By adopting a child and helping them reach their potential, they help us
reach ours. An adopted child is not an unwanted child; to the contrary.
They are a child who was searched for, prayed for, cried for, begged
for; received by arms that ached, making empty hearts full. Love is meant to be shared." - Author unknown

Monday, March 16, 2009

An Open Window?



There have been a couple of options that have presented themselves in the last couple of days. We will wait to see if any of them come to fruition. I did not look for these, they can on their own accord.

Thursday, February 26, 2009

From Indiana Jones to Suzy Homemaker



I have been on a Crusade for two years now and I have gotten no where. I am exhausted. I feel as thought I have been fighting a losing battle and I think that it is time to take a rest. I am hanging up my hat and bullwhip and trading them for a more simple, yet fulfilling life.



While I will never give up on our 2nd child, I have turned to whole thing over to GOD. If HE wants us to welcome other children into our lives, I will move Heaven and Earth to do so. But only after HE directs us to them. I can not search the whole world over at the expense of my life here with Jon and Natalie.

If we are to only have one child, I accept that. I embrace that. Natalie is a joy. She is our little miracle! And I love her as I never thought I was capable.

Stay tuned, you never know what GOD has in store for us.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Back to Square One


Looks like we are back to square one. I received an e-mail early this morning from the orphanage that we applied to. Unfortunately, they have a long waiting list and thought that it might be faster if we looked for a different orphanage or agency to use for our adoption. Just what I wanted to see at 4am! NOT!!!

I am beginning to wonder if I am wanting this so very bad but that it is just not meant to be. Maybe GOD is trying to tell me something that I am too stubborn to accept. I don't know how something that feels so right can possible be wrong. (Oh wait, isn't that a song?)

I don't know what to do. I contacted one of the orphanages that the first one recommended, this is a Catholic orphanage. But to be honest, I don't have a lot of faith any more. I can't bear to give up, but it hurts so bad to go on and keep getting told "No".

Come on, God! I really need a sign.

Friday, February 20, 2009

"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.

Friday, February 13, 2009

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.