The Pence Family's Journey

New Blog Coming

2008-08-21T12:03:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone, I know it has been sometime since I posted here. Things have been tough these past few weeks. Our family is still healing from our loss, but we are still trusting that God is going to do a great work in our family.
I want to keep this blog in memory of our sweet Maya. So,I have decided to start a new blog for a new journey. If you would like to follow us on our new journey, our new blog address is www.preciousworkofgod.blogspot.com We are going to be more careful this time around. Thank you all for your support this past year, your encouragment has meant so much.

Happy Birthday!!!

2008-07-07T06:13:00.000-07:00

Happy 1st Birthday Maya!!!
We hope you have a wonderful day. Many prayers and thoughts are going out for you today.

Our Sweet Maya

2008-06-29T12:26:00.000-07:00

My sweet baby girl,

I can't believe two years have passed since we began this journey to you. When we started out we were so naive. We thought that we would complete the paper work, send it to Vietnam, and we would bring you home a few months after that. The minute we saw your face we knew you were ours, and that God had blessed us with a beautiful baby girl. We all sat around the computer laughing, crying, and talking about what it was going to be like to have you in our family. Little did we know how hard this road was going to be, but that's usually the way things go for us. So, we hit those challenges head on. We fought for you, and we fought hard. Not a week went by that I didn't call someone on your behalf. I talked with the Senator's offices, the State Department, and the White House. All the while thinking that somehow what I was doing would get you home. I never gave up thinking that soon I would hold you. It makes my heart break knowing that you will never know how much this family loves you. Your brothers and your sister talk about you every day. They talk about what you must look like, what your favorite color will be, and how cute you will look in the clothes that sit in your dresser. Every time that we pray, your 3 year old brother reminds us to pray for you. He says, “Pray for Maya, that she gets enough food, and she will come home.” Sweet girl, you are loved by so many. The day we found out you weren't going to be able to come home, three of my closest friends stopped by to pray and cry with me. We laid on my bed and prayed for you, that either God would work a miracle in this situation, or that He would place you in a home that loves you as much as we do. I cannot tell you how many people pray for you daily..

I want you to know that we will never stop praying for you. I pray that you will grow into a beautiful woman of God, that loves others more than herself. You have been such a special gift to us. I thank God that He brought us on this journey, otherwise, we never would have known you. We love you so much, and that will NEVER change.

I can't tell you that I understand why this has happened, or why I will never have the chance to hold you. I do know however, that God is good, and that He never makes a mistake. I am surprised, and hurt that things didn't turn out that way we thought they would, but I still trust Him and He has a reason for this.

I believe that someday I will see you in Heaven. I know that the minute I see you I will recognize you because you are so close to my heart. I will never forget you, no matter what road we may travel down next. You are forever a member of our family, and we love you.

Love,

Daddy, Mama,

Morgan, Kristian, and Harrison

My Heart is Broken

2008-06-27T17:26:00.000-07:00

We received this news today. I didn't think there were anymore tears to cry, guess I was wrong. I covet your prayers now for our family as we are grieving.

Eric Alexander, Consular Chief, met with officials in Phu Tho this week and reached an agreement that will enable the Service to finish adjudication of the pending Phu Tho cases that have been filed with this office. Officials of Phu Tho and Dr. Long stated that these would be the only cases completed and that the United States is still barred from adopting children in this province. Because of the banned imposed by the government of Vietnam, this office will not accept any new petitions from Phu Tho.

Regards,

Mary Ann Russell

2008-06-25T19:44:00.000-07:00

Mother and Daughter

HARRISON's BUSY DAY!!
He loves to wear his football outfit and his cowboy boots!

2008-05-11T10:31:00.000-07:00

Here is the article that the Roanoke Times did on us for Mother's Day.

Enjoy!!!!!

*For those of you who are computer challenged (DAD :-) just click on "article", and it will take you directly to the link.

Favorite spring pictures of the family

2008-05-07T13:03:00.001-07:00

2008-05-07T12:44:00.000-07:00

Things aren't looking good :-(

2008-04-28T06:41:00.000-07:00

The news coming out of Vietnam is not good. Things are about to shut down. There is an article that was put out today that says that Vietnam is not going to renew their agreement to the US to allow international adoptions in their country. Some of you have asked what this means for us. Honestly, we dont know yet. Things could suddenly turn around in Phu Tho, and they could release our documents so we could proceed, but that isn't realistic. They have not been cooperative up to this point, and I really doubt they will start now.What about another referral? Could we be offered another one before the cut off point? Not sure. It is a possibility, but I think it is a very slim one. There haven't been any referrals from our agency since ours in Nov. So things really aren't looking good for us, and the whole Vietnam adoption world. Please pray for us that we will have wisdom to know what to do, and what our next steps should be. We know that God is in complete control, and that His plan will be accomplished.

Finally!

2008-04-18T15:08:00.000-07:00

Finally, there is some hope on the horizon. I just got a call from a friend in our agency who received some good news today. This news doesn't affect us directly, but I hope it will in the long run. I am so happy to hear some good news instead of all the negative stuff that we have been getting since Nov. Maybe, there is some good news for us coming soon!

My Babies sleeping.

2008-04-16T12:44:00.000-07:00

There is nothing more precious than sleeping children.

When you think you have it bad

2008-04-10T13:21:00.000-07:00

Today, I was feeling a little sorry for myself. I was thinking about how long this adoption is taking, and how it isn't fair that we don't have our baby yet. I came across this blog today, and I realized how incredibly selfish I am. When there are days that you think things couldn't get any worse, remember that there are people suffering way more than you ever will. My heart breaks for this family,and I can't get them off my mind. Please pray for this family!!!

Just as a side note, the man you hear singing on my blog, is the father of the baby you will be reading about.

9 Months Baby!!

2008-04-07T07:13:00.000-07:00

I can't believe that you are 9 months old already, and I have never seen you or held you. I pray that I will be able to see your beautiful face, and hold you before your first birthday. We pray for you daily. Sweet baby girl, you are so loved by so many. I hope you have a great day!!!!

Let's Kick 'em while they're down

2008-04-02T19:23:00.000-07:00

So, there is more bad news in the world of Vietnam adoption. Hopefully I will be able to share some more details later, but seriously, how much more do they expect us to take. Will this nightmare never end?

Hold Fast

2008-03-31T16:26:00.000-07:00

I found this video the other day, and I thought about all my fellow adopting moms. There is so much pain and uncertainty with Vietnam adoptions right now. There seems to be new problems and roadblocks almost daily. I know I am not alone in feeling like I want to give up and throw in the towel, but this song is such an encouragement to me. I know that there will be days that I feel like I just can't go on another day, but I dont have to give up. Jesus will be there to carry me through.

2008-03-25T20:13:00.001-07:00

Some pictures of Easter weekend. As you can tell it was cold, that is why Harrison is crying in the first pic. He was cold and wanted to go inside.

My Child

2008-03-20T06:59:00.000-07:00

I posted this poem back in September, and I just recently read it again. It is still my heart.

MY CHILD
My child, I carried you in my heart before you were even born And dared to dream that you were real.
My child, I carried your picture with me since the day I received it, And dared to love a child I was yet to meet.
My child,I carried you in my arms at last,and gazed in helpless wonder at your face, And dared to lose my heart to you.
And now, my child, a dream fulfilled, a prayer answered, a family created, I have dared to become a mom.
And so now, my precious child, I shall carry you home.

2008-03-13T06:20:00.000-07:00

So, I am at the hotel right now, watching my kids swimming and having a great time together. We are having to redo our fingerprints, since they expired in Nov. Tell me, how do fingerprints expire? When I sent in the request to have them done again, I asked for a close location since we have three children, and it would be easier for us not to have to travel several hours to Abbington. They gave us our request, however, they gave us an 8:00 a.m. appointment. I thought that was going to be a problem. We would have to get up at 4am with three tired and cranky kids, travel three hours, spend thirty minutes being fingerprinted, and then turn around and come home. Then we got the great idea to make it fun:-) We all needed some away time. This adoption has gotten SO stressful, and it has taken a toll on all of us.I get stressed and worried, then the kids get cranky and irritable, and then I get more stressed,and they get more cranky. The cycle just keeps going. It was the perfect time to get away, and spend some alone time together.
We are having a great time swimming, sitting in the hot tub, watching cable t.v., eating snacks, and just hanging out. What we thought was going to be a stressful trip, has turned out to be a blessing.

The kids enjoying the luxury of laying in bed, eating, and watching tv. They loved it.

8 months old

2008-03-07T06:47:00.000-08:00

Today, Maya turns 8 months old. I looked up the development of a normal 8 month old, and I pray that Maya is developing normally. This is what I found...

The 8-month-old's motor skills include:
* Crawling and pulling on furniture to stand.
* Needing help to get down from standing.
* Sitting without support for 10 minutes.
* Pinching with the thumb and forefinger.

The 8-month-old's language skills include:
* May say "Ma-Ma" and "Da-Da" but not specifically to parents.
* Understanding simple instructions.
* Shaking head no.

The 8-month-old's mental abilities include:
* Reacting quickly to situations.
* Showing interest in cause-and-effect relationships like making wheels turn or bells sound.
* Anticipating events not related to own behavior like meeting Mom or Dad at the door.
* Solving simple problems.

The 8-month-old's social traits include:
* Shouting for attention.
* Pushing things away that are not wanted.
* Biting and chewing toys.

Please continue to pray for Maya as she is growing. You should hear the prayers that our three small children pray for her on a daily business. They pretty much go like this:
God, please help Maya to get enough food, and please let someone hold her and hug her today, and please, please, let us get her quickly.
They are so precious, and they love their baby sister so much. The other day Harrison(3), went over to our front door, opened it, and said Mama, please go get Maya now. They are so ready for their sister to come home. Please continue to pray for a miracle with us. We are hoping to hear some news, good or bad, sometime in April.

Evil Eyes

2008-02-29T09:29:00.000-08:00

Spring Is Coming

2008-02-25T06:55:00.000-08:00

I know that spring is a few weeks away, but I am feeling springy (I know that's not a word). I am in the mood to spring clean, wear flip flops, and open my windows and let the fresh breeze blow in. I know that it isn't time for that yet, but lately I have had a feeling of renewed hope. Spring is the sign of new life, and I feel a new life of hope stirring inside me. The days of winter have been very dark for me. With so much uncertainty, lack of information, and so much bad news, it has been a very hard, stressful, and depressing last few months. I am not sure what the future holds, or whether we will get this sweet baby or not, but I do know that God has called us to Vietnam and to this adoption. We may be wondering what is going on, and why this has to be so incredibly painful, but I know He is there. He has not left my side. Even when things got very hard and dark, He was there. I was telling a friend the other day that I thought, before we started this adoption, going through 20 hours of labor, and pushing out a 9 1/2 lb. baby without drugs, was going to be harder than this. It's not. This has definitely been harder. Who could have guessed?
Whatever this spring and summer hold, I know that God is working out His plan, and in the end we will get the baby girl He has planned for us. We may have to go through many more dark days, and hard decisions. We may not ever understand why this has been such a hard, stressful journey, but I don't need to know. It is comforting knowing that I am not alone, and the He is there carrying me through one of the toughest times of my life.
Thank you all for your prayers, you don't know how much they have meant to me and my family. I ask that you continue to pray for strength and wisdom for Harry and I, as we anticipate some very hard decisions in the near future. I could not have gotten through this winter without your prayers holding me up. There were days, that I thought that I couldn't go one more day, but I did. Thanks to you, and the Lord holding me in His strong and loving arms.
I can feel the warmth of spring and new hope, but maybe that's because I live in Virginia:-) For those of you buried under the burden of snow and despair, hope and spring are right around the corner.

Many are the plans in a man's heart,
but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.

PROVERBS 19:21

Something you can do

2008-02-21T13:07:00.000-08:00

Hey guys, I wanted to share a website with you that has been shared with me. http://www.bringourchildrenhome.org/601.html A group of prospective adoptive parents have gotten together to draw awareness to the I-600 situation. This process is what started the problems that we are having now. I know I have talked with many of you, and you know the anguish that I/we have been feeling. Here is a chance to do something to help these babies get to their homes, and their families. I would ask that you take the time to look up your Senators and State Representatives, and send them the sample letters that are provided on the website. I found this quote and thought it appropriate:

To see what is right and not to do it is want of courage.
Confucius

2008-02-20T07:27:00.000-08:00

My kids crack me up

2008-02-19T06:54:00.000-08:00

I have been tagged again by another internet friend. So here goes...
THE RULES:

1. List 7 random things about yourself that people may not know.

2. Link the person who sent this to you, and leave a comment on their blog so that their readers can visit yours.

3. Post the rules on your blog.

4. Tag 7 random people at the end of your post, linking their blog. Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

SEVEN RANDOM THINGS ABOUT ME:

1. I am addicted to coffee!!!
2. I still have a crush on my husband!!
3. In high school, and college I played soccer and I won alot of awards (oh, the good old days to be young and flexible)
4. I love the smell of clean laundry.
5. I am a home body.
6. I hate leaving my kids, even when for a few hours.
7. I dont know much about computers,or how to work them (thanks Anna for your help with this.

I was tagged by my friends Anna, and Lori

I now tag: Jenny, Karen, Elizabeth,Anne, Michelle, and Lori

108 days

2008-02-16T10:46:00.000-08:00

I know it has been a couple of weeks since I posted, but I have been very busy. We have been busy with Morgan and Kristian's basketball games. They are having a great time playing, and we are having a great time running around like crazy trying to keep up with it all:-) We have also been pretty positive the past couple of weeks. Since we got the news that we would be hearing something in March. That is when we were supposed to hear more news on Maya. We have been waiting to hear whether or not the I-600's from the 2 other people in our agency, will be approved or not. If they are approved, then Phu Tho has said that they will release our docs that we need to get our I-600 approved. So, this week we found out that they havent even started to process those other I-600's. That means, that we will not be hearing anything until May. Shocked? I'm not. We havent had any good news at all, since Nov. 1. Pho Tho has said that they will release our docs, when the others are approved, I'm not holding my breath. It appears now, that we will not have Maya before her first birthday, if at all. Im sorry that I am being so negative, but to be honest it is really hard right now to be anything but. WE have been on edge now, waiting for something good to happen for 108 days.
I know I always end my post asking you to pray for a specific thing, but I dont know what to ask this time. Nothing seems to be going right. So, I guess that I would ask that you pray that I will not lose faith, and that I will keep looking to Jesus to calm my fears and comfort me and my family.

Sooooo, We're Still Waiting

2008-01-31T07:35:00.000-08:00

It has been one week since we got our last update from our agency. We were told that we probably wont know until March whether or not Phu Tho will release our Consent To Adopt. They are waiting to see how the US Embassy responds to the two that they already released, If they respond positively, they will release our doc., if they dont then I think you can guess the outcome. It is so hard to think that we may be waiting until March, only to lose Maya. We are desperately praying that the US Embassy will tread lightly, and will not tick off Phu Tho, and they they will work in a quick manner. Right now it would be a miracle if we got to her before her first birthday. Would you please pray for a miracle with us? We desperatly want Maya to come home to us, and we would love to spend some time with her before her 1st birthday. Thank you for your prayers!!!!

I Will Lift My Eyes (pause video on right first )

2008-01-08T09:08:00.000-08:00

68 days and counting

2008-01-07T14:33:00.000-08:00

Just thought I would give an update. Maya turns 6 months old today, Woo hoo! I thought we would definitely have her by now, but I guess not. Things are not going as we had hoped, or planned. I would love to tell you that I am optimistic about things, but I can't. I am very discouraged, and I am preparing myself for the loss of our baby. However, I am praying that we will be plesantly surprised with an encouraging phone call soon. Who knows. I will keep you posted.
Please continue to pray for our family as we have recently lost my grandfather, and we are trying to prepare our hearts to lose Maya. Thank you for your continued prayers.

Third Day Christmas song (pause video on right first)

2007-12-18T10:31:00.000-08:00

I wanted to share this song with you, because it is my heart right now. When I first heard this song I started sobbing. Thank you Kate, for sharing it with me!!!!

Laughing baby (pause video on side first)

2007-12-16T13:28:00.000-08:00

I know most of you have seen this before, but it cracks me up everytime I see it.

We are still Waiting!

2007-12-09T13:43:00.000-08:00

We are still waiting on the Phu Tho officials to release our last piece of paperwork. Until they do, we cannot proceed with the adoption.We are praying that God will soften the officials hearts and that they will release it. We have written a letter to the officials asking them to reconsider. Please be praying as that letter will be sent off this week. I am praying that God will protect and save Maya for us, but if He doesn't please pray for us and our children because their little hearts will be broken. They already love her so much. No matter what happens, we know that GOD is in control, and He wants what is best for our family. Thank you for praying for us!

Praise You In This Storm (pause video on the side first)

2007-11-27T12:04:00.000-08:00

As things are really unsettled right now with the adoption, my heart's cry and my desire is that no matter the outcome, I will praise Him in this storm.

PRAYING for good news!

2007-11-26T11:06:00.000-08:00

We are still waiting for our I-600 papers to be filed. The Phu Tho province has not sent the document needed to get the immigration investigation started. I am getting very anxious, but the Lord is continuing to calm my heart and my fears. If ever I have needed His strength and His peace, it is now. Please pray for me as my heart is daily breaking for my sweet baby girl, but also as I am learning to cling to the Lord as he carries me/us through this difficult time.

BE STILL

2007-11-14T09:24:00.000-08:00

For those of you who know me, you know that this part of the adoption process is the hardest for me. THE WAITING! I was fine when I was busy for hours at a time doing the paperwork, because it felt like we were moving closer to our baby girl. This waiting however, is torturous. I can't do anything to move it faster.
Lately, things have been getting more difficult. The I-600 form that has to be approved for the baby to come back into the country, hasn't even started to be processed yet. It takes a minimum of 60 days to process. I was just informed the other day, that the countdown has not even begun yet. That was hard to swallow. I thought we might be going in January, but it is looking like February now. You cannot even imagine the heartache when you think you might have your baby home for Christmas, and now it might not happen till Feb.

BUT! God has been working on me. I was laying bed last night crying, and praying. I was crying out to Him to show me what I could do to move this along faster, and this morning He gave me a verse.

Exodus 14:14
" The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still."

I just wanted to share that with you, because it is amazing how much He loves us, and just how involved He is with our lives! Please pray that I will Be Still.

2007-11-11T19:02:00.000-08:00

Here are the Halloween pics that I promise. Morgan was a Victorian princess, Kristian was Jack Sparrow, and Harrison was batman. Apparently, batman growls. I didn't know that till Halloween night :-) They had so much fun, and got a ton of candy. I don't think they fell asleep until after midnight. Woohoo for the mom and dad!!!

2007-11-07T04:48:00.000-08:00

Thank you Jennifer for putting this together for us!!!

Many of you have asked when we will be traveling. To answer your question, "We don't know".
Normally we would have been in country within four weeks of receiving our referral, but the laws have just been changed. Effective Oct.29 we now have to file our I-600 (baby's immigration papers) from here instead of in Vietnam. This process is supposed to take 60 days. We are still praying that God will work things out so that we can have our baby home for Christmas, if not we will praise Him for His perfect timing.

God Is Good!!!!

2007-11-03T08:46:00.000-07:00

We can hardly believe that we have a picture of our beautiful baby girl. I have been carrying it everywhere with me. I went out to dinner with some girlfirends last night, and I took the picture. I've been getting compliments on her already, and she's not even here yet. :-)
The kids are so excited to finally see her. Harrison (3), everytime he sees her picture he asks, is that my baby? So CUTE!
I ask that you keep praying for her. Now that we all have seen her face, we can picture her when we are praying. Please pray that God will continue to bless her with good health, protection, comfort, and quick travel for her parents so she can finally be held in their loving, anxious, arms.
Thank you all, who have been continually praying for her. Keep her in your prayers as we get ready to go get our baby girl.

2007-11-01T14:06:00.000-07:00

HERE IS OUR BABY MAYA!!!!!!

Her name is Hua Thi Ha.

She was born on July 7, 2007.

At two months she weighed 9lbs, and was 21 inches long.

Praise God for answerd prayers!!!!

2007-10-30T11:21:00.000-07:00

Hoping for some good news, SOON!!!!

Passing the Time

2007-10-22T15:15:00.000-07:00

What do the Pence's do while waitng for their baby girl? They go FISHING!!!!!

2007-10-22T15:06:00.000-07:00

2007-10-22T15:02:00.000-07:00

Am I cute enough?

2007-10-22T14:58:00.000-07:00

2007-10-22T14:45:00.000-07:00

2007-10-22T14:39:00.000-07:00

Such a beauty!!!

2007-10-22T14:35:00.000-07:00

Kristian loves fishing!!

2007-10-22T14:30:00.000-07:00

Morgan baiting her hook for the first time. She did great and with minimal screaming!!!!

2007-10-22T14:24:00.000-07:00

Harrison's Idea of Fishing

2007-10-22T14:19:00.000-07:00

Sad News

2007-10-18T06:15:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, was the day that we all thought we would get our referrals. I walked around the house all day holding the phone, because I was afraid I would miss "the call". Instead we all got bad news. Some of the families were told that their referrals were being withdrawn. I cannot imagine the pain that they are feeling right now. I just want all of you who were given this news to know, that Harry and I are praying for you, and our hearts are breaking with yours.
We were told that things are going to take much longer than expected. I'm hoping to be able to get some more details today, but having her before Christmas is not looking good. If you have been praying with us, I ask that you continue to do so. We have heavy hearts today, but we know that God is still in control. This is all in His timing. Please pray that we will keep that in our minds, and that we will glorify Him through this.

Seven Weeks and Counting

2007-10-17T06:49:00.000-07:00

Today marks seven weeks since we first heard about our baby. We are hoping for some good news today, or hopefully, this week. Things here are going great! The kids are doing great in school. Morgan is loving 3rd grade, except for her Math. She REALLY does not like math ( I wonder where she gets that from). Kristian is starting to read! Yeah! So, things are moving along normally. It's hard to believe that we will be leaving the country soon, and our lives will be so different after that. The kids are excited to have a new baby sister, and to go hang out with their grandparents for a few weeks. We will probably be gone from home for about five weeks. We are planning on going up to Pa a few days before we leave to help the kids get settled in. Then, we are planning to spend about a week or more with them recovering from jet lag. We figured it would be best to have a little help with the four children since we will probably be exhausted. So, I probably won't see most of you for quite awhile. We are praying that we will be back before Christmas and during the Christmas season. If you would pray with us that way we would really appreciate it. Thank you, all who have been praying for us!

2007-10-06T21:01:00.000-07:00

O.K., so you may wish that I would write about something other than the cute things that my kids do, but I can't. I love telling you their cute little stories. The other day I sent Kristian into his room to clean, and I told him I would be in to check on him. This is how I found him. Does it get any cuter?

Halloween Last Year

2007-10-06T17:43:00.000-07:00

Our kids picked out their costumes today. They can't wait to get all dressed up for Halloween. Morgan wants to be a Victorian princess, Kristian wants to be a pirate, and Harrison is going to be batman. Our church has a big fall festival where the kids can play games for candy, eat yummy goodies, and get their faces painted, they love it. So, I thought I would post last year's pictures of Halloween, and then in a few weeks show you how much they have changed in a year. Wow, how time flies!

My baby's bed

2007-10-04T16:33:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited!!!! I got the highest bid on Ebay for the baby's comforter set. Woo Hoo!

Now, the painting begins!

...and the waiting continues

2007-10-04T07:00:00.000-07:00

It has now been 5 weeks since we first received news about our baby girl. At that time we were told she was just 2 months old, but until we get the official referral we won't know for sure. Harry and I are trying to keep our minds busy with projects around the house. I just finished painting the kitchen, I love it it! It looks like an Olive Garden. I know that I will probably gain about 5 pounds, because it makes me want to make some Italian food :-) We are still working on the nursery, that used to be Harrison's room. I am bidding on a beautiful baby comforter on Ebay, and when I get it we will know what color we need to paint the nursery. Our church has alot going on this month, and Harrison turns 3 at the end of Oct. So, we have alot going to keep our minds oocupied, yet they always trail back to our precious little baby.
So, Harrison and I were talking this morning about his birthday coming up, and I'm teaching him to say he's three years old. Kristian comes in and says you're going to be three, and Harrison says (quite firmly) no, I'm going to be three years old! Cracked me up. They say the cutest little things.

2007-09-28T13:20:00.000-07:00

Just thought I would give y'all an update. We received an email last night from our agency, that said it would be another 4 weeks before we will get the "official" referral. My heart is breaking right now, as I realize that we will probably be going to Vietnam during the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons. I will be missing my children's Christmas plays, their Christmas parties, their breakfast with Santa, and so many more activities. I am praying that God will comfort my heart as I prepare to go get our baby girl, knowing that I am missing my children's favorite time of year.
Morgan, my 8 year old, saw me crying and said, "don't worry Mama, there will be many more Christmas plays and Christmas' that we will share together." Wow, out of the mouth of babes! I know God is trying to comfort my heart, even through my children. Please pray that I will receive His comfort, and surrender all of this to Him.

2007-09-26T12:21:00.000-07:00

MY CHILD
My child, I carried you in my heart before you were even born And dared to dream that you were real.
My child, I carried your picture with me since the day I received it, And dared to love a child I was yet to meet.
My child,I carried you in my arms at last,and gazed in helpless wonder at your face, And dared to lose my heart to you.
And now, my child, a dream fulfilled, a prayer answered, a family created, I have dared to become a mom.
And so now, my precious child, I shall carry you home.

We Finally Picked a Name

2007-09-24T10:34:00.000-07:00

For those of you whom I haven't told, we finally picked a name for the baby. Her name will be Maya, meaning precious little one. Morgan wanted her name to begin with a M, like hers because she wanted her sister to have the same initials as she does. We had been thinkg about Madison, because that's the name Morgan liked. However, I didn't have a peace about that name. So we kept looking for a "M" name, and we finally found it. Another meaning of her name is, a creative work of God. How appropriate is that for our baby. This whole journey has been exactly that. We aren't sure what her middle name will be. We are thinking that we would like to use her Vietnamse name as her middle name, but we will see.

Still No News

2007-09-22T11:49:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to let you know that we still have no new info. We are hoping to hear something next week or at the latest the week after.
God is really having to teach me patience. It has been hard this week, because a friend of mine brought over some of her baby clothes, and just picturing our baby in them got me wishing I could hold her. However, I know that this is all in God's timing, and we need to just be patient and wait on Him.
Keep praying for our sweet baby girl, we know that she is safe in God's arms.

2007-09-13T10:18:00.000-07:00

I thought that I would share with you the verses that God gave to Harry and I throughout this whole adoption process. There were times that we were not completely clear that this was what He wanted us to do. However, He started to show us some verses that confirmed to us that this was His calling on our lives. There are so many, so I will share only a few now, and maybe some more later.

Roamans 8:15
"For you have not received the Spirit of bondage again to fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, ABBA, Father."

2Corinthinas 1:3-4
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of Compassion and the God of all comforts, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort that we ourselves have received from God."

Matthew 18:5
"And whosoever welcomes a child like this in my name welcomes me."

Isaiah 55:8-9
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher that the earth so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

Proverbs 16:9
"In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps."

James 2:27
"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is these: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."

This verse recently has really spoken to me:
Matthew 25 :34-40
"Then the king will say to those on his right ,'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. Then the righteous will answer him, Lord When did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go visit you?
The KING will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these, you did it for me."

I just wanted to share these with you, because they have meant so much to Harry and I. Thank you all for your prayers!!!!!

A Tentative Referral

2007-08-29T21:04:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone,
Just wanted to let you know that tonight we received a tentative referral. We are so excited!!!! We don't have many details on her yet, but we do know which province she is from. They told us we will get our official referral within a 4-6 weeks. That will include her picture, name, weight , and medical information. We will let you know as soon as we hear more. We are so excited, ans are starting to get things organized and ready to get our baby.
Yeah!!!!!!

Our Life

2007-08-28T12:33:00.001-07:00

Many of you know that Harry and I home school our children. Morgan is in third grade this year, Kristian is in Kindergarten, and Harrison is into everything :-) We are so thankful for the opportunity to teach our children. I'm especially glad for the distractions that it causes. When I am starting to feel anxious about the adoption, and that nothing is happening yet, the kids bring me right back to reality.
The other day I laid Harrison down for his nap, and sent the older two outside so I could eat my lunch. I was just finishing up, when I heard Harrison hysterically laughing. I went to check on him, only to find him standing on the dresser with the window wide open, and Kristian spraying him through the window with a hose! Aagh!!! I cleaned him up, went outside to talk with Kristian, and found he and Morgan covered from head to toe with mud. Literally, head to toe!! At the time I got VERY frustrated, but God is showing me that the things my children get into (and that's alot) are keeping me from getting over anxious about the adoption. I praise Him for my children, and their messes!!!!!

Our Story

2007-08-27T16:11:00.000-07:00

So here is the story I promised.
Back in the summer of 2005, Harry and I sold a piece of property that he had been given as a boy for Christmas. We had talked and talked about what we would do with the money that we received. We both had big ideas for the money. I wanted to use the money for a downpayment on a bigger house, and he wanted to invest it. We were in the process of making a decision, when I was invited to a Steven Curtis Chapman concert. For any of you who have been to his concerts, you know that he does a big promo. for adoptions. I cried through the entire thing. Afterwards I filled out a card requesting more information. When the packet and DVD came we sat down to watch it and we both cried. I started feeling a tugging at my heart, but I didn't act on it.
A few days later,while making PB&J's for our three children, I felt the Lord telling me that He wanted us to adopt. He reminded me that this was His money, and He wanted us to use it to glorify Him. This money was to be used for something eternal, not something temporary and materialistic. So, I went to Harry and asked him to pray about it. He agreed. We prayed for a year and a half. Last August was when we both felt that, yes we should this. So we started the paperwork and our journey. It has not been easy, but we know that this is what God wants for us. He will give us our baby girl in his timing. So, for now we are resting in Him,and learning a great deal of patience.
Again we thank you all for your prayers.

2007-08-26T13:49:00.001-07:00

Hi Everyone,
We thought we would start this blog so all of you could follow 0ur journey to our baby girl in Vietnam. For those of you who don't know, all of our paperwork is done and we are in the waiting process now. We are currently number 6 on the waiting list. We can't wait for our referral to come. We are hoping it will be in the month of September. Thanks to all of you who have been praying for us, and who are always interested to hear of our journey (as boring as it may be) Many of you may wonder why we have embarked upon this journey. In this next post I will tell the complete story! I've gotcha on the edge of your seat don't I? ;_)