Why is it that the days seem to pass so quickly before I write another entry on this blogsite...yet our journey to our baby girl/s seems so slow? Although I am a few days overdue in writing, as of February 13, we have been logged-in China's adoption system Forty-Six Months! So we are taking more steps toward our little one/s and we rejoice that we are getting closer each day. Of course, we wish we were awaiting a Referral at any moment...but we continue to trust God in this very long journey. We have been so blessed by the encouragement of friends who have learned of the longer than expected delay...again. As disappointed as we all are, we know that God is working it all together and it will be wonderful when we are ready to see her/their Referral picture...and prepare to fly to China. Until then, we wait, pray, hope and trust. It's certainly not easy to wait...but it will definitely be worth it all.
A couple days ago, I saw a friend who told me about being in the Lexington airport just one day before. While waiting for his relative, he noticed lots of people standing around with balloons, welcome home posters, etc.. Then he saw a family coming toward them with a little Asian daughter...and a younger Asian son. The little girl had obviously been adopted a few years earlier..but the little boy was coming home for the first time. My friend said he immediately thought of my family and how it will be when we arrive home with our little one/s. That made my day. The next day, as I watched the news from Lexington, they showed another family who had just arrived from Africa with three little ones to add to their growing family. They already had a couple biological children...but now they were blessed with three more precious children. The news anchors talked about how very long the journey had been because they had waited over three years! My heart was leaping for joy for both of these families. I wanted to call the tv station and tell them that we are going into our fifth year of this process! But I felt a peaceful nudging within me. Just as the perfect time came for the family with the little Asian daughter and new little Asian son....and then for the family who added more children from Africa to their precious family...so our time will come, as well. God knows which child or children He has created and designed to be with us. And although His timing is obviously very different from ours, we must trust the One who led us to this journey to bring us all together in just the right season of life for our daughter/s...and us. I admit it is difficult to wait longer...but it isn't about what we feel or want. It is about what is best for our little one/s in China. God knows what is best for them and so we wait, trust, pray, love, hope and prepare for what He is doing now and in the days ahead.
I also want to take a moment to wish my dear Grandmother a wonderful ♫ Happy Birthday ♫ tomorrow...February 22. If she were still with us, she would turn 101. Instead, she is celebrating in an incredible place where she is surrounded with love, joy, peace and no pain, illness or sorrow. However, she lives on within our hearts, our memories, our lives and our family each day. I vividly recall one of our last phone conversations before she went Home. She mentioned how she always wished that she could have had a granddaughter named after her but it never happened. The interesting thing is that without hesitation, I immediately and genuinely promised her that if my husband and I ever had another daughter, we would name the little one after her. I had no immediate plans of having another child...and certainly held no certainty of specifically having another daughter. But I felt such peace and joy as I heard myself make that promise to her. Grandma Jenny laughed and said..."you would really do that, wouldn't you, honey?" "Of course I would, Grandma! It would be an honor," I replied. "You can count on it. If God ever blesses us with another little girl, she will be named after you!" I was surprised to hear myself say that but I meant every word. She and I both knew it was a promise sealed in love. Not long after that conversation, Grandma went Home...and it wasn't until several years later that my husband and I were called to adopt a little girl or two from China. I wish Grandma Jenny could hold JennaBeth in her arms here on earth. But JennaBeth will always know about her dear Grandma Jenny who now lives in the presence of the God who made our little one/s and brought them into our lives. Meanwhile, we remember my dear Grandma who loved unconditionally, shared unselfishly, lived faithfully and honored God with her words, actions, heart and life no matter where she was or who she met. I miss you, Grandma Jenny...more than words can ever say. But I am thrilled that you are in a place where you are healed and surrounded with eternal love, light and dear loved ones. I love you, Grandma. Sometimes I find myself still reaching for the phone to call you...or seeing something I want to buy for you and send to you. But then I remember that you may not be with us on earth...but you are always with us in our hearts. Thank you for touching my life forever.
Now we are forty-six months closer to JennaBeth/EmmaKate and we celebrate Grandma Jenny's 101st birthday. There are many seasons in our lives...but each one is a true gift from God and I cherish the blessing of all the loved ones and moments in each season. This journey we now walk is no exception. I am extremely thankful.
Cherishing memories from before and memories to be made...
Terri & Family
Jenna Elizabeth (aka "JennaBeth") Song Lorenz
Waiting For Our Little One To Come Home From China!
Monday, February 21, 2011
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Trusting More!
It's been a long winter. It seems we have had winter storms every few days and for someone who doesn't care for cold temperatures, snow or inability to travel due to bad weather conditions, I am really looking forward to spring. With forty days to go before it is officially spring on the calendar, I am excited for each day that takes us closer to warm temperatures. But for now....I trust. I realize that the snow brings much needed moisture to the ground. I have experienced droughts before so I am very thankful when moisture is plentiful. I know that the cold temperatures help decrease pollen and germs...although I wonder why there are still enough germs for colds, flu and bronchitis that have hit our family repeatedly this winter. :) I know that even though winter seems dormant, there is a purpose for this season and that there is a process going on which is unseen. So although the long winter is not my most favorite season, I accept its purpose, blessing and beauty. And I must trust that the Designer of the seasons has a very good reason for including winter in His plan...far beyond my understanding.
Our adoption journey seems to be in the winter season presently, as well. We had thought that we would see more "light at the end of the tunnel" by now. We also hoped that our wait would not go beyond this summer. However, that doesn't seem to be the case right now. After reviewing the current standings of LIDs (Log In Dates) and Referrals, it appears that the process has slowed down considerably. We have not been given any official estimates of how much longer we must wait before our Referral...but it could easily be another year or so. So...as much as we are disappointed that the wait must continue...and as tired as we are of going through repeated updates...we must also accept that the Designer of our lives and our Journey to our little girl/s in China knows what is best. And we will trust Him to protect our little one/s, to provide what we need to continue this journey...and to direct our path as we continue to wait for our daughter/s.
Before it is assumed that we are heartbroken, giving up or devastated, let me assure you that we are disappointed...of course. However, we knew from the very beginning that the wait was unpredictable. The wait has become much longer than anyone imagined and it can certainly be frustrating. But our God is much stronger than our disappointment and frustration. Our faith must focus on Him and not on the wait. He led us to this journey. He touched our hearts and called us to love a precious little girl or two....and He has seen us through every step of the way so far. One of my favorite Scripture passages is "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 paths." (Proverbs 3:5>6) So...we wait...and trust...and believe. He didn't bring us this far to walk away now. And we won't give up...on Him...or on our little girl/s. We cling to the truth that even winter eventually turns to spring! And we will cherish the purpose, blessing and beauty of this winter season as the journey continues. There remains much work to do, many goals to achieve in the meantime. So our wait will be be purposeful...and never boring. :)
JennaBeth...(EmmaKate?)...our hearts are so full of love for you. We miss you so much and want you home soon. But we must wait a little longer...and we will definitely do whatever it takes to continue the journey to bringing you home...in our arms and in our family. Hold on...and each time you see a new day come and go, know that we are one day closer to you. And some wonderful day...still sooner than later, we will come to China and hold you, love you, travel with you and bring you home and you will be a part of our family forever. Comparing our five or six year journey to having you with us the rest of our lives...still allows us plenty of time to be together. Until we hold you in our arms, we are holding you in our hearts, thoughts and prayers....and we are not letting go! ♥
We thank each of you who continue to walk beside us in this amazing journey. Please continue to pray for our little daughter/s, the caregivers, the people in the USA and PRC who are working so hard to bring children and families together...and for God's perfect plan in this journey to glorify Him...in every season. And if you wish, we would appreciate your prayers as we continue to find beauty in trusting Him along this Journey of Blessing then...now...and in the days ahead.
Cherishing His Master Design and Perfect Plan...
Terri & Family
Our adoption journey seems to be in the winter season presently, as well. We had thought that we would see more "light at the end of the tunnel" by now. We also hoped that our wait would not go beyond this summer. However, that doesn't seem to be the case right now. After reviewing the current standings of LIDs (Log In Dates) and Referrals, it appears that the process has slowed down considerably. We have not been given any official estimates of how much longer we must wait before our Referral...but it could easily be another year or so. So...as much as we are disappointed that the wait must continue...and as tired as we are of going through repeated updates...we must also accept that the Designer of our lives and our Journey to our little girl/s in China knows what is best. And we will trust Him to protect our little one/s, to provide what we need to continue this journey...and to direct our path as we continue to wait for our daughter/s.
Before it is assumed that we are heartbroken, giving up or devastated, let me assure you that we are disappointed...of course. However, we knew from the very beginning that the wait was unpredictable. The wait has become much longer than anyone imagined and it can certainly be frustrating. But our God is much stronger than our disappointment and frustration. Our faith must focus on Him and not on the wait. He led us to this journey. He touched our hearts and called us to love a precious little girl or two....and He has seen us through every step of the way so far. One of my favorite Scripture passages is "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 paths." (Proverbs 3:5>6) So...we wait...and trust...and believe. He didn't bring us this far to walk away now. And we won't give up...on Him...or on our little girl/s. We cling to the truth that even winter eventually turns to spring! And we will cherish the purpose, blessing and beauty of this winter season as the journey continues. There remains much work to do, many goals to achieve in the meantime. So our wait will be be purposeful...and never boring. :)
JennaBeth...(EmmaKate?)...our hearts are so full of love for you. We miss you so much and want you home soon. But we must wait a little longer...and we will definitely do whatever it takes to continue the journey to bringing you home...in our arms and in our family. Hold on...and each time you see a new day come and go, know that we are one day closer to you. And some wonderful day...still sooner than later, we will come to China and hold you, love you, travel with you and bring you home and you will be a part of our family forever. Comparing our five or six year journey to having you with us the rest of our lives...still allows us plenty of time to be together. Until we hold you in our arms, we are holding you in our hearts, thoughts and prayers....and we are not letting go! ♥
We thank each of you who continue to walk beside us in this amazing journey. Please continue to pray for our little daughter/s, the caregivers, the people in the USA and PRC who are working so hard to bring children and families together...and for God's perfect plan in this journey to glorify Him...in every season. And if you wish, we would appreciate your prayers as we continue to find beauty in trusting Him along this Journey of Blessing then...now...and in the days ahead.
Cherishing His Master Design and Perfect Plan...
Terri & Family
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Forty-Five Months Closer!
We are busy adjusting to 2011 and all that it involves. Rachel returned to KCU last Sunday to begin her final (wow!) Senior semester before graduating! Micah returned to UK on Monday to prepare for his second freshman semester. (Another Wow!) Tim is back at work and I am here at home with unlimited projects, goals and activities to accomplish as a family, an individual and an adoptive parent. There is no lack of things to do this year...and I am thrilled to face another year of life, blessings and purpose.
While visiting Tim's Mom in Ohio recently, she said something that really inspired me. Some of the family members were talking about reaching various ages and the shock that comes along with each new decade. Then Margaret said that age has never bothered her for she is simply thankful to have another day/year to live. I love that! I am so grateful for such a positive outlook on life and it is one I choose to embrace, as well. Thanks, "Mom Margaret!" :)
As today marks the forty-five month mark of being Logged-In China's adoption system, I choose to see the joy of being so much closer to our baby girl/s. Instead of being discouraged that it has taken far longer than we ever imagined, I believe that God knows exactly what is best in His plan to bring our baby girl/s home to her Forever Family. I have heard it said so many times from several of our adoptive family friends. God knows the EXACT child He has chosen to bring into our lives and only in HIS perfect timing, will she arrive...just as He planned all along. We wouldn't have it any other way. So...45 months is a significant place in this journey and we are thrilled to be this far along.
Many thanks to you who continue to walk beside us as we wait for our JennaBeth/EmmaKate to come home. Your prayers, encouragement, excitement, faith and joy are tremendous gifts. We thank God for you each day as we continue this amazing Journey of Blessings. May each day in your lives be celebrated and lived to the fullest!
Cherishing each step closer to our little one/s,
Terri & Family
While visiting Tim's Mom in Ohio recently, she said something that really inspired me. Some of the family members were talking about reaching various ages and the shock that comes along with each new decade. Then Margaret said that age has never bothered her for she is simply thankful to have another day/year to live. I love that! I am so grateful for such a positive outlook on life and it is one I choose to embrace, as well. Thanks, "Mom Margaret!" :)
As today marks the forty-five month mark of being Logged-In China's adoption system, I choose to see the joy of being so much closer to our baby girl/s. Instead of being discouraged that it has taken far longer than we ever imagined, I believe that God knows exactly what is best in His plan to bring our baby girl/s home to her Forever Family. I have heard it said so many times from several of our adoptive family friends. God knows the EXACT child He has chosen to bring into our lives and only in HIS perfect timing, will she arrive...just as He planned all along. We wouldn't have it any other way. So...45 months is a significant place in this journey and we are thrilled to be this far along.
Many thanks to you who continue to walk beside us as we wait for our JennaBeth/EmmaKate to come home. Your prayers, encouragement, excitement, faith and joy are tremendous gifts. We thank God for you each day as we continue this amazing Journey of Blessings. May each day in your lives be celebrated and lived to the fullest!
Cherishing each step closer to our little one/s,
Terri & Family
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Another Year of Blessings! Happy 2011! ♥
Christmas has come and gone. New Year celebrations are complete. Decorations are taken down and packed away. Tim and the children are back at work. Soon Rachel and Micah will return to the universities to begin their spring semesters. It's a new year and a time of more change in our lives. But I choose to celebrate that this is a time of new blessings, new opportunities and new growth as individuals and a family. I do miss the tree glowing in our living room. I do miss the time we spent with family and friends over the holidays. But I am so grateful that we had those moments to share then....and I look forward to new moments to share in this new year.
As we enter 2011, I anticipate so many possibilities this year. Will we get "the call" this spring, summer or fall? Will we see JennaBeth's (and maybe EmmaKate's) face soon? Will we wait longer or shorter than we anticipate? What will it be like to be in China to finally see, hold and bring our little one/s home? How will our lives grow this year? How will the children enjoy spring semester? What will Tim experience at work this year? Will I find new opportunities and accomplishments in my personal goals and dreams? What great times will we share as a family? What will it be like to be the Mom of a college graduate in May? Where will Rachel find a nursing job after graduation? What will her apartment be like? How will family and friends find their new year of opportunities? What surprises are in store for us? What exciting moments lie ahead in our lives this year?
The truth is that we don't know what each new day of this new year holds. But I do know this. We are very blessed to have great family, friends and people in our lives who are walking along this journey with us. And we are so very thrilled to be walking along life's journey with them, too. We are never alone and we have so much to be thankful for in this new adventure of 2011.
I just want to take this opportunity to say that I wish each of you a very joyful, healthy, peaceful and loving 2011. May your journey be blessed each moment. You have blessed our lives so greatly and we look forward to sharing a new year of life with you. May we celebrate this gift of life, love and hope with great anticipation and gratitude.
May our little one/s in China come home soon. We love you, JennaBeth/EmmaKate. May God continue to hold you in His arms and bless each life that takes great care of you until Dad and Mom come to China to bring you home. Our thoughts and prayers are with you continually as well as with the caregivers, birth parents and workers who are making it possible for you to come home soon. Until then, we are holding you in our hearts with much love and joy.
Cherishing another year of blessings in our journey,
Terri & Family
As we enter 2011, I anticipate so many possibilities this year. Will we get "the call" this spring, summer or fall? Will we see JennaBeth's (and maybe EmmaKate's) face soon? Will we wait longer or shorter than we anticipate? What will it be like to be in China to finally see, hold and bring our little one/s home? How will our lives grow this year? How will the children enjoy spring semester? What will Tim experience at work this year? Will I find new opportunities and accomplishments in my personal goals and dreams? What great times will we share as a family? What will it be like to be the Mom of a college graduate in May? Where will Rachel find a nursing job after graduation? What will her apartment be like? How will family and friends find their new year of opportunities? What surprises are in store for us? What exciting moments lie ahead in our lives this year?
The truth is that we don't know what each new day of this new year holds. But I do know this. We are very blessed to have great family, friends and people in our lives who are walking along this journey with us. And we are so very thrilled to be walking along life's journey with them, too. We are never alone and we have so much to be thankful for in this new adventure of 2011.
I just want to take this opportunity to say that I wish each of you a very joyful, healthy, peaceful and loving 2011. May your journey be blessed each moment. You have blessed our lives so greatly and we look forward to sharing a new year of life with you. May we celebrate this gift of life, love and hope with great anticipation and gratitude.
May our little one/s in China come home soon. We love you, JennaBeth/EmmaKate. May God continue to hold you in His arms and bless each life that takes great care of you until Dad and Mom come to China to bring you home. Our thoughts and prayers are with you continually as well as with the caregivers, birth parents and workers who are making it possible for you to come home soon. Until then, we are holding you in our hearts with much love and joy.
Cherishing another year of blessings in our journey,
Terri & Family
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Merry Christmas & "JennaBear" ♥
The stockings are hung. Candles glow in the windows. Wreaths are on the doors. The tree stands tall with Baby Jesus placed front and center. Cards are arriving daily from loved ones far and near. Manger scenes remind us of the true reason for this celebration. It's definitely Christmas in our Kentucky home. Both children are home from college and Tim will soon be on vacation from work. The list of last minute details remains in constant view. My heart holds joy, gratitude and love as I sense this time of being together with dear family and friends.
Sitting in the high chair beside the softly illuminated China cabinet is a beautiful, plush white Bear wearing festive red and white Christmas clothing. She reminds us that a part of our family strongly lives in our hearts but resides in a country half-way around the world. "JennaBear" came home a few days ago when our daughter, Rachel, saw her in a store and brought her home for our baby girl/s in China. We are daily reminded as we see JennaBear sitting in the high chair that someday soon, our baby girl/s will be home with us. Yet until that wonderful time, our hearts, love, prayers and thoughts always carry our JennaBeth/EmmaKate with us. We were so touched by Rachel's thoughtful and kind deed. I so enjoyed watching Rachel place JennaBear in the high chair with such love, anticipation, joy and hope. Now we celebrate the arrival of a long-awaited Baby Boy around two thousand years ago...while we anticipate the arrival of a long-awaited baby girl or two in our family. What a difference love, joy, hope and excitement bring into life!
There are no words to adequately express the love we have for the amazing Baby who came to this earth thousands of years ago to change the world. As the song says, "a Baby changes everything." He certainly did...and does...so that we may be Home with Him some day. It's also challenging to find words to describe how the love we have for this baby girl or two whom we have never met..but will travel around the world to bring home with us someday soon. She will definitely change our lives completely! Yet there are also other people in our lives whom we love dearly who continue to walk this journey of blessings with us as we wait, pray, love and hope along each step of the way. You...our faithful and dear friends, family members, agency workers, doctors, nurses, office workers and prayer warriors. We obviously could not endure this long journey toward our baby girl/s without you. You are appreciated immensely.
It is hard to imagine how a husband and wife felt years ago as they traveled a long distance before they held the Son of God in their arms. But He was and is life-changing for all the world. It is difficult to imagine the joy we will feel when we finally travel to China and hold our baby girl/s in our arms for the first time. But our lives are changed forever already by that little girl. Our journey is not alone as we sense the prayers and presence of each of you walking beside us. Thank you for another year of walking together. It is my sincere prayer that your Christmas and New Year will be blessed with unending love, amazing joy, indescribable hope and tremendous peace.
Cherishing Christmas with Love,
Terri & Family
Sitting in the high chair beside the softly illuminated China cabinet is a beautiful, plush white Bear wearing festive red and white Christmas clothing. She reminds us that a part of our family strongly lives in our hearts but resides in a country half-way around the world. "JennaBear" came home a few days ago when our daughter, Rachel, saw her in a store and brought her home for our baby girl/s in China. We are daily reminded as we see JennaBear sitting in the high chair that someday soon, our baby girl/s will be home with us. Yet until that wonderful time, our hearts, love, prayers and thoughts always carry our JennaBeth/EmmaKate with us. We were so touched by Rachel's thoughtful and kind deed. I so enjoyed watching Rachel place JennaBear in the high chair with such love, anticipation, joy and hope. Now we celebrate the arrival of a long-awaited Baby Boy around two thousand years ago...while we anticipate the arrival of a long-awaited baby girl or two in our family. What a difference love, joy, hope and excitement bring into life!
There are no words to adequately express the love we have for the amazing Baby who came to this earth thousands of years ago to change the world. As the song says, "a Baby changes everything." He certainly did...and does...so that we may be Home with Him some day. It's also challenging to find words to describe how the love we have for this baby girl or two whom we have never met..but will travel around the world to bring home with us someday soon. She will definitely change our lives completely! Yet there are also other people in our lives whom we love dearly who continue to walk this journey of blessings with us as we wait, pray, love and hope along each step of the way. You...our faithful and dear friends, family members, agency workers, doctors, nurses, office workers and prayer warriors. We obviously could not endure this long journey toward our baby girl/s without you. You are appreciated immensely.
It is hard to imagine how a husband and wife felt years ago as they traveled a long distance before they held the Son of God in their arms. But He was and is life-changing for all the world. It is difficult to imagine the joy we will feel when we finally travel to China and hold our baby girl/s in our arms for the first time. But our lives are changed forever already by that little girl. Our journey is not alone as we sense the prayers and presence of each of you walking beside us. Thank you for another year of walking together. It is my sincere prayer that your Christmas and New Year will be blessed with unending love, amazing joy, indescribable hope and tremendous peace.
Cherishing Christmas with Love,
Terri & Family
Monday, December 13, 2010
Forty-Four Months & Getting So Wonderfully Close!
Dear Jenna Elizabeth/Emma Katherine~
Today marks forty-four months of our paperwork arriving in your home country and being entered in China's adoption system! That's a very long time but we are so close to seeing your face/s and coming to China to bring you home to your Forever Family!
I wonder...how you are doing, where you are, how your birth Mom is doing, what you look like, what you are thinking and feeling. I wonder what you are wearing today, if you have lots of hair yet, what you like to eat/drink....and if you like music. I wonder...if you have rolled over, walked or talked yet. I wonder if you smile lots, are outgoing or a bit shy. I wonder if you love to laugh and giggle lots or if you are more quiet and reserved. Do you favor your left or right hand yet? Do you go to sleep easily or do you like to stay awake as long as possible? When you are dreaming, do you ever see a family with a Dad, Mom, sister and brother who are waiting for you in a place called Kentucky? Do you have any idea how many people are praying for you, loving you and anxiously waiting to meet you someday soon? Will you enjoy flying on airplanes with Dad & Mom to bring you home? What will be your first word in English? Dad? Mom? Rachel? Micah? Will you enjoy books? We love to read and will enjoy taking turns reading to you!
Do you know that your Dad is a very wonderful man who works hard, loves deeply and is a great father to your sister and brother? Do you know that your big sis is getting ready to graduate from college and will be a nurse? Do you know that your big brother is in college, too, and wants to work in the medical field to help sick people feel better? Do you know your Mom loves to listen to people share their thoughts, hearts and life stories? Do you know that we also love to sing together and we play instruments like trumpets, flute, piano, organ & keyboard? Will you like pop music like your Dad or country music like your sis and brother? Or classical music like your Mom...or Contemporary Christian music like your entire family? We have so much to learn about you and we can hardly wait to share life with you, precious one/s.
When we put up the Christmas tree this year, we realized that this will most likely be the last Christmas we will be apart from you. We can hardly wait to watch you next year when you see the Christmas tree lights, the snow on the ground and the pretty colors decorating our home, the town and the city we often visit. How will you respond when you see packages under the tree for you on Christmas morning? And all the precious people who love you so much will be wishing you Merry Christmas on your first Christmas home with us. It will be wonderful!
For now, I miss you so much but I know you are loved and taken care of by some very kind people placed in your life. It isn't the same without you here but you are always in my heart, my thoughts, my prayers and my dreams. There may be many miles between us...but our love is always with you, sweet daughter/s. May your Christmas in China be very special. May your new year be amazing as you plan to come home to your Forever Family. I love you, baby girl/s. We are holding you closely in our hearts until we can hold you in our arms. You are never alone and you are always loved. Rest, dear daughter/s. We will see you soon and love you forever. ♥ Mom
Cherishing the dreams of holding our baby girl/s soon,
Terri & family
Today marks forty-four months of our paperwork arriving in your home country and being entered in China's adoption system! That's a very long time but we are so close to seeing your face/s and coming to China to bring you home to your Forever Family!
I wonder...how you are doing, where you are, how your birth Mom is doing, what you look like, what you are thinking and feeling. I wonder what you are wearing today, if you have lots of hair yet, what you like to eat/drink....and if you like music. I wonder...if you have rolled over, walked or talked yet. I wonder if you smile lots, are outgoing or a bit shy. I wonder if you love to laugh and giggle lots or if you are more quiet and reserved. Do you favor your left or right hand yet? Do you go to sleep easily or do you like to stay awake as long as possible? When you are dreaming, do you ever see a family with a Dad, Mom, sister and brother who are waiting for you in a place called Kentucky? Do you have any idea how many people are praying for you, loving you and anxiously waiting to meet you someday soon? Will you enjoy flying on airplanes with Dad & Mom to bring you home? What will be your first word in English? Dad? Mom? Rachel? Micah? Will you enjoy books? We love to read and will enjoy taking turns reading to you!
Do you know that your Dad is a very wonderful man who works hard, loves deeply and is a great father to your sister and brother? Do you know that your big sis is getting ready to graduate from college and will be a nurse? Do you know that your big brother is in college, too, and wants to work in the medical field to help sick people feel better? Do you know your Mom loves to listen to people share their thoughts, hearts and life stories? Do you know that we also love to sing together and we play instruments like trumpets, flute, piano, organ & keyboard? Will you like pop music like your Dad or country music like your sis and brother? Or classical music like your Mom...or Contemporary Christian music like your entire family? We have so much to learn about you and we can hardly wait to share life with you, precious one/s.
When we put up the Christmas tree this year, we realized that this will most likely be the last Christmas we will be apart from you. We can hardly wait to watch you next year when you see the Christmas tree lights, the snow on the ground and the pretty colors decorating our home, the town and the city we often visit. How will you respond when you see packages under the tree for you on Christmas morning? And all the precious people who love you so much will be wishing you Merry Christmas on your first Christmas home with us. It will be wonderful!
For now, I miss you so much but I know you are loved and taken care of by some very kind people placed in your life. It isn't the same without you here but you are always in my heart, my thoughts, my prayers and my dreams. There may be many miles between us...but our love is always with you, sweet daughter/s. May your Christmas in China be very special. May your new year be amazing as you plan to come home to your Forever Family. I love you, baby girl/s. We are holding you closely in our hearts until we can hold you in our arms. You are never alone and you are always loved. Rest, dear daughter/s. We will see you soon and love you forever. ♥ Mom
Cherishing the dreams of holding our baby girl/s soon,
Terri & family
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Forty-Three Months Closer!!!
We have great news to share again! As of yesterday, November 13, 2010, we have been "Logged-In" China's adoption system for Forty-Three months! We are getting so much closer to our baby girl/s! We have always seen each step in this journey as another blessing toward seeing, meeting, holding and bringing our little girl/s home from China. But forty-three months is a significant accomplishment in the process. We are thrilled, to say the least!
We have been told recently about how very patient we are as we wait. Well, truthfully, we don't always FEEL patient. There are times when I see other little Chinese girls and my heart stirs strongly because we long for our daughter so deeply. There are moments when I feel a very strong connection to her...even more than usual. (Those of you who have experienced adoption know exactly what I am talking about!) There are times that I just want to jump on a plane, go find JennaBeth/EmmaKate and bring our little one/s home...NOW!! But...as we have learned many times in life, God's timing is always better than our own! So we wait, pray, love, wonder, wish, hope, wait, work, update, wait, dream and wait some more. But we do know that it is always worth this journey and whatever time is involved.
I often heard when I was pregnant with Rachel and Micah that once I held my babies in my arms, I would forget the labor pains. Well...I have to disagree--strongly! :) For those pains were very uncomfortable, strong and exhausting...but each moment brought the birth of our children closer...and it was worth it all. I will not forget the patience, pain or presence of so many people who encouraged and helped us during those wonderful experiences of having our first two children arrive. I DO remember...vividly...what it took to reach the point of holding our babies in our arms. And I would do it all over again in a heartbeat! THAT'S what love does!
Likewise, the "delivery" of our baby girl/s in our arms sometime soon will be so rewarding that I will always consider this journey very worthwhile. Will I "forget" each prayer, update, homestudy, form, fee, dr. visit, fingerprint appointment, etc. that we had to endure? No...for each step was a valuable part of bringing our daughter/s home to us! I cherish any and every endeavor that led us closer to our little one/s. Just as "moms who have been there" are so encouraging to new moms, I hope that our adoption journey will enable me to encourage other parents who are waiting for their children, too.
Adoption is a wonderful blessing to so many lives! I always knew it was special. I have seen friends and relatives rejoice from the blessings of adoption since my childhood. My husband saw the same situations in his life. But now we see the joy of adoption in an entirely new light for we are experiencing it firsthand. It has touched our hearts, lives, family, faith and attitudes forever. To realize that God called us...a very simple family...to become parents of a little girl or two from China who need the love a Dad, Mom, brother and sister...is both overwhelming and amazing! Some folks have told us that our little girl/s will be blessed to join us. And that means so much to us. But I must admit that I believe WE will be the very blessed ones! To share love, life, family name, laughter, joy and our world with this precious little one is an incredible calling! Our lives will never be the same...and we are touched forever!
November is National Adoption Awareness Month and we are blessed to be a part of the joy and journey of adoption. May God bless each orphan, adoptive family, friend, social worker, adoption agency, doctor, attorney, notary, caregiver, government worker and individual who make this journey possible. Thank you for your continued prayers, love, encouragement and presence on our amazing Journey of Blessings.
Loving our Little Ones in China,
Terri & Family
We have been told recently about how very patient we are as we wait. Well, truthfully, we don't always FEEL patient. There are times when I see other little Chinese girls and my heart stirs strongly because we long for our daughter so deeply. There are moments when I feel a very strong connection to her...even more than usual. (Those of you who have experienced adoption know exactly what I am talking about!) There are times that I just want to jump on a plane, go find JennaBeth/EmmaKate and bring our little one/s home...NOW!! But...as we have learned many times in life, God's timing is always better than our own! So we wait, pray, love, wonder, wish, hope, wait, work, update, wait, dream and wait some more. But we do know that it is always worth this journey and whatever time is involved.
I often heard when I was pregnant with Rachel and Micah that once I held my babies in my arms, I would forget the labor pains. Well...I have to disagree--strongly! :) For those pains were very uncomfortable, strong and exhausting...but each moment brought the birth of our children closer...and it was worth it all. I will not forget the patience, pain or presence of so many people who encouraged and helped us during those wonderful experiences of having our first two children arrive. I DO remember...vividly...what it took to reach the point of holding our babies in our arms. And I would do it all over again in a heartbeat! THAT'S what love does!
Likewise, the "delivery" of our baby girl/s in our arms sometime soon will be so rewarding that I will always consider this journey very worthwhile. Will I "forget" each prayer, update, homestudy, form, fee, dr. visit, fingerprint appointment, etc. that we had to endure? No...for each step was a valuable part of bringing our daughter/s home to us! I cherish any and every endeavor that led us closer to our little one/s. Just as "moms who have been there" are so encouraging to new moms, I hope that our adoption journey will enable me to encourage other parents who are waiting for their children, too.
Adoption is a wonderful blessing to so many lives! I always knew it was special. I have seen friends and relatives rejoice from the blessings of adoption since my childhood. My husband saw the same situations in his life. But now we see the joy of adoption in an entirely new light for we are experiencing it firsthand. It has touched our hearts, lives, family, faith and attitudes forever. To realize that God called us...a very simple family...to become parents of a little girl or two from China who need the love a Dad, Mom, brother and sister...is both overwhelming and amazing! Some folks have told us that our little girl/s will be blessed to join us. And that means so much to us. But I must admit that I believe WE will be the very blessed ones! To share love, life, family name, laughter, joy and our world with this precious little one is an incredible calling! Our lives will never be the same...and we are touched forever!
November is National Adoption Awareness Month and we are blessed to be a part of the joy and journey of adoption. May God bless each orphan, adoptive family, friend, social worker, adoption agency, doctor, attorney, notary, caregiver, government worker and individual who make this journey possible. Thank you for your continued prayers, love, encouragement and presence on our amazing Journey of Blessings.
Loving our Little Ones in China,
Terri & Family
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