You can do it! I know you can!

Logan is not a morning person.  And he's really not a Monday morning person.  Everyone usually loses all patience with him because he doesn't get around very well in the mornings and would prefer to stay snuggled up at home and not have to face the day.  Once we reach the school, I park rather than go through the drop off line because it takes him a good 5 min to say his goodbyes and muster up the energy to get out of car.  This morning was no exception.  We park and head down the sidewalk towards the front door and if you can picture this, his head and shoulders are slumped over as he's dragging his backpack along the ground behind him. It's a pitiful sight really! I don't even want to know what everyone is thinking who watches him.  But there awaits the best teacher who has morning duty, and this morning she begins to cheer for him, "You can do it Logan! I know you can! You can do it!"  She continues with her cheering as he's walking towards her until he cracks a smile and proceeds through the door.  She was just being a little silly and trying to liven the mood but I was chuckling by this point and I thought isn't this how we all are sometimes???  Sometimes, I know I would really rather stay home, snuggled up and not have to face the giants of the day.  Sometimes, I'd really rather not have to walk through a set of doors that we face in front of us.  Is this just me???  This morning, though, God reminded me that like Logan's teacher, this is how He is with us.  We may not want to face a particular circumstance in front of us, but God is saying "You can do it! I know you can! I am with you!" In fact, the Word tell us we have a great cloud of witnesses cheering us on.

"Do you see what this means - all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on?  It means we better get on with it!  ... Never quit! 

We're in training. God is doing what's best for us and He is training us to live God's holy best.  It pays off - for it's the well trained who find themselves mature in their relationship with God. 

So don't sit around on your hands! No more dragging your feet! Run for it!" (Heb 12: 1,11,12 MSG)

You and I can keep on going, running the race before us, facing what lies ahead, with FULL confidence that God has our back in this and we have the victory! All those who have gone before us know the reward that awaits us if we don't quit and they're cheering us on.  You and I will cheer one another on.  This training will mature and perfect our faith so that we're not lacking anything.  We don't have to walk with our heads slumped over, dragging our stuff behind us, but rather shoulders back and head held high because You, O Lord, are the lifter of my head!  Keep pressing on!  You can do it!

For all our Mothers~

Mother's Day...

Dan begins a few days before trying to pick up hints or send the kids in to ask questions on what I might want for a present or for dinner that day. There are always homemade cards, a gift, and a lunch they do their best to prepare without me, but for the sake of the meal and my kitchen I always opt to go in and assist in the craziness!  Lol They make it such a special day.  This year they've taken on the task to clean my car so that it sparkles and shines!  That my friends is worth everything in itself!

We wouldn't know how hard mothering would be... How rewarding it would be.  I was so young and clueless 21 years ago when they handed me that baby girl and sent us home the next day as if we really knew what we were doing.  We didnt even have a pet first and we were supposed to know what to do???  God bless her, she was our guinea pig and it was all about trial and error.  I'm so thankful children are resilient and God covers our mistakes and shortcomings.  Mothering encompasses blessings,  milestones, numerous celebrations, homemade cards and presents for special occasions, flowers - both real and those made from tissue paper, stretch marks, gray hairs, scars, burnt meals, sleepless nights, endless activities, and so much more... And we'd do it all over again every day of the week and twice on Sundays.  We say things that sound just like our mothers.  We muddle through messy things, have to humbly ask for forgiveness, and hope at the end of the day they truely know how much they are loved.  We point them towards Jesus, watch them surrender their lives to Him, and stand teary-eyed as they leave the nest for a great adventure to become all God created them to be.  We've watched them fall, make mistakes, and dusted them off reassuring them God takes all things and works them together for good.

To those of you who Mother other's children and love them as your own... whether by marriage, or in your classrooms, or in your families, or your neighborhoods... you are priceless.  You are imprinting these children forever and helping to shape them.  You leave a lasting impression on them.  They will love you forever!

My heart is drawn towards moms in hard places, wanting the same things for her children that I want for mine.  For moms struggling wanting their children healthy, their needs met, and bright futures. For moms who make the hardest and bravest decision of all to give their child for someone else to raise in hopes that all these things come true for them.  I'm so grateful for Malea's birth mother and the selfless decision she made in a country where her opportunities were so limited.  I believe she's so brave and I always pray the Lord tenderly shows her somehow that this child is safe and loved.

Eve was the "Crown of Creation".  Created with all of the beautiful and tender characteristics of God.  Women are so special to Him.  He used them in the most pivitol places tucked all throughout scripture.  Know that you are loved and highly favored!

To all of the mothers, I salute you all and applaud you with a standing ovation.  Keep pressing on towards the prize with your eyes fixed on Jesus.  You are changing the world and shaping the next generation!!  To the ones before us who trained us and equipped us just as the scriptures said, we are  so grateful.  I'm blessed with the most amazing mom, mother in law, and grandmothers, all who love the Lord and live a life of faith so committed to their families.  I love you dearly.  I am thankful for the example you've shown your children and your grandchildren.  We all rise and call you Blessed!

Happy Mother's Day!  Put your feet up and enjoy a quiet moment, because the next day all the craziness begins again! :)

Repetition

We've been working a lot on Malea's speech.  With quite a bit of work she has picked up several new words soaking things up like a sponge.  There are a few, though, that she repeats like a parrot ALL day long.  Continuously throughout the day she's rolling through these 3 words in order, practicing them incessantly and wanting you to chime in.  We get so tickled at her!  What we love is that she has understanding of what they mean compared to the ones she'll repeat when asked to.  This morning as she was rolling through them I was taken back at the goodness of God and the blessing she is.

It made me think of a conversation I was having yesterday about the importance of repetition.  We use repetition with Malea to teach her and it's effective because what she's learned is IN her.  She can let it roll on command.  In the same way, God uses repetition with us because it's effective.  He's wanting us to "get it."  He'll repeat Himself often to me so that I'm sure to grasp what He's saying.  He wants to know that it's IN me.  Not just the head knowledge of it, but the understanding of it.  Joshua 1:8 says, "Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.  Then you will be prosperous and successful."  Meditate doesn't mean just thinking on it... but rather murmuring it to yourself.  Murmur on it day and night...repeating it to yourself day and night...so that you may be careful to do everything written in it, so that we'll be prosperous and successful!  The Word is LIFE to us.  When we meditate on it and repeat it to ourselves it produces life in us!  It drives out fear, rejection, insecurity, doubt, guilt, and every other dart from the enemy!

In my chaotic life I have to repeat stuff over and over or write it down to make note of it, otherwise it's gets lost in a great abyss!  My kids and husband know this well!  I have to be deliberate in repeating the Word over and over because I want that to be what I believe and hold fast to.  Then that will be what rolls off my tongue when the enemy comes to try and get me to doubt who God is or who I am in Him!  Let's meditate on the Word and drown out the voice of the enemy!!

Settling in...

We've been home for almost a week with our sweet little girl and she's doing really well!  An initial hospital stay wasn't the homecoming we'd hoped for, but it's all good now.  Each day we see her getting stronger and feeling better and we're slowly catching up on sleep.  She's adjusting to her new surroundings and seems to be settling in!  She is curious, talkative, and very ticklish.  She is a good eater and loves just about every food we put in front of her except for bread... not a fan of bread.  She loves to play and has a sister and 4 brothers packing her around all the time looking to meet her every need!  We can't thank you all enough for all the prayers and encouragement!  It means the world!

 We had our first home visit with our Adoption Specialist on Thursday and she was pleased with how Malea seems to be adjusting to her new life.  She urged us to send out a note to our family and friends to let everyone know how we have approach the next few months.  Malea has had numerous caregivers in and out of her life over the last 2 years and because of that, she hasn't learned to attach and bond to people because they are always coming and going.  We saw immediately that she doesn't know a stranger and reaches for anyone who makes eye contact with her assuming they should take her.  In order to teach her to bond and attach to us as her family now and realize she will always belong here, we have to have these next months be where our immediately family are the only ones holding her and caring for her.  We know this probably seems drastic and that's not our intent we PROMISE, it's just what all of our training has advised.  She didn't have the opportunity to attach to anyone like kids we all know when they attach to mom or dad in those early months, so that means she will have to be taught that the ones caring for her now will never leave.  Our agency workers and other adoptive parents have said if we let her be passed around when we are out and about it will confuse her and she won't distinguish the difference between strangers or friends, and mom and dad.  Our first and most important goal is for her to bond as quickly as possible!  We know she is SO LOVED and we WANT her to be loved on by everyone we just ask that you love on her while we hold her :)  Our adoption workers have always been so encouraged when we would describe the incredible support system we have and know that this will be vital to Malea!  This will only be temporary and we know that she will soon be adjusted to her new life!  Thank you SO MUCH for understanding and for loving our family the way you do!!!  We are INCREDIBLY BleSSed and so thankful for all of you!

We are excited about what the days and weeks will bring as she continues to settle in and feel more at home.  God has shown us so much in this journey and I'll be sharing more of that soon!  I read a quote earlier asking...whether we find ourselves compelled by comfort or compelled to follow Christ...  We find ourselves compelled more than ever to follow God even when it takes us to places we never dreamed.  The destination is SO WORTH IT!

Lots of love,
Dan and Jenni

Ch Ch Ch Ch Changes!

Helloooo Summer!  {Our favorite friend!}  We love summer.  I'm MOST excited when the third week of May rolls around because all my chicks are in their nest... there's baseball, swimming, camping, fishing, late nights, and the list goes on and on.  This one will be no exception.  Other than, there are going to be a lot of changes that will take place over the course of the summer for our crew.  We'll be bringing Malea home, moving, Dan starting a new job, planning a wedding, and all the while determined to keep our sanity!! 

I'm not so good at change.  Dan could pack up tomorrow and as long as he had us and a few basic necessities, he'd head off across the country.  He's an adventurer.  Me, not so much.  I'm not a fan when lots of things are uncertain and we can't plan everything.  It's my weakness.  I fight being a worrier.  I don't know why I am because I can't say that anything in a situation has ever changed as a result of me stewing over it!  God is so good to remind me often that worry is the opposite of faith.  I can't have both.  So daily I choose faith.  He could let us in on all the details and let us see behind the curtain, but then it wouldn't require faith.  And God wants us to walk by faith, putting our trust in Him who is always faithful!  We trust in Him, He will guide us.  We do our part, He does His part.  If I let my eyes gaze on all that's before us it's incredibly overwhelming!  So I keep my eyes fixed on Jesus and let God work out the plans!  God tells us in Jeremiah 29:11 that He knows the plans He has for us...and they're good.  That's a word to put your hope in right there! 

Yesterday was an emotional day for us.  It brought to a close our season here at Aurora schools for the kids and being Houn Dawgs. We've been so blessed and are going to miss so many terrific people.  I hope you know how very grateful we are for you!  So many people have encouraged us, prayed for us, supported us, and been dear friends and we're so grateful.  We pray over and over again that you will reap a harvest from what you've sown into us.

Soooo, here's to a great adventurous summer for all of us!!!!  Whatever is in store, let's enjoy every moment!!! 

Jenni

For this child I prayed...

Well, we are ExCiTeD to officially announce that WE HAVE A GIRL!!!!!  Oh, we've been about to BURST wanting to tell before now, but we weren't allowed to.  We're in the home stretch now!

We found out in January, shortly after Christmas.  Dan saw her picture and her file and he knew immediately.  We had prayed for this.  In the very first days of this whole thing we named her asked God to show us His plan and make her known to us.  He did.  Dan called me while I was shopping and said I need you to be praying and I need you to come see me as soon as you get home because there's a little girl and I know she's the one.  My heart was in my throat at this point!  We spent the next 3 days praying and felt sure this is what God's plan was.  We had multiple conversations with our workers and our medical team.  We proceeded with the referral request and received a preliminary approval, but had to wait for the official acceptance of our request from China.  The official word came yesterday!  We have a couple more steps to complete and then we'll make all the travel arrangements.  After 18 long months we'll hopefully be able to travel to China to get her in just a couple short months!!!  For the last yr and a half she has been in not just our prayers, but all our family and friends, and so much a part of our conversations and decisions.  One cool note about the timing...when God first began speaking to us about it was around the time she was born.  We would be so compelled to pray for her at times, not even knowing who or where she was, and we know now that it was then she was fighting for her little life.  She's a miracle for sure and God has had a plan for her all along.

Waiting.  Waiting.  And more waiting.  So much of our lives the last couple of years has been about waiting.  We've had a front row seat to it.  And being honest about it, we're not that good at it.  Boy, do we get impatient.  And the apples don't fall far from the tree let me tell you, because our children aren't all that good at it either!  Frequently, they would get frustrated at the waiting.  But praise God, we're better than we used to be!  God has shown us so much through all of this.  We've had to focus on seeing Him in the waiting.  On worshipping Him in the waiting.  Trusting Him for answers in all that seems uncertain and unclear.  God would gently remind us over and over that He was working out His plan and He wasn't looking for our understanding, He was looking for our obedience.  Simply wanting us to trust Him who is Sovereign in all things.  I wish I could say, "Whew, good thing it's all behind us!"  But I can't!  There's still lots ahead.  Things that need to come together.  Things we'll deal with medically once she's here.  And then there's the whole moving and beginning things in another community!  It's all good though!  Day at a time is how we'll take it!  I don't know about you, but seems as though we're always in a season of waiting or coming out of one.  If you find yourself in a season of waiting I encourage you, friend, to stay the course.  Trust in God and believe that ALL His promises are YES & AMEN!!!

"And so it was...that she, having waited long and endured patiently, realized and obtained what God had promised."  Heb 6:15



 

The night we told all the kids.  The kids gathered around the table, Zane was on Skype on Beth's computer and we showed them the videos of her.

Signing the official document from the government of China

Thank you for all of you who have prayed and encouraged us!  It means more than you know!!  We ask for your prayers for the remaining details that need to come together.  God gets all the glory!!!!

Slowly, steadily, surely the time approaches

In the midst of all the busyness of normal life of a family of 7, it seems as though these days have become consistently filled with paperwork, paperwork, and more paperwork regarding the adoption.  We've collected every document imaginable on the seven of us dating back to the conception of our little family.  We've had physicals, interviews, fingerprints, shots, tests, and yes, more tests.  It's been interesting to say the least, to look at all the details of our life in a tall stack of papers.  I think I've driven most of the people in our life crazy as every time they saw me I was needing another document.  Probably, the most memorable was the lady at the Police Department  who casually informed me she couldn't give us reference letters required because she didn't type.  All I could think was, "Ok, lady, I haven't made it this far to stop because of your lack of typing skills!"  I kindly asked her if she could direct me to someone who could type because I wasn't leaving without what I was needing. 

Things have gone slower than we would like (as with everyone who does this), but progress is progress nonetheless.  We've accomplished major steps lately and are pleased that we received approval from Immigration and our paperwork is on it's way to China.  Kaden spoke for all of us when he said, "I thought this day would never come!"  Now we wait for a referral of a precious little girl.  We're so anxious to see what God does next and who she'll be!  The boys are requesting one that doesn't cry.  Not realistic, but I'm not bursting their bubble.  It tickles me to hear their conversations about the whole thing.

We know even in the timing issues and the delays, God has been in it all.  We know His timing is perfect because He sees the BIG picture that we can't.  Over and over I have to go back to the scripture He gave me in those very first days....

Then the Lord said to me, "Write my answer in large, clear letters on

a tablet, so that a runner can read it and tell everyone else.  But these

things I plan won't happen right away.  Slowly, steadily, surely the time

approaches when the vision will be fulfilled.  If it seems slow, wait

patiently, for it will surely take place.  It will not be delayed.

Hab 2:2-3

 

 

We sure would appreciate your prayers as we await this next step. We want God to lead every detail and decision as He leads us to the little one He has for our family.  I'm working on some projects to help with the funds we're gonna need so there will be more on that later!  God Bless~




Outside the Federal Building for USCIS

Our China paperwork...

On it's way!