It's been a very windy day with major wind gusts rushing through our community and probably the entire state of Kentucky. Little did I know that between the very hectic pace of Christmas preparations and the winds howling through our area, our lives were about to become even more busy and rushed.
We have been aware for a couple months that our 36-month homestudy update was approaching and we were under the impression that it would be very similar to the previous 18-month update process. The 18-month update involved several documents and reviews plus a home-inspection and interviews. It was work...but not considered overwhelming. We found out today that due to new Hague convention stipulations, the USA is requiring much more than we anticipated for our 36-month update...and it all has to be done in the next month or so. Wow! It will be very similar to the very first process of assembling our Dossier before sending it to China 32 months ago. In fact, there are even more documents required now than before. So...we are trying to catch our breath, somehow, before finding a way to get all this done within a matter of weeks!
Have you ever had one of those experiences when you fell and had the breath knocked out of you? Well, that's how we feel today. We had expected more paperwork and expense...but not "intense" paperwork and even greater expensive fees than before. 'Guess we're still lying on the ground waiting for our breath to return. But...when it does, there's much to be done!
Someone asked me today if we felt like giving up. Without a shadow of a doubt, the answer is NO! We didn't begin this journey because it was easy. It is not easy at all. We didn't begin this journey because it was inexpensive. It is very expensive and a total walk of faith in many areas. We didn't begin this journey because everyone understands why we're doing it. Sometimes God leads us to do things that many people don't understand or consider "logical." The reason we began this journey is because God placed it on our hearts to bring a little girl (or two) home from China to join our family...forever. That part has not changed. Nor will our efforts or commitment to continue this journey to her/them. We will do whatever it takes to be ready when God decides it's time to welcome home our little girl/s. So...here we go. Our journey of blessings does not always involve sunny days and easy roads. Just as in life, we have to take the great days with the tough days...and keep moving forward no matter what the day brings.
We would deeply appreciate your prayers as we begin to face this "mountain" ahead of us for the next month or so. I'm a mountain girl by birth...and I know that mountains are not always easy to climb. But they are BEAUTIFUL when you get to the top! They're even beautiful when you gaze at them from a distance. So here we go. This mountain was unexpected...but we're not climbing it alone. God knew the day we began this journey that there would be steep inclines and rocky terrain. But He also knows how to get us through them. We have no doubt that when we have crossed this mountain, the view is going to be amazing! For now, it's time to prepare for this part of the journey. Your prayers are so very important and valuable to us. Thank you for being our faithful friends along the way. We'll keep you posted as we prepare for Christmas...and the mountain of updating ahead. It's going to be work...lots of it. But the view will definitely be worth it!
Hold on, baby girl/s. Each day...and each document will bring us closer to you! We love and miss you...and are always willing to climb mountains and cross oceans to find you. But what a day it will be when we are finally together! I love you, sweetie/s! I'm still holding you in my heart until we hold you in our arms.
Preparing for more of the journey...
Terri & family
Jenna Elizabeth (aka "JennaBeth") Song Lorenz
Waiting For Our Little One To Come Home From China!
1 comment:
We're thankful and grateful that you've not given up... only momentarily out of breath! That IS expected, for sure. It's just as you said... you expect it, but didn't expect it quite this "hard"! And, again, as you said - it isn't easy and you didn't think it would be. I would say, perhaps - "surprising", at these latest requirements. But, we're behind you - I hope you know that. Don't be angry because the person asked you if you're ready to give up... I know for a fact that they were just deeply concerned and love you so much that they were not sure if you would be able to handle it all. But, as usual, you pick yourself up, determined as ever, and are ready to "bring it on!" Ha. You're a jewel and such a witness for the rest of us for "keeping on keeping on"... we need to learn that lesson and you're a great teacher of that. Ofcourse, being human, there are those discouraging times. But, you know what? You just "keep on keeping on" and show the rest of us that WE need to do the same in our lives. So, thank-you, sweet girl for doing just that. She'll be here any day... we're one day closer... We love you all.
Love,
Judy and family
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