It's been a couple weeks since I last wrote...and so much is on my heart. I never cease to be amazed at the wonder of this journey! As with any journey, there are days when it seems we are making major progress...and days when it seems time is standing still. There are uphill climbs, twists and turns...mountains and valleys...cool breezes and warm sunlight. There are nights, days, storms and rainbows. It's never the same from one day to the next...but each step leads us closer to that precious moment when God allows our daughter/s to be placed in our arms and lives forever. I keep trying to imagine that day...that moment...that sense of actually holding our new little daughter and bringing her home. I can't imagine the fullness of joy that will be in our hearts, our lives and our family.
As exciting as the anticipation is for the future with our little one/s...I could never imagine the amazing joy, kindness and blessings we have enjoyed along this journey so far. Friends from far and near have been supportive, excited, prayerful and encouraging way beyond "the call of duty." Just when it seems our journey is "non-progressive" and time is standing still...someone reminds us how much they are praying...or someone asks about our "baby girls" or someone mentions their excitement. Just when it seems that we will wait "forever"...we are reminded of someone else's progress in their journeys. Just when I realize that I may not be a "spring chick" as we raise our little daughter/s, someone "just happens" to mention how young we will stay as we see the world through the eyes of our little "JennaBeth" (maybe "EmmaKate"). Just when I'm wondering how it is all going to work out...someone reminds me of the BIG PICTURE.
Yes.. the big picture is the absolute joy of this journey. We are simple people. We are passionate about serving God, loving our family....and answering the call God placed before us to bring a precious child (or two) home in our Forever Family. We are humbled...thrilled...and amazed at the opportunity He has placed before us. But the big picture is not about us...not at all! Only GOD could create this journey. Only GOD could make this possible in multiple ways. Only GOD...could have prepared our hearts, minds and lives for this precious calling. Only He could design a plan to bring a sweet little girl from China who needs a family into the arms of a family who loves God and children. Only God...then...now...and in the days ahead...knew.
Romans 8: 22>25 says "We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently."
God, Himself, created the love and action of adoption! How marvelous! The wait, the heartache as we miss our sweetie/s, the concerns, the "days of standing still" are so small compared to the glorious journey of hope God has placed before us. It will be an incredible day when we hold her/them in our arms! We're looking so forward to it! But for today...we're enjoying the journey...a blessed, unexpected, undeserved and yet incredible journey of hope! Thank you, God! And thank you, friends and family!
Cherishing the journey...Terri and family
Jenna Elizabeth (aka "JennaBeth") Song Lorenz
Waiting For Our Little One To Come Home From China!
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Thirty Months Since Log-In!
It's official. As of today, we have been logged-in thirty months and we're still moving closer to our baby girl/s in China! How exciting! Two and a half years have passed since our Dossier arrived half-way around the world and was entered in China's adoption system! Of course, our wait continues...probably for another year or more. But we rejoice that we are this much farther along in our journey.
Meanwhile, life has been full...as it always is in our home. Tim has been working hard, as usual. Rach was nominated to the homecoming court at the university and became Homecoming Queen last Saturday. Her brother, Micah, escorted her...and it was a great day! Micah had oral surgery yesterday for removal of four wisdom teeth and is doing great. I stay very busy. Life is good.
In the middle of so many cares of life, we pause and count our blessings. Our family remains close and we love one another dearly. We have precious friends all over this country and some in other parts of the world. We love our extended families in Ohio and Virginia. And we continue to anticipate the arrival of our dear "JennaBeth" ("EmmaKate"?) in our arms someday in China. We are thankful.
As much as we miss our little daughter/s, we know that the day will come when we will bring her home to join our "Forever Family." It will be an incredible time of rejoicing. Until then, we continue in our love, prayer, gratitude and joyful anticipation. Until then, we trust her in the hands of our God and the wonderful caregivers in her homeland. Until then, we cherish each day, each moment and each step we share together. Thank you for walking beside us in this journey!
Thirty months closer and cherishing every blessing,
Terri & family
Meanwhile, life has been full...as it always is in our home. Tim has been working hard, as usual. Rach was nominated to the homecoming court at the university and became Homecoming Queen last Saturday. Her brother, Micah, escorted her...and it was a great day! Micah had oral surgery yesterday for removal of four wisdom teeth and is doing great. I stay very busy. Life is good.
In the middle of so many cares of life, we pause and count our blessings. Our family remains close and we love one another dearly. We have precious friends all over this country and some in other parts of the world. We love our extended families in Ohio and Virginia. And we continue to anticipate the arrival of our dear "JennaBeth" ("EmmaKate"?) in our arms someday in China. We are thankful.
As much as we miss our little daughter/s, we know that the day will come when we will bring her home to join our "Forever Family." It will be an incredible time of rejoicing. Until then, we continue in our love, prayer, gratitude and joyful anticipation. Until then, we trust her in the hands of our God and the wonderful caregivers in her homeland. Until then, we cherish each day, each moment and each step we share together. Thank you for walking beside us in this journey!
Thirty months closer and cherishing every blessing,
Terri & family
Monday, October 5, 2009
One Daughter's Birthday...And Another Daughter On The Way!
It's an exciting time in our home right now. Tomorrow is our daughter, Rachel's 21st birthday! It doesn't seem possible that it's been that long ago since her Dad and I traveled to the hospital to give birth to our firstborn. But since then, she has graduated from high school, enjoyed a mission trip to Haiti, traveled to many states here in the USA to sing with high school and college choirs...and is presently a junior in college majoring in nursing. Wow!
The past twenty-one years have been a blessing beyond words. But there have been realistic moments of uncertainty, patience-building, concerns and sadness. Yet as we observe our family now, we know that nothing will ever change the love for our children and there are no regrets in this journey called parenthood. Life is a gift. Children are a gift. Family is a gift. And that surpasses all other twists and turns along life's road.
Likewise...our journey to our baby girl/s in China is also a tremendous blessing. The paperwork has been overwhelming...repeatedly. The concerns, the wait, the uncertainty and the challenges in patience have not been easy. But we know that our love for our little daughter/s in China is worth every moment, every tear, every concern and every challenge. Bringing JennaBeth (EmmaKate?) into our family will be an amazing blessing that makes this journey absolutely worthwhile.
I never imagined that we would wait so long. We knew the waiting time could fluctuate, of course. But when we logged-in, the wait was 18 months. We will soon be logged-in thirty months with no end in sight. It's hard to miss our baby girl/s so deeply for so long! However, every adoptive parent I know has told us that when we hold our baby daughter/s in our arms, we will understand why it worked out this way. God has allowed this wait in order for His plan, His timing, His glory and His honor to be known. He knew before we ever began this journey what child He planned for us to bring home from China. He knows her name, her birthdate, her everything! So we continue to trust in Him...and His design for our little daughter/s...and for our family.
We never anticipated the long wait but along with it comes unexpected surprises. We thought that our baby girl/s would arrive home before our older children finished high school or college. However, it now seems that our oldest daughter will be out of college and our son will be in college by the time our baby girl/s arrive. Along with that realization comes the possibility that our little daughter/s may easily grow up with any grandchildren that we may someday have. Now that would be exciting! I've seen this happen in several families and it is a blast! So, we're already seeing wonderful possibilities in this design and timeframe. It may not be the way we expected it to be...but it will be awesome in its own way! What a sight to see as our little one/s play with their niece/nephew at similar ages. Awesome!
So...we celebrate now...and look forward to the future. We are blessed today. We were blessed 21 years ago. And we trust that God will bless us with our little one/s someday soon. It just doesn't get any better than this. Thank you, God, for the family we are today, the family we became years ago, and the family we anticipate in the years to come. Happy Birthday, Rachel! We love you. And hold on, little one/s in China. We can hardly wait until we are all home together. We love our family...and all the friends we've met along the way.
Cherishing our family and friends today, yesterday and tomorrow....
Terri & family
The past twenty-one years have been a blessing beyond words. But there have been realistic moments of uncertainty, patience-building, concerns and sadness. Yet as we observe our family now, we know that nothing will ever change the love for our children and there are no regrets in this journey called parenthood. Life is a gift. Children are a gift. Family is a gift. And that surpasses all other twists and turns along life's road.
Likewise...our journey to our baby girl/s in China is also a tremendous blessing. The paperwork has been overwhelming...repeatedly. The concerns, the wait, the uncertainty and the challenges in patience have not been easy. But we know that our love for our little daughter/s in China is worth every moment, every tear, every concern and every challenge. Bringing JennaBeth (EmmaKate?) into our family will be an amazing blessing that makes this journey absolutely worthwhile.
I never imagined that we would wait so long. We knew the waiting time could fluctuate, of course. But when we logged-in, the wait was 18 months. We will soon be logged-in thirty months with no end in sight. It's hard to miss our baby girl/s so deeply for so long! However, every adoptive parent I know has told us that when we hold our baby daughter/s in our arms, we will understand why it worked out this way. God has allowed this wait in order for His plan, His timing, His glory and His honor to be known. He knew before we ever began this journey what child He planned for us to bring home from China. He knows her name, her birthdate, her everything! So we continue to trust in Him...and His design for our little daughter/s...and for our family.
We never anticipated the long wait but along with it comes unexpected surprises. We thought that our baby girl/s would arrive home before our older children finished high school or college. However, it now seems that our oldest daughter will be out of college and our son will be in college by the time our baby girl/s arrive. Along with that realization comes the possibility that our little daughter/s may easily grow up with any grandchildren that we may someday have. Now that would be exciting! I've seen this happen in several families and it is a blast! So, we're already seeing wonderful possibilities in this design and timeframe. It may not be the way we expected it to be...but it will be awesome in its own way! What a sight to see as our little one/s play with their niece/nephew at similar ages. Awesome!
So...we celebrate now...and look forward to the future. We are blessed today. We were blessed 21 years ago. And we trust that God will bless us with our little one/s someday soon. It just doesn't get any better than this. Thank you, God, for the family we are today, the family we became years ago, and the family we anticipate in the years to come. Happy Birthday, Rachel! We love you. And hold on, little one/s in China. We can hardly wait until we are all home together. We love our family...and all the friends we've met along the way.
Cherishing our family and friends today, yesterday and tomorrow....
Terri & family
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Twenty-Nine Months Since Log-In!
Twenty-nine months ago today...twenty nine long but purposeful months have passed since our Dossier was logged in China's system! It's been almost two and a half years since our papers arrived in China...wow!! And it's been over three years since our journey first began to our baby girl. So how do we feel during this long wait? Peaceful. Purposeful. Patiently missing her...deeply missing her. But holding on to the hope that God knows every moment, every step, every facet of His design to bring our sweet daughter home. Our hearts ache for her...but our journey to her is completely in His hands and we know that He knows what is best. As I've said before...all the joy and love for her greatly surpasses all the waiting we must endure. It will be worth it all!
This weekend I wrote about our 29th month Log-In anniverary on my Facebook status. As usual, dear friends wrote very encouraging words which mean so much to us. One friend, an adoptive parent himself, wrote the following words that I must share with you:
"Ephesians 1: 3-5
"In the Message it partially reads- "Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son." Know, know know--He is taking great pleasure right now in planning the details!"
Thank you so much, Tim!! When we focus on the awesome wonder of God planning each detail of our journey to our JennaBeth (EmmaKate?), it makes our wait seem so much more purposeful and worthwhile. We're not simply waiting on major paperwork or a process. We are waiting for the hand of God to literally "Mastermind" this entire life-changing blessing in His own amazing, incredible, perfect and very best design. How could we want it any other way? To realize that God is bringing a precious little girl in a country halfway around the world...into our hearts, lives and home at just the right time, for all the right reasons, with every detail according to His personal specifications...is an overwhelming blessing. We're not only waiting for our daughter...we're trusting God's timing, provision, pleasure and perfection! The Creator of the Universe...is forming, leading and orchestrating our journey to another incredible gift of life for our family! That's definitely worth the wait!
Jenna Elizabeth * Lorenz...(Emma Katherine * Lorenz?), our hearts are full of love, joy, wonder, anticipation and peace as we wait for you. As much as we miss you and long for you to be home with us, we know that the Hand of God is creating you, caring for you and preparing you for your journey home with us. Rest...in His love and care. Rest in your homeland which we will always remember. Rest in our love. And rest...knowing that someday soon...we will hold you, hug you, love you and introduce you to your life with us and our loved ones. For your life, and ours, will be changed forever...and we will never be the same. Until the day we travel to meet you and bring you home...always know that you are in our hearts, thoughts and prayers. Until the details are complete and in order...we're holding you in our hearts. We're twenty-nine months closer to you, baby girl/s. Rest, baby girl/s...rest.
Cherishing each detail in God's plan...
Terri and Family
This weekend I wrote about our 29th month Log-In anniverary on my Facebook status. As usual, dear friends wrote very encouraging words which mean so much to us. One friend, an adoptive parent himself, wrote the following words that I must share with you:
"Ephesians 1: 3-5
"In the Message it partially reads- "Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son." Know, know know--He is taking great pleasure right now in planning the details!"
Thank you so much, Tim!! When we focus on the awesome wonder of God planning each detail of our journey to our JennaBeth (EmmaKate?), it makes our wait seem so much more purposeful and worthwhile. We're not simply waiting on major paperwork or a process. We are waiting for the hand of God to literally "Mastermind" this entire life-changing blessing in His own amazing, incredible, perfect and very best design. How could we want it any other way? To realize that God is bringing a precious little girl in a country halfway around the world...into our hearts, lives and home at just the right time, for all the right reasons, with every detail according to His personal specifications...is an overwhelming blessing. We're not only waiting for our daughter...we're trusting God's timing, provision, pleasure and perfection! The Creator of the Universe...is forming, leading and orchestrating our journey to another incredible gift of life for our family! That's definitely worth the wait!
Jenna Elizabeth * Lorenz...(Emma Katherine * Lorenz?), our hearts are full of love, joy, wonder, anticipation and peace as we wait for you. As much as we miss you and long for you to be home with us, we know that the Hand of God is creating you, caring for you and preparing you for your journey home with us. Rest...in His love and care. Rest in your homeland which we will always remember. Rest in our love. And rest...knowing that someday soon...we will hold you, hug you, love you and introduce you to your life with us and our loved ones. For your life, and ours, will be changed forever...and we will never be the same. Until the day we travel to meet you and bring you home...always know that you are in our hearts, thoughts and prayers. Until the details are complete and in order...we're holding you in our hearts. We're twenty-nine months closer to you, baby girl/s. Rest, baby girl/s...rest.
Cherishing each detail in God's plan...
Terri and Family
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Great Friends...Great Blessings!
It continually amazes me how time passes so quickly in every area of our lives...except the wait for our precious baby girl/s. :) But I am even more amazed at the countless reminders and blessings we are shown along this journey. The past couple weeks have been no exception.
Last week I attended the Inauguration of Kentucky Christian University's fifth President. Tim and I went to school with Jeff and his wife, Debbie, so it was a joy to witness them become KCU's President and First Lady! Little did I know what other blessings that day would involve.
One of my newest friends who works there recently welcomed their baby girl home from China. Kim and her husband are incredible parents and are so proud of their beautiful daughter, Grace. I met Grace for the first time during my visit that day. My heart was so moved and encouraged as God once again reminded me that every moment we wait is indeed worthwhile! It is an amazing walk as we witness God's precise orchestration of placing wonderful adoptive parents and families in our paths to remind, encourage and strengthen us in our season of waiting. I pray that someday as we go through our lives with our JennaBeth (& EmmaKate?), we will be able to encourage other waiting parents. It is a blessing beyond words to witness others who have waited...and brought their sweet children home. All the paperwork, all the waiting, all the prayers, tears and even frustrations lead to being given the opportunity to bring home a precious, innocent miracle of life that God is placing in our hearts, our arms and our family! Wow! Seeing other families with these precious children reminds us that our family will welcome home our little girl/s someday too! And that's definitely worth the wait!
That same day, I reconnected with a college friend I had not seen for a very long time. Donna and I have shared on Facebook...but we finally got to visit face-to-face. It was great! As I later shared our adoption website address with her, Donna spoke words that I consider a true blessing. Discussing our wait, I commented that God's timing is perfect. Donna added to that by emphasizing..."God's timing isn't just good...it's PERFECT!" She was so encouraging about our family and our journey and she touched my heart deeply. Of course, we believe that God's design and plan are perfect. But to hear someone remind us that it's "better than good"...blessed us tremendously. God indeed knows the specific child He will add to our family and His design, timing and plan are definitely perfect...and we will trust Him as we continue to wait!
New friends...old friends...adoptive parents...biological parents...doctors, nurses, dentists, dental hygienists...family and strangers...God has spoken through so many precious souls to encourage us as we wait for our baby girl/s. As much as it hurts to miss our sweetie/s, our joy will far exceed this wait. And we shall not forget all the incredible blessings along the way. May the blessings in our journey be used to help someone else in their journey. Whether your journey of life includes adoption or other goals and experiences, it is always a tremendous opportunity to thank God for unexpected blessings...and to reach out to others' lives as well. Life is truly an incredible journey of blessings. May you be blessed and be a blessing more than you ever imagined!
Cherishing each opportunity....
Terri & family
Last week I attended the Inauguration of Kentucky Christian University's fifth President. Tim and I went to school with Jeff and his wife, Debbie, so it was a joy to witness them become KCU's President and First Lady! Little did I know what other blessings that day would involve.
One of my newest friends who works there recently welcomed their baby girl home from China. Kim and her husband are incredible parents and are so proud of their beautiful daughter, Grace. I met Grace for the first time during my visit that day. My heart was so moved and encouraged as God once again reminded me that every moment we wait is indeed worthwhile! It is an amazing walk as we witness God's precise orchestration of placing wonderful adoptive parents and families in our paths to remind, encourage and strengthen us in our season of waiting. I pray that someday as we go through our lives with our JennaBeth (& EmmaKate?), we will be able to encourage other waiting parents. It is a blessing beyond words to witness others who have waited...and brought their sweet children home. All the paperwork, all the waiting, all the prayers, tears and even frustrations lead to being given the opportunity to bring home a precious, innocent miracle of life that God is placing in our hearts, our arms and our family! Wow! Seeing other families with these precious children reminds us that our family will welcome home our little girl/s someday too! And that's definitely worth the wait!
That same day, I reconnected with a college friend I had not seen for a very long time. Donna and I have shared on Facebook...but we finally got to visit face-to-face. It was great! As I later shared our adoption website address with her, Donna spoke words that I consider a true blessing. Discussing our wait, I commented that God's timing is perfect. Donna added to that by emphasizing..."God's timing isn't just good...it's PERFECT!" She was so encouraging about our family and our journey and she touched my heart deeply. Of course, we believe that God's design and plan are perfect. But to hear someone remind us that it's "better than good"...blessed us tremendously. God indeed knows the specific child He will add to our family and His design, timing and plan are definitely perfect...and we will trust Him as we continue to wait!
New friends...old friends...adoptive parents...biological parents...doctors, nurses, dentists, dental hygienists...family and strangers...God has spoken through so many precious souls to encourage us as we wait for our baby girl/s. As much as it hurts to miss our sweetie/s, our joy will far exceed this wait. And we shall not forget all the incredible blessings along the way. May the blessings in our journey be used to help someone else in their journey. Whether your journey of life includes adoption or other goals and experiences, it is always a tremendous opportunity to thank God for unexpected blessings...and to reach out to others' lives as well. Life is truly an incredible journey of blessings. May you be blessed and be a blessing more than you ever imagined!
Cherishing each opportunity....
Terri & family
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Twenty-Eight Months...& More Loving Across the Miles!
Yes...it's officially been twenty-eight months since we were logged in China's adoption system! As of August 13, we've been waiting that long, not to mention the beginning of the process over three years ago in July of 2006. But...it's definitely going to be worth it. Oh, how we miss our baby girl/s...but we must believe that the wait will lead us to the exact daughter/s God has orchestrated to join our family. So...we continue to love, pray, wait and trust. It's certainly not easy but we know our journey and our sweet little one/s are in His hands.
Meanwhile, this has been an exciting week for our family. Micah began his Senior year in high school. I can hardly believe he has grown up so fast. He has four AP classes so he's definitely going to be busy and studious. Plus he's planning to find a job in the near future and we're beginning the college path for him, as well. He has always been interested in Engineering but has recently become increasingly focused on the possibilty of becoming a Pharmacist. It's great that he inherited his Dad's math and science abilities! :) We are excited to see how God leads him presently and in the future.
Yesterday we moved our daughter back to the university. Rachel is thrilled to begin her Junior year of nursing school. She's going to be a great one, no doubt! It is also hard to believe that she is halfway through her college career. It seems like just yesterday she climbed up on that school bus step to enter kindergarten. But she's definitely headed for some amazing days in her life, as well. She has a challenging year of classes plus a job working for a professor and a job at the pharmacy. So she will stay busy, also. We know God has incredible plans for her life now and in the future, too.
As I spent most of last night alone here at home, I counted my blessings. Tim was at work. We are very thankful for his continued job, especially in this strained economy. Rachel was decorating her dorm room with her sweet roommate. Micah was studying with his classmate on the other side of town. And our baby girl/s are on the other side of the world waiting to come home. Not only does our love extend to the other side of town for our son, ninety miles away to our daughter in college, thirty miles away to my husband at work, out-of-state to our relatives and friends, but also halfway around the world to our sweet daughter/s in China. Yes...there's definitely some loving across the miles! Do I long to have us all together? Absolutely. But am I thankful that we have been blessed so richly in many areas of life? Most definitely!
Whether we are together in presence or in heart, we are so thankful for each blessing, each loved one, and each opportunity in their/our lives. We thank God for each of you along our journey. We send our thoughts, hearts and prayers to you, as well. May you be reminded of the love and blessings along your journey, too.
Counting our blessings,
Terri & Family
Meanwhile, this has been an exciting week for our family. Micah began his Senior year in high school. I can hardly believe he has grown up so fast. He has four AP classes so he's definitely going to be busy and studious. Plus he's planning to find a job in the near future and we're beginning the college path for him, as well. He has always been interested in Engineering but has recently become increasingly focused on the possibilty of becoming a Pharmacist. It's great that he inherited his Dad's math and science abilities! :) We are excited to see how God leads him presently and in the future.
Yesterday we moved our daughter back to the university. Rachel is thrilled to begin her Junior year of nursing school. She's going to be a great one, no doubt! It is also hard to believe that she is halfway through her college career. It seems like just yesterday she climbed up on that school bus step to enter kindergarten. But she's definitely headed for some amazing days in her life, as well. She has a challenging year of classes plus a job working for a professor and a job at the pharmacy. So she will stay busy, also. We know God has incredible plans for her life now and in the future, too.
As I spent most of last night alone here at home, I counted my blessings. Tim was at work. We are very thankful for his continued job, especially in this strained economy. Rachel was decorating her dorm room with her sweet roommate. Micah was studying with his classmate on the other side of town. And our baby girl/s are on the other side of the world waiting to come home. Not only does our love extend to the other side of town for our son, ninety miles away to our daughter in college, thirty miles away to my husband at work, out-of-state to our relatives and friends, but also halfway around the world to our sweet daughter/s in China. Yes...there's definitely some loving across the miles! Do I long to have us all together? Absolutely. But am I thankful that we have been blessed so richly in many areas of life? Most definitely!
Whether we are together in presence or in heart, we are so thankful for each blessing, each loved one, and each opportunity in their/our lives. We thank God for each of you along our journey. We send our thoughts, hearts and prayers to you, as well. May you be reminded of the love and blessings along your journey, too.
Counting our blessings,
Terri & Family
Saturday, August 1, 2009
"At Just the Right Time...More Blessings"
Where does the time go? It seems just a week or two ago, we were saying hello to summer and considering all the plans we hoped to accomplish during this time. Now, our son has less than two weeks left before he begins his senior year of high school while our daughter looks forward to her junior year in college a few days later. I'm excited to see what the new school year brings for our children...but I'm never glad to see the summer months end with them. I love having them home and cherish every moment so it's always a bit sad to see them return to school schedules. Yet, I know they always find their way back home at the end of the day or on weekends and breaks. We certainly have that to look forward to as we leave summer behind.
In the middle of preparing for a new school year, my heart also aches for our little one/s in China. As I've mentioned in other posts, it is ironic that while time passes quickly in some ways, this is one area that seems exempt from the fast pace of life. Yesterday was one of those days when I missed our little sweetie/s so much, that it truly hurt to be so far away from her. Those of you who have walked this path certainly understand. Although she is always in our hearts, some days are just more difficult to get through than others.
Yet, as always, there were blessings in store for yesterday that I did not anticipate. But God's perfect timing met my deepest longing with incredible, unexpected blessings. What a journey this is.
Yesterday morning, I met my dear friend, Judy, for breakfast. We had not seen one another for weeks and it was time to get together! As I parked our car beside hers, she met me with yet another wonderful package. Again, her smile was lighting up the entire town. As I opened the package, there was an adorable "Ohio State Buckeye" dress set for our JennaBeth! The top part has an official Buckeye logo on the front and the bottom part spells out the word "Buckeye" on the back. It is precious! You can just imagine how thrilled my Ohio husband was to see that! And our children were also very excited! I can hardly wait to put this on our baby girl! She's going to look precious! Of course, I'll share pictures, too! Thank you so much, Judy! You are such a dear friend whom God continually shines through and blesses us during our journey. I can hardly wait for our baby girl/s to meet their "Aunt Judy." What a moment that will be!
Last night I began reorganizing JennaBeth's (& EmmaKate?) things for awhile. It was just one of those times when if I couldn't hold her in my arms, I would stay busy working with her things. So I worked on her clothes, socks, shoes, sippy cups, bibs, etc. and found myself really enjoying the progress of preparing for her just a bit more. When I checked my Facebook account at the end of the evening, there was a message from my friend, Yolanda, who is also an adoptive Mom. She had sent a Chinese "flair" that showed the Chinese characters for "I Miss You." As I wrote to thank her on FB, I told her it had been a day I had really been missing our baby girl...and somehow Yolanda had already felt that. I asked her if I could quote her response to me and she agreed. When you read it, you will understand why it captured our hearts so deeply.
Yolanda shared this re: her own wait: "GOD had it all under control. He had picked out just the right child for us, even before she was born. He molded her in her birth mother's womb and fashioned her for our family. I know that sounds easy to say now, but just hang on to that fact. God is shaping your daughter/s even now for your family. Cherish the time that he is taking to make her/them a perfect fit. He loves you so much." Thank you, Yolanda! What a beautiful blessing you shared with us at just the right time! Maybe our little girls can play together someday! Wouldn't that be precious?
Once more, during another day when our hearts ache the deepest for our little one/s in China, God sent amazing blessings from Judy and Yolanda in His perfect timing. If He can do that in one day, I can hardly wait to see what He is doing as He prepares to bring our baby girl/s home to us after this season of waiting! It's going to be worth every moment! Thank you, God, for our friends, family and everyone involved along our journey. Thank you for Your perfect timing, your wonderful people and Your Master Design which is far greater than anything we could ever imagine. Thank you for so many blessings...at just the right time. Please bless each life who continually blesses ours as well as those precious ones caring for our baby girl/s until we hold her/them in our arms. Please send a gentle breeze full of kisses and love upon her/their face so they will feel Your hand and love surrounding them each day. May everyone along this journey know Your presence and love. Amen.
Cherishing each moment of blessings...
Terri & Family
In the middle of preparing for a new school year, my heart also aches for our little one/s in China. As I've mentioned in other posts, it is ironic that while time passes quickly in some ways, this is one area that seems exempt from the fast pace of life. Yesterday was one of those days when I missed our little sweetie/s so much, that it truly hurt to be so far away from her. Those of you who have walked this path certainly understand. Although she is always in our hearts, some days are just more difficult to get through than others.
Yet, as always, there were blessings in store for yesterday that I did not anticipate. But God's perfect timing met my deepest longing with incredible, unexpected blessings. What a journey this is.
Yesterday morning, I met my dear friend, Judy, for breakfast. We had not seen one another for weeks and it was time to get together! As I parked our car beside hers, she met me with yet another wonderful package. Again, her smile was lighting up the entire town. As I opened the package, there was an adorable "Ohio State Buckeye" dress set for our JennaBeth! The top part has an official Buckeye logo on the front and the bottom part spells out the word "Buckeye" on the back. It is precious! You can just imagine how thrilled my Ohio husband was to see that! And our children were also very excited! I can hardly wait to put this on our baby girl! She's going to look precious! Of course, I'll share pictures, too! Thank you so much, Judy! You are such a dear friend whom God continually shines through and blesses us during our journey. I can hardly wait for our baby girl/s to meet their "Aunt Judy." What a moment that will be!
Last night I began reorganizing JennaBeth's (& EmmaKate?) things for awhile. It was just one of those times when if I couldn't hold her in my arms, I would stay busy working with her things. So I worked on her clothes, socks, shoes, sippy cups, bibs, etc. and found myself really enjoying the progress of preparing for her just a bit more. When I checked my Facebook account at the end of the evening, there was a message from my friend, Yolanda, who is also an adoptive Mom. She had sent a Chinese "flair" that showed the Chinese characters for "I Miss You." As I wrote to thank her on FB, I told her it had been a day I had really been missing our baby girl...and somehow Yolanda had already felt that. I asked her if I could quote her response to me and she agreed. When you read it, you will understand why it captured our hearts so deeply.
Yolanda shared this re: her own wait: "GOD had it all under control. He had picked out just the right child for us, even before she was born. He molded her in her birth mother's womb and fashioned her for our family. I know that sounds easy to say now, but just hang on to that fact. God is shaping your daughter/s even now for your family. Cherish the time that he is taking to make her/them a perfect fit. He loves you so much." Thank you, Yolanda! What a beautiful blessing you shared with us at just the right time! Maybe our little girls can play together someday! Wouldn't that be precious?
Once more, during another day when our hearts ache the deepest for our little one/s in China, God sent amazing blessings from Judy and Yolanda in His perfect timing. If He can do that in one day, I can hardly wait to see what He is doing as He prepares to bring our baby girl/s home to us after this season of waiting! It's going to be worth every moment! Thank you, God, for our friends, family and everyone involved along our journey. Thank you for Your perfect timing, your wonderful people and Your Master Design which is far greater than anything we could ever imagine. Thank you for so many blessings...at just the right time. Please bless each life who continually blesses ours as well as those precious ones caring for our baby girl/s until we hold her/them in our arms. Please send a gentle breeze full of kisses and love upon her/their face so they will feel Your hand and love surrounding them each day. May everyone along this journey know Your presence and love. Amen.
Cherishing each moment of blessings...
Terri & Family
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