"When Jesus says so!"

It's been over a week since I mailed our application to Taiwan. I have not heard anything yet, though they may have just gotten it. But I am getting nervous that maybe they will see that there are too many things against us (not childless, me too old, not Chinese,........)See I'm getting paranoid! I take that back....I AM a basketcase!!!!

Natalie just asked Jon where her brother was, that she wants her brother. Jon told her "When Jesus says so".

I pray that Jesus is just waiting for the perfect time. I don't think that I could bear to be wrong again. If we are turned down, I think that I will have to take that as a sign that we are not meant to have another child, even though we want one so badly.

The candles in the above photo were taken at a Buddhist Temple in Chongqing China when we were adopting Natalie. The two candles were placed there by Jon and I in thanksgiving for receiving Natalie into our family. I felt a very strong presence that day and was overjoyed when our daughter was blessed by the monks there. When I was looking for a symbol of prayer for this post, I was drawn to this photo. Since that was a very religious moment for me, I guess I was led to remember that experience now. Somehow, I find this picture very comforting.

Endurance

I found this and thought that it was the most appropriate picture for our 2nd adoption. This journey has, by far, been an exercise in faith, determination and endurance. I know that once I see our new child's face, all that heartache will disappear like the morning mist.

We have made progress, on Tuesday, February 10th, I mailed our 'official' application to Taiwan. Since it is going via mail, I do not know how long it will take to get there. But I hope and pray that it makes it there - safe and sound.

And so we begin..............Again!

We have prayed and prayed on this adoption and the answer keeps coming back the same. He IS out there. So I contacted an orphanage in Taiwan. They were a little hesitant to work with us, because of my age, but said that we could submit an application. I know that this is not great news, but I have faith. Something tells me that this is an obstacle that we will overcome. Since we are looking for a baby boy, and open to minor, correctable special needs, maybe we will have a little better chance of getting a referral. I will follow along this path for a while and see what happens.

Here I plead for Guidance.....

Dear Lord,

I have followed your calling faithfully. I sought this promised child in far off lands and did not find him. And yet you call me still. Can he be where I now search? I beg you to show me the way.

I will follow where you lead.

New Year, New Hope!

We have discussed looking for a different country, other than Vietnam, for this long awaited baby #2. And, unless GOD has other plans for us, we are feeling a special pull toward Taiwan. Right now we are trying to find an agency that feels just right, or we might try doing this adoption - Independent! Well, with much help from GOD, that is. Taiwan is one of the few countries that do independent adoptions and the orphanages there will help you with all the Taiwan documents needed. Since we've been through the paperchase again and again, I feel that we would be able to handle this challenge.

Keep you fingers crossed that we find the right path, again!