tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17389396604479907662024-03-04T20:14:16.961-08:00Hopeful hearts Waiting ArmsJuliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16789745076650241947noreply@blogger.comBlogger87125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1738939660447990766.post-9357461130778139902019-06-18T17:21:00.000-07:002019-06-18T17:21:03.913-07:00God ALWAYS answersSince my last post over a year ago, we had received news that our precious Patrick had been sent back to his original orphanage. For reasons I don't understand, the government required his return to his original home province orphanage. The photo I received from a volunteer who spotted him in a couple photos posted by a visiting adoptive family rocked me. His lips were cracked and dry, his eyes lifeless, and he was covered with a blanket up to his neck. I notified our agency who grieved with me and promised to get me an update. The photos which followed looked moderately better, but I knew that was probably done to make things appear better than they were.<div>
I had one prayer. One. That God would take him home and end his suffering here on earth. I prayed that every day for many days before the chaos of life pushed him to the back of my mind.</div>
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Every morning his sweet face greets me in a photo frame which sat on the end table next to the couch where I sat to have my coffee. I loved him from the moment I saw his face and have always considered myself his mother. I fought hard half a world away for my son's care and for a time he was in a wonderful facility. </div>
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Today I got the news I always knew was coming. My friend, who takes a team to visit the orphanage a couple times a year let me know Patrick had passed away in January. The answer to my prayers</div>
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He is no longer suffering. No longer in pain. He is held by our Father and loved like we can't imagine.</div>
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I am thankful I was his mom, even though I didn't get to hold him this side of heaven.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the very first photo I saw of this sweet baby.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Patrick as a newborn</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When he was happy and smiling</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before seizures due to high fever robbed his brain</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These were sent to me by a mission team</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Such a sweet baby</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Video taken after his siezure</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These photos and videos prompted me to fight to get him better care</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After arriving at Maria's Big House of Hope. Clean and well taken care of</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taken his second year at Maria's</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He had gotten so big!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He got physical therapy daily at Maria's</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYJUFZa0XLRb6EeN_kXC5yZdZbvHQ0CYYlefqGm3xdX-sjdG4cvLudHLLFRgXDq1N-MH3x1IEggFgQdZ8K20zhxYI5trz1jj7Zez6IQXeQHer2YskVGykRzkCwzwG59cG1PHqisWu8qdk/s1600/received_691873891212263+%25281%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYJUFZa0XLRb6EeN_kXC5yZdZbvHQ0CYYlefqGm3xdX-sjdG4cvLudHLLFRgXDq1N-MH3x1IEggFgQdZ8K20zhxYI5trz1jj7Zez6IQXeQHer2YskVGykRzkCwzwG59cG1PHqisWu8qdk/s400/received_691873891212263+%25281%2529.jpeg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The shocking photo I received after the news he had been sent back to his original orphanage</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrM2wUopz7Fk6n-Pf_mhwRtAwibXbjffXTNF-WAOZvkYoXIatnanlE8v_X4J3GU00KcsQrWQWIhCAEcsZEQ2YVUMfAHmg41z-m8EYaKmzO3C13tmnU8OZBxb0c8pbUMgEVw9rB6RpHvco/s1600/mmexport1545780724766.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrM2wUopz7Fk6n-Pf_mhwRtAwibXbjffXTNF-WAOZvkYoXIatnanlE8v_X4J3GU00KcsQrWQWIhCAEcsZEQ2YVUMfAHmg41z-m8EYaKmzO3C13tmnU8OZBxb0c8pbUMgEVw9rB6RpHvco/s400/mmexport1545780724766.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The last photo I have of my son. Not long after this was taken he passed away.</td></tr>
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Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16789745076650241947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1738939660447990766.post-73660397856169036392016-02-28T17:40:00.000-08:002018-01-23T07:54:41.956-08:00Beauty From Ashes<div class="MsoNormal">
I have been on a journey, a journey which started almost a
year ago. In April 2015 I received the monthly newsletter from our agency in
email. The email was titled “THE BABIES ARE COMING.” One little face stood out to me. A baby with
red hair! If you know me personally you know I have a special place in my heart
for red heads. My husband has auburn hair. So when I saw this sweet face I
emailed my agency at once to find out more about this beautiful child. I fell
in love instantly when my case worker emailed back with the words “it’s a boy”
and “he has albinism and is delayed like your son.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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My heart was beating fast and I knew it would be difficult
convincing my husband to get on board with another adoption. We were
waiting to travel to adopt a three year old girl with albinism to join our
already large family of six! I composed a letter to him which you can read below.<o:p></o:p><br />
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My letter to Chris in April:<br />
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<i>To my beloved,<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>I decided to write everything in my head down because for the last week it has been all I could focus on. I imagine it is somewhat like how you felt when you first felt called to adopt. It was all you could think about but didn’t know where to take it.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>Boy, we have sure taken your calling and run with it! I cannot wait for our adventure back to China and our adventure to adopt sweet Sophie. I think she is going to be amazing, but even if our trip is crazy and Sophie hates our guts, God is good all the time.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>So back to my heart. Ever since I saw the red haired baby’s picture I couldn’t stop thinking about him/her. When Diana wrote me and said he was a “he” and he was possibly delayed like Isaac I felt more in my heart than if she had told me he was on target.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>I know it would be scary financially, but everything else I feel very confident about. We know this baby doesn’t have a chance being a boy, delayed, and in China. Not very many families are moving forward to adopt a boy or a visually impaired, delayed child.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>I believe in my heart he is our son. I believe his name is Patrick Louis (for your mom).<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>I know we can make a difference and can indeed save “one more.”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i><b>We don’t have to decide anything now</b>. His file is <b>NOT</b> prepared yet, so we would be able to see how life is with Sophie. We could do an update to our home study when Sara comes at 6 weeks post placement. We could reuse Sophie’s dossier up to a year after her Gotcha date. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>He could stay in the crib in Summer’s room until he was old enough to room with Isaac. We wouldn’t have to repaint because I picked the colors for that room to grow with a boy theme. We’re already going to be at the therapy place a ton because Isaac ages out of EI. and we could just use our insurance for all the therapies at Trish’s clinic. Trish has looked at his video for me and believes he is actually a little better off than Isaac was at that age. He has no flat head, and can lift his head on his stomach and can rotate his trunk. He just needs <b>US</b>!<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>I believe we were blessed with your job because God has great things planned for us. People already look to what we are doing and God gets the glory In a million years I never thought I could do this but I feel in my heart I can. I feel God transforming me in a way I hadn’t felt before.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>I read this last week and I thought it applied here…<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i><b>The Door God Opens Will Require You to Depend on Him</b><o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>God is not going to give us something that will alienate us from him or make us believe we no longer need him. He is a God of relationship, and a God who insists upon being first in our lives (<a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/search/?t=niv&q=mt+6:33-33">Matthew 6:33</a>). Therefore, if you find yourself saying “I can’t do this unless God goes before me,” or “I can do this, but only with God’s help and leading” I would say, in my personal experience, it’s likely something God is calling you to do. <a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/search/?t=niv&q=heb+11:6-6">Hebrews 11:6</a>says: “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for he who comes to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of those who seek him.” Many times an “open door” from God is one that allows our faith to be stretched and strengthened. That, after all, is God’s objective for us: to grow in faith and Christ-likeness.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>You can…<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span>Still go hunting as much as before<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span>Still ride your motorcycle<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>I feel confident<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span>I could travel alone or with Summer or Leann<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span>We could hire someone to help with all the kids for while I am gone<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span>I can take care of all these kids!<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span>God HAS called us to this.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i><b>We do not have to decide about him now. We have time</b>. We can talk to Richard in person about him more. I just want you to pray about him.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>I love you with all my heart.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>Julie</i></div>
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<br />
In June we brought Sophie Grace home from China. She was a hot beautiful mess of energy, temper and genius. She immediately bonded with all of us and learned English in a matter of months. We began moving forward to adopt Patrick, the name I had given our child waiting for us. In July a visiting mission team reported he not only had albinism but mild cerebral palsy. They sent videos and photos and my heartbeat grew even stronger for him. Despite hearing the diagnosis of cerebral palsy we did not waiver in our commitment to him. I learned of the amazing team who had held my child, loved my child and prayed over my child. You can read more about this amazing team below.<br />
<a href="http://www.teamchenzhou.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">TEAM CHENZHOU</a><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLRSnf99ZyTTtWOGScvi1j-cnNjylfLqp_TFqaDlYPbJ-cwaMsWYPhoJleEPwoEbVXo5Y6WbeMZEDf-R3a_BOGpTWAOkmpX8xYFzN-1ZIln0l6e4OPTJoAyBq1Urh3F3Nx6rwy4Q94v38/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLRSnf99ZyTTtWOGScvi1j-cnNjylfLqp_TFqaDlYPbJ-cwaMsWYPhoJleEPwoEbVXo5Y6WbeMZEDf-R3a_BOGpTWAOkmpX8xYFzN-1ZIln0l6e4OPTJoAyBq1Urh3F3Nx6rwy4Q94v38/s640/7.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On of the Team Chenzhou members with Patrick</td></tr>
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By the fall, our agency had not received his paperwork and I
began to worry. I knew God had placed this child so strongly on my heart but my
mother’s intuition was starting to kick in. I knew something was wrong. In
September our agency learned he had been hospitalized for seizures. It took two
weeks to learn he had been released and was back in the orphanage. We committed
to bringing him home no matter what, but by now we knew our son might be
severely delayed or handicapped.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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November brought
devastating news. Patrick’s brain had been so severely damaged from the
seizures he would not be made available for adoption. We were able to view
several videos of him and the changes which had taken place in this sweet boy’s
brain. I wanted to hop on a plane and cradle him in my arms. My heart broke in
a million pieces. Part of me was angry at myself for being relieved I did not
have to care for a severely impaired child.
The only comfort I had was our agency had been promised Patrick would be
moved to a better care facility. <o:p></o:p></div>
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At first I wanted to keep going with our adoption process.
My heart was empty and we had nearly completed a dossier. Then everything started to fall apart. We had
three little ones less than five years of age, and my husband and I didn’t
agree on moving forward. I began dragging him through the paperwork process
something which I had never done before with our first three adoptions. Our marriage
suffered. One day I was angry and hurt about everything which had happened to
my son and I took the crib down which had been in our bedroom. Little by little
I started accepting we would not be adopting again.<o:p></o:p></div>
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As the holidays wound down, I began to think of my son again
and wondered if he had been moved to a better facility. I also knew his
birthday had been estimated to be in January but I had not been told the exact
date. It was something I needed to know so I emailed our agency’s
representative in China. During our first three adoptions we had built a
personal relationship with him and I felt comfortable asking him to inquire
about the baby. My heart sank when I received the email Patrick hadn’t been
moved and they didn’t know where to send him.
Not wanting to step on any toes I asked our representative how I should
proceed. He assured me the orphanage would be very grateful for my help. At
first I had no idea what I should do. Then I reached out to a friend I had made
during our daughter’s adoption in June. She was a Love without Boundaries
volunteer and was able to facilitate his transfer to a care facility. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The plan suddenly became clear. He WAS my son. God used me
in His great plan. While it wasn’t MY plan it was HIS, finding out we were able
to find a care facility was huge. <o:p></o:p></div>
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My broken heart began to heal. I waited to find out when he
would be moved.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Then I got a date, he would be moved on February 29.
But…that wasn’t the biggest news. My son would be moving to one of the BEST
care facilities in all of China.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Maria’s Big House of Hope.<o:p></o:p></div>
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You can read all about Maria’s Big House of Hope here.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://story.showhope.org/marias-big-house-of-hope" target="_blank">Maria's Big House of Hope</a></div>
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It has all come full circle. I read Mary Beth’s book on the
plane during my first trip to China. It haunted me the whole trip. I grieved
for Mary Beth and her loss. I rejoiced in what she and Steven were able to
accomplish in Maria’s honor. NEVER did I imagine one of MY children would live
out their life there. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I hope to travel someday to visit Beijing and Maria’s
Big House of Hope. I don’t know if Patrick will live long enough for me to hold
him this side of heaven but I know my mamma’s will did everything I could to
help him. The scar is there, but my heart has healed and I praise God for this
experience.<br />
<br />
JANUARY 23,2018 UPDATE:<br />
Chris' mom Pat Lois Tracy passed away on January 20, 2018<br />
We've established an special needs adoption grant in his name and her memory.<br />
Donations cane be made at <a href="http://equippingthecalled.org/" target="_blank">Equipping The Called</a> or by mailing your gift to PO BOX 171 TROY, ILLINOIS 62294 (PLEASE NOTE IN MEMO LINE "PATRICK LOUIS GRANT"<br />
<br />
Her memory and his legacy will live on.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsNA6KU7VUanoe15THxQLsm5kE5HOjpx5EXWLwGZIfXNNa1l-JaAcYRl_1AOYXMb36G7kElrEwNdzoy_bV4050KTaXSBqgX24ayieKkQfjEX9hGSG2Nh0e7zoP4pe98AabUZ0IHbD2XVc/s1600/Max+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsNA6KU7VUanoe15THxQLsm5kE5HOjpx5EXWLwGZIfXNNa1l-JaAcYRl_1AOYXMb36G7kElrEwNdzoy_bV4050KTaXSBqgX24ayieKkQfjEX9hGSG2Nh0e7zoP4pe98AabUZ0IHbD2XVc/s640/Max+%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Patrick in 2016 before he was moved to Maria's Big House of Hope</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv_-eEeT-Xzwo5q7yqjfe-OQDIU_2VnMYI05YuS4pL4rTDF9-bDmTvauB9QzXnxaMzjrbo_pxZNujjAEfTVplP-SNXiSq9UuL2i2i-5qQZTnDYvvbUi1Cxh525fZ4z63oj36xhuqasPuM/s1600/IMG_4185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv_-eEeT-Xzwo5q7yqjfe-OQDIU_2VnMYI05YuS4pL4rTDF9-bDmTvauB9QzXnxaMzjrbo_pxZNujjAEfTVplP-SNXiSq9UuL2i2i-5qQZTnDYvvbUi1Cxh525fZ4z63oj36xhuqasPuM/s640/IMG_4185.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Patrick in 2016 lovingly cared for by wonderful nannies</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuGdjVqVZnm_jrM0HyNFFfGhf29PmUeiaWqga0EyKURivnq6hKy_-pqbdLNIUBB6Z58QOru2Lnbz-m2RML01nNhKU4Tj9Wn5zVtUUoR2PvRpfthG6r0yh-JMIxDto0IL2Zsz9O2cY-8_o/s1600/2466A887-D9D8-4279-9E6C-390A638DD09F-6972-000008A8D2BF3489_tmp.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuGdjVqVZnm_jrM0HyNFFfGhf29PmUeiaWqga0EyKURivnq6hKy_-pqbdLNIUBB6Z58QOru2Lnbz-m2RML01nNhKU4Tj9Wn5zVtUUoR2PvRpfthG6r0yh-JMIxDto0IL2Zsz9O2cY-8_o/s640/2466A887-D9D8-4279-9E6C-390A638DD09F-6972-000008A8D2BF3489_tmp.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Patrick 2018 He's changed so much! He gets PT every day. Wonderful care continues at Maria's.</td></tr>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16789745076650241947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1738939660447990766.post-7558708126369664702016-02-25T10:54:00.000-08:002016-02-25T10:55:15.836-08:00She overcame a rough beginning of abandonment to start again SOPHIE UPDATE<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: start;">
Her life began as a 2 day old infant found at the orphanage gate. She was immediately taken into care and for ten months the orphanage was her home. She was one of the lucky ones chosen by Love Without Boundaries to be part of their foster program. Along with another little girl close to her age, a loving grandmother cared for the girls as if they were her own. As Sophie waited for her adoption paperwork to be prepared she grew from an infant to stubborn toddler full of determination and independent will.</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
When we met Sophie on Family Day she came in confident and full of smiles, calling us Mama and Baba, the Chinese word for Daddy. Very quickly her excitement turned to fear and she began crying.</div>
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Later in the evening, while at the hotel she still seemed fearful but began to smile and play. She was fearful of bath time, even throwing up the noodles from dinnertime but she broke out into a huge smile when I produced brand new pajamas from the suitcase.</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
While in province she behaved like a royal princess. She smiled and went willingly with us. She loved to shop and each day would be excited about new clothes.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7uPhqISEtTXvCm_E7rS_4QJ_0jTMMsqOcWOBi7z6QXpU8pqy1TVLhjGOky8Md6XecdwqqpLXVPU9cOAQLaXAEwSAguS33nt3RVdYoW4Dc9mXfmWlRlnsTXK_TKFhrYWTL_fpWY4uzJwg/s1600/Huai+Si+Ran+nov+2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7uPhqISEtTXvCm_E7rS_4QJ_0jTMMsqOcWOBi7z6QXpU8pqy1TVLhjGOky8Md6XecdwqqpLXVPU9cOAQLaXAEwSAguS33nt3RVdYoW4Dc9mXfmWlRlnsTXK_TKFhrYWTL_fpWY4uzJwg/s320/Huai+Si+Ran+nov+2011.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Life as an orphan newborn. Her bottle was propped for feeding</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rooms at the orphanage. The door to each room led to the outside. I could only stand and look at the children in the rooms for a brief moment before emotion over took me.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizDKVAcUQr4gabJ9JLfYxcchni4Kn_-roAJyelKfKl8O2B3p5wELofgdW3EkFCr77rUCkcr-e2cvsTzftI17OfcQyxYOutrdvR6c0N-NKUDBzG-lFPCZ8vU5ZCFsccIbURU9nUGy5wA-g/s1600/mias+orphange1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizDKVAcUQr4gabJ9JLfYxcchni4Kn_-roAJyelKfKl8O2B3p5wELofgdW3EkFCr77rUCkcr-e2cvsTzftI17OfcQyxYOutrdvR6c0N-NKUDBzG-lFPCZ8vU5ZCFsccIbURU9nUGy5wA-g/s320/mias+orphange1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Washing</td></tr>
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The first three months home began an interesting adjustment. Coming home after the first two adoptions we battled mostly jet lag and settling into a routine with a baby. This time it was getting to know a feisty three year old girl who spoke little English. I am not sure how we got through the first few months. I will be transparent here and say attachment for me was much more difficult than the first two adoptions. Sophie bonded with me almost immediately after coming home however in my gut it has taken longer to get to a place where I feel like her mother and not just a caregiver or teacher. Perhaps it was her independent will or perhaps it was because she was older? I now have a new appreciation of how much harder older child adoption actually is. They bring their own will to the table!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ33kZhOE4vw43Fh86Z0To26QaVPsraZBPcvr8Z94YjUTYrTleHI9hERsyRbP5hk2JH7y96qXpNiPgsftFF1GZXCMixRiPXRt4IMlaFM8IkQa2-meF8NOzM-7tPkpen58we3didXbSnZE/s1600/IMG_1908.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ33kZhOE4vw43Fh86Z0To26QaVPsraZBPcvr8Z94YjUTYrTleHI9hERsyRbP5hk2JH7y96qXpNiPgsftFF1GZXCMixRiPXRt4IMlaFM8IkQa2-meF8NOzM-7tPkpen58we3didXbSnZE/s400/IMG_1908.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There were many meltdowns daily</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With the help of her siblings and love of her family she over came her fear of furry friends!</td></tr>
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Ellie had some jealousy issues in the very beginning but for the most part loved having a new best friend and playmate. While learning English Sophie would mimic anything Ellie would say. It was like a maddening "Ellie echo". I knew how helpful this was for Sophie's language development but at times I wanted to climb the walls!</div>
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Slowly, little by little we learned what allowed Sophie to feel secure and what caused her to meltdown. Along the way we made many mistakes. We began physical and occupational therapy with Sophie at a fantastic clinic thirty minutes away. Along with her therapists we educated ourselves on how to bests help Sophie regulate her emotions and maximize her high intelligence.</div>
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PATIENCE.PATIENCE.PATIENCE<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg9RHsTGzc7u3C2sAOYWvXSh3MGUhku_XUyjhXBiyNkxVhXtJ6EhKuT8U7xKP1CpFRivWsggFO8IiSO2UiYDDWKSFZvr5D4oiNPe5eSloahcFPj6m-DnI1qtN2uWv38SUVzrX1i5dP8kA/s1600/IMG_1861.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg9RHsTGzc7u3C2sAOYWvXSh3MGUhku_XUyjhXBiyNkxVhXtJ6EhKuT8U7xKP1CpFRivWsggFO8IiSO2UiYDDWKSFZvr5D4oiNPe5eSloahcFPj6m-DnI1qtN2uWv38SUVzrX1i5dP8kA/s320/IMG_1861.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bath times started as a struggle but now she loves them!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOQCNYecvBAccFWPrVK_ARETuAjqBhAu59HryhrPwCbSgFLX1aG_o4kDEGn8Flvzo5bnKXMv-GJbjvd6kn-Ovgz9Cr-5x-arKotv_T6dKEh5GvCJ6aJFKlngN5DGrRrB-s0mha-zAnPKA/s1600/untitled-23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOQCNYecvBAccFWPrVK_ARETuAjqBhAu59HryhrPwCbSgFLX1aG_o4kDEGn8Flvzo5bnKXMv-GJbjvd6kn-Ovgz9Cr-5x-arKotv_T6dKEh5GvCJ6aJFKlngN5DGrRrB-s0mha-zAnPKA/s320/untitled-23.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The two of them are constant companions!</td></tr>
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In October we celebrated her fourth birthday. I managed to blog a bit about the party and my obsession over making it special for her. I was thrilled when she became interested in Hello Kitty. She seemed to understand all my preparations were leading up to "her party." When party day came she was over the moon over the decorations. A very special reunion took place at her party.</div>
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Her foster sister had been adopted just an hour away and the family was able to attend. At first Sophie seemed confused but as the night wore on she took to her familiar role of bossing her "mei mei." The miracle of the two girls remaining close is a very special blessing indeed.</div>
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Six months home Sophie began attending Early Childhood Special Education four days a week, and occupational therapy one day a week. After just a few months Sophie "graduated" from physical therapy and we were very pleased with her progress. We plan to push very hard next year for her to be placed in a regular preschool classroom. Sophie is the princess of her class this year and while it is exciting for her to have structure going to school, we feel she will thrive by having more opportunities to share and follow directions in a bigger class.</div>
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Christmas was a very exciting time! Sophie was not afraid of Santa Claus one bit. We had a great time with family and friends.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Her personality is still developing as she grows in our family. She is stubborn and strong!</td></tr>
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At the point, you are probably wondering why I haven't mentioned her vision. Sophie adapts so wonderfully to her surroundings using the vision she has we don't notice in her day to day life she is impaired. She has great depth perception and can navigate stairs and new environments like a champ!</div>
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Despite being legally blind, she can do just about anything a four year old can do. We are amazed by her progress everyday. It will be very important to me for Sophie to learn to read Braille. While she can use her vision well, she still has some nystagmus (eye movement) and needs print made extremely large. In order to reduce eye strain being proficient in Braille will be beneficial. We hope to start her with pre-Braille learning soon.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watch out if she doesn't get her way! </td></tr>
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We've been a family of seven for eight months. We learn every day about Sophie's personality and what makes her anxious. Her Chinese language has disappeared and she no longer speaks or understands it. I feel guilty our children do not speak their native language however I try to focus on what we can provide them by ways of their heritage.<br />
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As we head into the end of our first year together it has been a crazy, wild ride! I am looking forward to a "normal" summer, free from worry about adoption travels or planning. Sophie still has a lot to teach us!<br />
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Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16789745076650241947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1738939660447990766.post-9761242223382460562015-12-16T16:16:00.000-08:002015-12-16T16:16:12.239-08:00STEP UP, STEP OUT<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today in my Facebook feed I read this from my friend Maggie.</div>
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"I just found out that one of the foster agencies is getting ready to take presents out to foster families and they got virtually no donations for their teens. Depending on the foster family, that could mean these kids don't get a Christmas.</div>
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If anyone would like to make donations for the teens, let me know and I'd be happy to pick up! I'm sure gift cards (music, clothes, makeup, mall) would be awesome since we don't know of specific requests. Thanks!"</div>
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A little background about Maggie. She is an amazing mom of bio and adopted daughters from foster care. Despite being in their thirties, her and her husband have decided to again STEP UP and STEP OUT in faith to adopt a teenage girl and soon, she will join their family just in time for the holiday season.</div>
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I shared her post on my Facebook feed. It got <b>one <i>"like"</i></b></div>
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C'mon Christians we can do better!</div>
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Can you imagine being a teenager in foster care and seeing your younger foster siblings receiving gifts while you get nothing? <br />Everyone gets excited about purchasing baby gifts and toys but teenagers aren't "as fun." Can you imagine the sadness during this holiday season? The loneliness?</div>
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I know by now most have done their holiday gift shopping. I know budgets are stretched thin, but how can we ignore the least of these? </div>
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Foster Families have little to no "extra." Our ministry was created because of this need. THESE FAMILIES ARE ALREADY DOING THE HARD STUFF. How hard is it for us to give twenty bucks or more?</div>
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PLEASE, CONTACT ME IF YOU CAN HELP.</div>
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Click on the "contact us" button at the top of the page.</div>
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We have a paypal account and I can get funds to Maggie. </div>
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<span style="color: maroon;">Hebrews <span data-term="goog_1680912999">13:16</span></span></h3>
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<span style="color: maroon;"> “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”</span></h3>
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<br />Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16789745076650241947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1738939660447990766.post-30895104432509170492015-12-04T08:39:00.001-08:002015-12-04T08:39:40.301-08:00A very personal loss<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is something I don't think I have ever shared online before. It has been very personal, private and somewhat forgotten.</div>
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In 1998 I suffered a miscarriage at approximately 12 weeks. The baby would have been our second child. The pregnancy was a surprise. I had undergone infertility services to get pregnant with Summer, our oldest and expected, when we were ready, I would have to undergo the process again.</div>
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We were thrilled. My due date was set for July 18, 1998.</div>
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But somewhere in January things went wrong. It happened with out warning or explanation. There was not time to prepare. I never had any symptoms, and with the exception of a tiny heart no longer beating, the baby was inside me, just no longer living.</div>
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I remember the pain of the time. I remember how each time I heard about a child being born the summer of 1998 I thought of our child. I became obsessed with getting pregnant again because I now knew we could kick the ball past the goalie ourselves!</div>
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After Wyatt was born in May of 1999 I finally allowed myself to grieve for the child I had lost. </div>
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As the years went on, the pain became less and eventually a distant memory.</div>
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I thought I had escaped ever having to go through this type of experience again.</div>
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Until last month.</div>
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The pain of losing Patrick has opened an old wound with feelings very dark and personal. A big black hole. Unlike miscarriage and infant loss, there are no support groups for my kind of loss. It's very unusual. It has changed me. I grieve for two children I will never hold here on earth. </div>
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I think of all the people who loved Patrick and all those who were so blessed to have held him. They too are grieving this child will never be a part of a family here on earth.</div>
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This journey has been personal and for the most part very lonely. I had shown Chris pictures and videos of Patrick but for the most part it was the beginning of an adoption journey. I alone carried the videos and pictures on my phone and looked at them daily. It was the first adoption I had connected with the child before I actually met them. I loved him immensely and had planned for him. I had purchased toys for him. Special items. </div>
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I watched his life change from a smiling boy with some special needs to a child who couldn't even be carried properly by his caregivers.</div>
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I grieve for the beautiful baby I will never hold, and possibly will not know his fate. At this very moment we believe him to still be alive and hopefully being cared for in a better care facility.</div>
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I know the people who were on mission this summer grieve for him as well. They are people who spent an entire week holding him, playing with him, praying over him and loving him. They had the most beautiful experience in caring for him.</div>
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I felt old wounds open up this week as I read a blog from a mom who was in China adopting her beautiful little girl from the same orphanage as Patrick. The same bittersweet pain. The joy in a child being united with their family yet at the same time knowing I would never have the same experience. The question of WHY? The immediate realization I would never know the answer this side of heaven.</div>
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We have decided as a family we are no longer pursuing adoption of another child.</div>
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Despite hating the phrase "We have our hands full", it IS true.</div>
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I am now at peace with the decision.</div>
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We want Patrick's life to have meaning.</div>
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In 2016 there will be many changes.</div>
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We are putting into place changes which will hopefully allow me to pursue an opportunity to create a fund to benefit children in China like Patrick. </div>
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We hope to find a permanent place for our foster closet. To make a bigger impact helping local foster families.</div>
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Pray for us in our journey.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last photo I have of him.</td></tr>
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<br />Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16789745076650241947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1738939660447990766.post-12051685726569594802015-11-09T17:53:00.000-08:002015-11-09T17:53:42.323-08:00Why referring to us as Brad & Angelina is OFFENSIVEYes. I said offensive. <div>
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Here is a little something I have wanted to get off my chest for a while. I have had a blog post brewing in my brain for sometime. Then we got word about Patrick's condition and I have had bigger fish to fry. This is my first time to blog about the subject.</div>
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We don't personally know Brad and Angie, but I am going to give them the benefit of the doubt and assume they have adopted out of love. Angelina has been at the forefront of humanitarian efforts and helped many children. Again, I am giving them the benefit of the doubt on why they adopted.</div>
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Personally, I don't pay much attention to what goes on with Hollywood actors and their private lives are none of my business.</div>
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But...people seem to think it is "okay" to call those who adopt more than one kid, especially of a different race, "Brad & Angelina." It's not used in a nice way either. I seem to find people use the phrase when they are uncomfortable with our adopting multiple times or flat out think we are nuts.</div>
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It's just easier to say "Brad & Angelina" instead of dealing with the subject of WHY we adopt. It's easier to sweep the subject under the rug with the comment to get a laugh or change the subject than actually get to the heart of the matter.</div>
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We adopted because</div>
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ORPHANS ARE DYING</div>
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BABIES ARE SLEEPING ON BAMBOO MATS WITH NO BLANKETS</div>
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CHILDREN ARE HUNGRY AND HOMELESS</div>
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But the number one reason we adopt is <b>BECAUSE JESUS TOLD US TO!</b></div>
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So, next time you think it's okay to call an adoptive family "Brad & Angelina" please remember, </div>
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we aren't adopting to be cool ,we adopt because it's what God did for us by adopting us as His Children.</div>
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James 1:27</div>
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<span class="versenum" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">27 </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30294A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30294A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> orphans and widows</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30294B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30294B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.</span></div>
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<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xFp61HAj-nk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16789745076650241947noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1738939660447990766.post-32801605905299727702015-11-07T16:58:00.001-08:002015-12-16T06:43:47.747-08:00Our Ways are NOT His WaysIsaiah 55:7-9<br />
…7 Let the wicked forsake his way And the unrighteous man his thoughts; And let him return to the LORD, And He will have compassion on him, And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon. 8"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," declares the LORD. 9"For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts.…<br />
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This verse is what I have been hearing the last two days. MY ways are <b>not </b>your ways.<br />
On Wednesday afternoon, just as I was waiting for Sophie's bus to arrive, I got a call from our agency. I was to get all my questions about baby Patrick and his condition and put them in an email. Our director was in China and was taking a train with in the hour to go see him at his orphanage. I sensed the urgency and concern. I also was very humbled at the personal attention we were getting. I wasn't surprised, our agency has always put families first, but it was really personal this time. I emailed our director and told her we were committed to him. She replied immediately and said to wait for all the information as they were dealing with a "tough situation." At this point, I knew she knew more than she was telling me, and I also knew she would wait until she had solid information to tell me. She told me the best decision was an informed one. I made the choice not to share the news with Chris. He was away hunting and couldn't do anything anyway. I didn't want to ruin his trip with worry when I did not have any news. I sent a quick text to my friend Martha in Chicago, and then took the little ones and Wyatt to dinner.<br />
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I knew I would have to wait at least until the next day. When word didn't come at all on Thursday, I started preparing my heart. I texted Summer. She reminded me of how our journey for our second adoption didn't begin how we had planned, and how it had led us to Isaac. She told me perhaps this is the same? I felt reassured by her words, as if she was already accepting the worst outcome.<br />
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When Chris arrived home Thursday evening I told him everything I had been told. We waited all night for any word.. Early Friday morning I received an email. Diana wanted me to call her via Facetime. She told me, it was bad news and to call her right away. Through several dropped audio connections via Facetime she shared the details about the baby. I could hear her voice break.<br />
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She told me he was very sick. The seizures had damaged his brain so severely he was basically only able to breathe on his own. He no longer recognized caregivers. He no longer smiled. Our baby was no longer really there. I asked if she felt he was in pain and she said she didn't think so.<br />
She was angry and devastated. She had seen this little baby and now she said it "wasn't the same kid."<br />
I know in her mind she was trying to wrap her mind around the horror. She told me she had taken a very long video and it was horrifying. <br />
I asked what would happen to him and she promised me they would have him moved to a care facility and out of the orphanage. Having our family on her heart, knowing we would try to do the impossible, she spent the day working there to find out what facility was available. She told me they had a solution and there was a fund to pay for his care. She said I needed to think of my whole family and I trusted her words.<br />
Chris and I had talked before we got the call, and in the moment I told her we agreed. We would not bring him home.<br />
Looking back now I know God had a different plan for him. He knew he would become sick, most likely not survive to be adopted, and he opened a door for better care here on earth.<br />
He is still my child, and like the one I lost in 1998 I will not see him this side of heaven. I know God's promise and I will see him and hold him one day.<br />
I feel I can share his photo because I believe his time here on earth will be very short. Pray for this baby I named Patrick from the moment I saw his face.<br />
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What next? We are moving forward. Our hearts are still open and broken for the fatherless.<br />
Since we have a finished home-study and have applied with our government to adopt from China we are moving ahead to adopt again. Patrick will NOT be simply forgotten he will be a part of our family and it's story.<br />
We will NOT despair. We will go forward. Pray for us in our journey as it takes us back to China.<br />
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NOTE 12/16: We have decided not to return to China to adopt at this time. You can follow the journey of our family on this blog in the weeks and months to come .<br />
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<br />Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16789745076650241947noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1738939660447990766.post-78931957622294514372015-10-22T08:48:00.000-07:002015-10-22T08:48:11.176-07:00It's still not a choice<br />
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This morning I received an email I had hoped would never come. The worst case scenario laid out in writing.<br />
We have known for a while a little more about Patrick then we first disclosed. He has cerebral palsy and he might have epilepsy or a seizure disorder. When the mission team visited several months ago he was a happy, smiling energetic baby boy. He did have delays because of his high tone but he was happy.<br />
About six weeks ago we learned he had been hospitalized for a seizure due to a high fever. We have been waiting to get word about his condition. Because of his seizure it has increased his muscle tightness. There may be brain damage.<br />
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As a mother who has experienced pregnancy loss, I can tell you this feels like several things. One being worried the orphanage will deem him not adoptable and will figure no one in their right mind would want this child. I can only liken it to feeling a huge loss all over again. A loss not of being able to bring him home, but knowing he would be left to suffer and eventually die.<br />
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Secondly, this feels like being pregnant and told your child will have serious issues. He may not live independently, he may die young. Some might even rationalize we have a choice. A choice to not impact our family, a choice to do hard, messy things. A choice to leave him.<br />
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We won't do it. We won't leave OUR CHILD to die. For now we will wait for a medical expedite on his file, have the appropriate specialists review the information, and proceed as fast as the system will allow to bring him home.<br />
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I pray we get to him in time.<br />
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Please pray for better care for him while we wait, please pray for him not to have any more seizures, and pray for our family as we begin a new journey. This one may not be covered in rainbows but it's what we are called to. I know most will not understand and it's okay if they don't. We only have to answer to God, and we have said "send me."<br />
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We are neither amazing nor courageous. We simply are incredibly messed up sinners being equipped for what we need when we need it.<br />
<br />
Pray for our son.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16789745076650241947noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1738939660447990766.post-65224412178564700202015-10-19T09:38:00.000-07:002015-10-19T09:38:04.984-07:00Big AnnouncementI know, I know. Two blog posts in one day after I haven't posted for weeks. It just so happens we are finally ready to announce publicly our news.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGO8yMfK3OSeXog8Hcoxq-jWr1xGd3WJ5U69JVh4sI9nifgSjtsR63M0rKIos1tYigGDjkUo9DmTgOyRyOPDQ7MTMF0_N3uvDNrwOFbGYJkYb0TI2EiegIsaZQKSCyS5PZ2D_vBrl_IIQ/s1600/anouncement+no+photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGO8yMfK3OSeXog8Hcoxq-jWr1xGd3WJ5U69JVh4sI9nifgSjtsR63M0rKIos1tYigGDjkUo9DmTgOyRyOPDQ7MTMF0_N3uvDNrwOFbGYJkYb0TI2EiegIsaZQKSCyS5PZ2D_vBrl_IIQ/s640/anouncement+no+photo.jpg" width="394" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
We<br />
Are<br />
Adopting.<br />
Again.<br />
<br />
No.<br />
We aren't crazy.<br />
No.<br />
We don't want to be like Brad & Angelina.<br />
<br />
We simply<br />
Believe.<br />
We have found.<br />
Our<br />
Son.<br />
<br />
Yes, a boy! I have known and loved him since before we traveled for Sophie. I knew in my heart he was ours and God was calling us to once again be obedient and say yes. To once again endure the criticism, endure the economic stretching, and paperwork process. Endure the waiting.<br />
<br />
Waiting which we are doing and trying patiently to do. We do not have his file yet from China, which means yes, I could have my heart broken in not being able to bring him home. It is also why we cannot share his photo or any other info at this time. In most likelihood though we will have a file sometime in November and the process will be official.<br />
For now we are in the process of applying to immigration to be approved to adopt again abroad. We've already completed the process to update our home study.<br />
<br />
Please pray for this process. Please pray for us.<br />
We've gotten information from people who visited on a mission trip this summer and this poor baby boy is confined to his crib or a bumbo seat all day. The team also told me anytime the team picked him up he was happy and smiling.<br />
My heart is breaking for this beautiful boy who will turn two in January.<br />
<br />
Earlier in my post I stated I knew he was ours from the moment I learned he was a boy and delayed like Isaac. I composed a letter to Chris expressing everything my heart felt. I am including the letter at the bottom of this page so you can better understand the power in God's calling.<br />
<br />
Please pray for this little boy who is all alone.<br />
<br />
<br />
My letter to Chris in April:<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>To my beloved,<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>I decided to write everything in my head down because for
the last week it has been all I could focus on. I imagine it is somewhat like
how you felt when you first felt called to adopt. It was all you could think
about but didn’t know where to take it.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Boy, we have sure taken your calling and run with it! I
cannot wait for our adventure back to China and our adventure to adopt sweet
Sophie. I think she is going to be amazing, but even if our trip is crazy and
Sophie hates our guts, God is good all the time. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>So back to my heart. Ever since I saw the red haired baby’s
picture I couldn’t stop thinking about him/her. When Diana wrote me and said he
was a “he” and he was possibly delayed like Isaac I felt more in my heart than
if she had told me he was on target.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>I know it would be scary financially, but everything else I
feel very confident about. We know this baby doesn’t have a chance being a boy,
delayed, and in China. Not very many families are moving forward to adopt a boy
or a visually impaired, delayed child.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>I believe in my heart he is our son. I believe his name is
Patrick Louis (for your mom).<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>I know we can make a difference and can indeed save “one
more.”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><b>We don’t have to
decide anything now</b>. His file is <b>NOT</b>
prepared yet, so we would be able to see how life is with Sophie. We could do
an update to our home study when Sara comes at 6 weeks post placement. We could
reuse Sophie’s dossier up to a year after her Gotcha date. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>He could stay in the crib in Summer’s room until he was old
enough to room with Isaac. We wouldn’t have to repaint because I picked the
colors for that room to grow with a boy theme. We’re already going to be at the
therapy place a ton because Isaac ages out of EI. and we could just use our
insurance for all the therapies at Trish’s clinic. Trish has looked at his
video for me and believes he is actually a little better off than Isaac was at
that age. He has no flat head, and can lift his head on his stomach and can
rotate his trunk. He just needs <b>US</b>!<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>I believe we were blessed with your job because God has
great things planned for us. People already look to what we are doing and God
gets the glory In a million years I never thought I could do this but I feel in
my heart I can. I feel God transforming me in a way I hadn’t felt before. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>I read this last week and I thought it applied here…<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><b>The Door God Opens Will Require You to Depend on Him</b><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>God is not going to give us something that will alienate us
from him or make us believe we no longer need him. He is a God of relationship,
and a God who insists upon being first in our lives (<a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/search/?t=niv&q=mt+6:33-33">Matthew
6:33</a>). Therefore, if you find yourself saying “I can’t do this unless God
goes before me,” or “I can do this, but only with God’s help and leading” I
would say, in my personal experience, it’s likely something God is calling you
to do. <a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/search/?t=niv&q=heb+11:6-6">Hebrews
11:6</a>says: “And without faith it is impossible to please him,
for he who comes to God must believe that he is and that he is
a rewarder of those who seek him.” Many times an “open door” from God is one
that allows our faith to be stretched and strengthened. That, after all, is
God’s objective for us: to grow in faith and Christ-likeness.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>You can…<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><i><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Still go hunting as much as before<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><i><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Still ride your motorcycle<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>I feel confident<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><i><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->I could travel alone or with Summer or Leann<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><i><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->We could hire someone to help with all the kids
for while I am gone<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><i><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->I can take care of all these kids!<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><i><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->God HAS called us to this.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><b>We do not have to
decide about him now. We have time</b>. We can talk to Richard in person about
him more. I just want you to pray about him. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>I love you with all my heart.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Julie<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<br />Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16789745076650241947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1738939660447990766.post-5214350051429699422015-10-19T09:09:00.000-07:002015-10-19T09:09:31.160-07:00Sophie's 4th Birthday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I am going to begin with a confession. I LOVE Hello Kitty. My own birthday is in October. So when it was very apparent Sophie shared my love of Hello Kitty early on, my creative mojo started flowing. Since bringing Sophie home, I spend a good deal of time sitting with her and Ellie as they fall asleep. During this time I would scroll through Pinterest for party ideas. There were so many wonderful ideas and I got to work planning and narrowing down which ideas I would use. I also had many left over supplies from when we hosted a Hello Kitty themed party for Brittany when she turned 19.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Sophie and Isaac attend therapies for an hour and a half each week, which allowed me to search for items for the party. I found many things at Goodwill and Target, but my biggest score was the ceramic figurines including the #4 Birthday girl, at NINETY percent off at a Hallmark store in our mall. To me, ninety percent off is almost FREE!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Sophie understood all the party prep, and she would get excited anytime I worked on a craft or printable. She would exclaim "my party" almost as if asking a question. I knew she had never celebrated her birthday in a big way with a party and could hardly wait for party day. Her special day.</div>
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We were especially excited to not only celebrate her birthday, but the home coming of her foster sister, Gabi. Gabi and Sophie spent nearly their entire lives together in China, either in the orphanage or in their foster home. They shared a close bond. I always wanted to contact my agency and request they place Gabi with a family near us in Illinois, but I also knew I didn't need to try and do God's work for Him! My only prayer was I would be able to know where Gabi ended up, and how we could always keep in touch. Several months ago we found out Gabi was being adopted <b>in Illinois </b>and she would be living less than an hour away! God is so gracious!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Gabi was able to attend the party and reunite with Sophie. Having only been home with her family a couple of weeks, Gabi was overwhelmed at first. Sophie seemed a bit confused, but by cake time she was bossing her "mei mei" around like I am sure she did when they lived in China.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Gabi's mom excitedly texted me on their way home to let me know Gabi had shouted out "Wo Ay Ni Sophie" (I love you Sophie), as if she had made the connection. We plan to always keep in touch and get the girls together many times a year as they grow up. It's an important connection and we are so blessed to be able to do this.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Sophie loved every aspect of her party and she loved being the center of attention. </div>
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While not every party will be this extravagant, her birthday from now on will always be special.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
HAPPY 4TH BIRTHDAY SOPHIE!</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtgL1dyspsiLzo-XFnFT5yRn3awtcnW1Tzcm3S43Z79oGUR0-Fj0YUBQLrLlDrO-DlWiNiqRCjbZXw_jvHLV2SFUVOosBRzRgYIltxBAlaoJT2GuZY6ZRRNbGC0_A-CrWSXTCxUJVrTxc/s1600/untitled-38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtgL1dyspsiLzo-XFnFT5yRn3awtcnW1Tzcm3S43Z79oGUR0-Fj0YUBQLrLlDrO-DlWiNiqRCjbZXw_jvHLV2SFUVOosBRzRgYIltxBAlaoJT2GuZY6ZRRNbGC0_A-CrWSXTCxUJVrTxc/s400/untitled-38.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sophie and her "Mei Mei" reunited!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16789745076650241947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1738939660447990766.post-32030089376648805122015-08-25T12:46:00.001-07:002015-08-30T19:49:52.975-07:00UPDATE Sophie is home!<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/G4D36V-In6Q" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><p>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wow. This is a long overdue update. Poor Sophie, she’s not the “first” so the
blog update was not a top priority. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Chris, Sophie and I arrived home after two weeks in China on
June 4, 2015. Her “Gotcha” day on May
25, 2015 had went well with just a few tears. The time spent in China went well
and she was calling us “Mama” and “Baba” (daddy) early on. Several days into
our trip she was telling us “I love you” in Chinese and picking up English
words daily. We got to visit her orphanage and what an eye opening experience
it was! The conditions were deplorable. Our guide with her Chinese accent told
us “thank goodness for Love without Boundaries.” Our Sophie was in a foster
family with a foster sister and a foster grandmother. She was well loved and
cared for.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When we arrived in Guangzhou, the second part of our trip,
our guide was anxious to know how we handled her tantrums. We told him she
behaved well and had no issues. Richard, our guide had met Sophie earlier in
the year and the grandmother made sure he understood she was very stubborn and
had “little tempers.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We had no idea!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Upon arriving home we settled in to a nice routine. We had a
few days of Sophie learning to sleep in her own bed, and a few early mornings
due to the time change mix up. Over all, I was able to return to a normal
routine fairly quickly. We soon discovered taking three children anywhere was
much more challenging than taking two. Not wanting to be trapped in the house,
I learned to adapt pretty quickly to transporting three kids various places.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
About two weeks at home Sophie decided it was time to show
us her “little tempers.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Whenever she didn’t get her way, or she was corrected for
taking a toy, she would flop herself down and scream at the top of her lungs!
If I tried to take her gently by the hand to correct her she would go limp, and
has earned herself the nickname “Noodle.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After nearly three months home, she has come to understand,
for the most part what is expected of her. She’s gone from many, many tantrums
a day to just a few. She mostly has meltdowns later in the day when she is
tired. She is very independent, and has learned English so quickly. She
completely understands when we talk to her and is helpful when asked to do
chores such as putting away her pj’s or bringing her dinner plate to the sink.
It’s hard to believe she is only going to turn four in October. She can already sing her ABC’s and knows
colors and shapes. Her vision seems pretty good. She doesn’t even seem impaired
unless she is looking at a book and then she holds it pretty close to her face.
We were unable to get her an appointment with the eye specialist until
September and we are anxious to know how well she can actually use her vision.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Sophie receives occupational therapy to help her (and us!)
learn to regulate and handle her emotions better.<o:p></o:p></div>
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By October we sure hope this little smartie pants get to go
to preschool!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Ellie is doing great! She started kindergarten and has been
getting good reports from school. She loves taking her lunch and riding the bus
home from school. She also adores completing her math homework! Ellie continues
to work on understanding her emotions and when she is embarrassed or sad/angry.
Ellie goes to occupational therapy twice a month.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Isaac started preschool! He is in a specialized class with
two teachers and eight children. Our little guy rides a bus to and from school.
His bus comes directly to the house to pick him up and drop him off. He
receives therapies in school and outside of class we also have him in
occupational and speech therapy. His communication is really taking off and so
his frustration level is diminishing. It’s such a joy when he is able to
communicate with out screaming and us guessing what he needs.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Wyatt got his driver’s license, a car (thanks to his
grandparents) and a job! He began his junior year of high school and is
interested using his singing talents once again. He learned to play the ukulele
over the summer and can perfrom a great version of “somewhere over the rainbow.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Summer turns 19 next week! She left for Western Illniois
University last week to begin her sophomore year of college. Over the summer
she also attended Depaul University where she taught classes to special needs
children in one of the Chicago school districts. She came home with all kinds
of new skills and even taught us a thing or two how to parent more effectively.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We’ve settled into a nice school routine and fall is really
my favorite time of year.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I hope to be able to blog weekly about where we are as a
family. Raising special needs kids along with a teenager in high school and one
half grown kid in college isn’t easy. No one promised us easy. God is faithful
to those who obey. I usually fall short daily.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Thank goodness for daily grace!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16789745076650241947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1738939660447990766.post-71811272063933461972015-04-23T16:25:00.000-07:002015-04-23T16:25:08.590-07:00Long overdue THANK YOU!Back in March we were unexpectedly blessed. I still am in such shock over the blessings!<br />
Long story short..we were blessed by so many! First a woman I have never met named Melanie contacted me after she had heard our story from another adoptive mom. Melanie is a 31 distributor from North Carolina who told me she wanted to bless an adoptive family and had chosen us! She hosted an online party and so many people ordered products. (THANK YOU TO MY FAMILY , FRIENDS AND FOLKS I HAVE NEVER EVEN MET) Typically for a fundraiser the hostess receives either the profit from the consultant OR the hostess products. Melanie took NO profit AND gave us the hostess awards too! I was able to order over 300$ worth of product most of which I am using for when we travel to China. I was even able to order Sophie her own bag, a grey drawstring backpack with "LOVED" embroidered on it. Then in the first week of April, Melanie mailed us a check for 250$! Truly an unselfish gift for strangers she had never met.<br />
Please support Melanie by visiting her website here: <a href="https://www.mythirtyone.com/turner/shop/party/parties" target="_blank">https://www.mythirtyone.com/turner/shop/party/parties</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyODstZPqPqRwycTCmoMBg09LRFB3BWtym65RW81S2u-a8bVZm8X4EkQQmCsnaOHOlzIPASbTO0CmEW-_8CZ4r90T8NRl2HhBBGxw0uq1RMvXYS3znn42P61xCVT0YPmzOaCrFSw3NkMw/s1600/11046781_10204322517040137_4763582895670535371_n+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyODstZPqPqRwycTCmoMBg09LRFB3BWtym65RW81S2u-a8bVZm8X4EkQQmCsnaOHOlzIPASbTO0CmEW-_8CZ4r90T8NRl2HhBBGxw0uq1RMvXYS3znn42P61xCVT0YPmzOaCrFSw3NkMw/s1600/11046781_10204322517040137_4763582895670535371_n+-+Copy.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkPeMERD2fZfyKv_ruj663dusz5Lf_zg1aOPe56lOiNenLhRb00-mPzs21lvLEM-x50nAA38qwxzmufz2RAnWEJOiznok48h-yYmHghM8afkKxeeA9i7GyPO1Oji9B9YRmngkwvCTWmoI/s1600/11073312_10204322519320194_7643639318223850482_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkPeMERD2fZfyKv_ruj663dusz5Lf_zg1aOPe56lOiNenLhRb00-mPzs21lvLEM-x50nAA38qwxzmufz2RAnWEJOiznok48h-yYmHghM8afkKxeeA9i7GyPO1Oji9B9YRmngkwvCTWmoI/s1600/11073312_10204322519320194_7643639318223850482_n.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sophie's bag</td></tr>
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But it gets better! The same day Melanie contacted me my good friend Kim from Pennsylvania texted me and told me about her efforts to raise money for our journey. She had asked permission earlier in the month to share details about Sophie's adoption for her blog. I never in a million years guessed what she was planning. For starters, Kim and her husband Merle, were facing a very difficult surgery of their daughter Lucy on May 18th of this year. We call Lucy Ellie's twin because the girls look so much alike and are from the same province!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you tell who's who?</td></tr>
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Lucy, just one day after her fifth birthday would have a complicated surgery to fix her leg. Not only was the surgery complicated but Lucy would have to wear a huge metal bracket from hip to toe! I can't imagine even focusing on anyone else during such a difficult time but Kim had been planning a huge surprise! She wrote a blog and asked everyone to send Lucy a birthday card and a donation for two adoptive families. She told of our story and about Sophie and then she sat back and watched God in action. Kim and Merle raised over ONE THOUSAND dollars shared between us and another family! Earlier this month we received the check for just a little over FIVE HUNDRED dollars! God is so good! All the time! Lucy is doing well in her contraption but still has a few months to go, and is never far from my mind. Kim and Merle are truly doing the hard things for a little girl who was once an orphan.<br />
You can read the amazing blog post here....<a href="http://ourredthread.blogspot.com/2015/03/a-magnanimous-mail-mania-update.html" target="_blank">http://ourredthread.blogspot.com/2015/03/a-magnanimous-mail-mania-update.html</a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUPASlfwMx2TV16_PYmq3zXqo8sknG5FLOYy59W362u_4fIs8S3livvWwBrLGmtkK5r8de9HvdunnLdL_RAOAeVD_O6Do8yWiCZHWg897xei6rbrWeN6geMfGYkY5lTPAGyKvSrxFFQhY/s1600/10402476_10203484637133663_1333176093804775008_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUPASlfwMx2TV16_PYmq3zXqo8sknG5FLOYy59W362u_4fIs8S3livvWwBrLGmtkK5r8de9HvdunnLdL_RAOAeVD_O6Do8yWiCZHWg897xei6rbrWeN6geMfGYkY5lTPAGyKvSrxFFQhY/s1600/10402476_10203484637133663_1333176093804775008_n.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Friendship alone is gift enough!</td></tr>
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I can't even begin to tell you how God has confirmed our journey. I know some will shake their heads at a third adoption in such a short time, but they don't understand HIS story. We don't ourselves know the full story He has planned. We are only trying to be obedient to His will and have been blessed for it.<br />
The thing with gifts is you can never thank someone enough for such an undeserved gift. I will never feel just one THANK YOU is enough for these amazing people.<br />
God's grace is the same. We can never pay or work for his amazing gift in saving us from an eternity separated from Him. The best we can do is live to bring Him glory.<br />
We are so close to bringing Sophie home and covet your prayers. We hope to travel by mid-May, really just a few weeks!Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16789745076650241947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1738939660447990766.post-88475773552038822552015-03-08T19:53:00.002-07:002015-03-08T19:53:10.660-07:00Pray for our heartsThis past week has been full of surprises and blessings. On Monday I received word a total stranger wanted to bless me. Then my dear friend Kim shared our story on her blog along with a challenge to her readers to bless two adoptive families, ours being one of them.<br />
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On Friday we received word from our agency our Letter of Approval was "in the mail" by China and hopefully the hard copy would be received at our agency by the following week. This is the single most important paper in adoption from China. It's the document which states "she's yours" and after a couple more steps you can come get her!<br />
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Late last night a dear friend sent me a message on Facebook inquiring if the child on an advocacy page was our Sophie? I was doubtful as I hadn't seen it, but I had been super busy this week to scroll through everything in my news feed. When I arrived at the post, I wasn't quite sure she was our child. She has changed so much! She has grown and looks so much older. If she wasn't wearing the sunglasses we had sent her for her birthday I might still have my doubts. But after staring at her photo for a long time, I realized it was HER!<br />
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It was a strange mix of emotions. Normally an adoptive family can find photos of their child online. Usually they are on advocacy pages designed to make aware the need for the child to be adopted. When we started the process for Sophie a mom sent me photos of her as an infant. The woman had visited the orphanage and had taken photos. We've received photos from our agency during the process several times, but there was something about this particular photo that brought about a lot of fear and a sense I did not have control over anything in this process. (Did I mention I was a control freak?)<br />
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Perhaps it was the caption included with the photo which read in part Sophie was starting preschool and she was particularly close to her foster mother. This stung a little. Both Ellie and Isaac were in institutional settings and hadn't seemed to bond or grieve the loss of a caretaker.. Both are fiercely attached to me as their mom. It's a strange feeling knowing someone else loves your child and someone else has been there before you. Sophie has been with the same family since she was ten months old and is a little over three now. We adopted Isaac at eleven months and he will be three in June. I cannot imagine him being ripped from my arms and given to a stranger and taken to a foreign land!<br />
My heart grieves for her, it grieves for myself in a selfish way. I've had the adoptions of rainbows and unicorns as my friend Jill tells it. I haven't experienced hard. I haven't experienced rejection.<br />
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I.am.terrified.<br />
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The reality is, more than likely we will be traveling in less than ten weeks. We will be leaving our little ones in the care of their older sister, brother and close friends and family.<br />
I know God has this and I know to pray for peace. I know I will receive it but I'm sitting here in my bucket of anxiety for just a few more moments.<br />
Will you take the time to pray for us, for Sophie's heart, for our kiddos staying home? Pray for safe and uneventful travels? I covet your prayers during this time more than anything else.<br />
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<br />Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16789745076650241947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1738939660447990766.post-22603866872700638472015-03-03T12:25:00.000-08:002015-03-03T12:25:03.031-08:00Updates and Blessings!Lots of exciting things have been happening here at our house! It's been a crazy time because Chris went back to work unexpectedly in January. This has been quite a blessing because he works from home most days and we will be able to pay for a ton of adoption debt much sooner.<br />
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Summer made the Dean's list her first semester of college and has been nominated as a Golden Apple scholorship. We will learn either this month or next whether she was chosen for the program.<br />
Summer has also graciously volunteered to take care of the little ones and allow Chris and I both to travel when we adopt Sophie.<br />
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Wyatt is doing a LOT of guitar playing and has been our go to guy for help with the little ones now big sister has a lot of college studying to do.He has been learning to drive and hopefully will get his license at the end of the summer.<br />
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Ellie is continuing to thrive in Pre-K and has managed to accomplish a lot despite her disability. She learned how to zip her own winter coat this winter, something I didn't think was possible. She is looking forward to Sophie coming home.<br />
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Isaac is CLIMBING everywhere and because of this, we decided to forgo any more physical therapy. We have many therapists coming and going during the week and I had grown quite weary of the schedule. Dropping one therapy he had mastered seemed like the right choice. We doubled speech therapy to twice a week and he continues to make progress and is at about a nine month old for speech development.<br />
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Chris and I celebrated our TWENTY-FIFTH wedding anniversary on Tuesday 2/24. Chris' parents treated us to a delicious dinner and we may take an overnight trip to Chicago this weekend, weather permitting.<br />
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It gets crazy here quite a lot! Ellie and Isaac have developed their own personalities and squabble quite a bit. I know I will have my hands full when Sophie comes home. I am looking forward and also cringing thinking about the chaos! Chris has been so great indulging my nesting behavior. We converted Ellie's room into a shared bedroom for two little girls. I had been pouring over Pottery Barn Kids catalogs but in the end, our budget really couldn't dream that big. My friend Martha told me about some cute beds she was ordering for her girls (she's adopting too!) and they were right up our alley, bargained priced at Walmart.com. Ellie was quite helpful, handing Daddy tools and holding the parts to the bed. JCpenney had an incredible sale on cute bedding and we painted the room a light grey.<br />
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I have been worried a lot with three kiddos and all needing mama at the same time, I wouldn't be able to do everything I need to do to run a household. Chris put new shelves in the pantry so we could be better organized in the kitchen. Summer was recently diagnosed with Celiac disease and so all of my cooking must be from scratch and gluten free. The days of just calling for a pizza when mom is tired are somewhat behind us. I find myself worrying a lot about cooking and how I will accomplish all this once I have a child home who will have been ripped away from everything she knows and unlike Ellie and Isaac won't be a baby when she comes home. <br />
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But then God calms my fears and lets me know this IS His plan. This week we received notice our paperwork was in review and our Letter of Approval should be very close! How close is anyone's guess but we home in the next couple of weeks. If this happens we should be on target for late May or early June travel!<br />
We got new pictures of Sophie last month and she is thriving and looks big for her age!<br />
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This morning I woke up to a message on Facebook from my friend Courtney who lives in Nashville Illinois. I have never met Courtney in person however, we were introduced on Facebook as she was in the early days of adopting and a bit frustrated. My dear friend Jill and I in many messages were able to convey to her how amazing our agency was. Long story short, her and her husband adopted the sweetest little girl from China and she is thriving! No longer an orphan!<br />
This morning's message from Courtney was asking my permission to give my name and info to a friend of hers who really wanted to bless an adoptive family. An adoptive mom herself, she wanted to give back by hosting an online 31 Products party and donating her profits towards adoption fees. Courtney had shared our story with her.. Even though I was not looking to fund raise with any thing other than our car decals, I just felt this was such a blessing coming to me especially by way of "organizing". I have never even met Melanie personally, yet this morning felt such a connection to her.<br />
Our 31 fundraiser will run for one week. Today March 3-Monday March 9. It's short and sweet so you can get your products faster! So if you are a 31 fan and need a product, please follow the link and directions on the right side bar. If you are viewing this blog on a mobile device you will have to click "view full site" at the bottom of the page before being able to click the link.<br />
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I hope to be able to report very SOON our Letter of Approval has arrived!<br />
<br />Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16789745076650241947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1738939660447990766.post-59951110196531890082015-02-24T11:29:00.000-08:002015-02-24T11:29:18.605-08:00Always an AdventureI'm a bit late with Chinese New Year pics of the kiddos. I have felt like such a failure! I've seen dozens of cute little Chinese children all dressed in their China silks in beautiful photos posted all over social media. <div>
Finally, on Friday I had some free (ha!) time. I moved the couch in our bedroom so it would face the window to get the perfect natural light. As a bonus I found our missing bedroom TV remote! It had been missing for over six weeks.</div>
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I snapped many decent pics of Isaac and decided to get Ellie dressed in her silk China dress to shoot a few shots of her. That was a little easier said than done. After finally coaxing her upstairs, changing her clothes, and brushing her hair she settled into posing for me. I was so engaged in capturing the perfect shot I didn't notice Doodle our pug had creeped upstairs and deposited five large piles of doggy doo on the new carpet! To make matters worse, Isaac was standing there IN it and also was squishing it between his fingers! I froze for moment, then grabbed the brand new comforter which was on the floor and millimeters from one of the "piles." With one hand I held the comforter and the other I held Isaac's hand to keep him from moving! I urged Ellie to quickly "go get Daddy" in the basement because I knew he couldn't hear me from upstairs. When Chris arrived we put Isaac in the tub, the clothes in the laundry and I got to work cleaning up the carpet. I was thinking how smart we had been choosing "dog poop brown" as our carpet color! </div>
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After everyone was bathed and fed lunch and the carpet cleaned I finally had time to upload and edit my photos.</div>
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Enjoy! Happy Lunar New Year! </div>
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Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16789745076650241947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1738939660447990766.post-57476184854804291872015-02-08T17:43:00.001-08:002015-02-08T18:12:12.969-08:00It's NOT about moneyWhen Chris and I went to China to adopt Ellie, it was to say the least, an interesting experience. Here I was having the mother of all panic attacks 24/7, and poor Chris trying to hold it together in a foreign country, with a new child and a hot mess of a wife.<br />
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When we got to Guangzhou, the second leg of our trip, we met an amazing woman who was adopting an older girl. She had brought along her daughter Sophie who had been adopted from China as well and was deaf. Sophie was a pistol, frequently signing "it's not fair" to her mom, just like a typical preteen would. We got to know Maryanne and her daughters during those days in China and we learned that Maryanne and her husband were already in process for another child, a six year old boy who had lost his eyes to retinal blastoma. Maryanne had such a great sense of humor, and we all hit it off immediately. I remember standing in the lobby of the hotel waiting on our group to walk to dinner for our final night in China when she told us the story how of how they were already in process to come back. She talked about saving every penny and how God had blessed them at just the right moments when a fee was due. I was so in awe of her and at that point I couldn't EVER imagine myself standing on China soil again! Oh what I didn't know then! Chris told her he wanted her address so he could send her a donation when we returned home.<br />
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Then suddenly Chris told me he would be back soon and went back to our hotel room. It seemed like it took forever for Chris to return. I remember thinking something horrible had somehow happened to him imagining all kinds of horrific things. Remember, I was continually freaking out! When he finally came back he handed Maryanne some money and said he just didn't want to forget when we got home and life got hectic.<br />
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Over the next two years Maryann was a great source of support and her and I were able to chat a couple times on the phone. Chris and I rejoiced when Vincent came home.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking back from dinner with Maryanne<br />
Photo credit: Sarah Gee Photography</td></tr>
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Today I woke up with this in my inbox:<br />
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<i>"Three years ago, almost to the week, the two of you handed me $$$ towards our adoption of Vincent. Here is is, back to you, with more to come as I can. Thanks for opening your hearts again to another child. The visually impaired children are so close to my heart, and I am grateful to you for hearing their cry for a family. And, of course, I love the name Sophie! If she is anything like our Sophie, I have just two words "Good luck!" HA! Love you guys!"</i><br />
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I share this story to illustrate how incredible God has been in our journeys to adopt our children and how He has blessed our life.</div>
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I want to expand on our car decal campaign. We are not doing this to "make money" or "get rich". I am sure some are wondering why a family who's husband has a pension and a new job would be asking for money? We aren't. We are asking you to partner with us, to be blessed along with us in our journey.This is why we chose the car decal. </div>
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A Christian radio station in St. Louis has car decals and it is now very common to see them when we go to the grocery store, out to eat, or just stopped at a stoplight. It unites strangers. We know we are a part of something bigger. We are a part of His kingdom. My hope is to someday be able to tell Sophie how much she was loved, prayed for and thought about long before she came home. My hope is to someday be driving and point out to her "look, there is someone who loved you and didn't even know you." </div>
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This is why we have not set any type of price for our decals. They did cost us to purchase them, but we want everyone to be comfortable with what they desire to give and the decal is our gift back to you. </div>
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Here are the instructions again so you don't have to click back through the blog posts.</div>
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It's simple.</div>
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You decide how many you want.</div>
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You decide how much you'd like to give.</div>
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We will mail you your car decals.They measure 4 inches by 6 inches.</div>
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Apply them to your car and share our story.</div>
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You can use the PayPal button in the upper right-hand corner of the blog, or email me for other options.</div>
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*On mobile devices you must scroll down and click on "view web version" of the blog to see the PayPal button*</div>
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To God by all the Glory!</div>
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<br />Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16789745076650241947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1738939660447990766.post-486215329632428482015-02-04T18:23:00.000-08:002015-02-04T18:23:27.417-08:00LOVE CROSSES OCEANS!I am excited to share with you this opportunity to partner with us in bringing Sophie Grace home!<br />
My friend Martha came up with the unique design, she is VERY talented. She also LOVES Little Debbie snack cakes, but I digress...<br />
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Brian with Aggressive Graphics has taken Martha's design and come up with this exclusive car decal for us.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2J1gJoPv_Z0UobqNZYqXgK4f2bHDpSavvlXKDYbSIV_lp5vVLvnNgVChPyu11eg64Igk-kfuuw3LnmUa9zEENWejJw_lLAOPN9VI9cVMwghQCRO9cqZdngOQ7UJibAAGn86JPxCZDd5o/s1600/FullSizeRender+(6).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2J1gJoPv_Z0UobqNZYqXgK4f2bHDpSavvlXKDYbSIV_lp5vVLvnNgVChPyu11eg64Igk-kfuuw3LnmUa9zEENWejJw_lLAOPN9VI9cVMwghQCRO9cqZdngOQ7UJibAAGn86JPxCZDd5o/s1600/FullSizeRender+(6).jpg" height="400" width="283" /></a></div>
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The decal measures four inches by six inches. It is a white decal with black border and color image.</div>
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You will proudly be able to display how you helped bring a little girl home to her family!</div>
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It's simple.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
You decide how many you want.</div>
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You decide how much you'd like to give.</div>
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We will mail you your car decals.</div>
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Apply them to your car and share our story.</div>
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You can use the PayPal button in the upper right-hand corner of the blog, or email me for other options.</div>
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*On mobile devices you must scroll down and click on "view web version" of the blog to see the PayPal button*</div>
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To God by all the Glory!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0J5h9CdTGFz0YSnyruDF8wPcp4JdLM4cf_tIAr1pehFYY8mtbOmtCRj5x7l6bxj_V-gTDTpnQJqmTjz7gtPv1BFa2uTDxiFShYz1Y8wmTwaDW_vo1nAbwjM58UFuKKP5jdf2dkvJpLu8/s1600/Fluru-5x5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0J5h9CdTGFz0YSnyruDF8wPcp4JdLM4cf_tIAr1pehFYY8mtbOmtCRj5x7l6bxj_V-gTDTpnQJqmTjz7gtPv1BFa2uTDxiFShYz1Y8wmTwaDW_vo1nAbwjM58UFuKKP5jdf2dkvJpLu8/s1600/Fluru-5x5.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16789745076650241947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1738939660447990766.post-64786527884603468882014-12-10T18:29:00.000-08:002014-12-10T18:29:04.455-08:00Long over due postIt's so typical. With a first born, you celebrate every first, with the second child, some firsts but not as many. If you end up with more children right away, they eventually have a couple pictures stashed away in a book. Well, that is what has happened to poor Sophie!<br />
Sophie will be our fifth (gasp!) child, and our third adoption in four years. While we announced back in July or August to friend and family and on Facebook, somehow I never ended up making an "official" blog post. I did keep up with entering in timelines but that was about it.<br />
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So here is a long over due ANNOUNCEMENT!<br />
Introducing Sophie Grace from eastern China! We hope to travel sometime in June to bring her home. She is three years old and living in a foster home with one slightly younger sister and a loving foster mamma who has fostered her since she was ten months old. Like Isaac, Sophie was born with albinism, a genetic condition causing the hair and skin to have no pigment and eye issues.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture which moved our hearts to adopt again</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Celebrating her 3rd birthday with the cake we sent</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKeBrAT-UYEL-a4GZ_WMeEvEIpmM2GqgBJ19yo9u055e3ZQoZ-_RFK0ki_0VdGbHIpW-7MXBz7n4q1iNFvuTvmnwZqgxo8F5k3OqQHBU1ePVWqz_-Asz7sX9WCdW686HmzwThT6C_RAQY/s1600/df4bf2a499f1e321faf22cd30ff395ed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKeBrAT-UYEL-a4GZ_WMeEvEIpmM2GqgBJ19yo9u055e3ZQoZ-_RFK0ki_0VdGbHIpW-7MXBz7n4q1iNFvuTvmnwZqgxo8F5k3OqQHBU1ePVWqz_-Asz7sX9WCdW686HmzwThT6C_RAQY/s1600/df4bf2a499f1e321faf22cd30ff395ed.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With foster mamma and the gifts we sent for her birthday (hat, sunglasses, blankie, candy)</td></tr>
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<br />Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16789745076650241947noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1738939660447990766.post-28194980803476635622014-08-12T19:24:00.001-07:002014-08-12T19:27:03.226-07:00FIX MY EYESToday I got in the car to drive for the first time in over a week. The first song I heard was this one.<br /><p>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Yd2we03Sy4I" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><p>
I thought of when Jesus healed the blind man. I had heard the story a million times but when I researched the story further for the first time something new got my attention. The first time Jesus touched the man, the man was not able to see clearly. It was only after a second touch from Jesus his sight was fully restored.<br />
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Mark 8:23-25English Standard Version (ESV)<br />
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23 And he took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village, and when he had spit on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, “Do you see anything?” 24 And he looked up and said, “I see people, but they look like trees, walking.” 25 Then Jesus[a] laid his hands on his eyes again; and he opened his eyes, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly.<br />
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Last Saturday August 9th, was the five year anniversary of my baptism. The death of the old me and my new life in Christ. The first "touch" of new vision and the gradual "healing" to restored sight, something I will not achieve fully until I am restored in heaven. Every day the ability to be able to "see" brings me great joy in my daily walk with Christ.<br />
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After months and months of wearing my glasses I finally had PRK laser eye surgery a week ago.<br />
The journey was not easy. I started out thinking the hardest question was could we afford it? Once we decided yes we *gulp* could, I made the call.<br />
I had been wearing gas permeable contact lenses for over three decades! Yes, I AM that old!<br />
Because of this I had to wear my glasses to assure my measurements were where they should be otherwise I'd end up like Mr. Magoo.<br />
Towards the end, I started to get cold feet. No one could tell me what the days after would be like because " everyone heals differently." I worried I would be out of commission for weeks, and well I have adoption paperwork to finish, a ministry to run, and overall Mommy duties.<br />
My doctor was so awesome! He seemed to be so thrilled at my final measurements and so confident he could make my vision perfect (my words, not his-legal disclaimer here). So based on my doctor's confidence and my husband's gentle encouragement, I had the surgery a week ago.<br />
I went in knowing dozens of people were praying for me and I had complete and total peace about the outcome.<br />
The night before my surgery I Googled PRK surgery. I can across a blog of a woman in California who had made daily and weekly blogs over the course of her recovery. Seeing those videos helped me so much so I decided no matter how cruddy I felt I was going to do the same.<br />
I cannot say enough about my doctor, Dr. Gregg Berdy at Ophthalmology Associates in St. Louis.<br />
He is sweet, kind and caring. No, I am not getting paid for this endorsement in any way. I had a great experience and want to let people know how great my experience was.<br />
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.<a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10202899989357834&l=3847399819567102994" target="_blank">Day 1-Surgery Day</a><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10202903749811843&l=546024117415818841" target="_blank">Day 2</a><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10202908768217300&l=9010459509200738919" target="_blank">Day 3</a><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10202918827108766&l=3229045422857986966" target="_blank">Day 4</a><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10202925227828780&l=7573938648104456769" target="_blank">Day 5</a><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10202943910175827&l=2113952033345931923" target="_blank">ONE WEEK</a><br />
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<br />Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16789745076650241947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1738939660447990766.post-77816707187555544702014-07-17T14:10:00.000-07:002014-07-17T14:10:57.223-07:00Working hard, letting Him work out detailsYard sales are tough. I should know. My mother has been hosting yard sales since I was six. I'm now nearly 44.<br />
So I'm no stranger to how much work it takes, how to price and make it worth the time and effort.<br />
Next weekend I will be hosting my second fund raiser sale. Those are vastly different from hosting one of my own. Most items are donated and when I started I didn't know what I would end up with. There can be really interesting items.<br />
This time I've been blessed with beyond amazing weather! It's tough anyway, but being super hot working all day in a heat oven is not fun!<br />
Yesterday my dear friend Becki brought over her crew of family members to help. I provided pizza and brownies and assigned jobs to where I thought everyone would be most useful. Her grandson started making these amazing poster board signs despite the dizzy high I am sure he was getting from the big black markers!<br />
Today I had amazing help from our church youth and my daughter's boyfriend. The boyfriend needed a bit of supervision to stay on task as he was pretty distracted by some of the toys including an interactive dinosaur.<br />
I write all this to say my garage is packed, there is still work to be done, and yet I know the sale will be beyond my expectations. God provided the means and all I have to do is provide the hard work. <br />
It's going to be amazing and God will get all the glory. Stay tuned!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toy knives are fun!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What? I have a mohawk?</td></tr>
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<br />Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16789745076650241947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1738939660447990766.post-83257300824899134272014-06-13T06:45:00.002-07:002014-06-13T06:45:26.762-07:00Family Update<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; line-height: 20px;">I realize I haven't given an update on the kiddos in a while. With four kids and four dogs life is cray, cray CRAZY! </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; line-height: 20px;">Summer graduated high school with honors and will be attending Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville in the fall to study special education.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO3273-hZrni1XgKzNHb-CUQuUjb70t3GPOCUk6VMprNljlLwMnb1gHOjWFfFAsCDCbnaLkZMo3M8MNhplOzykamhotRzNxUZHZHvYpmsQZTeFh3du-l6g7RzRFlAMKKcu11eQlm4ATKw/s1600/518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO3273-hZrni1XgKzNHb-CUQuUjb70t3GPOCUk6VMprNljlLwMnb1gHOjWFfFAsCDCbnaLkZMo3M8MNhplOzykamhotRzNxUZHZHvYpmsQZTeFh3du-l6g7RzRFlAMKKcu11eQlm4ATKw/s1600/518.jpg" height="287" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; line-height: 20px;">Wyatt is nearly six feet tall and just finished his freshman year of high school! He hopes to volunteer with our local food pantry this summer, is volunteering with VBS and is chief babysitter since Summer has a full time job as a nanny.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRxYm4UNSmblwkDzlsdhoUIN9i2yMtdaH_rNaEp4I4iTAb2kDLc9-Wfs7jLia_-3XNATTb9UimvYp4QAr0D3PmrnlTP8DqHqIDYozXkvqn1DyVWVebBHYJ-lxPAlvduAzFwZzX0-o1ouw/s1600/DSC_3068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRxYm4UNSmblwkDzlsdhoUIN9i2yMtdaH_rNaEp4I4iTAb2kDLc9-Wfs7jLia_-3XNATTb9UimvYp4QAr0D3PmrnlTP8DqHqIDYozXkvqn1DyVWVebBHYJ-lxPAlvduAzFwZzX0-o1ouw/s1600/DSC_3068.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></span></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcuJx1FnsBzSuoz_j7N9jQron87IlT70aoZO1Np3TGBzprEIS1dSKLg0M1tbre76z6eFlJdUFJM41gY1AEuQGOf__qEqDl6Dw8AFaasdsHY9aT_SELsa4hcaSqyVqiMQGvoKnRHkgPUg4/s1600/DSC_3754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcuJx1FnsBzSuoz_j7N9jQron87IlT70aoZO1Np3TGBzprEIS1dSKLg0M1tbre76z6eFlJdUFJM41gY1AEuQGOf__qEqDl6Dw8AFaasdsHY9aT_SELsa4hcaSqyVqiMQGvoKnRHkgPUg4/s1600/DSC_3754.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; line-height: 20px;">Ellie turned four in April and has grown and thrived in the two years she has been a part of our family. She will start pre-school in the fall. Ellie's imagination is as big as her personality!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #37404e;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">Isaac has overcome many challenges since coming home. He exceeded all the goals set for him last year with the Early Intervention program. Isaac is receiving speech, occupational, physical and vision therapies. He is walking!!! Understanding more and more and eats like a champ. His head is noticeably improved although still appears a bit flat.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #37404e;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs2WUpXSPc_V3dMR5DVT2SCpPhvMHyNr4Rl3ihyphenhyphenJ1Q3FjS4CQTri-idOzH4A-xes8uW2n_Rx1AQrjJ0QLPy963gi67BT06tsJmL3tDvE_Oadop2mkxfvtJzzWmeHy9Bo4MN0_nZUEF_s8/s1600/untitled-5306a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs2WUpXSPc_V3dMR5DVT2SCpPhvMHyNr4Rl3ihyphenhyphenJ1Q3FjS4CQTri-idOzH4A-xes8uW2n_Rx1AQrjJ0QLPy963gi67BT06tsJmL3tDvE_Oadop2mkxfvtJzzWmeHy9Bo4MN0_nZUEF_s8/s1600/untitled-5306a.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></span></a><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #37404e;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; line-height: 20px;">Chris and I planted an orphan and foster ministry and it is thriving in the foster area. We have begun getting donations to help local foster families in need. The response has been overwhelming. From a tiny seed God planted in our hearts once we returned from China, to now a small team of people working to support local adoptive and foster families.To Him be ALL the glory! We are humbled to be a part of His kingdom!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #37404e; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Z0CvKQoTCXFDMx4BwwgTYORl3CobXQWBQjkQZf9ovnxzeybKfOANrJCpHrT-_AGG6ddF75FFjpVGLBnNWDqapH1qxYzQZadRpddq_Cm94NAra_n31sm4mcG2kE_vTZ6jAV5jAaNTfkg/s1600/Orphan+ministry+logo+blue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Z0CvKQoTCXFDMx4BwwgTYORl3CobXQWBQjkQZf9ovnxzeybKfOANrJCpHrT-_AGG6ddF75FFjpVGLBnNWDqapH1qxYzQZadRpddq_Cm94NAra_n31sm4mcG2kE_vTZ6jAV5jAaNTfkg/s1600/Orphan+ministry+logo+blue.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #37404e; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">Written below is an update from Chris about Isaac's first days and a beautiful message about my upcoming mission trip. I have raised approximately a quarter of the funds needed. This trip will be relational discipleship lived out with those we serve on our trip.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; line-height: 20px;">This past week we celebrated one year as a family with my youngest son Isaac. Reflecting back a year ago to that day in Nanjing, as I sat in a civil affairs office with my oldest daughter Summer awaiting a son and a brother to arrive. As </span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; display: inline; line-height: 20px;">Isaac was carried into the office and I caught my first glimpse of my son, I was shocked! I had seen pictures of Isaac when he was just weeks old, he appeared vibrant, his head was well rounded, other than his albinism, he appeared perfectly healthy. But now, Isaac was almost a year old, he appeared listless, the back of his head was flat. Not just flat, his head appeared deformed. The ladies from the orphanage told me he could stand and was eating solid foods. Isaac was unable to sit without being propped by pillows and could only drink formula. I remember wondering that first night what had happened to my son. I called Julie and asked her to warn family and friends about his appearance. After 24 hours, we returned to the civil affairs office to complete the paperwork and declare we were keeping Isaac. This past year, Isaac has learned to walk, clap his hands, feed himself and is starting to verbalize. Other than being visually impaired and having albinism he will eventually catch up to his peers. So the question is why? Why was Isaac so delayed? Why did a baby with a normal looking head arrive to me with a deformed flat head? The answer? There was no one in the orphanage to hold him! No one to hold him while he drank his bottle! No one to comfort him when he cried! No one to rock him to sleep! No one to do any of those things because there was just too many babies and not enough caregivers. Isaac laid on his back for so many hours of the day his head flattened. Isaac didn't develop because there was no stimulation. He laid on his back and scratched his sheets with his fingers to make noise to stimulate himself, a habit he still has. If you're still reading this you must be wondering why I share this with you. I'm asking you to support Julie as she returns to China to spend a week at an orphanage. A week to hold babies, to rock them, to comfort them, to provide human contact with babies who do not have a home or a family. Your support could be as simple as praying for a safe trip or donating to help with travel expenses. I shared my story about Isaac so you could put a face to the crisis, 34 million children without homes, without families, without someone who cares.</span></b></span>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16789745076650241947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1738939660447990766.post-57037676880266425382014-05-29T07:37:00.000-07:002014-05-29T07:37:40.747-07:00Join my team-Get a gift!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Going back to serve!</div>
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As many of you know I will be heading back to China to serve in an orphanage this fall. I need you to join my team! Please prayerfully consider what type of team member you will be.</div>
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<li><b>Team Prayer Warrior-to pray for me, the team, the children, the nannies, and all those we will encounter before, during and after our trip. </b></li>
<li><b>Team Stuff member- Local friends donate your gently used, sale-able items to my fundraiser garage sale tentatively scheduled for July Help with sorting items and getting the word out about the sale.</b></li>
<li><b>Team Advocate member-Share my blog and story with family, friends and those on social media</b></li>
<li><b>Team Contributor-Financially support me in this journey. Every contribution over fifteen dollars will receive a Thank you gift personally designed by me. You will receive (16) 4X6 files, suitable for printing at any photo lab (Walgreens, Walmart, Shutterfly, etc). These prints when bundled and paired with a simple 4X6 frame make a perfect gift for any occasion. Samples of the prints are pictured below. For those not techno-saavy I can provide a link to the prints directly from Walgreens. (You will receive the files with out the "sample" word) Comment below with your email address or email me to let me know of your contribution and you will be emailed the link or files immediately. pharmgirl839-hearts@yahoo.com</b></li>
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I am looking forward to this trip and updating my team members of my journey. I plan to blog while in China sharing my trip as it happens. God has planned some exciting things! I am so grateful for your support.</div>
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1 John 4:19 tells us “We love because He first loved us”</div>
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Please join me in a journey of love across the world.</div>
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Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16789745076650241947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1738939660447990766.post-19327885752976794782014-04-28T12:05:00.000-07:002014-05-31T16:41:23.080-07:00Passion, Conviction & Doubt WhispersA few weeks ago I announced I would be joining a team in China to serve in an orphanage. The decision was a surprise to me and everyone else. In a matter of a few minutes, in the time it took my husband to pick up a pizza, God worked in me to say YES to Him. He equipped me to blind myself to my usual "comfort zone issues." You see, I have never went camping. The idea of the hardship of camping and the yuckiness of roughing it outweighs the potential beauty of nature I might encounter. I also abhor stickiness, smelly stuff and general ick. Yet when called to go to serve I didn't hesitate. I didn't think about those things. What went through my mind? I needed to God to grow me more. He has asks me to do hard things and has blessed me. I have seen tangible proof of God's work in my life. It hasn't always been rainbows and unicorns. There have been significant costs. I gave up a lot of freedom in this lifetime. What is the cost of freedom? The cost of my freedom from the eternal flames of hell was Jesus giving His life in the most horrific way. I can NEVER repay the debt. I am not trying to earn my way to heaven. It has already been paid for at a great cost. Jesus has asked us to be His hands and feet. To love and help those who cannot help themselves.<br />
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This little boy lives in China. For reasons which cannot be made public, he will never be eligible for adoption. He will never know the love of a family. The only opportunity for children like this little boy and even the nannies to ever know of God's love is for the Gospel in real life action lived out to come to them. I first read about his story here <a href="http://sparrow-fund.org/zo-ba-lets-go" target="_blank">http://sparrow-fund.org/zo-ba-lets-go</a> and it was just one more confirmation God was calling me to go.</div>
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Lately doubt has been clouding my thoughts. I have let the craziness of life distract me from putting on the full armor of God and I have been vulnerable. The area I have been attacked is whether or not I should self-fund this mission trip. Every penny it seems, when a person fund-raises, whether it be for an adoption, mission trip or charity event is scrutinized. Some discernment when donating to such causes is responsible. A person should make sure money is being used for what it is supposed to be. Charities need to be transparent. There is a fine line, however between discernment and judgement. Judgement should be left to God. Some how though, when it comes to donations, it's acceptable to judge the recipient. I've seen adoptive families judged for eating out or driving a reliable vehicle. I've heard whispers about church leaders who drive cars which are too luxurious. Judgment which typically comes with out having all the facts. It's beyond painful for those who are attacked.</div>
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This week I wanted to give up. To withdraw my spot on the team and hold my application fee over until I could fund the trip, perhaps in a few years, on my own. I thought about a personal loan or a credit card. I realized then I would be robbing God and those chosen to be blessed in my journey. I would be robbing God of his glory. I would be taking the easy way out by giving up.</div>
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Journeys like adoptions and mission trips and ministry all have one huge component. They cost money. Raising money is sometimes part of the faith journey. To rely completely on God and to do some hard work. I propose to do the hard work. I am planning two fund raising yard sales this summer. I taking individual and family portraits with all proceeds directly going towards my trip.</div>
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I am not asking you to fund ME. I am asking you to share in the blessing of what God plans to do with this trip. I am asking you to come along, in the comfort of your own home to share in God's amazing plan of bringing LOVE to those who don't yet know it. I am allowing you to share in the blessings. I am NOT giving up! </div>
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That little boy is worth it. The people I will meet and serve are worth it. Pray for me and my "armor" to with stand those fiery darts. Pray for me and those who will support my efforts. Pray for my ears to be deafened to those judgmental whispers and self doubt. To quote a dear friend Jane, pray for those waiting to see "God with skin,"</div>
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Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16789745076650241947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1738939660447990766.post-84977023781742352382014-04-13T14:15:00.001-07:002014-04-28T12:07:42.915-07:00Hear, Follow, Trust, Obey<b>COMFORT ZONE</b><br />
Oh how I never get to that level of comfort which I always believe is coming. When we brought Ellie home I thought I would coast back in life with this sweet, adorable baby girl. Wrong! With in three months we were called again to adopt. To begin a complicated and stressful paperwork process. We faced adversity and judgement by folks who did not understand our call to obey God. There were actual attempts to stop our second adoption and yet we believed God was in control. He provided everything we needed and deafened our ears to those who did not understand our motives. He provided big. I never doubted for a second we wouldn't be successful in the journey. He blessed us with a son who's Chinese name was translated literally into "Gift from God." <br />
So when Chris returned from China and we began the challenging task of raising four kids, two special needs toddlers and two teenagers again I believed life would be simpler. We completed some much needed small home projects and began focusing on our Orphan ministry we felt we were called to pursue. I was looking forward to a stress free summer finally enjoying friends and our home again, free from paperwork or fundraising. Life was gonna be EASY!<br />
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<b>OUT OF THE BLUE</b><br />
Since Isaac has been home I still advocate for waiting children. I still see our agency's list of kiddos needing homes and on several occasions begged God not to "send me back to China to adopt again." Apparently I was too specific in my prayer! This week I have been given a unique opportunity to be the hands and feet of Christ, joining a mission team to an orphanage in China for eleven days in October. The orphanage is located in Ellie's province which would connect me once again to her homeland and the province/culture she was from. When I read about the opportunity I immediately went "all in" for God. I wasn't scared of long flights, being in China again (I was a tad bit overwhelmed on our adoption trip) and the idea of seeing an orphanage first hand and serving was intense. I had a life changing experience all in the time it took my husband to go get a pizza! Let's just say I overwhelmed him a little when he returned and I dropped this bombshell. After several days of praying I don't feel any less called to do this. I KNOW God is calling me.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #494949; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 24.5px;">Photo credit: Ben Leaman</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #494949; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 24.5px;">Photo credit: Ben Leaman</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #494949; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 24.5px;">Photo credit: Ben Leaman</span></td></tr>
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<b>HOW WE ARE EQUIPPED</b><br />
After two years I am ready to brave that long plane ride again. I am ready to see China for it's beauty and culture. I am ready to connect and come along side with people I have never met who have also been called to serve. I am so blessed my husband is retired and we would not have to work out logistics of childcare. I am ready to see first hand nannies and staff who care for the children with the resources they have. I am told the director of the particular orphanage I would be serving at is an actual orphan himself. I am excited to see God's light where there is a lot of darkness. I am ready to be refined and stretched beyond who I believed myself to be. <br />
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<b>WHAT I NEED</b><br />
First and foremost I need your prayers. I need your encouragement. I also will need to fund this trip.<br />
When we adopted Isaac we had zero. We had exhausted all resources when we adopted Ellie. I never doubted we wouldn't get Isaac home and God provided all. We were fully funded and came home without debt after Isaac's adoption. Friday night when this was placed on my heart I had zero fear to take the plunge. I knew God had provided before when He called and I knew He was calling me, alone with out Chris to go and serve. I need to raise approximately four thousand dollars.<br />
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<b>HOW YOU CAN HELP</b><br />
Pray.<br />
Help in funding.I would love any assistance in fundraising you can offer. I know in these current times many are stretched helping other ministries. I also do not want to detract from our Orphan ministry which has just begun. I am planning on a fundraiser yard sale sometime in July. Any gently used, sale-able items would be appreciated. Please begin thinking about Spring cleaning now!<br />
I am also booking photography sessions for outdoor individual/family sessions. I took many classes over the winter and am pleased with some news skills I have acquired. Sessions will be approximately one hour and you may choose to donate what you are able to give. All images will be on CD with a release for you to print at lab of your choice.<br />
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For those of you who know me personally, you know this is a big leap for me. I solidly believe God is calling me to this. I would love for my Christian brothers and sisters to join me in my journey.<br />
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<b>Acts 20:35</b></div>
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<b>In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' </b></div>
<a href="http://www.awaa.org/ACT/trips/China%28ShaanxiFall2014%29/default.aspx" target="_blank"><br /></a>
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<a href="http://www.awaa.org/ACT/trips/China%28ShaanxiFall2014%29/default.aspx" target="_blank">For more information about my trip please click here!</a><br />
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<br />Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16789745076650241947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1738939660447990766.post-63564171776853225162013-10-27T18:17:00.000-07:002013-10-27T18:17:47.211-07:00Long Overdue Update/Huge progressWell Chris retired and I thought life would slow down. WRONG! Life is going at warp speed.<br />
Isaac is making tremendous strides. He can now eat everything! Remember the 12 month old who came home not eating solid foods? His fine motor skill of the pincer grasp has been improving to (finally) the point of self feeding. This is such a huge thing because he used to screech for us to either feed him or place snacks in his mouth. Not great if you are dining out. He is also CRAWLING!<br />
Isaac has been receiving physical therapy once a week and it is paying off.<br />
He is expressive and engaging with us. His nystagmus is so slight, I barely notice his eyes moving. he makes good eye contact and is becoming attached to us. He no longer is the blank baby who would let anyone hold him. He now knows his mama, daddy, big sissy and brother, and won't let anyone else hold him. He delights in Ellie's constant chatter and crawls to catch up with her.<br />
The only thing we've noticed is his reaction to strange places. He doesn't like the Sunday School nursery room and cries a lot. Perhaps it reminds him of the orphanage? One thing I've learned about early trauma is I do not want to further compound or impede attachment or have negative pathways made stronger in his brain. I sing in the church choir, so it's a bit of a juggling act on Sunday mornings. In a year or so when he is more verbal and understanding of his surroundings we will look back on this crazy time and it hopefully will have flown by. For now we must keep squeaks and squeals to a minimum in worship!<br />
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I recently upgraded to a new camera and am trying to improve my photography skills. I'm sharing a few pics of Ellie taken last week.<br />
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Since life is so crazy I am going to leave you with a few videos which document all of Isaac's progress.<br />
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September making progress</div>
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October</div>
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<br />Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16789745076650241947noreply@blogger.com1