Wow, where do I start. When Tyler and I were accepted with CHI (our adoption agency) we went onto there web sight to see the "waiting children". These are kids who have some sort of special need. One little guy on there caught our eye. He will be three next November and that puts him almost exactly in between Ellie and Evan. He has Hepatitis B, which is a manageable illness with a very effective vaccine. Well, I fell in love but we are not allowed to accept a waiting child until we have our CIS approval (171--see bottom right hand column). Well last December he was matched with a family but I still couldn't get his little face out of my mind. It was like he was still mine!
Last night I got home and saw him back on the waiting list! I called the agency and apparently the family he was matched with decided not to adopt at all at this time. I cried so hard because I don't want to go through "losing" him again. We submitted our application to the CIS about 5 weeks ago and won't here back for at least another week or two, possibly longer. In the mean time, no one has looked at this boys profile so they are sending me his medical information. However, if someone comes along who already has there 171 and wants him then they would get him.
I'm writing to ask you to PRAY, PRAY, PRAY for us. It is so hard to just sit here for weeks looking at his little face and know that at any time someone could request him. I know that God is in control and knows what is best. I'm trying to rest in His timing...but it is SO hard.
Also, if it works out that we can get him then we will be in a crunch financially. We have a great budget laid out and after a year of saving, along with a few grants and an interest free loan, we should be just fine. However, in this case we would have to pay everything in a matter of 6 months or less. We won't have our savings built up. If this is God's will he's going to have to show us by keeping little Tran Le Phat available AND providing the money. I can't wait to see Him work!
Please leave me lots of comments...I need something to fill my thoughts!!!
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Sunday, February 25, 2007
"Jesus Loves the Little Children..."
I want to take a moment away from my usual posts and share what’s on my heart.
Since beginning our adoption I have become aware of so much need among the children around the world. I guess in truth I have always been aware of it and that is what gave me a burden for adoption in the first place. However, now I see it up close. I’ve heard of the “aunties” in China who have such large hearts but have so many babies per worker (I’ve heard of 100/auntie) that the infants will be put into cribs sometimes for 22 hours and will only be fed every 8, no matter how hard they cry. There’s the little boy in Russia who is just a little older than Evan (about 2) whose legs are so deformed that he looks like he will never walk unless a family adopts him and provides the surgery. I see him every day on the waiting child list and the way he is reaching up to the camera brings tears to my eyes. There are the four boys from Vietnam who have Hepetitis B. They are all 3 yrs. old except for one who is 4. They have been there for months and no one has even asked to see their profile. I’d take one but Ellie would never handle sharing her place as the oldest. And then there is the 12 yr. old boy from Vietnam who will probably be on the “waiting list” forever.
I come with a heavy heart as I think of every child that is left behind. I have seen videos of the children in the orphanages we’ll be adopting from and I look at them and wonder how many will grow up never understanding what a mommy, daddy or family is? Many children dream of having a family but are passed by for whatever reason.
There are 143million orphans in the world. God knows each one by name and He cares for them more than we can imagine. I come begging you to help. There are several things you can do, let me name a few. You can give financially to an organization or even sponsor a child. You can begin a ministry at your church to help get the word out. Our agency has a free church packet that gives some very simple ideas for getting people involved. You can adopt, don’t just laugh or pass this one by. I’m serious! I know some of you may not be old enough yet or maybe too old! But for the rest of you, think about it. Why not? God will provide all you needs along the way! But most importantly, you can pray. In the church packet there is a prayer ministry that I think sends pictures by email of kids to pray for then sends reports of children who found their homes after being prayed for. If you are interested in getting involved with any of these areas email me and I can help you get started.
I’m sorry for typing such a long post on this. I cry all the time when it comes to the need of these little ones and I want to do what I can to get people involved. However, if you read the whole thing I’m proud of you!!
One last thing. So many children are passed by because of age. This poem brought tears to my eyes as I thought of all the children who are never chosen.
Since beginning our adoption I have become aware of so much need among the children around the world. I guess in truth I have always been aware of it and that is what gave me a burden for adoption in the first place. However, now I see it up close. I’ve heard of the “aunties” in China who have such large hearts but have so many babies per worker (I’ve heard of 100/auntie) that the infants will be put into cribs sometimes for 22 hours and will only be fed every 8, no matter how hard they cry. There’s the little boy in Russia who is just a little older than Evan (about 2) whose legs are so deformed that he looks like he will never walk unless a family adopts him and provides the surgery. I see him every day on the waiting child list and the way he is reaching up to the camera brings tears to my eyes. There are the four boys from Vietnam who have Hepetitis B. They are all 3 yrs. old except for one who is 4. They have been there for months and no one has even asked to see their profile. I’d take one but Ellie would never handle sharing her place as the oldest. And then there is the 12 yr. old boy from Vietnam who will probably be on the “waiting list” forever.
I come with a heavy heart as I think of every child that is left behind. I have seen videos of the children in the orphanages we’ll be adopting from and I look at them and wonder how many will grow up never understanding what a mommy, daddy or family is? Many children dream of having a family but are passed by for whatever reason.
There are 143million orphans in the world. God knows each one by name and He cares for them more than we can imagine. I come begging you to help. There are several things you can do, let me name a few. You can give financially to an organization or even sponsor a child. You can begin a ministry at your church to help get the word out. Our agency has a free church packet that gives some very simple ideas for getting people involved. You can adopt, don’t just laugh or pass this one by. I’m serious! I know some of you may not be old enough yet or maybe too old! But for the rest of you, think about it. Why not? God will provide all you needs along the way! But most importantly, you can pray. In the church packet there is a prayer ministry that I think sends pictures by email of kids to pray for then sends reports of children who found their homes after being prayed for. If you are interested in getting involved with any of these areas email me and I can help you get started.
I’m sorry for typing such a long post on this. I cry all the time when it comes to the need of these little ones and I want to do what I can to get people involved. However, if you read the whole thing I’m proud of you!!
One last thing. So many children are passed by because of age. This poem brought tears to my eyes as I thought of all the children who are never chosen.
The Waiting Child
by Debbie Bodie
I saw you meet your child today
You kissed your baby joyfully
And as you walked away with her
I played pretend you'd chosen me.
I'm happy for the baby, yet
Inside I'm aching miserably
I want to plead as you go by,
"Does no-one want a child of three?"
I saw you meet your child today
In love with her before you met
And as I watched you take her out
I knew it wasn't my turn yet.
I recognize you from last year!
I knew I'd seen your face before!
But you came for a second babe.
Does no-one want a child of four?
I saw you meet your child today
But this time there was something new
A nurse came in and took MY hand
And then she gave my hand to you.
Can this be true? I'm almost six!
And there are infants here you see?
But then you kissed me and I knew
The child you chose this time was me.
by Debbie Bodie
I saw you meet your child today
You kissed your baby joyfully
And as you walked away with her
I played pretend you'd chosen me.
I'm happy for the baby, yet
Inside I'm aching miserably
I want to plead as you go by,
"Does no-one want a child of three?"
I saw you meet your child today
In love with her before you met
And as I watched you take her out
I knew it wasn't my turn yet.
I recognize you from last year!
I knew I'd seen your face before!
But you came for a second babe.
Does no-one want a child of four?
I saw you meet your child today
But this time there was something new
A nurse came in and took MY hand
And then she gave my hand to you.
Can this be true? I'm almost six!
And there are infants here you see?
But then you kissed me and I knew
The child you chose this time was me.
More adoption stuff
So far I have applied for two adoption grants and will be completing a third next week. I also applied for a loan through the Abba Fund. They are a Christian organization that provides interest free loans for families who are adopting. Tyler and I don't want to get into debt but this will allow us to divide up the payments without paying more in the end through interest.
We are still waiting for the 171. I emailed Nikki (our contact at our agency) and she told me the average wait is around 6-9 weeks. Tomorrow will be 5 weeks. However, the CIS technically has 90 days.
Well I should go and feed my kids. They are wild tonight and driving Tyler and I crazy!
We are still waiting for the 171. I emailed Nikki (our contact at our agency) and she told me the average wait is around 6-9 weeks. Tomorrow will be 5 weeks. However, the CIS technically has 90 days.
Well I should go and feed my kids. They are wild tonight and driving Tyler and I crazy!
Monday, February 19, 2007
I know Evan eats everything...but THIS?!
The kids are not adjusting to sharing at room at all! They were jabbering away in there last night so Tyler gave them a warning. Not even 5 minutes had gone by when we heard Ellie's scream followed by Evan's. We entered their room to find them both in his little closet where we keep his toys (the light had been left on as a "night light" for Ellie). Ellie, our little instigator, must have led him in there where he became too cramped and decided to fix the problem by biting her (which left a mark on her leg). She was screaming in pain and he was joining in probably out of fright. Tyler and I mean while were holding in our laughter. However, we finally lost it when I asked Ellie why Evan bit her. Her response? “Because he was hungry!"
Friday, February 16, 2007
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Just Life
Well...things are still boring around here. Not much to write about. But I will try...
Evan is really cute. He growls at everything. He still doesn't talk at all (except for "dada" which he loves to use every time he sees Tyler) but he can sure make noises. Today I caught him in front of the stove hitting his reflection and growling. He would then laugh at himself. He also has learned how to shot from his big sister. He puts up his finger and says "ba!" really loudly.
I started stripping wall paper in Ellie's room which has been a lot of fun. I've never done that before and it's quite an experience. Anyway, right now I have Ellie's bed in Evan's room which is interesting. Evan still cries himself to sleep and she sings for hours after we turn out her light. The first couple of nights we ended up separating them till they fell asleep but tonight we put them in there together. So far I think it worked. It's been an hour and I haven't gone to that end of the house to listen yet! :) This has given me hope for when our third one arrives. I think he'll end up in Evan's room and now I know it won't end in total disaster.
We are still waiting for CIS approval for the adoption. To get our 171 from the CIS will take up to 90 days (that would put us at the end of April). However, we were told that it was only taking about 4-6 weeks and we are now to 3. I sure hope we don’t have to wait the full 90 days! In the mean time I am working on getting grants and also an interest free loan.
Well how did I do for someone who has nothing going on? I’m afraid I’ve written too much. Oh no…the kids just got up and came to the office dragging their blankets. Ellie says they’re hungry and Evan is just happy to be up. I’m beginning to see that hope of “easy adjustment” fading…
Evan is really cute. He growls at everything. He still doesn't talk at all (except for "dada" which he loves to use every time he sees Tyler) but he can sure make noises. Today I caught him in front of the stove hitting his reflection and growling. He would then laugh at himself. He also has learned how to shot from his big sister. He puts up his finger and says "ba!" really loudly.
I started stripping wall paper in Ellie's room which has been a lot of fun. I've never done that before and it's quite an experience. Anyway, right now I have Ellie's bed in Evan's room which is interesting. Evan still cries himself to sleep and she sings for hours after we turn out her light. The first couple of nights we ended up separating them till they fell asleep but tonight we put them in there together. So far I think it worked. It's been an hour and I haven't gone to that end of the house to listen yet! :) This has given me hope for when our third one arrives. I think he'll end up in Evan's room and now I know it won't end in total disaster.
We are still waiting for CIS approval for the adoption. To get our 171 from the CIS will take up to 90 days (that would put us at the end of April). However, we were told that it was only taking about 4-6 weeks and we are now to 3. I sure hope we don’t have to wait the full 90 days! In the mean time I am working on getting grants and also an interest free loan.
Well how did I do for someone who has nothing going on? I’m afraid I’ve written too much. Oh no…the kids just got up and came to the office dragging their blankets. Ellie says they’re hungry and Evan is just happy to be up. I’m beginning to see that hope of “easy adjustment” fading…
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
Not much...
I haven't posted for a long time and I wanted you to know I was still around. Things have been really slow around here. I don't even have any cute pictures. I've been keeping myself busy with sewing for Ellie, cooking, jogging and trying to find time to conquer my next project...painting Ellie's room. Ellie has this ugly wall paper in her room that I want to replace with paint. I've never torn down wall paper before and this stuff is on plaster...so it should be fun. If all went well I was hoping to do my room next but Evan changed that idea. Yesterday I walked into his room to discover he'd pulled a large piece of wall paper down. The problem is his room had the nice white stuff I hadn't planned on removing. Well, I really have nothing to say of real interest since life has been rather uneventful...so I shall let you go.
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