Ornament Fundraiser Update

Hello to all who read here. I hope your new year is starting off great. We are snowed/iced in this week at our house, and enjoying the coziness of it since our power didn't go out. I have to start this post with a huge WAR EAGLE...since my alma mater won the National Championship Monday night. I know it's just a game and all, but I must admit I almost had a heart attack watching that crazy football game! I was so glad when it was over!

Now, on to more important things...our adoption process. I am downright giddy, I must say. My heart is full of hope and joy at the thought of beginning the process to bring another child into our family from China. I received an e-mail from a friend of mine who lives in China and is spending some time in an orphanage there and her heart-wrenching details of what she experienced brought me to tears and confirmed to Gene and I that God is leading us to China once again.

We did a fundraiser over Christmas called Ornaments for Adoption. I am so thrilled to report that we cleared $1,100.00 for our adoption fund from this fundraiser. I cannot begin to express the gratitude we feel for those of you who supported us by purchasing ornaments, or just making donations. We are humbled and excited.

We have a new Georgia social worker since we changed countries. I had a great introduction call with him today and we set our first home study meeting for next Tuesday. I cannot wait! Many people have asked if we have to re-do everything since this is our 2nd adoption from China. The answer is yes, essentially we do. There are a few aspects of the home study that we won't have to do again, but all of the paperwork, fingerprints, medical exams, etc. do have to be done from scratch.

We are pursuing a special needs adoption. From what we've been told, the total process from now should take between 12-15 months. But, as we know, there is no set rules with adoption. We will just have to trust the Lord and His timing. It took us 22 months for the entire process with Eden. As it stands now, we do not have the money we need to complete this adoption. The Lord has already provided an in-home babysitting job for me to help us save what we need. We will continue to fundraise throughout the next year, and apply for grants, and be as wise with the money the Lord provides as we can...and we will trust.

I learned from our first adoption that the process is a two-way street. Only God can do it, but He wants our participation. And it is good for us to go without, isn't it? It reminds us daily of the one we are sacrificing for...that he/she is real and is waiting. Listen, no normal person has the money to adopt, ok? Let's just get that out there. Most people who adopt have either sacrificed to save, or take out a loan, or fundraise...but in all cases, it is the Lord who provides what is needed.

So, today I am filled with anticipation and excitement. I have a fresh calendar and my first appointment is set. I have my calculator, pencil, paper, giant adoption binder and Bible ready for what this year holds...whatever that might be. Whether this time next year we have a picture of our future child, or we are stuck in the process, or something has gone wrong, one thing I know...God's ways are right. So, I trust in Him!

My Girl is 5!

I cannot believe Eden is 5 years old! Time is moving too fast. These days are so precious and I don't want to miss a thing. What a treasure she is! In honor of her birthday (it was 12/27), I thought I would post a picture of her from each year and list 5 things that I love about her.

Year One...no picture of her birthday...she was still in China.

1. I love that she gets as excited about the cards people make/give her as she does about the gifts that come with them.

Year Two - We celebrated at our house with an E-I-E-I-O party.


2. I love that she is constantly making and giving me gifts like beaded necklaces, pictures she draws, and various "treasures" she finds and wraps up.

Year Three - We celebrated with a gymnastics party.


3. I love that she is very musical and artistic.

Year 4 - We had a family party at the bowling alley...this is a picture from the morning.


4. I love how she uses her imagination in creative play.

Year 5 - Santa came to her Rudolph-themed party.


5. I love her loving and compassionate heart.

Happy Birthday to my sweet Eden Hope. My prayer is that the Lord would continue to draw you to His heart in the coming year and that you would grow in love and respect for Him.