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