Party on, Spring Festival. Without us.

I can't believe nearly a month has passed since my last post.  I knew this month would go fast and that made me happy because I thought we'd be traveling just a couple weeks into January but there have been some new things to consider.

Right now our paperwork is at the US embassy in China.  Someone is looking at the request for the girl's immigration into the United States and giving us the final go ahead.  Once they do sometime next week, our completed paperwork(yes, it's all finished!) will be sent to the Chinese government and they will issue us travel approval.  That takes about two weeks so that puts us at getting travel approval on the 11th of January or so.  And that's where things start getting tricky.

See, in China we will pick up one of our girls, stay in her province for a week, pick up the next girl and stay in her province a week.  After that we head to another city, Guangzhou, to complete their paperwork, medical exams and visas.  That entire process takes 3 weeks or more.

But here's the trick - this year's spring festival or Chinese New Year is February 10 with ALL government offices closed from February 9th - 15th.  That means we need to either get in there and get out before that time - which is pretty much impossible with when we'll get travel approval OR wait until it's all over and go in mid February.   As I type that I know that it just means that we won't go until February but I can't help but think "What if we bought our tickets before travel approval?..." and so on and so on.  Maybe we can!  But there are other things to consider as well.

Andrew is turning 8 on the 24th of January and in our faith that is when children are baptized.  I don't want his baptism to get kind of "lost" in the hustle and bustle of when we get back so it's better to do it before.  And then that weekend Elijah has some major winter camp-out that the scouts have been preparing for for months.  He was really bummed to think he would be missing it.  And then, Andrew is in a play where he is one of the main parts on the 29th, and the 31st is the pinewood derby.  It seems we were just not meant to be in China until February.   But it KILLS me!

In other news, we just sent Esther a book of our family pictures.  Since she is in foster care I couldn't find someone going to the orphanage and send it along like I could with Pearl.  I instead sent some cookies, tea, and a photo book with Ann at Red Thread China.  We also requested pictures at the same time so I am really hoping we will get a Christmas present of pictures of our sweet girl.  Really, nothing could be better than that.  For the book I took some new photos of the boys since the last ones weren't really that good.  I had the boys come and sit on the sofa next to a big window while my older son held a white pillow case to bounce some of the light back on the other side of their face.  And they turned out so authentic and sweet that I can't wait for Esther to see her brothers.  Here they are:

Asher - 3

Asher's crazy face.

Peter - 4

Peter is SO excited for his sisters to come home.

Andrew - almost 8!

Since his funny face went over so well with Pearl he couldn't help but try even harder for Esther.

Elijah - 11

Elijah wanted in on that action.

In the end, I need to trust the Lord.  I need to trust that He is in charge of this whole thing and that we are going exactly when he wanted us to go.  I need to remember that worrying only makes me feel bad and doesn't change one thing.  I will trust.  I'm just so SO anxious to hold my girl's little hands, to fix their hair, to look them in the eyes, and to hug them.  Soon enough, sweet girls.

UP-dates and travel guesses.

This morning I called the Homeland Security office in Texas where they approve the immigration of my future daughters and spoke with an officer who informed me that we were approved and that she was sending our paperwork on the the National Visa Center.  Once there they will cable the embassy in China(I think) and make sure all of their immigration paperwork is on the up and up over there.  Once they say it is(1-2 weeks) we will then apply for travel approval from China.  I can't believe I am even typing that!!!  That should take about 2 weeks and then hopefully two to three weeks later WE WILL BE IN CHINA!!!!!!!!

I am so excited.  I don't know about yours but my holiday season is flying by faster any ever has and so before we know it it will be Christmas, then New Years, then CHINA!  I am so grateful for the miracles that carried us along on this journey.  Every single step was facilitated by friends and family, even strangers - how can we express enough gratitude for being such a vital role in bringing our daughters home?

This evening I found the website for the group that supports Esther in foster care and they informed me that they have reports and pictures about her and her foster family for every six months that she's been there since 2005.  I am SO grateful for amazing organizations and loving donors who have supported her so completely.  I am also so grateful to give her the gift of her history- at least as much as we can.  Knowing her story will be so important for her.   And they always need donors to help kids live with families and go to school  Go check it out if you feel the tug.

So, if we add that all up and everything goes perfectly and we're praying that it does- we will be in China on January 14th or 15th at the soonest.  Our prayer is that when our paperwork hits someone's desk they feel compelled to get it done quickly and send it on as soon as they finish.  And that all of our funding comes together perfectly so that we can buy the airline tickets without worry and that we will have plenty of money for our time in China.  We would love your prayers too.  We have seen what miracles your prayers bring. :)

“If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life that he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.”     - Henry David Thoreau

"I knew I was on a journey of faith, not on a journey in pursuit of money"

On October 23rd my agency told me that we probably had less than two weeks until our LOA or seeking confirmation would come back from China.  This was thrilling and blessed news.  BUT I have to admit...it slightly filled me with dread.

You see, when that comes back my agency will then ask for the orphanage fees of both of my girls as well as some other fees which total well over...well, a lot of money.  Like, A LOT.  And we didn't have it - we have a small portion but it isn't even a quarter of what we need.  So we had a choice, hit the panic button or hit the miracles ensue button.  The panic button was the natural response and believe me, there were many moments where my fingers hung dangerously over that button.  But instead we decided that the Lord had brought us so far, we didn't want to stop believing at this point.  So, we had no other choice than to ask, plead, and beg for the windows of heaven to open and manifest miracles on our behalf.  I felt as though I was on a game-show with a huge clock hanging over my head waiting for the miracle to show up...ticking away.  I knew we had no other option.  We needed a miracle and a miracle must come because we KNEW this was the Lord's will.  There were no other options.

A facebook message from a friend months before echoed in my mind.  It has been such a source of strength.  She was responding to an email I sent her asking her how they came up with the funds for their adoption.  I had no idea how beautiful her response would be and how much strength it would provide:

See, I don't see the adoption journey as a financial one. The Lord has, at His disposal, all funds and material things needed to accomplish His work. I figured that since He asked us to do this, He would prepare the way like He promised in 1 Nephi 3:7.Our funding was miraculous, really. After six straight weeks of literally working every waking hour, we had raised $20,000. We thought we needed $35,000 more, but with all the traveling it has been more than that. The Lord knew that we would need more and that I needed to be able to focus on my family...which I couldn't do with the amount of work I was doing trying to raise funds. Between homeschooling all six children, Chris' 9th grade year and first year of early morning seminary, a farm and a toddler among everyone, there was no way I could put in as much time as I had been for any longer than I had.But, I knew the whole time that the Lord wanted me to show Him that I meant business and would do whatever He asked me to and took EVERY opportunity He put in my path. I knew he could leave all the money on our doorstep if He wanted to, but I also knew He wanted me to work and sacrifice and show Him that I had faith in Him and would do my part. I had committed to do EVERYTHING I was offered...and some of it took more hours than I brought in in dollars. But I knew I was on a journey of faith, not on a journey in pursuit of money.   

So at our third yard sale, a woman came to me and said, "The Lord has told me that I need to pay for the adoption. He wants you to know that you have done enough." These people, who are younger than we are, have become dear friends and we have been blessed in more ways than one through that friendship. It was miraculous, but it was what it should be...He had moved people to bring about this miracle and she was touched and it was what we needed. I'm leaving out details, obviously, but the point is...He means what He says in 1 Nephi 3:7. 

The other thing we've learned through this is that Jacob 2:18-19 doesn't meant what we thought it did. We thought it meant that we would be blessed financially if we had our priorities in order. But, now we believe that it means that as we are trying to do His work, He will provide the riches with which to do it. Read it over again and you'll see what I mean!   

There have been other families we know of who have had a much harder time raising their funds...but if I could explain each individual situation, you'd be able to see how the Lord is working specifically for and with each family and their individual circumstances and needs.I don't believe the Lord does anything without an eternally important purpose. I DO believe that He is literally working in each detail of our lives, orchestrating each one for our own, individual eternal progression. There is something He wants you to learn in this process and it is your job to just work and pray and let Him guide you. He wants us to have faith in Him and to be stretched until it hurts...because only then do we grow.So, I guess I'm saying that it doesn't matter WHAT you do to raise funds, it matters THAT you do something to raise funds. What matters is pushing yourself to believe in Him, trust Him, follow EVERY prompting, don't give up or question and hang on for the ride of your life! What matters is drawing closer to Him and relying on Him to make this work, His work, possible. 

This is what we are commanded to do...gather Israel, succor the weak, take care of the orphans...you are doing His work, keeping His commandments and He has already moved you by His spirit to do this. He has literally given you a personal commandment to do this and He will prepare the way for it to be accomplished.

This past Wednesday night an anonymous donor stepped forward and said they would like to pay those fees completely. And it was overwhelming. We asked and the Lord provided through some of his loving AMAZING servants.  I was so overwhelmed that couldn't fathom it until really the next day. And since then I have been crying and singing and smiling and beaming and telling everyone that I can.  At times like those "worship" comes naturally.

Miracles happen. Give everything you have to the Lord, ask for them, expect that they will come, and be grateful for such a loving Father in heaven.

Pearl's Birthday Update

We got the images from Pearl's party this morning and as always, it was a blessing to see her again.  It looks like it's cooling down there since the kids are a little more bundled up.  I wonder what it will feel like when we get there!

I love her little prayer.  Or maybe she's making a wish.

And another one of Pearl feeding a "brother".  So cute that we have so many of these.

Happy birthday(almost), Pearl!

This week we ordered a birthday gift and cake to be sent to Pearl for her 6th birthday. I hate not being with her on her birthday and I was sure that we would have had her by now but finding Esther and other factors just didn't make that possible. I know Christmas will be much harder though because our chances of going there then are slim. Maybe it won't be so bad though because we might be really close and just excited to travel either way. Anyhow, back to her birthday. I ordered through Red Thread China and we got to send a letter to be translated, a gift, a cake, and a camera that the orphanage will take pictures with and Red Thread will develop and upload to me.  Here is the image of our stuff ready to send to the orphanage:

And here is the letter we sent.  It was harder than I thought to write.  I wanted to convey my love and explain some more about our life here.  So much to say:

To our beautiful daughter Dang Yi Lin,

  Happy birthday! We are glad that we can send you this cake and that you can have a little party.  We are working very hard so that we can come get you.  We are also excited that when we come to pick you up we are also going to be picking up a sister for you!  Her name is Esther and she is 9 years old and she lives in China right now too.    Both your mommy and daddy love you very much and think about you every day.  We pray for you, look at pictures of you, and tell everyone we know about how we found you and can't wait to bring you home and hug and kiss you.

At home it snows in the wintertime and your brothers can not wait to take you sledding on our hill and make a snowman with you.  In the summer we love to run around, go swimming, and sometimes go camping.  We have lots of family with over 30 cousins, 4 grandparents and many many friends.  Your oldest brother is Elijah and he is 11 years old.  He is smart, kind, and he loves to build things.  Your next oldest brother is Andrew and he is almost 8 years old.  Andrew is really funny and very loving.   He loves swinging and playing with friends.  You have two younger brothers.  One is Peter and he is 4 years old.  Peter loves to build with blocks and play with animals.  Asher is your youngest brother and he is 3 years old.  He loves playing outside and riding his bike.  All of your brothers love you very much and ask about you all of the time.

Sweetheart, we love you so much and when we think about you it makes our hearts feel like they are full of warm sunshine.   Soon enough you will be with us and we will be so happy.  Have a wonderful birthday and enjoy your cake, candies, and presents.  Tonight may you dream of your family and all of the happiness you will have.  Also, we would like to say thank all of the ladies that are taking such good care of you in China.  

Love,

Mommy and Daddy

Here are some images from Pearl attending various other parties for other children.  I am sure that this will be her first time sitting in front of that cake.  I wish it were so much more than that.

I really can't wait to send a letter to Esther. 

 In other news, this weekend is our race.  It hasn't nearly earned us all of the funds we need for the next step in the adoption(we're still waiting for our paperwork to get back but once it's done our next fees are due), but it has been successful.  We still don't know exactly how it's all going to play out but we know it will.   Prayers always appreciated. :)

Pearl's Sweet Little Voice.

A couple weeks after we recived those beautiful images Juley and her family returned home and sent us the videos from seeing Pearl.  They are priceless, truly.  And here they are:

Ponyo, Ponyo, Ponyo

I love ALL of the films of Hayao Miyazaki but I have a very special place in my heart for the movie Ponyo.  After it was released in the U.S. and my kids had watched it my now seven year old son started asking about "his sister".  He would mope around the house sighing and saying, "I wish I had a sister." or to the cat, "I guess you'll just have to be my sister."  And I know it sounds silly but the film made something stir in all of us.  The story is of a little princess who lives in the sea but wants to be human(just like "The Little Mermaid").  Unlike the little mermaid it isn't to become a wife but instead a sister and daughter.  I really do think the film awakened a memory of sorts inside of Andrew - bringing back to him the sister he knew he had somewhere.   And the more he talked about it - in the car, around the house, all of the time - the more my heart ached to find her too.  But I really had no idea of the blessings that finding her and her sister would bring.  I truly can not wait to bring them home.

With that being said - here's the trailer: