, Grandma Jenny...more than words can ever say. But I am thrilled that you are in a place where you are healed and surrounded with eternal love, light and dear loved ones. I love you, Grandma. Sometimes I find myself still reaching for the phone to call you...or seeing something I want to buy for you and send to you. But then I remember that you may not be with us on earth...but you are always with us in our hearts. Thank you for touching my life forever.

Now we are forty-six months closer to JennaBeth/EmmaKate and we celebrate Grandma Jenny's 101st birthday. There are many seasons in our lives...but each one is a true gift from God and I cherish the blessing of all the loved ones and moments in each season. This journey we now walk is no exception. I am extremely thankful.
Cherishing memories from before and memories to be made...
Terri & Family

Trusting More!

It's been a long winter. It seems we have had winter storms every few days and for someone who doesn't care for cold temperatures, snow or inability to travel due to bad weather conditions, I am really looking forward to spring. With forty days to go before it is officially spring on the calendar, I am excited for each day that takes us closer to warm temperatures. But for now....I trust. I realize that the snow brings much needed moisture to the ground. I have experienced droughts before so I am very thankful when moisture is plentiful. I know that the cold temperatures help decrease pollen and germs...although I wonder why there are still enough germs for colds, flu and bronchitis that have hit our family repeatedly this winter. :) I know that even though winter seems dormant, there is a purpose for this season and that there is a process going on which is unseen. So although the long winter is not my most favorite season, I accept its purpose, blessing and beauty. And I must trust that the Designer of the seasons has a very good reason for including winter in His plan...far beyond my understanding.

Our adoption journey seems to be in the winter season presently, as well. We had thought that we would see more "light at the end of the tunnel" by now. We also hoped that our wait would not go beyond this summer. However, that doesn't seem to be the case right now. After reviewing the current standings of LIDs (Log In Dates) and Referrals, it appears that the process has slowed down considerably. We have not been given any official estimates of how much longer we must wait before our Referral...but it could easily be another year or so. So...as much as we are disappointed that the wait must continue...and as tired as we are of going through repeated updates...we must also accept that the Designer of our lives and our Journey to our little girl/s in China knows what is best. And we will trust Him to protect our little one/s, to provide what we need to continue this journey...and to direct our path as we continue to wait for our daughter/s.

Before it is assumed that we are heartbroken, giving up or devastated, let me assure you that we are disappointed...of course. However, we knew from the very beginning that the wait was unpredictable. The wait has become much longer than anyone imagined and it can certainly be frustrating. But our God is much stronger than our disappointment and frustration. Our faith must focus on Him and not on the wait. He led us to this journey. He touched our hearts and called us to love a precious little girl or two....and He has seen us through every step of the way so far. One of my favorite Scripture passages is "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." (Proverbs 3:5>6) So...we wait...and trust...and believe. He didn't bring us this far to walk away now. And we won't give up...on Him...or on our little girl/s. We cling to the truth that even winter eventually turns to spring! And we will cherish the purpose, blessing and beauty of this winter season as the journey continues. There remains much work to do, many goals to achieve in the meantime. So our wait will be be purposeful...and never boring. :)

JennaBeth...(EmmaKate?)...our hearts are so full of love for you. We miss you so much and want you home soon. But we must wait a little longer...and we will definitely do whatever it takes to continue the journey to bringing you home...in our arms and in our family. Hold on...and each time you see a new day come and go, know that we are one day closer to you. And some wonderful day...still sooner than later, we will come to China and hold you, love you, travel with you and bring you home and you will be a part of our family forever. Comparing our five or six year journey to having you with us the rest of our lives...still allows us plenty of time to be together. Until we hold you in our arms, we are holding you in our hearts, thoughts and prayers....and we are not letting go! ♥

We thank each of you who continue to walk beside us in this amazing journey. Please continue to pray for our little daughter/s, the caregivers, the people in the USA and PRC who are working so hard to bring children and families together...and for God's perfect plan in this journey to glorify Him...in every season. And if you wish, we would appreciate your prayers as we continue to find beauty in trusting Him along this Journey of Blessing then...now...and in the days ahead.
Cherishing His Master Design and Perfect Plan...
Terri & Family