Blessings from Friends

I think we have some the most loving friends in life! The constant outpouring to us in this whole process of adoption has caused me to evaluate myself continually. I realize that I am often inadequate in loving others so graciously and hope that my friends can forgive me for not being more like Jesus everyday. I am thankful that God is teaching me to more mindful of His ways in these days as our family strives to live unto His will and to love with His mercy and grace.
Recently we received our first update of Ruby, one picture and a few sentences, and updated measurements, which is the first we've gotten in 3 months from China! Sweet precious child we know so little about, yet love so completely! Recently the wait is taking a toll on the whole family unit. Lulu cries for Ruby sometimes too; it must be hard to go to sleep in a room that now hold an extra bed in the anticipation of baby sister, and no real concept of "soon". Which is all we can really tell her when she wonder when we'll go. This is the most hard part of it all. My sorrow in waiting I can understand, my precious daughter's longing for a sister is very difficult to bear.

Our Documents are now in China, hand-delivered today! And part 1 of 3 is over, with the anticipation of part 2 just beginning. I have to reflect on the love of God's people for this process of loving a child halfway around the world and supporting us to bring her home. We have had 5 fundraisers, all offered by our loving Church family, aside from the Chip-in widget that will expire soon. A total of Gifts through the Church and fundraising has now broke over $6000 and we can never express the gratitude we feel. I only hope one day I can help another person in their desire to adopt one day!!!

I will say that I have never felt so completely unconditionally loved by such kindness in my life. This is an amazing gift that has forever changed my life. Ruby's life being entwined with ours will no doubt bless us more than we could imagine, as LuLu's proved to do. Let's thank the Father, for such great love and provision of His children!

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jer 29:11 (NIV)

Do you know what LuLu means in Mandarin??? It's a wish for the future: meaning "with this child may you prosper". We have indeed prospered with this precious gift of LuLu.

Multiplying; Being Encouraged

I mentioned this to my FB peeps, but felt it deserved a post of its own. Last Friday, I was updating our costs and contributions spreadsheet we keep for our adoption process, and could hardly believe the results. We started the process to adopt Ruby on the desire to continue to grow our family and the belief that God was again leading toward adoption; knowing that we would need to rely wholly on God's provision for this.
I remember telling Pat, "we'll get our tax returns; it'll be like $5000 to start with; it's more than we had when we started to adopt LuLu." Both of us knowing full well, that we had $1200 to start our 1st adoption, and the total came to just over $23000. It also took years to complete, and by God's grace and provision Pat lost his job in the meantime, and we were able to cash out his 401K!!! The amount need to raise then, ended up being more like $5000. This time? This time we knew we'd need to raise $18000 from day one, and would have more like 7 months at most, rather than the 3 years for LuLu. We leaped and decide to see how God's work would unfold in our lives.
It was a revelation to look at these numbers on Friday! (our tax returns by the way surprised us at coming back at $7000 rather than 5, first sign of things to come) Every bit of that went into a separate acct. used only for adoption funds, and every dollar raised has also been put into that acct. But I also would write checks for the smaller things from our personal account if it looked like we could handle it. $20 here for Passport Photos, $15 there for document sealing, etc. Well, upon looking at the spreadsheet, we have somehow managed to pay $8849 in fees already. We have $5610 left in our adoption account for upcoming costs which are estimated to be a minimum of $16,511. So if my numbers are right....a minimum of $10,901 is left to raise. (this is also hoping we can get at least one ticket at half price with miles, and that flights and hotels are at the lower end during the season we travel.)
I am reminded at this time of how Jesus fed the people with the Fish and Loaves. He took what we could only see as an insufficient amount and provided such amazing provision for the obviously large need of His people at the time. Practically right before our eyes, yet without us realizing, He multiplied and it is proof of His faithfulness.

My verse for the day:
Joshua 1:9 (New International Version)

9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

Thank you for the love of this process which you all have show in so many tangible ways!

Waiting, Trusting, Hoping in Him

A difficult week and still waiting for answers. The Adoption process is unique every time, every situation, and one thing all parents who've been through it know, is that all we can do is, Wait, Hope and Trust in Him. We can do nothing more. I have heard so many stories of hang-ups and errors and lost papers, I can't count them all. We have had a recent week of this. Just when we were thinking we were so close, an error was discovered on our Home Study last week, and we are waiting for it to be amended and will do our best to complete the 2 processes already done (incorrectly) from this Home Study. We are waiting on our Social Worker again. And Trusting our Agency has a good plan of attack, and Hoping this does not cause even further delays in getting Ruby. If ever our family needs prayer, this is one of those times!

A Crazy Day

Yesterday,
It really started on Wednesday. We had a lot of issues with getting our Home Study report in our hands. And I finally got it yesterday! Praise God! I picked up the Report in person, because after 7 weeks of delays and excuses from our Social Worker, I was not going to give him a chance to delay again. LuLu and I drove to Puyallup for that. Then, we drove to Olympia to have part 1 of the sealing process done. Then, of course, I had to give LuLu some play time, and she was such a good girl! We enjoyed the Hands-on Museum in Oly. thanks to the Birthday money my MIL sent. Exactly $13 left for that. I previously spent the other on 2 lattes and a ferry ride from Seattle. This was a true treat, as I haven't had spending $ for a while. Pocket $$ is the best gift!
After we arrived home, I was preparing all the documents to send to San Francisco for Part 2 of the sealing process, and OH NO! there is a very crucial error on the Home Study's seal. Which I just came home from sealing!
God is so good. I called 10 min. before the agent I spoke with was leaving to catch a bus to Gig Harbor. Where she offered to meet me 1/2 way. (LuLu's only been sleeping for 1/2 hr at this point, and I wake her in 20 min. to leave to Gig Harbor,) After a stop at the P.O. to pick up other documents that had been attempted delivery earlier in the day. I meet her, she does her thing, and leaves. I look down at the Doc. she put on my seat, and OH NO! it still has the same mistake!!!! I get her to come back and she can't believe it! She leaves with the document in hand. The plan: to overnight it to me today. I leave, and next thing you know someone's following me, and frantically honking. It's her! She waves me back. We go back to meeting point, and she tells me, she just "re-attached the old seal", and she is now re-sealing with the correct seal. LuLu and I leave Gig Harbor and 6:20 and meet my fabulous parents in P.O at a mexican cafe. They offer to drive in, and treat us because of my most trying day. Praise God. I cannot imagine making dinner and cleaning at this point! I already got up just past 6 a.m. and cleaned so I wouldn't have to....please God give me some rest. Well, it's all over now! Documents are in the mail to S.F. to arrive tomorrow! Just Laugh! I did! I can cry. And I can get angry! But if I laugh, I can rejoice in the midst of trial! I put this picture of Ruby up, because this reminds me why I do it all!!!
** Update: The Easter Breakfast Fundraiser raised $1,918 dollars, and a very sweet child donated her $20 birthday money ("for Ruby", she said)!!!! It's humbling to learn to receive from such giving hearts. We are blessed by God so fully in your love and sacrifice, my heart is forever softer with each act of love for Ruby, pretty soon I won't ever be able to stop crying. (tears of joy or Praise to our King who always sustains us) Thank you!

Package #2 to Ruby, and more funds

We just sent off another "small" package to Ruby today, with a spring dress, socks, hat and hair pretties. Pat was laughing and did not think I could cram it in that small of a package! I would've sent more, but didn't want the kind person carrying it to give up anymore room in her luggage!

My mom has also committed to come to China with us to help with the transition this time. Which I am thrilled about! She will have to provide her own way, and it is hard that we can't provide the way for her, but I am totally thankful she is willing and able!

Since our last post we've had some funds come in. We are now at $2,315 raised, and $16,045 left toward our goal. My sweet Granny also gave us a vehicle, and so we will be selling Pat's very cool Truck!!! Since that's not an actual figure, we are not counting that until sold. But we praise God all the same as Granny was praying for a way to help us, and we had suddenly realized we needed a different car for Pat to fit the girls in. It is not easy to give up the truck; it's very convenient to have one, but we will do what is required. No Question!!!!

LuLu is so excited for Ruby, and continues to be sure that we ask in these words when we pray: "Soon, fly to Ruby, soon" Jesus!

There is a Waffle/Pancake Breakfast after Sunrise Service on Easter morning at Seaside (8 am) if you'd like to come. This is the next fundraiser scheduled! Thanks to you lovelies that had the ideas, purpose and preparedness to do this so quickly for Ruby. Love to you all!

Title of my Blog

I was remembering why I chose this title for my blog initially. I was thinking how when we decided to adopt from China, that it was only by the grace of God that that I wasn't a mother in China having to abandon their child because the government didn't afford me that right. Or that it was only by the grace of God that I wasn't a mother existing in such poverty, who had to leave her child in the care of strangers in hopes that they could provide her life-saving medical care. And that it was only by the grace of God that I was not the child born into such poverty or born with an immediate need for medical attention.
I was also thinking, that it is only by the grace of God that I could be that new mother to such a precious child born under these conditions. That it is only by His grace that the funds, and home and family structure could be provided to her through our family. Because where we are and what we have is all by His grace. And I knew, that I could not come up with the provision myself, I knew that. By I knew that He still asked me to be there, and I will have to trust Him in it all.
This is an early picture of Ruby (known in her group foster home as Mary). It shows a bit more of the reality of how much need there was early on in her life. I am so thankful for God's grace to give her a foster home to help her become healthy, but they cannot be her family. She arrived there with obvious signs of malnourishment, hence the large patches of hair missing and frail, thin body. I hesitated to show this. I thought maybe it'd be too much, but I realize now it's important to show the reality of it. This is how we first saw Ruby! This is her true life experience! It is His grace that redeems us every day in our own lives. Adoption has taught me the most about God's character than all the years I've live before.

Happy Birthday Ruby!!!!!

We're one step closer to "fly to Ruby", as LuLu like to say! Happy first birthday precious one! Your family loves you so very much! We will come soon, and you will not celebrate another birthday without us.

We just completed our last Home Visit with our Social Worker! Piece of CAKE!

Now to enjoy homemade Pizza, salad and birthday cake all for you Ruby! God made you perfect and knew your every day before you even breathed your first breath! He will be with you always; he has a plan for your life.

Package sent to Mei Mei (baby sister)

LuLu's been down with a cold and fever for the last week so this was later than I wanted. But we got to shop yesterday for MeiMei's birthday and mailed her package today! It was very hard not to be with LuLu on her first birthday and it's harder still with "Mary", not knowing how soon we can get there, and so many obstacles still to overcome. I am so grateful to those who've shown
us their commitment to help us bring her home! My trust is being stretched once again, as when I can't see an end, it's hard to keep walking the path. The package will likely arrive after her Birthday, on Sunday. We will celebrate as a family with Cupcakes, LuLu's choice. And also by having our final Home visit with the social worker. Then it's on to waiting for his report to apply to immigration ($830).
Hoping that tax returns will arrive as stated, as we have put a hefty fee on the credit card, and need to pay that by March 10, I think. It's one of the 2 fees we can put on our credit card. It was good that we could, so we could keep moving forward, but still need to pay it when due.
The girls have set the Scrapbooking Crop Date to March 6, 2010 Saturday, 9am-4pm. Let me know if interested. I'll get you connected. The cost is $30 and it is fully catered. I have not been told the outcome of the first fundraiser yet, but will post when that's available. Thanks for all the support so far. We have raise $175.00 through the chip-in on Facebook and our blog! So we have a total of $175 raise total to-date.
** update- the Valentine's Baby-sitting fundraiser raised $160, Thanks to Abby and Brytt :) we've had another donation of $60, and I recently sold my Ipod Shuffle on Ebay for $50.00. This brings the total raised to date to: $445

2 Fundraisers in the Works

Some friends of ours (Abby & Brytt) have one fundraiser scheduled for this Saturday. They are offering babysitting for couples to bring their children down to the Seaside Church Building on Sat. February 13th from 6-8:30, so that they can have a date night for Valentine's Day!
Also, Tanna & Bridget (along with some other recruits, still in the works) are planning a fully catered Scrapbook Crop for a Saturday in March. The date has not been chosen yet, but I'm sure they will do it shortly. These girls are amazing and I just wanted to get the word out. If anyone's interested in this, let me know and I'll pass on the info. to you so you can come!
I put a new picture of "Mary" (that's her name in her foster home) up for you to enjoy! She's so precious, isn't she?

We'll call her "Mary" -for now

I never would've guessed that the day after my last post, I would receive a phone call giving us the amazing opportunity to adopt another beautiful child from China.

Since that day, God has been impressing it upon me just how important it is to put my cares on Him, and to make my requests known to Him. I have prayed repeatedly that as "Mary" waits He would protect her, but not only that, that He would surround her with Christians who would love her with His love, and bring Him glory. Yesterday I learned that She is in Foster care in a Christian home, run by a couple from CA that felt the calling to move to China and start a foster home.

Isn't this amazing, that He had already woven this to be? I know there's been lots...of questions. This is a shock to most. Trust me; it was a shock to us just the same! Truth is, we don't now when we will get to China, and this adoption is being done backwards. We are matched and now need to do all the paperwork, and pay all our fees to keep moving along in the process. And that means speediness in getting funds, and also in each government entity processing the paperwork.

The reality is, that this adoption will cost us between $23,0000-$25,000. Thankfully, we will receive $7,000 in tax returns this year, and we praise God for this! That still leaves us with up to $18,000 needed to complete. (We could travel as early as 4-6 months if the funds are there) Very few of this can be charged to a credit card, so that's not really an option. We have to have the cash for most of it, in order to travel to get her. We have seen God's provision in LuLu's adoption, and trust Him in this. He did not impress this upon our heart, without seeing us through to provision.

But I will say that if anyone desires to help us with this, whether by fundraising for us, directly helping with a donation or giving some insight on how to fundraise, we need it!

Life just passes us by!

I can't even believe this time last year we were checking into the Children's Hospital for LuLu's surgery! I cried a lot then, last holiday season. I kept thinking..."What if this is the last time LuLu can walk", or hug me, or whatever it was going on at the time. But God is SO good. He is so faithful! I truly enjoyed this season, with a thankfulness in my heart, I cannot explain. What a blessing children are! AMEN!

O but for the grace of God, we would not be hear today, with precious healthy LuLu! By His grace may we do it again someday!