Time is certainly passing quickly this summer. But it seems like forever since we officially began the adoption process four years ago this month. However, we are so thankful that we are getting closer to our baby girl/s. As of July 13, we have been "Logged-In" China's system for thirty-nine months! Wow!!!
Although the wait time has more than doubled since we began our journey, we know that it will certainly be worth every moment once we see our sweet JennaBeth (EmmaKate?). It has been a very long road of waiting, updating, re-fingerprinting, wondering, praying and more waiting. But once our dear little one/s are with us, each moment will be priceless since it led us closer and closer to our baby girl/s.
Right now, our friends, Melanie and Ryan, are in China meeting and preparing to bring their sweet little Ally home with them. Melanie was Micah's Spanish teacher in high school for four years. They were logged-in not quite a year ahead of us. Now they are holding their baby girl in their arms! We have a renewed sense of excitement, joy and anticipation for we know we are not far from the wonderful day we meet our little daughter/s. So close....so very, very close!!!!
Hold on, dear JennaBeth/EmmaKate. We are so incredibly close to seeing you, meeting you, holding you and bringing you home. Of course, our hearts are already with you and you are definitely a precious part of our lives. Our love, prayers and thoughts are constantly with you. Hold on, sweetie/s. We're almost there!
To all of our loved ones, friends and angels along this journey, thank YOU for praying for our baby girls...and for our family as we draw nearer to her/them each day. You are a very special part of our journey and have made it much more bearable. We are blessed every step of the way by your love and assistance. May each step of your journey be richly blessed.
Cherishing each amazing step...
Terri & Family
Jenna Elizabeth (aka "JennaBeth") Song Lorenz
Waiting For Our Little One To Come Home From China!
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Trip to Cincinnati....Accomplished....Again!!!
Today was another step forward to our precious JennaBeth (EmmaKate?) and I am happy to report that it went well. Tim, Rachel and I made yet another trip to the USCIS office in Cincinnati this morning to update our fingerprints again! I believe this was either our third or fourth trip for fingerprinting. And it was a peaceful and uneventful day!
Our appointments were at 10 am (Tim) and 11 am (Rachel and me). But we were all walking out of the USCIS office around 10:15 am...all finished! Yay! We didn't get lost going into the city. We didn't get lost leaving the city. It was a great day. We even had some good conversation with security guards at the Federal Building as well as one of the workers in the USCIS office. So we considered it a very productive and peaceful step toward our baby girl/s.
It never ceases to amaze me how God continues to take care of each step of this journey. There are always people who help us along the way as we find offices, complete documents, update, update and update some more. It is obvious that we are never alone in our journey. Thank you, God!
We often are asked how much longer this process will take. The answer is always, "We don't know." But...we do know that we are much closer to traveling to China than ever before. Much can change in the timing, but it is our guess that we may be on our way to our baby girl/s sometime next spring or summer. We contacted the agency in March of 2006, applied to adopt in July of 2006, sent our Dossier in March of 2007 and were logged in on April 13, 2007. Technically, we began this journey over four years ago and have been logged in over 39 months. So another year of waiting seems much closer to us than when we first began. :) We know God's timing, design and plan are much better than our own. So we wait...and trust...and update...and pray...and know that it will be worth it all when our little one/s are in our arms...and in our family forever!
Thank you for your continued prayers, love and encouragement. Thank you for joyfully anticipating the announcement and arrival of our little Jenna Elizabeth *Chinese Name* Lorenz (JennaBeth)....and perhaps even our little Emma Katherine *Chinese Name* Lorenz, (EmmaKate) too. The journey has been long...much longer than we anticipated. But it continues to be a tremendous Journey of Blessings every step of the way. We thank God for this opportunity that only He could have orchestrated, directed, provided and allowed. And we thank each of you as you walk beside us.
Hold on, little one/s. We made another step toward you today. Oh, how we love you and miss you. Daddy, Mommy, Rachel and Micah are so eager to welcome you home. But for now, as always, you are loved and cherished deeply in our hearts. What a blessed day it will be when you are home with us...forever!
Cherishing another step,
Terri & family
Our appointments were at 10 am (Tim) and 11 am (Rachel and me). But we were all walking out of the USCIS office around 10:15 am...all finished! Yay! We didn't get lost going into the city. We didn't get lost leaving the city. It was a great day. We even had some good conversation with security guards at the Federal Building as well as one of the workers in the USCIS office. So we considered it a very productive and peaceful step toward our baby girl/s.
It never ceases to amaze me how God continues to take care of each step of this journey. There are always people who help us along the way as we find offices, complete documents, update, update and update some more. It is obvious that we are never alone in our journey. Thank you, God!
We often are asked how much longer this process will take. The answer is always, "We don't know." But...we do know that we are much closer to traveling to China than ever before. Much can change in the timing, but it is our guess that we may be on our way to our baby girl/s sometime next spring or summer. We contacted the agency in March of 2006, applied to adopt in July of 2006, sent our Dossier in March of 2007 and were logged in on April 13, 2007. Technically, we began this journey over four years ago and have been logged in over 39 months. So another year of waiting seems much closer to us than when we first began. :) We know God's timing, design and plan are much better than our own. So we wait...and trust...and update...and pray...and know that it will be worth it all when our little one/s are in our arms...and in our family forever!
Thank you for your continued prayers, love and encouragement. Thank you for joyfully anticipating the announcement and arrival of our little Jenna Elizabeth *Chinese Name* Lorenz (JennaBeth)....and perhaps even our little Emma Katherine *Chinese Name* Lorenz, (EmmaKate) too. The journey has been long...much longer than we anticipated. But it continues to be a tremendous Journey of Blessings every step of the way. We thank God for this opportunity that only He could have orchestrated, directed, provided and allowed. And we thank each of you as you walk beside us.
Hold on, little one/s. We made another step toward you today. Oh, how we love you and miss you. Daddy, Mommy, Rachel and Micah are so eager to welcome you home. But for now, as always, you are loved and cherished deeply in our hearts. What a blessed day it will be when you are home with us...forever!
Cherishing another step,
Terri & family
Thursday, June 10, 2010
And Another Step Forward...To Cincy...Again!
There's another step forward planned in our journey to our little girl/s. Just today, we received word from USCIS (Homeland Security) that Tim, Rachel and I have appointments for re-fingerprinting! Every prayer concern we had was answered beautifully and abundantly.
First, our appointments are once again in the Cincinnati office! Yay!!! This is closer and much more familiar to us since all of our fingerprinting appointments have been at this office and not in Louisville. So we are very happy about that.
Second, it is on a day that will not interfere with any major scheduling conflicts such as vacation time, Tim's work schedule, other appointments, etc.. Rachel may have to adjust her work schedule a little that day but it should work out quite easily.
Third, our appointments are often very early in the morning. We usually have to leave home around 6 am to arrive there promptly. But this time our appointments allow us to leave a bit later than that. Yay! So we should miss the heavy Cincy morning traffic, as well as lunch hour traffic and evening traffic. We are so grateful!
We are confident that your prayers and the hand of God have provided yet another positive step in this journey. I can't imagine walking through this without God's love, provision, peace, assurance and perfect plan. Nor can I imagine walking through this without you, our dear family and friends who pray, care, encourage and love us through this amazing season of our lives.
We have been reminded so much lately that God's timing and design are much better than we ever realized. We are now the proud parents of a Kentucky Christian University Senior, (our daughter, Rachel), and a University of Kentucky Freshman, (our son, Micah). We are preparing for their moves to college this fall and while it is exciting, it is also a major adjustment for all of us. Yet, neither child will be more than two hours away from home and both will be visiting home regularly. (After all, dirty laundry does accumulate!) :) Yet, we will stay very busy between the time they leave for college and the time we go to China to meet our little daughter/s. I have lots of studying to do as well as lots of projects to complete here at home. We will visit our kiddos at the universities. And Tim and I will enjoy some time "recharging" as we prepare for "round two" of parenthood. :) It's an awesome journey!
So, Cincinnati, here we come....again. And JennaBeth, (EmmaKate?), we're taking one more major step toward bringing you home. Hold on, sweeties, we're closer than ever before! Meanwhile, know that Daddy & Mommy are getting so excited as we prepare for our journey to you in China as well as the journey when we will bring you home. We love you so much...and we will see you soon.
What a journey this has become. What faithful family and friends you are as you walk beside us with your love and prayers. What an awesome God who continues to provide and lead us toward our little daughter/s in China. This is truly...an indescribable Journey of Blessings!
Cherishing another step forward....
Terri & family ♥
First, our appointments are once again in the Cincinnati office! Yay!!! This is closer and much more familiar to us since all of our fingerprinting appointments have been at this office and not in Louisville. So we are very happy about that.
Second, it is on a day that will not interfere with any major scheduling conflicts such as vacation time, Tim's work schedule, other appointments, etc.. Rachel may have to adjust her work schedule a little that day but it should work out quite easily.
Third, our appointments are often very early in the morning. We usually have to leave home around 6 am to arrive there promptly. But this time our appointments allow us to leave a bit later than that. Yay! So we should miss the heavy Cincy morning traffic, as well as lunch hour traffic and evening traffic. We are so grateful!
We are confident that your prayers and the hand of God have provided yet another positive step in this journey. I can't imagine walking through this without God's love, provision, peace, assurance and perfect plan. Nor can I imagine walking through this without you, our dear family and friends who pray, care, encourage and love us through this amazing season of our lives.
We have been reminded so much lately that God's timing and design are much better than we ever realized. We are now the proud parents of a Kentucky Christian University Senior, (our daughter, Rachel), and a University of Kentucky Freshman, (our son, Micah). We are preparing for their moves to college this fall and while it is exciting, it is also a major adjustment for all of us. Yet, neither child will be more than two hours away from home and both will be visiting home regularly. (After all, dirty laundry does accumulate!) :) Yet, we will stay very busy between the time they leave for college and the time we go to China to meet our little daughter/s. I have lots of studying to do as well as lots of projects to complete here at home. We will visit our kiddos at the universities. And Tim and I will enjoy some time "recharging" as we prepare for "round two" of parenthood. :) It's an awesome journey!
So, Cincinnati, here we come....again. And JennaBeth, (EmmaKate?), we're taking one more major step toward bringing you home. Hold on, sweeties, we're closer than ever before! Meanwhile, know that Daddy & Mommy are getting so excited as we prepare for our journey to you in China as well as the journey when we will bring you home. We love you so much...and we will see you soon.
What a journey this has become. What faithful family and friends you are as you walk beside us with your love and prayers. What an awesome God who continues to provide and lead us toward our little daughter/s in China. This is truly...an indescribable Journey of Blessings!
Cherishing another step forward....
Terri & family ♥
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Here We Go...Forward!
Life in the Lorenz home is never boring, that's for certain! For now, I just want to update you on a few details in our family. It means so much to know you all are always praying for our family, whether in the USA or PRC. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
The most exciting buzz in our home presently is Micah's pending graduation from high school. This week he brought home his cap, gown and Beta club attire to wear during the events and the reality is becoming more clear each moment. What happened to that little boy who used to play in the dirt, ride his tricycle and go to the grocery store with me while his sister was in elementary school? Obviously, he has grown up...very quickly. Next week, he will graduate with honors from Harrison County High School and we are so proud of him. It's hard to believe that he will be a freshman at the University of Kentucky this fall as he plans for a future as a Pharmacist. On top of this excitement is the recent news that Micah's Dad has been asked to speak at Baccalaureate. We are thrilled. Tim was also one of the speakers at our daughter Rachel's Baccalaureate three years ago. Now Micah's class recently voted for Tim to be one of the speakers this year, too. Time certainly doesn't stand still, although it sometimes appears to do so in the adoption process. :)
Rachel recently finished her junior year at Kentucky Christian University and received excellent grades in the mail yesterday. It is with great joy that I realize she will graduate from there next May. Where did the time go? It seems like just yesterday we moved here with a four year old daughter and a sixteen month old son...and they are both heading to college this fall. We are blessed...and grateful!
Today, Tim and I sent more paperwork (and fees!) to Homeland Security to update fingerprints for Rachel, Tim and me. Hopefully, this will be the last time we need to do this, although we know Micah will need to do so next summer. We are getting much closer to the reality of our baby girl/s coming home from China, too. We have been logged in over three years now...and officially in the process for almost four. Yes, the wait has been very long and challenging, but what a joy to know that we are getting so very close to the time we will see, meet and bring our JennaBeth (maybe EmmaKate?)home!
Will you please pray that the Homeland Security office will schedule our re-fingerprinting session once more at the Cincinnati office? We are becoming quite familiar with that location and would be so grateful if we are able to go there again. Will you please pray that the appointment will also work well with the work schedules here at home? We appreciate that so very much. I will, of course, keep you posted.
So, celebrations continue in our home. Congratulations, Micah on a wonderful school career and graduation. Congratulations, Tim, on being selected as one of the Baccalaureate speakers at HCHS. Congratulations, Rachel, on a very successful year at KCU. I am so proud of all of you. It is a joy, blessing and honor to be your Mom and Wife. I am also looking forward to the day I can bring our newest daughter/s home from China. Yes...here we go...forward and definitely blessed.
I thank my God for each of you, our dear family and friends, who are walking beside us and praying us through. You are amazing and very special to us. And I am celebrating the blessing of you in our lives, too. ♥
Cherishing the celebrations along the journey,
Terri & Family
The most exciting buzz in our home presently is Micah's pending graduation from high school. This week he brought home his cap, gown and Beta club attire to wear during the events and the reality is becoming more clear each moment. What happened to that little boy who used to play in the dirt, ride his tricycle and go to the grocery store with me while his sister was in elementary school? Obviously, he has grown up...very quickly. Next week, he will graduate with honors from Harrison County High School and we are so proud of him. It's hard to believe that he will be a freshman at the University of Kentucky this fall as he plans for a future as a Pharmacist. On top of this excitement is the recent news that Micah's Dad has been asked to speak at Baccalaureate. We are thrilled. Tim was also one of the speakers at our daughter Rachel's Baccalaureate three years ago. Now Micah's class recently voted for Tim to be one of the speakers this year, too. Time certainly doesn't stand still, although it sometimes appears to do so in the adoption process. :)
Rachel recently finished her junior year at Kentucky Christian University and received excellent grades in the mail yesterday. It is with great joy that I realize she will graduate from there next May. Where did the time go? It seems like just yesterday we moved here with a four year old daughter and a sixteen month old son...and they are both heading to college this fall. We are blessed...and grateful!
Today, Tim and I sent more paperwork (and fees!) to Homeland Security to update fingerprints for Rachel, Tim and me. Hopefully, this will be the last time we need to do this, although we know Micah will need to do so next summer. We are getting much closer to the reality of our baby girl/s coming home from China, too. We have been logged in over three years now...and officially in the process for almost four. Yes, the wait has been very long and challenging, but what a joy to know that we are getting so very close to the time we will see, meet and bring our JennaBeth (maybe EmmaKate?)home!
Will you please pray that the Homeland Security office will schedule our re-fingerprinting session once more at the Cincinnati office? We are becoming quite familiar with that location and would be so grateful if we are able to go there again. Will you please pray that the appointment will also work well with the work schedules here at home? We appreciate that so very much. I will, of course, keep you posted.
So, celebrations continue in our home. Congratulations, Micah on a wonderful school career and graduation. Congratulations, Tim, on being selected as one of the Baccalaureate speakers at HCHS. Congratulations, Rachel, on a very successful year at KCU. I am so proud of all of you. It is a joy, blessing and honor to be your Mom and Wife. I am also looking forward to the day I can bring our newest daughter/s home from China. Yes...here we go...forward and definitely blessed.
I thank my God for each of you, our dear family and friends, who are walking beside us and praying us through. You are amazing and very special to us. And I am celebrating the blessing of you in our lives, too. ♥
Cherishing the celebrations along the journey,
Terri & Family
Friday, May 14, 2010
Still Waiting and Even More Excited!
It is so hard to believe that it's been almost a month since I wrote my last post. Life has been exciting...and continues to grow even more thrilling. Since my last post, we have moved Rachel home from the university, celebrated Mother's Day, celebrated our twenty-sixth wedding anniversary, preparing for Tim's birthday tomorrow....and anticipating Micah's graduation next month. Wow! Life is so blessed!
We are also celebrating the referral of our friend, Melanie's, sweet daughter from China! Melanie and her husband, Ryan, are almost one year ahead of us in the adoption journey. Yesterday they received the referral of their daughter, Allyson Marie. We are so thrilled for them! They have been logged in over four years and now they are seeing pictures of their adorable daughter. Congratulations, Melanie and Ryan! Melanie is Micah's Spanish teacher and has been such an inspiration to us as we all wait for our baby girls. Now she is anticipating the trip to China this summer to bring Ally home. How awesome this time is for their family!!!
It is also an eye-opener for our family. You see, when people used to ask us if we had heard anything, we "gauged" our wait somewhat on Melanie and Ryan's wait. We always said, "Well, Micah's teacher hasn't heard anything and they are a year ahead of us." Now...that has changed in a beautiful way! Now we see the "light at the end of the tunnel" for Melanie and Ryan. NOW we see that we are quite possibly a year or less in our wait for our JennaBeth (and EmmaKate?). What a great "second wind" we now have as we continue our journey. It is a great time to celebrate for our friend and her family. It is a great encouragement for our family's journey, as well.
Hold on, baby girl/s. This is most likely our last summer without you at home. We are so excited and we have much to do to prepare for your arrival. Know that you are loved very, very much and you will be in our arms sooner than ever before. ♥
I am thankful for the joyful news for our friends. I am thankful that Ally will be in their arms in the next couple months. I am thankful for the journey that they have diligently endured to bring their little daughter home. I am thankful that we have been able to watch their joy (and patience) lead them to this wonderful moment in their lives. I am also very thankful for the precious people who have touched their lives in their adoption journey. What a beautiful family that will finally be together. Thank you, God!
I am also thankful for our dear friends, family and journey. I thank God for each of you daily. Will you please continue to pray for our baby girl/s...the dear mother who will bring our daughter/s into this world and make a tremendous sacrifice so that she/they will be able to join our family? Will you please thank God for the precious people in the agencies, government offices, doctors, notaries, orphanages, etc. who contribute greatly to this journey so selflessly? Will you pray for all the adoptive parents who travel this road...which is long, challenging and a true journey of faith? Will you pray for the precious babies who are waiting for their moms and dads to come to China for them? Thank you so much!
Each moment. Each gift. Each heartbeat. Each day. These are all gifts for which we are thankful. Cherish each step of your journey. May you be as blessed in your journey as you have blessed the steps in ours! Much love to all of you! ♥
Cherishing the blessings...
Terri & Family
We are also celebrating the referral of our friend, Melanie's, sweet daughter from China! Melanie and her husband, Ryan, are almost one year ahead of us in the adoption journey. Yesterday they received the referral of their daughter, Allyson Marie. We are so thrilled for them! They have been logged in over four years and now they are seeing pictures of their adorable daughter. Congratulations, Melanie and Ryan! Melanie is Micah's Spanish teacher and has been such an inspiration to us as we all wait for our baby girls. Now she is anticipating the trip to China this summer to bring Ally home. How awesome this time is for their family!!!
It is also an eye-opener for our family. You see, when people used to ask us if we had heard anything, we "gauged" our wait somewhat on Melanie and Ryan's wait. We always said, "Well, Micah's teacher hasn't heard anything and they are a year ahead of us." Now...that has changed in a beautiful way! Now we see the "light at the end of the tunnel" for Melanie and Ryan. NOW we see that we are quite possibly a year or less in our wait for our JennaBeth (and EmmaKate?). What a great "second wind" we now have as we continue our journey. It is a great time to celebrate for our friend and her family. It is a great encouragement for our family's journey, as well.
Hold on, baby girl/s. This is most likely our last summer without you at home. We are so excited and we have much to do to prepare for your arrival. Know that you are loved very, very much and you will be in our arms sooner than ever before. ♥
I am thankful for the joyful news for our friends. I am thankful that Ally will be in their arms in the next couple months. I am thankful for the journey that they have diligently endured to bring their little daughter home. I am thankful that we have been able to watch their joy (and patience) lead them to this wonderful moment in their lives. I am also very thankful for the precious people who have touched their lives in their adoption journey. What a beautiful family that will finally be together. Thank you, God!
I am also thankful for our dear friends, family and journey. I thank God for each of you daily. Will you please continue to pray for our baby girl/s...the dear mother who will bring our daughter/s into this world and make a tremendous sacrifice so that she/they will be able to join our family? Will you please thank God for the precious people in the agencies, government offices, doctors, notaries, orphanages, etc. who contribute greatly to this journey so selflessly? Will you pray for all the adoptive parents who travel this road...which is long, challenging and a true journey of faith? Will you pray for the precious babies who are waiting for their moms and dads to come to China for them? Thank you so much!
Each moment. Each gift. Each heartbeat. Each day. These are all gifts for which we are thankful. Cherish each step of your journey. May you be as blessed in your journey as you have blessed the steps in ours! Much love to all of you! ♥
Cherishing the blessings...
Terri & Family
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Three Whole Years...And A High Chair? :)
As of April 13....five days ago, to be exact...we reached the milestone of being logged-in China's adoption system for THREE YEARS! That's a lonnnnnng time but it is also a huuuuuuge step closer to our baby girl/s. When July arrives in a few months, we will celebrate four years since we first submitted our application and began this journey of adopting our sweetie/s in China. The wait timeframe when we were logged-in was about eighteen months. It is now around four years. Yes...the wait has been extended quite a bit. But, our journey has continued, as well. Now we are beginning to see the "light at the end of the tunnel" and we know that our baby girl/s are closer to joining our family than ever before. Thank you, God!
So...in celebration of this amazing milestone, we did something special this weekend. Although our daughter and son's high chair was retired many years ago, someone gave us a precious used "Jenny Lynn" style wooden high chair long before we ever began considering the adoption process. (Notice the name? Jenny....as in my Grandmother Jenny who we are naming our JennaBeth after?) :) The high chair was about to be thrown away yet it was in great shape...and I couldn't bear to see it go "for some reason." When we brought it home, Tim asked me what we should do with it and we decided to put it in storage..."just in case." Well...I'm glad we did. Who knew why we would ever need it? Obviously God knew all along.
A few days ago, I mentioned to Tim that the next time he was working in the storage building, it would be nice to pull the high chair out. Yesterday, I looked up to see our 18 year old son carrying the high chair into our house. I also need to mention that he had an incredible smile on his face as he carried it inside!
The high chair has now been cleaned up and sits in our great room as a reminder of the little sweetheart/s God is working to bring home to us hopefully sometime next year. Each time I see it, I say a prayer for our JennaBeth/EmmaKate. It's been such a long journey but it's becoming more real each day that the time will truly come...when we bring her/them home.
I might also add that the chair is draped with a crocheted baby afghan from our first two babies' years. A precious little pair of baby Croc shoes are sitting on top of the afghan which our little sweetie/s' special Kentucky Ommie & Papa Ralph already gave her. The afghan represents the loving arms of God that continually surround our baby girl/s....and the baby Croc shoes represent each step of the journey that brings us closer to being together. What an amazing journey!
I know that before JennaBeth/EmmaKate arrive home, I will need to refinish the crib, chest of drawers and high chair. We have decided to go with a dark cherry finish instead of the lighter finish they presently have. Maybe that's one of my many projects to tackle next fall when our Rachel and Micah are BOTH in college. :') But for now, we celebrate three years of log-in, almost four years of the official journey...and a high chair sitting in our home.
Hold on, Baby Girl/s! Your high chair is waiting. (And we can always buy another one if we do receive twins!) Your blanket reminds us of God's love and protection and your shoes remind us of this journey's many wonderful steps toward you. My heart is overflowing with love, anticipation and gratitude for all the blessings along the way in bringing you home. For now, rest...in His arms, in our hearts...and in the joy of knowing that you are loved...forever. We are now YEARS closer to seeing you and holding you in our arms. Until that moment, we are loving you and holding you in our thoughts and hearts...constantly.
May God bless each friend, family member, minister, doctor, nurse, agency worker, government official, attorney, orphanage worker...and prayer-giver who walks along this journey of blessings with us. We thank God for you all!
Cherishing the beauty of each blessing....
Terri & family
So...in celebration of this amazing milestone, we did something special this weekend. Although our daughter and son's high chair was retired many years ago, someone gave us a precious used "Jenny Lynn" style wooden high chair long before we ever began considering the adoption process. (Notice the name? Jenny....as in my Grandmother Jenny who we are naming our JennaBeth after?) :) The high chair was about to be thrown away yet it was in great shape...and I couldn't bear to see it go "for some reason." When we brought it home, Tim asked me what we should do with it and we decided to put it in storage..."just in case." Well...I'm glad we did. Who knew why we would ever need it? Obviously God knew all along.
A few days ago, I mentioned to Tim that the next time he was working in the storage building, it would be nice to pull the high chair out. Yesterday, I looked up to see our 18 year old son carrying the high chair into our house. I also need to mention that he had an incredible smile on his face as he carried it inside!
The high chair has now been cleaned up and sits in our great room as a reminder of the little sweetheart/s God is working to bring home to us hopefully sometime next year. Each time I see it, I say a prayer for our JennaBeth/EmmaKate. It's been such a long journey but it's becoming more real each day that the time will truly come...when we bring her/them home.
I might also add that the chair is draped with a crocheted baby afghan from our first two babies' years. A precious little pair of baby Croc shoes are sitting on top of the afghan which our little sweetie/s' special Kentucky Ommie & Papa Ralph already gave her. The afghan represents the loving arms of God that continually surround our baby girl/s....and the baby Croc shoes represent each step of the journey that brings us closer to being together. What an amazing journey!
I know that before JennaBeth/EmmaKate arrive home, I will need to refinish the crib, chest of drawers and high chair. We have decided to go with a dark cherry finish instead of the lighter finish they presently have. Maybe that's one of my many projects to tackle next fall when our Rachel and Micah are BOTH in college. :') But for now, we celebrate three years of log-in, almost four years of the official journey...and a high chair sitting in our home.
Hold on, Baby Girl/s! Your high chair is waiting. (And we can always buy another one if we do receive twins!) Your blanket reminds us of God's love and protection and your shoes remind us of this journey's many wonderful steps toward you. My heart is overflowing with love, anticipation and gratitude for all the blessings along the way in bringing you home. For now, rest...in His arms, in our hearts...and in the joy of knowing that you are loved...forever. We are now YEARS closer to seeing you and holding you in our arms. Until that moment, we are loving you and holding you in our thoughts and hearts...constantly.
May God bless each friend, family member, minister, doctor, nurse, agency worker, government official, attorney, orphanage worker...and prayer-giver who walks along this journey of blessings with us. We thank God for you all!
Cherishing the beauty of each blessing....
Terri & family
Monday, April 5, 2010
Away...Yet Together!
What an incredible Easter weekend! It's one we will long remember! And we are so thankful for every reminder of love, hope, joy and New Beginnings.
This past Easter weekend could have been a very sad and lonely one. But it turned out anything but that! You see, this weekend was the first Easter we spent without our children since we became parents almost twenty-two years ago. It was different but the blessings along the way were amazing.
Our daughter, Rachel, spent the weekend at the University, as well as visited the congregation where her boyfriend serves as youth minister. She also left for Columbus, OH yesterday on a nursing clinical trip. Our son, Micah, worked Saturday and left yesterday morning at 6:30 am for New York City on his Senior Class trip. So that left Tim and me home...alone...but not.
We decided to spend those moments with one another as well as with dear friends and had an incredible time together. Although we love our children dearly and missed being together as a family, we realized something very important.
Yes, our daughter was at school and is now in Ohio. Our son is now in New York City. Our baby daughter/s are in China. Tim is now at work. And I am home with lots of work to be done. Yet...while we are all away from one another, we are very much together! While we are spread out among different states and even different countries, our love for one another knows no boundaries. Different locations have no influence on our family unit and our hearts remain very much together...always!
Of course, we look forward to the day when we are all together again. Yet we are so thrilled that even when life requires us being in different places at the same time, we still have a bond that never ends. (We also thank God for cell phones with texting!) :)
We certainly realize that our love and relationships with others rest in this same truth. We have loved ones all over the USA as well as in England, Australia and China. How awesome if we could be together more often. But what a joy it is to know that our love reaches all over the corners of this earth each moment. (Plus we still have email, Facebook, etc.) :) So...if we didn't get to see you over Easter weekend, please know that our hearts, thoughts and prayers are with you. If we didn't get to worship together, please know that we are all praising the same God no matter where we live. And if we aren't able to see one another often, that doesn't change the love we have for each of you.
Our precious JennaBeth/EmmaKate...I missed you greatly this weekend. I imagined how I would have dressed you for Easter Sunday. I imagined how the little Easter baskets would have been waiting for you Easter morning. I thought about the little pink bows I would have placed in your hair...and the pictures I would have taken of you before you walked into Church. I imagined what it would have been like to see you hunt for Easter eggs...and how fun it would have been to help clean the melted chocolate from your hands and face. But most of all, I thanked God for you, our baby girl/s in China on this Easter morning...and for the New Beginning we have with you in the near future. The time is coming soon when we will share life in a wonderful new way when you come home with us. But until that time, please know that you are loved, cherished, remembered, embraced and in our prayers each moment. Although you are presently in the PRC and we are in the USA, we are together...already...always. Rest, my sweet daughters. Rest for your Daddy and Mommy will travel to China and hold you, hug you, thank God for you and cherish our beginning as a Forever Family in every way. Until then, remember we may be away...but we remain very much together! I love you, sweetie/s. Until I hold you in my arms, I'm holding you...so very closely...in my heart. I love you, my dear little daughter/s.
Cherishing all those we love away...yet so close together,
Terri & family
This past Easter weekend could have been a very sad and lonely one. But it turned out anything but that! You see, this weekend was the first Easter we spent without our children since we became parents almost twenty-two years ago. It was different but the blessings along the way were amazing.
Our daughter, Rachel, spent the weekend at the University, as well as visited the congregation where her boyfriend serves as youth minister. She also left for Columbus, OH yesterday on a nursing clinical trip. Our son, Micah, worked Saturday and left yesterday morning at 6:30 am for New York City on his Senior Class trip. So that left Tim and me home...alone...but not.
We decided to spend those moments with one another as well as with dear friends and had an incredible time together. Although we love our children dearly and missed being together as a family, we realized something very important.
Yes, our daughter was at school and is now in Ohio. Our son is now in New York City. Our baby daughter/s are in China. Tim is now at work. And I am home with lots of work to be done. Yet...while we are all away from one another, we are very much together! While we are spread out among different states and even different countries, our love for one another knows no boundaries. Different locations have no influence on our family unit and our hearts remain very much together...always!
Of course, we look forward to the day when we are all together again. Yet we are so thrilled that even when life requires us being in different places at the same time, we still have a bond that never ends. (We also thank God for cell phones with texting!) :)
We certainly realize that our love and relationships with others rest in this same truth. We have loved ones all over the USA as well as in England, Australia and China. How awesome if we could be together more often. But what a joy it is to know that our love reaches all over the corners of this earth each moment. (Plus we still have email, Facebook, etc.) :) So...if we didn't get to see you over Easter weekend, please know that our hearts, thoughts and prayers are with you. If we didn't get to worship together, please know that we are all praising the same God no matter where we live. And if we aren't able to see one another often, that doesn't change the love we have for each of you.
Our precious JennaBeth/EmmaKate...I missed you greatly this weekend. I imagined how I would have dressed you for Easter Sunday. I imagined how the little Easter baskets would have been waiting for you Easter morning. I thought about the little pink bows I would have placed in your hair...and the pictures I would have taken of you before you walked into Church. I imagined what it would have been like to see you hunt for Easter eggs...and how fun it would have been to help clean the melted chocolate from your hands and face. But most of all, I thanked God for you, our baby girl/s in China on this Easter morning...and for the New Beginning we have with you in the near future. The time is coming soon when we will share life in a wonderful new way when you come home with us. But until that time, please know that you are loved, cherished, remembered, embraced and in our prayers each moment. Although you are presently in the PRC and we are in the USA, we are together...already...always. Rest, my sweet daughters. Rest for your Daddy and Mommy will travel to China and hold you, hug you, thank God for you and cherish our beginning as a Forever Family in every way. Until then, remember we may be away...but we remain very much together! I love you, sweetie/s. Until I hold you in my arms, I'm holding you...so very closely...in my heart. I love you, my dear little daughter/s.
Cherishing all those we love away...yet so close together,
Terri & family
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