This song is for all the many children that are called "orphans." It rips my heart to shreds as we wait to bring him home. I pray for all of them, as there are over 147 MILLION of them out there (might one be your son or daughter??)...I am thankful there will be one less that we will call our son, Michael Stephen XueFa! The song says "a little girl", I say little girls and little boys and big (older) girls and big (older) boys,...Please pray for all of them. Much love and peace to everyone!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=3Xebv7muzxU
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Fingerprints, (again)
We have already been fingerprinted by the FBI (back in Sept!!), but apparently they do not share information with Homeland Security...finally our appointment date came on Wednesday, the 21st...but, whatever you do...Don't try to make the security people smile! Matt and I drove separately so he could go onto work...our appt. was for 9am, but we made sure we were there early. We started to approach the door, and then realized I wanted to grab a piece of gum from the van. I turned around and went back towards the car. The security officer asked Matt, "what is she doing?" like I was some terrorist or something. He let Matt know that gum would not be allowed in the building, along with no food, no drinks, no cell phones, no cameras, no belts or pretty much anything. You can come in with your clothes on and keys and appointment sheet and ID and that is about it. Thankfully I had enough sense to ask a friend if my boys could come over for an hour or so, so we didn't have them, as that may have sent them over the edge! My hands were freezing, but the very nice lady (I do mean that, she was very nice!) was able to get all my fingerprints. When I left they asked, "will you be coming back in?" I told him, "I don't think so," in a smiley, chipper way" They were not amused, and I couldn't get a smile. Shoot! I was really hoping they would crack one!! Oh well, that is there job, to try to intimidate people, just in case, they are up to something naughty. I'm pretty sure I don't fit the profile of any of the bad guys. So now the prints are done! YEAH! Now to the next countdown!! That was the last item to check off in order to get our I-800 approval from the United States government saying that we are able to adopt from China. I pray the approval comes quickly, and I would appreciate others joining me in prayer!!
Monday, December 19, 2011
Watershed/Life-changing moments
Our Gospel reading yesterday - Luke 1:26-38
What an incredible young girl! There really are no words to describe Mary. I am still amazed that she endured all that she did for all of us. Without her commitment to God we would not have Jesus, our Lord and Savior! How thankful I am that she said yes to our Lord!! Thank you Mary!
Our sermon was about watershed/life-changing moments...It was a release of tears, again, as I do feel like I am pregnant, with extra hormones.! As if I don't have enough emotion!! These watershed/life-changing moments in my life..."your mother is sick, we are taking you to the hospital." to "problems!" as I watched doctors and nurses speed down a hallway to my mother's hospital room to "I'm sorry, she's gone, we did all we could" that dreadful day,August 18th, 1981, when I would be forced to grow up much faster than any 13 year old should have to...to Dec. 25, 1987 "will you marry me?" to April 20, 2000, "the test is positive, you're pregnant!" Dec 9, 2000, "we have a baby boy!" to August 2, 2002," it's another boy!" to terrifying news on Oct. 18, 2002, "it could be Achondroplasia, which is a form of dwarfism." to July 16, 2004, "I'm pregnant!!" to Jan. 24th, 2005, "my water broke and it is too early for this baby to be born!" Feb.2, 2005, "your son has something wrong with his digestion, you need to be prepared for anything." Feb 27, 2005, "you can take your son home tomorrow!" to Sept 2, 2011,"I am almost speechless but also know that God definitely has a plan for this child. The family who was supposed to adopt "Steven" can no longer adopt him. If you by chance are still interested in "Steven", I would contact the agency tomorrow." to Sept. 19, 2011 “I have good news for you. I was able to lock Wu, Xue Fa’s file for you and CCCWA has approved the pre application!"
What about Michael Stephen XueFa's watershed moments in his life so far...the story that I received from the beginning..."He was found at Store of Shop on Jan. 18, 2005. The Police sent him to the orphanage. He was wearing a yellow cottoned-padded jacket and black pants, a pair of black shoes on his feet. They estimate his birth date according to growth and development..." How many children had they seen with Achondroplasia?? Not many I'm sure since it is 1 in 40,000 births. I imagine it was at that time his parents realized that he was "different" and not growing as other children at that age. How did they just turn around and walk away? What on earth were they thinking? Was this out of love? I have to believe that they were unsure how to care for a child with a difference and what would they experience from the people around them? To have a boy is a wonderful thing in their culture, but to have a boy with a "difference" is unwanted. His difference is just the reason that we want him!! "The painful experience of being abandoned affected him deeply, for the first week, he cried a lot and wanted to see his mother, sometimes we could hear him sobbing in the dreams, as long as teacher brought him out and play for half an hour, his mood be fine and forgot mother momentarily." Can you imagine? He was around 3 years old. He has been moved to 2 different foster homes, and adjusts well, but how is his heart inside? How has he coped with all the loss in his life? Four homes that we know of, we will make five... While in the orphanage, who was there to console him or snuggle with him whenever he was sick or just needed the closeness of someone who loves him? Who celebrated with him on his accomplishments? We pray his heart is open to us and the love we all have for him. We know it will be challenging, we know we will shed many tears, but we know he is ours. We know we will have many joys also! We are thankful in advance for our journey that God has placed before us...it is full of so many unknowns, which at times is terrifying and makes me pause and say, "oh my gosh, this is real, what are we doing?" Then I have to cling to Isaiah 41:10 "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." and Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." I am sure as Mary journeyed with Joseph to Bethlehem, ridiculed, shunned and pregnant, they drew strength from God as they knew this was His plan.
Thank you Lord for always being there for us, in all of our joys and sorrows. Please Lord help us through the next several months on our journey to China and back, and the days, months and years ahead in the transition of Michael Stephen XueFa's life and the transition of ours. Please Father God, show us Your way in all that we do. In your precious Son's name, Amen!!
26"In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth,27to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.28And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.”29But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.30The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.31And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus.32He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”34Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?”35 The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God.36And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren.37For nothing will be impossible with God.”38Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her."
What an incredible young girl! There really are no words to describe Mary. I am still amazed that she endured all that she did for all of us. Without her commitment to God we would not have Jesus, our Lord and Savior! How thankful I am that she said yes to our Lord!! Thank you Mary!
Our sermon was about watershed/life-changing moments...It was a release of tears, again, as I do feel like I am pregnant, with extra hormones.! As if I don't have enough emotion!! These watershed/life-changing moments in my life..."your mother is sick, we are taking you to the hospital." to "problems!" as I watched doctors and nurses speed down a hallway to my mother's hospital room to "I'm sorry, she's gone, we did all we could" that dreadful day,August 18th, 1981, when I would be forced to grow up much faster than any 13 year old should have to...to Dec. 25, 1987 "will you marry me?" to April 20, 2000, "the test is positive, you're pregnant!" Dec 9, 2000, "we have a baby boy!" to August 2, 2002," it's another boy!" to terrifying news on Oct. 18, 2002, "it could be Achondroplasia, which is a form of dwarfism." to July 16, 2004, "I'm pregnant!!" to Jan. 24th, 2005, "my water broke and it is too early for this baby to be born!" Feb.2, 2005, "your son has something wrong with his digestion, you need to be prepared for anything." Feb 27, 2005, "you can take your son home tomorrow!" to Sept 2, 2011,"I am almost speechless but also know that God definitely has a plan for this child. The family who was supposed to adopt "Steven" can no longer adopt him. If you by chance are still interested in "Steven", I would contact the agency tomorrow." to Sept. 19, 2011 “I have good news for you. I was able to lock Wu, Xue Fa’s file for you and CCCWA has approved the pre application!"
What about Michael Stephen XueFa's watershed moments in his life so far...the story that I received from the beginning..."He was found at Store of Shop on Jan. 18, 2005. The Police sent him to the orphanage. He was wearing a yellow cottoned-padded jacket and black pants, a pair of black shoes on his feet. They estimate his birth date according to growth and development..." How many children had they seen with Achondroplasia?? Not many I'm sure since it is 1 in 40,000 births. I imagine it was at that time his parents realized that he was "different" and not growing as other children at that age. How did they just turn around and walk away? What on earth were they thinking? Was this out of love? I have to believe that they were unsure how to care for a child with a difference and what would they experience from the people around them? To have a boy is a wonderful thing in their culture, but to have a boy with a "difference" is unwanted. His difference is just the reason that we want him!! "The painful experience of being abandoned affected him deeply, for the first week, he cried a lot and wanted to see his mother, sometimes we could hear him sobbing in the dreams, as long as teacher brought him out and play for half an hour, his mood be fine and forgot mother momentarily." Can you imagine? He was around 3 years old. He has been moved to 2 different foster homes, and adjusts well, but how is his heart inside? How has he coped with all the loss in his life? Four homes that we know of, we will make five... While in the orphanage, who was there to console him or snuggle with him whenever he was sick or just needed the closeness of someone who loves him? Who celebrated with him on his accomplishments? We pray his heart is open to us and the love we all have for him. We know it will be challenging, we know we will shed many tears, but we know he is ours. We know we will have many joys also! We are thankful in advance for our journey that God has placed before us...it is full of so many unknowns, which at times is terrifying and makes me pause and say, "oh my gosh, this is real, what are we doing?" Then I have to cling to Isaiah 41:10 "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." and Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." I am sure as Mary journeyed with Joseph to Bethlehem, ridiculed, shunned and pregnant, they drew strength from God as they knew this was His plan.
Thank you Lord for always being there for us, in all of our joys and sorrows. Please Lord help us through the next several months on our journey to China and back, and the days, months and years ahead in the transition of Michael Stephen XueFa's life and the transition of ours. Please Father God, show us Your way in all that we do. In your precious Son's name, Amen!!
Friday, December 2, 2011
1st trimester is complete!!!
Three months ago today is when I received THE email from my friend in Colorado, it read... " I am almost speechless but also know that God definitely has a plan for this child. The family who was supposed to adopt "Steven" can no longer adopt him. With heavy hearts they are releasing "Steven's" file back. At this point I am unsure if it is going directly to the shared list. If you by chance are still interested in "Steven", I would contact the agency tomorrow."
I could hardly breath when I received the news!!! WOW!!! Much has happened in this "1st trimester," it is quite different from my previous pregnancies!! I know this child is ours...I know he is precious...I know although he was not born of my body, he was planned for us.
Psalm 139:13-18 (NIV)
13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts,[a] God! How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand— when I awake, I am still with you.
Thank you Lord, for creating another child for us, "fearfully and wonderfully made!" We are in awe of His work in our lives. We would love for others to join us in praising Him for all the blessings we have been given. Praise be to thee O God!
I could hardly breath when I received the news!!! WOW!!! Much has happened in this "1st trimester," it is quite different from my previous pregnancies!! I know this child is ours...I know he is precious...I know although he was not born of my body, he was planned for us.
Psalm 139:13-18 (NIV)
13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts,[a] God! How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand— when I awake, I am still with you.
Thank you Lord, for creating another child for us, "fearfully and wonderfully made!" We are in awe of His work in our lives. We would love for others to join us in praising Him for all the blessings we have been given. Praise be to thee O God!
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