Jenna Elizabeth (aka "JennaBeth") Song Lorenz
Waiting For Our Little One To Come Home From China!
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Update....
Update: It is with very deep sorrow, and yet with even deeper faith, that our family must share with you that our adoption journey has ended. Due to circumstances beyond our control, we fully trust that God is closing this door for reasons only He knows and understands. We would greatly appreciate your prayers for little Song as God holds her in His arms of protection and provision. We would also appreciate your prayers for our family as we grieve this major, heartbreaking loss and as we anticipate God’s redirection in our lives. Thank you for your wonderful love, support, kindness & respect during our journey and in this season. Proverbs 3: 5>6 says “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.” May we embrace His promises now and in the days to come.♥~thl
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Great News...Doubly Blessed!
Somehow it doesn't surprise me...the day after Grandma Jenny's birthday and the day after Tim returned to work, we received a very positive call from the adoption agency! Not only did they have good news...but they had double good news!
First, the agency had contacted the U.S. Consulate about our issue of concern with the USCIS document. We have been dealing with this concern for several months. USCIS told us to contact the National Visa Center. The Visa Center told us to contact the U.S. Consulate in China. We were growing a bit weary when we could not get a definite answer. But our agency contacted the Consulate in China and the USCIS document is acceptable as it is presently. So that is a huge relief! It seems we will no longer have to wait for any possible re-issues of the document. What a blessing!
Second, our agency just received our extended Travel Letter! Wow! We have been waiting for this since the end of December and are thrilled to hear that China has now issued us the long-awaited extension that will allow us to begin making plans to travel to meet our little Song...and bring her home! The agency said we could go in March, if we wished. However, since Tim just returned to work after being off for six and a half weeks, it will be best to wait another month in order to prepare for the trip. So, if all goes well, we hope to travel sometime in April to meet our precious little Song...to hold her in our arms...to go through the necessary paperwork...and to bring her home to our Forever Family! We are so close to meeting our precious daughter....after all this time! We are so excited!
Thank you for your continued prayers, encouragement, concern and presence as we walk this journey toward little Jenna Elizabeth Song Lorenz! It will be six years in March since we began meeting with the agency...and it will be five years in April since we were logged in the CCCWA system in China! God's timing is definitely best and although it has been much longer than we ever expected, we trust His master design and perfect plan.
Please continue to pray for our little JennaBeth as she begins to prepare to meet her new family and make so many adjustments. Please pray for our family as we prepare to travel to China and as we prepare to bring her home. Please pray for God's protection and provision on every level. Most of all, please pray for God to be honored and praised in this journey. We thank Him for you all and we thank Him for this amazing call to bring one of His precious children home to call our own daughter.
Hold on, dear Song! We are so close to holding you in our arms and sharing the rest of our lives with you as our precious daughter. You are so loved already. We will see you soon and we are so blessed to be your new Dad and Mom. Your big sis and brother are thrilled to have you as their little sister. And so many people are praying for you and loving you. We love you, baby girl.
Cherishing this amazing journey of blessings in God's perfect timing,
Terri & Family
First, the agency had contacted the U.S. Consulate about our issue of concern with the USCIS document. We have been dealing with this concern for several months. USCIS told us to contact the National Visa Center. The Visa Center told us to contact the U.S. Consulate in China. We were growing a bit weary when we could not get a definite answer. But our agency contacted the Consulate in China and the USCIS document is acceptable as it is presently. So that is a huge relief! It seems we will no longer have to wait for any possible re-issues of the document. What a blessing!
Second, our agency just received our extended Travel Letter! Wow! We have been waiting for this since the end of December and are thrilled to hear that China has now issued us the long-awaited extension that will allow us to begin making plans to travel to meet our little Song...and bring her home! The agency said we could go in March, if we wished. However, since Tim just returned to work after being off for six and a half weeks, it will be best to wait another month in order to prepare for the trip. So, if all goes well, we hope to travel sometime in April to meet our precious little Song...to hold her in our arms...to go through the necessary paperwork...and to bring her home to our Forever Family! We are so close to meeting our precious daughter....after all this time! We are so excited!
Thank you for your continued prayers, encouragement, concern and presence as we walk this journey toward little Jenna Elizabeth Song Lorenz! It will be six years in March since we began meeting with the agency...and it will be five years in April since we were logged in the CCCWA system in China! God's timing is definitely best and although it has been much longer than we ever expected, we trust His master design and perfect plan.
Please continue to pray for our little JennaBeth as she begins to prepare to meet her new family and make so many adjustments. Please pray for our family as we prepare to travel to China and as we prepare to bring her home. Please pray for God's protection and provision on every level. Most of all, please pray for God to be honored and praised in this journey. We thank Him for you all and we thank Him for this amazing call to bring one of His precious children home to call our own daughter.
Hold on, dear Song! We are so close to holding you in our arms and sharing the rest of our lives with you as our precious daughter. You are so loved already. We will see you soon and we are so blessed to be your new Dad and Mom. Your big sis and brother are thrilled to have you as their little sister. And so many people are praying for you and loving you. We love you, baby girl.
Cherishing this amazing journey of blessings in God's perfect timing,
Terri & Family
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Happy 102nd Birthday, Grandma Jenny!
Although we are so excited about bringing our little JennaBeth Song home sometime soon, there's a bit of sadness in our situation, as well. JennaBeth will not meet her namesake, my precious Grandma Jenny, until we are together in Heaven. But we will certainly make sure that JennaBeth knows all about her precious Great Grandmother and why she was named after Grandma Jenny. And somehow...I truly believe that Grandma Jenny is fully aware that she has a great granddaughter here on Earth whose name is in honor of her.
Today is Grandma Jenny's 102nd birthday. She went to Heaven a little over ten years ago but I am sure she is celebrating her birthday incredibly well! I wish we could see her, hug her and talk with her once more. But a part of her is always with us and lives on through her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. I also believe that her life is so much better in Heaven that she would not want to return to earth...but is waiting for us to join her someday. Her precious son, my Uncle Jimmy, joined her on January 23 of this year. So I know he is celebrating with her, too.
While we wait to be with her again, I am so thankful for the time we had with her here. Grandma Jenny was a genuine personification of the word love! She loved genuinely, unconditionally, generously and joyfully. She loved family, friends, neighbors...and yes...even "strangers." Grandma didn't just say she loved others. She lived it! She had faith that was strong and authentic. She didn't have many worldly possessions yet she was very rich in heart, spirit, mind and faith. And she gave so generously to others on so many levels. She cared. She shared. She lived what she claimed. She had an incredible relationship with her Lord. Anyone who knew her, met her or spent time with her soon realized this lady was an amazing blessing to all those around her. Her love was so great....and her kindness was so contagious, that the majority of the town in which she lived...called her "Grandma Jenny." She didn't own a car...but her love traveled far and knew no boundaries. She didn't own her house...but everyone felt welcome...and at home...the moment they entered there. She didn't have a college education...but she was very intelligent...and wise. She was tender...and strong. She stood for what was right no matter what. She cared about each detail of our lives...and protected us without hesitation.
So it is an honor and a privilege to carry on her name in our little daughter's life. There will only be one Grandma Jenny...but her love will undoubtedly carry on for many generations to come. Happy Birthday, Grandma Jenny! I love you so much and am so grateful to be your granddaughter. I will see you again soon. Meanwhile, enjoy Heaven and hug all our loved ones there for me...while I miss you and try to share you in my life here. You will never be forgotten.
JennaBeth, I can hardly wait to tell you all about your grandparents...including your Grandma Jenny. May you know her love and share it...just as she did.
Cherishing my Grandmother Jenny today and always,
Terri & Family
Today is Grandma Jenny's 102nd birthday. She went to Heaven a little over ten years ago but I am sure she is celebrating her birthday incredibly well! I wish we could see her, hug her and talk with her once more. But a part of her is always with us and lives on through her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. I also believe that her life is so much better in Heaven that she would not want to return to earth...but is waiting for us to join her someday. Her precious son, my Uncle Jimmy, joined her on January 23 of this year. So I know he is celebrating with her, too.
While we wait to be with her again, I am so thankful for the time we had with her here. Grandma Jenny was a genuine personification of the word love! She loved genuinely, unconditionally, generously and joyfully. She loved family, friends, neighbors...and yes...even "strangers." Grandma didn't just say she loved others. She lived it! She had faith that was strong and authentic. She didn't have many worldly possessions yet she was very rich in heart, spirit, mind and faith. And she gave so generously to others on so many levels. She cared. She shared. She lived what she claimed. She had an incredible relationship with her Lord. Anyone who knew her, met her or spent time with her soon realized this lady was an amazing blessing to all those around her. Her love was so great....and her kindness was so contagious, that the majority of the town in which she lived...called her "Grandma Jenny." She didn't own a car...but her love traveled far and knew no boundaries. She didn't own her house...but everyone felt welcome...and at home...the moment they entered there. She didn't have a college education...but she was very intelligent...and wise. She was tender...and strong. She stood for what was right no matter what. She cared about each detail of our lives...and protected us without hesitation.
So it is an honor and a privilege to carry on her name in our little daughter's life. There will only be one Grandma Jenny...but her love will undoubtedly carry on for many generations to come. Happy Birthday, Grandma Jenny! I love you so much and am so grateful to be your granddaughter. I will see you again soon. Meanwhile, enjoy Heaven and hug all our loved ones there for me...while I miss you and try to share you in my life here. You will never be forgotten.
JennaBeth, I can hardly wait to tell you all about your grandparents...including your Grandma Jenny. May you know her love and share it...just as she did.
Cherishing my Grandmother Jenny today and always,
Terri & Family
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Happy Valentine's Day!
Happy Valentine's Day to all of you! It's been a special day as Tim and I celebrated our 29th Valentine's Day together! We have an incredible family, precious friends,and so many blessings for which we are very grateful. So it has been a joy to celebrate this day...and the love we share each day with so many dear ones in our lives.
My heart has been so full of love and joy for our little "Song" today...and every day. We are so very close to bringing her home and we are thrilled. I can't help but face each holiday with the thoughts that "this will be the last Christmas...New Year's, Valentine's Day, etc. that our baby girl will be apart from us." It will be a joy to watch her learn, enjoy and celebrate those days...and each day...with us. We are so thrilled.
Our agency recently contacted us and although our new Travel Letter is still in the process in China, we are considering tentative travel dates in the near future. Once we have that new TL, it will be time to apply for Visas, make travel arrangements, etc. and then...it will be time to meet our new daughter, hold her in our arms...and bring her home! After almost six years of this process and almost five years of being logged in...it is so exciting to realize just how soon the time is coming to have our daughter with us. Wow!
We hope that all of you have enjoyed this Valentine's Day. As I often tell my husband and children..."you are never alone and always loved!" That applies to each day of life...and not just February 14.
May your journey be blessed richly. We thank God for all of you who so faithfully bless our journey.
Hold on, sweet JennaBeth Song Lorenz! We love you and continue to hold you in our hearts until we hold you in our arms.
Cherishing the blessing of loved ones...
Terri & Family
My heart has been so full of love and joy for our little "Song" today...and every day. We are so very close to bringing her home and we are thrilled. I can't help but face each holiday with the thoughts that "this will be the last Christmas...New Year's, Valentine's Day, etc. that our baby girl will be apart from us." It will be a joy to watch her learn, enjoy and celebrate those days...and each day...with us. We are so thrilled.
Our agency recently contacted us and although our new Travel Letter is still in the process in China, we are considering tentative travel dates in the near future. Once we have that new TL, it will be time to apply for Visas, make travel arrangements, etc. and then...it will be time to meet our new daughter, hold her in our arms...and bring her home! After almost six years of this process and almost five years of being logged in...it is so exciting to realize just how soon the time is coming to have our daughter with us. Wow!
We hope that all of you have enjoyed this Valentine's Day. As I often tell my husband and children..."you are never alone and always loved!" That applies to each day of life...and not just February 14.
May your journey be blessed richly. We thank God for all of you who so faithfully bless our journey.
Hold on, sweet JennaBeth Song Lorenz! We love you and continue to hold you in our hearts until we hold you in our arms.
Cherishing the blessing of loved ones...
Terri & Family
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Latest News from China.....
We have been quite concerned that since sending our original Travel Letter back to China in late December, we have not heard anything re: the new extension. We checked with our agency who also thought it would not take this long to receive the new extension...but felt it would only be a matter of time. We also realized that we have had Christmas holidays here in the USA while China just celebrated their Chinese New Year. So that could quite possibly influence the delay in receiving a new extension.
This week, we contacted the agency once more and they contacted their China director, who checked with the CCCWA...who actually handles the TL process. Our original TL is there...and is waiting to be processed! We are obviously very relieved to hear that there haven't been any complications. It's simply a matter of time. And we certainly realize that God knows the perfect time and master design He has planned!
So...we continue to wait...and pray...and prepare. Thank you for your continued prayers as we continue this amazing journey of blessings! It is definitely worth every moment as we trust Him and look forward to bringing little Song home!
Cherishing faith in Him and all He has planned....
Terri & Family
This week, we contacted the agency once more and they contacted their China director, who checked with the CCCWA...who actually handles the TL process. Our original TL is there...and is waiting to be processed! We are obviously very relieved to hear that there haven't been any complications. It's simply a matter of time. And we certainly realize that God knows the perfect time and master design He has planned!
So...we continue to wait...and pray...and prepare. Thank you for your continued prayers as we continue this amazing journey of blessings! It is definitely worth every moment as we trust Him and look forward to bringing little Song home!
Cherishing faith in Him and all He has planned....
Terri & Family
Friday, February 3, 2012
Waiting and Trusting...
Although there is no news from China yet on our extended China Travel Letter, (which we expected since it has been Chinese New Year celebration time there), I ran across a Scripture passage today that touched my heart deeply. Please allow me to share it with you as we continue to wait for God's perfect timing and plan to unfold.
Isaiah 43: 5 > 7:
"Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west. I will say to the north, 'Give them up!' and to the south, 'Do not hold them back.' Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth--everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made."
I can honestly tell you that waiting several years before our Referral of little Song was extremely difficult. I can also share with you that having her Referral and waiting to travel to meet her, hold her and bring her home is also very, very difficult. However...we have peace, hope and trust in God that He knows what is best, right, perfect and purposeful in His own timing and design. I often wonder "how much longer, O Lord?" but in my heart, I know that He is working it all out in a beautiful and precious way...and I will trust Him. I know He is holding our little Song in His arms of love and protection. I know He is working protection and provision out for our family on many levels. So we wait...and trust...and believe.
When I read this Scripture passage today, I was touched by God's many reminders which repeatedly tell us "Do not be afraid." If memory serves me correctly, that phrase is listed around 365 times in the Bible! Interestingly, that's one for each day of the year! I think it was very important for Him to reveal that message to us each day. He is God and He is always with us no matter where we are, what's going on within us or around us...or in our journeys of life...including adoption. So...we must not be afraid. We must trust Him who has complete control and purpose of our lives...in every direction.
I must also smile at this verse for another interesting reason. Tim and I have often discussed how our family will be complete when our little JennaBeth comes home on many levels. You see, Tim is originally from Ohio...a northern state. I am originally from Virginia...a southern state. Our family lives in the "western" section of the world. And our precious little girl obviously was born and now lives in China...the eastern part of the world. So we sometimes chuckle as we say that God has included the north, south, east and west in our family! Reading this verse reminds me that God's plan can involve many different origins, stories and directions in order to complete His purpose in our lives. How amazing He truly is!
So the very God who created this universe, the stars in the skies, the oceans, mountains, rainbows, animals, miracles and beautiful flowers...can certainly handle bringing our sweet daughter into our arms at just the right time. We could easily become discouraged, frustrated and doubtful...after almost 58 months of log-in and almost 6 years of this journey. But...we will not be afraid. We will hold onto hope, peace, joy, trust and belief that God is with our little Song in China...and our family as we recover from surgery and illness. We hold onto Him as He directs our paths and our journey to our precious daughter in China. We will honor and glorify Him in the wait, the walk and this wonderful journey of blessings.
Please continue to pray for our little one in China. Please pray for our family. Please pray that we will reflect Him through each moment. Please know how much we thank Him for you, our faithful family and friends who steadfastly pray, love and walk beside us. You are such blessings in our lives and we thank Him for you.
Cherishing the gift of trusting Him through it all,
Terri & Family
Isaiah 43: 5 > 7:
"Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west. I will say to the north, 'Give them up!' and to the south, 'Do not hold them back.' Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth--everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made."
I can honestly tell you that waiting several years before our Referral of little Song was extremely difficult. I can also share with you that having her Referral and waiting to travel to meet her, hold her and bring her home is also very, very difficult. However...we have peace, hope and trust in God that He knows what is best, right, perfect and purposeful in His own timing and design. I often wonder "how much longer, O Lord?" but in my heart, I know that He is working it all out in a beautiful and precious way...and I will trust Him. I know He is holding our little Song in His arms of love and protection. I know He is working protection and provision out for our family on many levels. So we wait...and trust...and believe.
When I read this Scripture passage today, I was touched by God's many reminders which repeatedly tell us "Do not be afraid." If memory serves me correctly, that phrase is listed around 365 times in the Bible! Interestingly, that's one for each day of the year! I think it was very important for Him to reveal that message to us each day. He is God and He is always with us no matter where we are, what's going on within us or around us...or in our journeys of life...including adoption. So...we must not be afraid. We must trust Him who has complete control and purpose of our lives...in every direction.
I must also smile at this verse for another interesting reason. Tim and I have often discussed how our family will be complete when our little JennaBeth comes home on many levels. You see, Tim is originally from Ohio...a northern state. I am originally from Virginia...a southern state. Our family lives in the "western" section of the world. And our precious little girl obviously was born and now lives in China...the eastern part of the world. So we sometimes chuckle as we say that God has included the north, south, east and west in our family! Reading this verse reminds me that God's plan can involve many different origins, stories and directions in order to complete His purpose in our lives. How amazing He truly is!
So the very God who created this universe, the stars in the skies, the oceans, mountains, rainbows, animals, miracles and beautiful flowers...can certainly handle bringing our sweet daughter into our arms at just the right time. We could easily become discouraged, frustrated and doubtful...after almost 58 months of log-in and almost 6 years of this journey. But...we will not be afraid. We will hold onto hope, peace, joy, trust and belief that God is with our little Song in China...and our family as we recover from surgery and illness. We hold onto Him as He directs our paths and our journey to our precious daughter in China. We will honor and glorify Him in the wait, the walk and this wonderful journey of blessings.
Please continue to pray for our little one in China. Please pray for our family. Please pray that we will reflect Him through each moment. Please know how much we thank Him for you, our faithful family and friends who steadfastly pray, love and walk beside us. You are such blessings in our lives and we thank Him for you.
Cherishing the gift of trusting Him through it all,
Terri & Family
Thursday, January 19, 2012
More Prayers, Please!
This is just a quick update for you so you will be aware of our specific prayer requests. I contacted the adoption agency today to see if they have heard anything from China in regard to our pending Travel Letter extension. The agency's efficient response to us said that they have not heard anything back yet but they will call us as soon as it arrives. It remains a matter of WHEN...not IF. So that is very exciting for us, to say the least!
There will be a week-long holiday in China beginning next week for their Chinese New Year. So if we don't hear anything this week, there won't be any news during the next week. Our agency had hoped to hear something sooner but they are not alarmed because there is no standard response time when dealing with the CCCWA. So...we wait and pray.
Of course, we know that God's timing is always best. We know His plan will unfold just as His perfect design allows. So we are not overly stressed. We just miss our little Song! :) But if you would be so kind, please continue to pray that the Travel Letter will arrive according to God's perfect timing. Please pray for precious little Song as she waits for her Forever Family to come for her. Please pray that God will protect her, provide for her and prepare her for this major transition. Please pray for our family as we seek His protection and provision here on many levels at home. Most of all, please pray that He will be honored as we continue this journey of blessings.
Of course, I will keep you posted as we learn more. Meanwhile, we are busy planning for little JennaBeth Song...her bedroom, carseat, clothes, etc.. How thrilling! Even more importantly, we are growing in faith and excitement for our family to finally hold her in our arms and welcome her into our lives. Thank you for your continued prayers, presence and kindness as this journey continues.
Hold on, precious little Song! We love you, miss you and are praying that we will see you very, very soon! You are so dear to us already. What a glorious day it will be when we meet you and bring you home with us! But we continue to hold you in our hearts until we can hold you in our arms.
Cherishing this journey of faith,
Terri & Family
There will be a week-long holiday in China beginning next week for their Chinese New Year. So if we don't hear anything this week, there won't be any news during the next week. Our agency had hoped to hear something sooner but they are not alarmed because there is no standard response time when dealing with the CCCWA. So...we wait and pray.
Of course, we know that God's timing is always best. We know His plan will unfold just as His perfect design allows. So we are not overly stressed. We just miss our little Song! :) But if you would be so kind, please continue to pray that the Travel Letter will arrive according to God's perfect timing. Please pray for precious little Song as she waits for her Forever Family to come for her. Please pray that God will protect her, provide for her and prepare her for this major transition. Please pray for our family as we seek His protection and provision here on many levels at home. Most of all, please pray that He will be honored as we continue this journey of blessings.
Of course, I will keep you posted as we learn more. Meanwhile, we are busy planning for little JennaBeth Song...her bedroom, carseat, clothes, etc.. How thrilling! Even more importantly, we are growing in faith and excitement for our family to finally hold her in our arms and welcome her into our lives. Thank you for your continued prayers, presence and kindness as this journey continues.
Hold on, precious little Song! We love you, miss you and are praying that we will see you very, very soon! You are so dear to us already. What a glorious day it will be when we meet you and bring you home with us! But we continue to hold you in our hearts until we can hold you in our arms.
Cherishing this journey of faith,
Terri & Family
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Still waiting...and walking at 57 months since Log-In!
There's no big news today but I am just sharing from my heart. Yesterday marked 57 months since our Dossier was logged in China's system...just three months shy of five years. In March of this year, we will celebrate six years of beginning our adoption journey. In March of '06, we began talking to the adoption agency and then our official application was submitted in July of '06. So, it's been a very long road but well worth it. It has also been almost four months since our Sept. 26, 2011 Referral of little Song. It's a vast difference in the 18 month wait that was the standard when our journey first began. But we knew our journey could be very different. We had no idea how different...but we trust that God's plan, timing and design are always best. So...we continue to wait and walk in this journey.
We hope to hear something soon about our possible extension from China. The agency doesn't seem to think it will be a problem. But it will be a major relief when we actually hold the new travel letter extension in our hands. :) Please pray that God will bring it into our lives as He knows best. Meanwhile, we continue to love, miss and plan for our little JennaBeth Song's arrival. Most of all, we continue to believe and trust God's protection of little Song, His provision for all her needs there and our needs here as we prepare to go to China, and for Him to direct our paths as He knows best. It is our hope and prayer that He is glorified, honored and praised above all else in our journey, our family and our lives.
We continue to thank God for each of you as you walk beside us with your love and prayers. It makes all the difference. May your journeys be full of hope, peace, joy, love and assurance that you are never alone and always loved.
Cherishing the journey to our little girl in China,
Terri & family
We hope to hear something soon about our possible extension from China. The agency doesn't seem to think it will be a problem. But it will be a major relief when we actually hold the new travel letter extension in our hands. :) Please pray that God will bring it into our lives as He knows best. Meanwhile, we continue to love, miss and plan for our little JennaBeth Song's arrival. Most of all, we continue to believe and trust God's protection of little Song, His provision for all her needs there and our needs here as we prepare to go to China, and for Him to direct our paths as He knows best. It is our hope and prayer that He is glorified, honored and praised above all else in our journey, our family and our lives.
We continue to thank God for each of you as you walk beside us with your love and prayers. It makes all the difference. May your journeys be full of hope, peace, joy, love and assurance that you are never alone and always loved.
Cherishing the journey to our little girl in China,
Terri & family
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
A New Year's Update....
Our 2012 has begun with a great start. We are very grateful for each blessing and I want to update you on the latest news.
Tim had surgery this past Monday and is recovering nicely at home. He is looking forward to feeling stronger and better each day. We are so grateful for the wonderful love, support and prayers from family and friends. It makes all the difference. Having friends who also worked at the hospital made our wait and experience much better, also. We were so blessed on many levels and appreciate each doctor, nurse and friend who walked beside us through this time.
Rachel began her new job as an RN at our local hospital. She loves it and feels so blessed to work in her hometown. We are thrilled to have her living closeby and to know this new chapter of her life is abundantly blessed already.
Micah began his spring semester this week at UK. He looks forward to new classes and a positive learning experience. He also continues to work at the pharmacy on weekends and breaks and is very grateful. We are thrilled for him and look forward to seeing his journey unfold, as well.
We continue to wait for the extension travel letter from China. We know God's timing is perfect and His plan is always for the best. We ask for your continued prayers for little Song and for God's leading as our family waits for the extension.
We have complete peace as we wait for our life journey to unfold on so many levels. We hope your new year is unfolding with many daily blessings. Please cherish each moment as a blessing and remember that you are never alone and always loved.
Hold on, precious JennaBeth Song! Daddy is feeling better each day. Mommy is working on designing your new room and preparing for your arrival. Your brother and sister are so excited to meet you and love you. We know God is holding you in His arms until we hold you in ours. We love you, sweetie. We hope to see you very soon.
Cherishing this blessed journey...
Terri & Family
Tim had surgery this past Monday and is recovering nicely at home. He is looking forward to feeling stronger and better each day. We are so grateful for the wonderful love, support and prayers from family and friends. It makes all the difference. Having friends who also worked at the hospital made our wait and experience much better, also. We were so blessed on many levels and appreciate each doctor, nurse and friend who walked beside us through this time.
Rachel began her new job as an RN at our local hospital. She loves it and feels so blessed to work in her hometown. We are thrilled to have her living closeby and to know this new chapter of her life is abundantly blessed already.
Micah began his spring semester this week at UK. He looks forward to new classes and a positive learning experience. He also continues to work at the pharmacy on weekends and breaks and is very grateful. We are thrilled for him and look forward to seeing his journey unfold, as well.
We continue to wait for the extension travel letter from China. We know God's timing is perfect and His plan is always for the best. We ask for your continued prayers for little Song and for God's leading as our family waits for the extension.
We have complete peace as we wait for our life journey to unfold on so many levels. We hope your new year is unfolding with many daily blessings. Please cherish each moment as a blessing and remember that you are never alone and always loved.
Hold on, precious JennaBeth Song! Daddy is feeling better each day. Mommy is working on designing your new room and preparing for your arrival. Your brother and sister are so excited to meet you and love you. We know God is holding you in His arms until we hold you in ours. We love you, sweetie. We hope to see you very soon.
Cherishing this blessed journey...
Terri & Family
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
A Song to Share....
Last weekend, this song was shared at our Church service. I think it is very fitting to share with you as we continue our adoption journey...and our journey of blessings in life.
"Jesus, Draw Me Ever Nearer" (Getty/Becker)
Jesus, draw me ever nearer
As I labor through the storm
You have called me to this passage
And I'll follow though I'm worn
Chorus:
May this journey bring a blessing
May I rise on wings of faith
At the end of my heart's testing
With Your likeness let me wake
Jesus, guide me through the tempest
Keep my spirit staid and sure
When the midnight meets the morning
Let me love You even more
(Chorus)
Let the treasures of the trial
Form within me as I go
And at the end of this long passage
Let me leave them at Your throne
(Chorus)
Isn't the message fitting? It can be found on youtube if you would like to hear it. May each step we take in our lives honor Him, praise Him and make us more like Him. This journey of adoption...and life...continues to build our faith beyond anything we imagined. But what joy, peace, hope and purpose we have knowing God is already holding our journey in His arms of love.
Cherishing the journey in Him,
Terri & family
"Jesus, Draw Me Ever Nearer" (Getty/Becker)
Jesus, draw me ever nearer
As I labor through the storm
You have called me to this passage
And I'll follow though I'm worn
Chorus:
May this journey bring a blessing
May I rise on wings of faith
At the end of my heart's testing
With Your likeness let me wake
Jesus, guide me through the tempest
Keep my spirit staid and sure
When the midnight meets the morning
Let me love You even more
(Chorus)
Let the treasures of the trial
Form within me as I go
And at the end of this long passage
Let me leave them at Your throne
(Chorus)
Isn't the message fitting? It can be found on youtube if you would like to hear it. May each step we take in our lives honor Him, praise Him and make us more like Him. This journey of adoption...and life...continues to build our faith beyond anything we imagined. But what joy, peace, hope and purpose we have knowing God is already holding our journey in His arms of love.
Cherishing the journey in Him,
Terri & family
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Happy New Year of Blessings!
A brand new year is here! 2012 has arrived and we are thrilled! Each moment of 2011 was certainly a gift from God. But it was a challenging year on many levels and we thank Him for His faithfulness each step of the way.
Now we welcome a new year of blessings and opportunities. I pray that each of you will know that no matter what this year brings, you are never alone, always loved and you have a valuable purpose in this life. Our journeys will consist of twists, turns, unexpected event and amazing surprises. Some steps will be much easier than others. But we never walk alone. What an amazing gift that is in our lives!
From the Lorenz family to yours, have a wonderful, blessed and amazing 2012. Thank you for walking beside us in our journey so far. We thank God for each of you and we look forward to sharing more with you in this new year. May your lives be filled with peace, joy, love, good health and hope.
Cherishing the journey in 2012,
Terri & Family
Now we welcome a new year of blessings and opportunities. I pray that each of you will know that no matter what this year brings, you are never alone, always loved and you have a valuable purpose in this life. Our journeys will consist of twists, turns, unexpected event and amazing surprises. Some steps will be much easier than others. But we never walk alone. What an amazing gift that is in our lives!
From the Lorenz family to yours, have a wonderful, blessed and amazing 2012. Thank you for walking beside us in our journey so far. We thank God for each of you and we look forward to sharing more with you in this new year. May your lives be filled with peace, joy, love, good health and hope.
Cherishing the journey in 2012,
Terri & Family
Friday, December 23, 2011
A Christmas Eve Eve Update!
Merry Christmas Eve Eve, everyone! As we prepare for this wonderful celebration of our Lord's birth, we wish you a very Merry Christmas! Today is the day before Christmas Eve...Christmas Eve Eve, as we call it. Due to a power outage last night, I am behind schedule in some preparations but hopefully I will get caught up today.
Yes...a power shortage occurred in our county last night and it was very, very dark in our neighborhood...even around 6 pm.. As I was lighting candles around the house, I was reminded how much the darkness is pierced with a single glow of light from a candle. Of course with my analytical mind, I made a comparison to life with that. :) But it is true. No matter how dark life can be at times, a single glow of light makes all the difference! A hug from a friend, an unexpected phone call, a note of encouragement, a moment of good news....are all wonderful blessings on a long and weary journey. At just the right time, we are encouraged, refreshed and renewed by a relatively simple reminder that the journey continues in His perfect plan and timing.
As I shared with you recently, our last few months have been challenging. In fact, 2011 has been full of blessings but there have been some interesting "detours" in our journey, as well. So we are always thrilled when precious "lights" illuminate our path along the way. Today is no exception.
First, we are reminded that our lives are never without purpose, love, hope, peace and joy. The fact that God's own Son became a baby in a manger so He could come to save us is amazing! God...with skin on...here on Earth...to love us and sacrifice Himself for us...so we can be with Him eternally...is a tremendous Light on our journey! That's what Christmas...and life are all about! Our lives are never the same when we hold onto that truth! I hope we are all able to realize and remember that in the midst of so many activities during the Christmas season...and beyond.
Additionally, we received news today from our adoption agency. Our initial Travel Letter has already been sent back to China. The agency said they would let us know when, (not if, but when), the new Travel Letter arrives! That sounds so very hopeful! That means we should have an extension of three months to trust, prepare and anticipate the long-awaited trip to China to meet, hold and bring our baby daughter home. How precious that on Christmas Eve Eve, we celebrate the coming of our Lord....and the news of another baby who will enter our lives in a few months! Wow...thank You, God!
So...our hearts are filled with more light...and joy...and celebration today. Our very long journey seems to have brightened at just the right time! Seeing little Jenna Beth Song's ornament displayed on our tree...and a precious Panda Bear toy her brother placed under the tree for her...are tangible reminders of the beauty and hope of Christmas.
Merry Christmas Eve Eve, dear family and friends! Cherish this season...and the message it brings to all of us each moment of every day of our lives. We thank God for you...and for the gift of hope.
Cherishing His Light in the journey,
Terri & Family
Yes...a power shortage occurred in our county last night and it was very, very dark in our neighborhood...even around 6 pm.. As I was lighting candles around the house, I was reminded how much the darkness is pierced with a single glow of light from a candle. Of course with my analytical mind, I made a comparison to life with that. :) But it is true. No matter how dark life can be at times, a single glow of light makes all the difference! A hug from a friend, an unexpected phone call, a note of encouragement, a moment of good news....are all wonderful blessings on a long and weary journey. At just the right time, we are encouraged, refreshed and renewed by a relatively simple reminder that the journey continues in His perfect plan and timing.
As I shared with you recently, our last few months have been challenging. In fact, 2011 has been full of blessings but there have been some interesting "detours" in our journey, as well. So we are always thrilled when precious "lights" illuminate our path along the way. Today is no exception.
First, we are reminded that our lives are never without purpose, love, hope, peace and joy. The fact that God's own Son became a baby in a manger so He could come to save us is amazing! God...with skin on...here on Earth...to love us and sacrifice Himself for us...so we can be with Him eternally...is a tremendous Light on our journey! That's what Christmas...and life are all about! Our lives are never the same when we hold onto that truth! I hope we are all able to realize and remember that in the midst of so many activities during the Christmas season...and beyond.
Additionally, we received news today from our adoption agency. Our initial Travel Letter has already been sent back to China. The agency said they would let us know when, (not if, but when), the new Travel Letter arrives! That sounds so very hopeful! That means we should have an extension of three months to trust, prepare and anticipate the long-awaited trip to China to meet, hold and bring our baby daughter home. How precious that on Christmas Eve Eve, we celebrate the coming of our Lord....and the news of another baby who will enter our lives in a few months! Wow...thank You, God!
So...our hearts are filled with more light...and joy...and celebration today. Our very long journey seems to have brightened at just the right time! Seeing little Jenna Beth Song's ornament displayed on our tree...and a precious Panda Bear toy her brother placed under the tree for her...are tangible reminders of the beauty and hope of Christmas.
Merry Christmas Eve Eve, dear family and friends! Cherish this season...and the message it brings to all of us each moment of every day of our lives. We thank God for you...and for the gift of hope.
Cherishing His Light in the journey,
Terri & Family
Sunday, December 18, 2011
A Glimpse of Hope...
It's exactly one week before Christmas and life is busy, as always. The tree is up. Wreaths are hanging on the doors. Secrets are held close with smiles, mystery and laughter. Last minute trips to the store are planned with "just one more thing" to add to the list. Christmas music fills the air and our family enjoys each moment of being together...again...finally.
We are enjoying the Season...the celebration of our Lord's birth. We are enjoying the Hope that His Presence brings into our lives. We are once more reminded that because God loved, He gave...and a precious Baby Boy traveled here from Heaven to bring eternal Hope, Love, Joy and Peace.
We are thrilled. Our Rachel is moving back to our town soon to begin her new job at the local hospital. As we make moving arrangements, apartment arrangements & packing arrangements...we are so glad that she will no longer be over 120 miles away...but around six miles instead. There's just something about having family closeby to share life with in good times and not so good times. There's truly no place like home.
We are thankful. Micah's long and challenging semester at UK has come to a close and he feels a sense of accomplishment and relief. He is now home for three weeks and we love having him closeby. He brings so much joy to our lives and we cherish each moment he is with us. As I watched him put up the Christmas tree recently to surprise his Dad, I thanked God for our precious children who are amazing gifts from God.
We are encouraged. Our adoption agency believes that China MAY extend our travel time another three months since we are going through so many schedule conflicts presently. Hopefully...we can bring yet another precious daughter home from China sometime in early spring. We continue to seek God's direction, provision and protection as we face more "faith-building" challenges with documents, health, expenses, etc.. But we know we are never alone because God still holds us...and all these challenges...in HIS hands.
We are blessed. Although our 2011 has been full of challenges and unexpected situations, we are truly blessed to have amazing family, friends and faith that carry us through each moment. We believe that Hope changes everything...and we choose to focus on Hope through Him no matter what lies ahead.
May you find hope, joy, peace and love in this season and in each moment of your journey. We appreciate you...and your continued prayers so very much. Know that you are always in our hearts, thoughts and prayers, as well.
Cherishing the blessing of Hope in Him,
Terri & Family
We are enjoying the Season...the celebration of our Lord's birth. We are enjoying the Hope that His Presence brings into our lives. We are once more reminded that because God loved, He gave...and a precious Baby Boy traveled here from Heaven to bring eternal Hope, Love, Joy and Peace.
We are thrilled. Our Rachel is moving back to our town soon to begin her new job at the local hospital. As we make moving arrangements, apartment arrangements & packing arrangements...we are so glad that she will no longer be over 120 miles away...but around six miles instead. There's just something about having family closeby to share life with in good times and not so good times. There's truly no place like home.
We are thankful. Micah's long and challenging semester at UK has come to a close and he feels a sense of accomplishment and relief. He is now home for three weeks and we love having him closeby. He brings so much joy to our lives and we cherish each moment he is with us. As I watched him put up the Christmas tree recently to surprise his Dad, I thanked God for our precious children who are amazing gifts from God.
We are encouraged. Our adoption agency believes that China MAY extend our travel time another three months since we are going through so many schedule conflicts presently. Hopefully...we can bring yet another precious daughter home from China sometime in early spring. We continue to seek God's direction, provision and protection as we face more "faith-building" challenges with documents, health, expenses, etc.. But we know we are never alone because God still holds us...and all these challenges...in HIS hands.
We are blessed. Although our 2011 has been full of challenges and unexpected situations, we are truly blessed to have amazing family, friends and faith that carry us through each moment. We believe that Hope changes everything...and we choose to focus on Hope through Him no matter what lies ahead.
May you find hope, joy, peace and love in this season and in each moment of your journey. We appreciate you...and your continued prayers so very much. Know that you are always in our hearts, thoughts and prayers, as well.
Cherishing the blessing of Hope in Him,
Terri & Family
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
A Long Overdue Update...
Well, it seems like a very long time has passed since I last wrote on our blog. Much has happened and I apologize for the delay. I don't really know where to begin so please bear with me as I try to explain.
To say that our adoption journey has been a rollercoaster ride recently is a major understatement. We have been so thrilled about the Referral of Song to our family. We truly hoped that we would have her home...or almost home...at this point. But that is not the case so far.
Once the Referral was made, we received our Pre-Approval, Letter of Acceptance and Travel Letter very quickly. However, there were repeated issues with our USCIS form that made our trip to China impossible in the expected time frame. It has been frustrating but we kept working...and working...and calling...USCIS...and we hope it has been resolved for now.
However...in the meantime...other issues have developed and, quite frankly, we do not know what will happen in our adoption journey in the coming weeks or months. We will not be able to travel in the alloted time frame due to a vital surgery date in our family. Other concerns have presented themselves, as well. So...our hearts are aching and our prayers are rising continually.
We love little Song so much. We have her pictures on our fridge, on our cell phones and have shared them with relatives and friends. We have named her...and have received gifts for her. Yet...we realize that the present complications could cause major obstacles in our adoption process. We have been so stressed over this...and our hearts ache over what may...or may not...happen.
Our journey of blessings has been very long...extensive...expensive...and intense. It is so easy to begin asking "whys" and "hows" at this point. However, we know that we began this journey trusting God...and we will continue to trust Him in this season, as well. He knows what is best...for Song...for our family...and for His honor and glory. Only He knew that the initial adoption "estimated journey" of eighteen months to two years...would turn into almost triple that time frame...as we begin to see the six year mark next spring/summer. Only He knew the twists, turns and reasons for each step of the journey, And only He knows how this journey will proceed. He is the God of yesterday, today and tomorrow...and we have trusted Him long before this journey began...and each moment since then. And we trust Him now..and in the future. We simply ask you one thing...
Please, please pray. Please pray for His will in all of this. Please pray for what is HIS will in little Song's life. Please pray for what is His will in the lives of our family. Please pray that our hearts, minds and lives will know peace, hope and joy in Him through it all. If He allows Song to join our family, please pray that He will work as only He can to make it happen on every level. If His plan is otherwise, please pray that we will accept, trust and believe completely in His plan...even when we don't know what lies ahead. Please pray that He will hold little Song in His loving arms to protect and provide for her always. And please pray that He will always be first and foremost in her life and in ours.
I will try to keep you updated better than I have done recently. I was quite ill the entire month of November. Our daughter was also ill and was brought home to recover. She now has a job change and a move back to our town in the near future...and our son is finishing his week of finals this week. Tim is working long hours and so much continues to keep us busy. Of course, it is Christmastime and we have much to do as we prepare for that.
May your Christmas be blessed...and your New Year be healthy, happy and holy. May your journey of blessings be peaceful, purposeful and postive. May you always know that you matter to God and to us. Thank you for your prayers as we continue our journey of blessings in His perfect plan.
Cherishing the blessing of trusting in Him,
Terri & Family
To say that our adoption journey has been a rollercoaster ride recently is a major understatement. We have been so thrilled about the Referral of Song to our family. We truly hoped that we would have her home...or almost home...at this point. But that is not the case so far.
Once the Referral was made, we received our Pre-Approval, Letter of Acceptance and Travel Letter very quickly. However, there were repeated issues with our USCIS form that made our trip to China impossible in the expected time frame. It has been frustrating but we kept working...and working...and calling...USCIS...and we hope it has been resolved for now.
However...in the meantime...other issues have developed and, quite frankly, we do not know what will happen in our adoption journey in the coming weeks or months. We will not be able to travel in the alloted time frame due to a vital surgery date in our family. Other concerns have presented themselves, as well. So...our hearts are aching and our prayers are rising continually.
We love little Song so much. We have her pictures on our fridge, on our cell phones and have shared them with relatives and friends. We have named her...and have received gifts for her. Yet...we realize that the present complications could cause major obstacles in our adoption process. We have been so stressed over this...and our hearts ache over what may...or may not...happen.
Our journey of blessings has been very long...extensive...expensive...and intense. It is so easy to begin asking "whys" and "hows" at this point. However, we know that we began this journey trusting God...and we will continue to trust Him in this season, as well. He knows what is best...for Song...for our family...and for His honor and glory. Only He knew that the initial adoption "estimated journey" of eighteen months to two years...would turn into almost triple that time frame...as we begin to see the six year mark next spring/summer. Only He knew the twists, turns and reasons for each step of the journey, And only He knows how this journey will proceed. He is the God of yesterday, today and tomorrow...and we have trusted Him long before this journey began...and each moment since then. And we trust Him now..and in the future. We simply ask you one thing...
Please, please pray. Please pray for His will in all of this. Please pray for what is HIS will in little Song's life. Please pray for what is His will in the lives of our family. Please pray that our hearts, minds and lives will know peace, hope and joy in Him through it all. If He allows Song to join our family, please pray that He will work as only He can to make it happen on every level. If His plan is otherwise, please pray that we will accept, trust and believe completely in His plan...even when we don't know what lies ahead. Please pray that He will hold little Song in His loving arms to protect and provide for her always. And please pray that He will always be first and foremost in her life and in ours.
I will try to keep you updated better than I have done recently. I was quite ill the entire month of November. Our daughter was also ill and was brought home to recover. She now has a job change and a move back to our town in the near future...and our son is finishing his week of finals this week. Tim is working long hours and so much continues to keep us busy. Of course, it is Christmastime and we have much to do as we prepare for that.
May your Christmas be blessed...and your New Year be healthy, happy and holy. May your journey of blessings be peaceful, purposeful and postive. May you always know that you matter to God and to us. Thank you for your prayers as we continue our journey of blessings in His perfect plan.
Cherishing the blessing of trusting in Him,
Terri & Family
Friday, October 28, 2011
Update for Prayers...
Well, the excitement continues as we move forward in this process. It is definitely thrilling...overwhelming...concerning...and amazing. After all this time, everything is moving very quickly.
I do need to ask for your specific prayers. First, there is a paperwork issue. It was unexpected but is extremely important. So we ask your prayers for that issue to be resolved very soon. God can handle it. It is vital to obtain this document in order to travel. Your prayers are most appreciated.
Second, please continue to pray for little JennaBeth Song. She is about to enter a different season with a new family she has never met, traveling to a country where she has never been and make many more adjustments in her young life. It's difficult for adults to adjust so I can only imagine how she will feel when everything she knows changes. Please pray for her to find peace, comfort and ease as her life changes so quickly.
Please pray for our family. It is a very busy, hectic, overwhelming and yet frustrating time on many levels. We have so much to accomplish in such a small amount of time. So we ask you to pray for God to prepare our hearts, minds, bodies and home as we draw so close to this highly anticipated season. Please pray for Him to provide all the many needs involved. There is so much to put in place in the coming weeks.
We are thankful for all of you who are involved with us on this journey. You are true blessings. What a difference it makes to know that we are NEVER alone as we face a major time of transition, challenges, demands and plans. We truly feel God has placed many of you in our path as He works so beautifully to bring this precious little girl into our Forever Family.
Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. Please continue and know that we are thinking about and praying for you!
Cherishing this exciting journey to our little Song...
Terri & Family
I do need to ask for your specific prayers. First, there is a paperwork issue. It was unexpected but is extremely important. So we ask your prayers for that issue to be resolved very soon. God can handle it. It is vital to obtain this document in order to travel. Your prayers are most appreciated.
Second, please continue to pray for little JennaBeth Song. She is about to enter a different season with a new family she has never met, traveling to a country where she has never been and make many more adjustments in her young life. It's difficult for adults to adjust so I can only imagine how she will feel when everything she knows changes. Please pray for her to find peace, comfort and ease as her life changes so quickly.
Please pray for our family. It is a very busy, hectic, overwhelming and yet frustrating time on many levels. We have so much to accomplish in such a small amount of time. So we ask you to pray for God to prepare our hearts, minds, bodies and home as we draw so close to this highly anticipated season. Please pray for Him to provide all the many needs involved. There is so much to put in place in the coming weeks.
We are thankful for all of you who are involved with us on this journey. You are true blessings. What a difference it makes to know that we are NEVER alone as we face a major time of transition, challenges, demands and plans. We truly feel God has placed many of you in our path as He works so beautifully to bring this precious little girl into our Forever Family.
Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. Please continue and know that we are thinking about and praying for you!
Cherishing this exciting journey to our little Song...
Terri & Family
Monday, October 24, 2011
MORE Exciting News!!!
Wow!!! Tim and I are in shock, to say the least! On October 13, we found out we had "Pre-Approval" for little Song. What that means is that China had her "on hold" for our family and they would be reviewing all of our documents before the final approval that everything is in order to adopt this precious child. Our advocate told us that we could expect to wait one to three months before receiving our "Letter of Acceptance" from China...the long-awaited document that confirms total approval. So...we estimated that we would probably hear something around December or January and then travel in January or February.
Today proved God's timetable far exceeds our own! Just a few days past one week after getting the Pre-Approval, our LOA arrived at the adoption agency for the Lorenz family to adopt little Song! What could have taken one to three months was processed in a little over a week! Now we prepare to make travel plans! This could be within six to eight weeks...approximately somewhere in the middle to end of December! We will let you know more as we know more.
Please pray for little Song as she waits for us to arrive in China...to hold her in our arms, to do all the necessary paperwork in China...and to bring her home. Please pray for us as we work VERY quickly to prepare a nursery...and to prepare to fly to China! There is so much that needs to be done! We trust God for His plan in our lives, His provision for all our present and future needs and for His protection for our little daughter in China...and all of our family waiting here for her. Please also pray for all the workers in the USA and PRC who are helping to bring our Forever Family together. From the depths of our hearts, we are very grateful for Song's birthparents who have shared this amazing blessing with us in a way far beyond anything I could ever imagine. They will never be forgotten, will always be in our hearts and forever in our prayers.
Thank You, God, for the gift of Song...and for all You are doing to touch our lives forever...as we learn more and more about Your love. Thank You for all the wonderful family members and friends...and workers all over the world who have helped in this journey of countless blessings! May all we do, say and live reflect Your love, hope, joy, peace and grace. Please hold little Song closely as we plan to travel soon to China to bring her home!
Jenna Elizabeth Song Lorenz..."JennaBeth Song"....it's now a matter of weeks before we will hold you in our arms....and prepare to bring you home! We know God is holding you in His arms...while we hold you in our hearts! Hold on, sweetie! We'll see you soon...and love you forever! Your Daddy, Mommy, Big Sis Rachel and Big Brother Micah love you very much! Welcome to our family...forever!
Cherishing this amazing journey to Song....
Terri & Family
Today proved God's timetable far exceeds our own! Just a few days past one week after getting the Pre-Approval, our LOA arrived at the adoption agency for the Lorenz family to adopt little Song! What could have taken one to three months was processed in a little over a week! Now we prepare to make travel plans! This could be within six to eight weeks...approximately somewhere in the middle to end of December! We will let you know more as we know more.
Please pray for little Song as she waits for us to arrive in China...to hold her in our arms, to do all the necessary paperwork in China...and to bring her home. Please pray for us as we work VERY quickly to prepare a nursery...and to prepare to fly to China! There is so much that needs to be done! We trust God for His plan in our lives, His provision for all our present and future needs and for His protection for our little daughter in China...and all of our family waiting here for her. Please also pray for all the workers in the USA and PRC who are helping to bring our Forever Family together. From the depths of our hearts, we are very grateful for Song's birthparents who have shared this amazing blessing with us in a way far beyond anything I could ever imagine. They will never be forgotten, will always be in our hearts and forever in our prayers.
Thank You, God, for the gift of Song...and for all You are doing to touch our lives forever...as we learn more and more about Your love. Thank You for all the wonderful family members and friends...and workers all over the world who have helped in this journey of countless blessings! May all we do, say and live reflect Your love, hope, joy, peace and grace. Please hold little Song closely as we plan to travel soon to China to bring her home!
Jenna Elizabeth Song Lorenz..."JennaBeth Song"....it's now a matter of weeks before we will hold you in our arms....and prepare to bring you home! We know God is holding you in His arms...while we hold you in our hearts! Hold on, sweetie! We'll see you soon...and love you forever! Your Daddy, Mommy, Big Sis Rachel and Big Brother Micah love you very much! Welcome to our family...forever!
Cherishing this amazing journey to Song....
Terri & Family
Monday, October 17, 2011
Thursday, October 13, 2011
We Have An Announcement!!!!!! :)
We have the official word from China! Tim, Terri, Rachel and Micah Lorenz would like to announce that China has pre-approved our family to adopt a precious little girl named Song! As soon as I can get to it, I will post the pictures of Jenna Elizabeth "JennaBeth" Song Lorenz. This is the news we have been waiting for over five years! Wow!!!
We may wait another one to three months for the "LOA"...which is the Letter of Acceptance from China that EVERYTHING has been approved. Our agency advocate believes this will happen without any problems since our Dossier has already been reviewed a lonnnnng time ago and there were no issues at that time.
We are a MAJOR step forward now in bringing our little "JennaBeth Song" Lorenz home! Please continue to pray! God is so great and we are so blessed! Thank you for continuing to pray during this entire journey and in the months ahead! We are amazed...and blessed.
I will work on those pics as soon as possible!
Cherishing God's amazing gift of "Song!"
Terri & Family
We may wait another one to three months for the "LOA"...which is the Letter of Acceptance from China that EVERYTHING has been approved. Our agency advocate believes this will happen without any problems since our Dossier has already been reviewed a lonnnnng time ago and there were no issues at that time.
We are a MAJOR step forward now in bringing our little "JennaBeth Song" Lorenz home! Please continue to pray! God is so great and we are so blessed! Thank you for continuing to pray during this entire journey and in the months ahead! We are amazed...and blessed.
I will work on those pics as soon as possible!
Cherishing God's amazing gift of "Song!"
Terri & Family
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