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