HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!
Bring on 2010!!!! I feel changes in the air...Hope to post some news soon!
God bless you all! Keep Jesus near and dear to your hearts.
Love you all!
~Amy
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Merry Christmas!
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
Luke 2 8-14
May you all have a JOYFUL Christmas!!! Here are some snap shots of our Christmas festivities... Enjoy!
Big brother hugs!
Trevor trimming the tree.
Rachel Catherine waiting to go on stage with her dance group.
This is a Halloween photo of Linz...Too cute not to add and I am WAY behind on posting family pics!!
Rachel dressing up as "Rachel from the bible" for her class fall party. Rachel attends a Christian school so they were asked to dress as a bible character.
;">
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
Luke 2 8-14
May you all have a JOYFUL Christmas!!! Here are some snap shots of our Christmas festivities... Enjoy!
Big brother hugs!
Trevor trimming the tree.
Rachel Catherine waiting to go on stage with her dance group.
This is a Halloween photo of Linz...Too cute not to add and I am WAY behind on posting family pics!!
Rachel dressing up as "Rachel from the bible" for her class fall party. Rachel attends a Christian school so they were asked to dress as a bible character.
Rachel after her dance was finished...whew!
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Be still my heart...
We decided to send Madelyn's orphanage two Christmas cakes as a token of our appreciation and to wish everyone a Merry Christmas...There's no way I could have let this precious holiday go by without sending our girl a little love from her family.
Friday, I sent our response to USCI$. Before the paperwork left my hands, I prayed over every item in my express package. I asked God to bless our home study, approvals, statements, etc.. This is our final shot at bringing our sweet daughter home. CJ and I both feel God's hands in this long lasting hiccup, we continue to be hopeful and full of faith that God's will is for her to be ours!!! PLEASE LORD, let it be us!
We are utterly delighted to be blessed with new pictures of Madelyn. I look in her eyes and I see my daughter. I pray, we will meet soon.
Friday, I sent our response to USCI$. Before the paperwork left my hands, I prayed over every item in my express package. I asked God to bless our home study, approvals, statements, etc.. This is our final shot at bringing our sweet daughter home. CJ and I both feel God's hands in this long lasting hiccup, we continue to be hopeful and full of faith that God's will is for her to be ours!!! PLEASE LORD, let it be us!
We are utterly delighted to be blessed with new pictures of Madelyn. I look in her eyes and I see my daughter. I pray, we will meet soon.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Oh boy!
Well, it looks like our Chinese exchange student is indeed coming in January, 2010! I just got off the phone with the principal and there is one child that would like to come to the USA NOW! So, Pastor B called us first...YIPPEE!!!!
We know that he is not a Christian yet BUT this organization is Christian based which means the students and parents know and want to be introduced to Christianity. I am so excited!!!
I pray this sweet young man leaves our home in June with the spirit of JESUS alive in his heart and soul. I pray the Lord guides us as exchange parents/family to give him what he needs to know Christ. I thank GOD we have Trevor here to show him around and act as his Christian brother....Oh boy! Did I need this awesome news today, I love watching the Lord work in the lives of HIS believers.
Man, am I excited!!!!
Oh yeah, we're moving in January too... oh well, it's all good... =) LOL... I love when things move fast!!!
Come on sweet Jesus, bring us our Madelyn!!!!!
We know that he is not a Christian yet BUT this organization is Christian based which means the students and parents know and want to be introduced to Christianity. I am so excited!!!
I pray this sweet young man leaves our home in June with the spirit of JESUS alive in his heart and soul. I pray the Lord guides us as exchange parents/family to give him what he needs to know Christ. I thank GOD we have Trevor here to show him around and act as his Christian brother....Oh boy! Did I need this awesome news today, I love watching the Lord work in the lives of HIS believers.
Man, am I excited!!!!
Oh yeah, we're moving in January too... oh well, it's all good... =) LOL... I love when things move fast!!!
Come on sweet Jesus, bring us our Madelyn!!!!!
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Just words...
Oh how I wish I could write some fabulous adoption news...But as it stands we are still in the waiting phase with USC!S. I can feel my love for Madelyn growing everyday and my faith and trust is still firm...But man, I wish I had approval papers in my hand! The Lord has revealed to me/us so many strengths I never thought I was built with, it amazes me how steadfast I've been...2 years ago with Linzhi's adoption...Not so much! I was a nervous Nelly about everything!
I truly feel once the decision has been made and we can then move forward with life, it just feels like constant limbo. I am only speaking about the adoption, not life with my other children, husband and family. However, at times during the day when I absolutely will not let fear or anxiety threaten the chance of taking away any special moment with regular life, I still let my mind go to Wuhan, China. I still allow myself to day dream about her and the day we'll (by the Grace of God) meet her. I picture her rosy cheeks and sweet smile with her piggy tails. I can see me holding her (if she'll let me) or walking hand and hand with CJ...I even go as far as walking her into her new school with Rachel one day. I go there because it makes me realize that God will make all of this happen IF it's His will for Madelyn and our family.
This blog is a great tool for me to get it out...All of it! I am struggling with refraining from sending her another care package or cake. My head tells me not to even entertain the thought because it may cause more disappointment if we do indeed get denied...But my heart, my Mama's heart wants to send her a little present just to let her know we still love her and want her. I will not do it because it would be too selfish of me but it's been over 8 weeks since we sent anything and I'm afraid she thinks we've lost interest or something...She could be feeling the exact opposite but I will never know. Steadfast...Steadfast...Steadfast...
I came across this verse during my bible study yesterday..
"We have this HOPE as an ANCHOR for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where JESUS, who went before us, has entered on our behalf."
Hebrews 6 19-20
Jesus is our anchor, he holds us steady every single day, good or bad, He is there holding us when we can't hold on anymore. I am not just stating this because of this hiccup with USC!S, I am talking about life period!
My poor cousin who is desperately trying every avenue to save her life, keeps getting bad news left and right. I have no idea how her life will unfold, I want to give her words of hope and encouragement but how can I ever know and pretend to know what she's feeling when she looks in the eyes of her 5 children. I am completely at a loss for words when it comes to her. When she was diagnosed with breast cancer over a year ago, there was an action plan... Surgery, Chemo, radiation, reconstruction...HOPE! Now, things are changing again for her and it's not the best news we've been on our knees praying for. I was talking to my mother the other day and told her while I pray and pray for Lindsay and healing, I quietly as God not to forget my Madelyn. I had guilt for continuing to pray for our adoption when Lindsay could very well be facing death to cancer. My mom said this " We all have our own crosses to carry and in fact, it's the cross and what it represents that can heal us and bless us, no matter the out come." I know God has not forgotten Madelyn or our request to be her parents and I know HE will heal Lindsay whether it's in His arms or here on earth in ours.
Then there's our new house! Yes, we're moving and I did have a post up about it but took it down because some weido guy left a very strange comment and it freaked me out. But yes, I have to plan and pack to move from our 2400 sq ft house to a 4200 sq ft. house! It is literally around the corner from our current home and we are so excited about more space!!! I never thought having a mudroom and finished basement would bring me so much joy!!! LOL!!! Not to mention all the extra bedrooms that I pray we fill with Chinese exchange students and more angels from China that we get to call our kids!!!! We'll see, right? I mean come on, we need to get this current adoption done! I'm telling you, mark my words (I pray)...Linzhi insists she has a brother "William" in China! I don't doubt her but God will have to pave the way again...So we shall see????
In closing, I want to thank my Lord, my salvation, my hero, my strength, my friend JESUS for giving me so many unimaginable blessings that has been given to me throughout my life thus far. I am not mad or questioning Him about this nightmare with USC!S. I am so thankful for His power over it all. I delight in knowing our God is bigger and greater than any government or anything that claims so much power...They don't stand a chance next to the creator! Can I get an AMEN on that!!! =)
Again, these are just words...Therapy, I guess...
I truly feel once the decision has been made and we can then move forward with life, it just feels like constant limbo. I am only speaking about the adoption, not life with my other children, husband and family. However, at times during the day when I absolutely will not let fear or anxiety threaten the chance of taking away any special moment with regular life, I still let my mind go to Wuhan, China. I still allow myself to day dream about her and the day we'll (by the Grace of God) meet her. I picture her rosy cheeks and sweet smile with her piggy tails. I can see me holding her (if she'll let me) or walking hand and hand with CJ...I even go as far as walking her into her new school with Rachel one day. I go there because it makes me realize that God will make all of this happen IF it's His will for Madelyn and our family.
This blog is a great tool for me to get it out...All of it! I am struggling with refraining from sending her another care package or cake. My head tells me not to even entertain the thought because it may cause more disappointment if we do indeed get denied...But my heart, my Mama's heart wants to send her a little present just to let her know we still love her and want her. I will not do it because it would be too selfish of me but it's been over 8 weeks since we sent anything and I'm afraid she thinks we've lost interest or something...She could be feeling the exact opposite but I will never know. Steadfast...Steadfast...Steadfast...
I came across this verse during my bible study yesterday..
"We have this HOPE as an ANCHOR for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where JESUS, who went before us, has entered on our behalf."
Hebrews 6 19-20
Jesus is our anchor, he holds us steady every single day, good or bad, He is there holding us when we can't hold on anymore. I am not just stating this because of this hiccup with USC!S, I am talking about life period!
My poor cousin who is desperately trying every avenue to save her life, keeps getting bad news left and right. I have no idea how her life will unfold, I want to give her words of hope and encouragement but how can I ever know and pretend to know what she's feeling when she looks in the eyes of her 5 children. I am completely at a loss for words when it comes to her. When she was diagnosed with breast cancer over a year ago, there was an action plan... Surgery, Chemo, radiation, reconstruction...HOPE! Now, things are changing again for her and it's not the best news we've been on our knees praying for. I was talking to my mother the other day and told her while I pray and pray for Lindsay and healing, I quietly as God not to forget my Madelyn. I had guilt for continuing to pray for our adoption when Lindsay could very well be facing death to cancer. My mom said this " We all have our own crosses to carry and in fact, it's the cross and what it represents that can heal us and bless us, no matter the out come." I know God has not forgotten Madelyn or our request to be her parents and I know HE will heal Lindsay whether it's in His arms or here on earth in ours.
Then there's our new house! Yes, we're moving and I did have a post up about it but took it down because some weido guy left a very strange comment and it freaked me out. But yes, I have to plan and pack to move from our 2400 sq ft house to a 4200 sq ft. house! It is literally around the corner from our current home and we are so excited about more space!!! I never thought having a mudroom and finished basement would bring me so much joy!!! LOL!!! Not to mention all the extra bedrooms that I pray we fill with Chinese exchange students and more angels from China that we get to call our kids!!!! We'll see, right? I mean come on, we need to get this current adoption done! I'm telling you, mark my words (I pray)...Linzhi insists she has a brother "William" in China! I don't doubt her but God will have to pave the way again...So we shall see????
In closing, I want to thank my Lord, my salvation, my hero, my strength, my friend JESUS for giving me so many unimaginable blessings that has been given to me throughout my life thus far. I am not mad or questioning Him about this nightmare with USC!S. I am so thankful for His power over it all. I delight in knowing our God is bigger and greater than any government or anything that claims so much power...They don't stand a chance next to the creator! Can I get an AMEN on that!!! =)
Again, these are just words...Therapy, I guess...
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