Children of the World

In Matthew 19:13-14, little children were brought to Jesus, "… for him to place his hands on them and pray for them." The disciples rebuked the children for interrupting what they considered a serious discussion with their Master. But Jesus chastised the disciples saying,
"Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." This verse shows the priority Jesus places on children. Not only does He order His disciples to make a way for the children, Jesus makes a distinct parallel between children and heaven.

The pictures above are me with a Bible class of 3 year olds; my friend Abbey who was born in China; Mollie who was born in Guatemala and came home to her mom early in 2007; my friend Hannah and her mom; my friend Keziah who came home eariler this year; me with one of my 17 nieces and nephews; and me with children who live in Jovenes en Camino Children's Home in Honduras.

Chinese Lullaby - Mama Hao

Chinese Lullaby - Mama Hao
Similar to “Hush Little Baby” in the English-speaking world, this is the lullabye Chinese children learn, "Mamo Hao" or "Mama is the Best (in All the World)".

Mama Hao (Mandarin)

Shi shang zhi you mama hao
You ma de hai zi xiang ge bao.
Tou jin mama de huai bao
Xin fu xiang bu liao.

Shi shang zhi you mama hao
Mei ma de hai zi xiang ge cao
Li kai mama de huai bao
Xin fu na li zhao.


English translation:

Only Mama is the best in all the world
With a mama, you have the most valued treasure.
Jump into mama’s heart and
You have endless happiness.

Only Mama is the best in all the world
Without a mama you are like a piece of grass,
Away from mama's heart,
Where will you find happiness?

Video

Here is the link to a cute little video put together by Holt Adoption agency of families meeting ther babies for the first time. The woman who wrote & sings the song is an adoptive mom, of a Chinese child, herself. I hope you enjoy it! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yHTaxn_aDM

I haven't gotten much done to her room yet, but I've gotten these things for her room. The bedding is from the Ashley Collection at Pottery Barn Kids. I actually ordered the window covering in "apple green". It's from the Company Store.

Anniversary

Today is the 1 year anniversary of my LID, so my daughter is very much on my mind today. For those of you not so familiar with adoption language, my LID is the date the Chinese government officially recognized that they had my paperwork. When I started this process, the time from LID to referral was 6-7 months. Right now, the wait is more like 17 months and may very well lengthen before I get my referral. I'm planning for a fall/winter referral and then Jill and I will travel to China to pick up my little girl 6-8 weeks after that. I know in my mind that God's timing is perfect, but a year and a half is a very long time to be expecting a child:)
So keep us in your prayers - pray that I may be patient and remember that God is in control and that His timing is perfect. Pray that my daughter is safe and warm, has plenty of food to eat, a comfortable place to sleep and play, and people who love her to care for her until she comes home.

“Daughters of China”
Tim Chauvin

There’s an unseen tie that binds them
A red thread that will not break.
They are woven in a tapestry
It took five thousand years to make.

Their eyes are wide with wonder
Tiny hands reach out to touch
The faces of the families
Who have wanted them so much.

The daughters of China now fly across the seas,
Off to unseen places and possibilities.
They are gifts to those who cherish them
By those who just could not.
Acts of hope and faith and love
That we never will forget.

They were given up for reasons
That most will never know.
Now they are daughters to the families
Who have come to take them home.

And someday they’ll too be mothers
And have children and a home.
Thread by thread they will tie the knots
To weave new tapestries all their own.

The daughters of China now fly across the seas,
Off to unseen places and possibilities.
They are gifts to those who cherish them
By those who just could not.
Acts of hope and faith and love
That we never will forget.

Adoption Timeline

Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in Your book were all written the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them. Psalms 139:16

• September 2000 - First contact with A Helping Hand Adoption (AHH) Agency
• July 2005 - Official application mailed to AHH
• November 2005 - Notified by AHH that I was at the top of the "singles list" and could officially start the process
• February 17, 2006 - Dossier to China (DTC) - this is the date my paperwork was mailed to China
• March 14, 2006 - Log In Date (LID) - this is the date China officially recognized they had received my paperwork
• July 2006 - One year anniversary of my application to AHH.
• March 14, 2007 - One year anniversary of LID - the wait continues
• April 13, 2007 - Redoing my paperwork officially begins -Refingerprinting done at USCIS
• April 19, 2007 - Received revised I171H with amended fingerprint expiration date
• May 9, 2007 - Refingerprinted for my homestudy at NBCI, Inc. - the fourth, and hopefully, final fingerprinting for this adoption!!!!!
• June 6, 2007 - 4:30pm - Minor meltdown as I wait for my homestudy visit; nearly 2 years, 4 sets of fingerprints, 2 home studies, numerous forms, thousands of dollars and I still have months to wait until I bring my daughter home. It's lovely to have 5 sisters to choose from to call when you have a meltdown! Sisters are a gift from God - it's an incredible blessing to know I have several who can always help me though tough times.
• June 6, 2007 - 6:10pm - Home visit for the addendum to my homestudy done
• June 29, 2007 - Submitted renewal for I600A. Hopefully for the last time.
• July 2007 - Two year anniversary of my application to AHH.
• July 20, 2007 - Recieved my updated I171-H - guess I'm good for another 18 months. Please Lord, don't let it take that long.
• July 2008 - Three year anniversary of my application to AHH
• January 2009 - Third round of updates; fifth set of fingerprints
• March 21, 2009 at 12:21pm - I get my referral call. I have a daughter!!
• June 1, 2009 - Travel conference call with AHH and the other families I'll be traveling with. Our anticipated date of departure is July 23; our anticipated "Gotcha Day" is July 26th!!!!!

Me as a toddler - I know she won't look like me, but I can't help but wonder if she'll be like me!

Why China?

Sonogram

I never thought I'd have a sonogram that looked like this!