tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63784205228049854482024-03-12T21:23:09.211-05:00Long Road to China - our adoption storySmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06113350681268292701noreply@blogger.comBlogger194125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6378420522804985448.post-21028071747043133732014-05-12T14:20:00.002-05:002014-05-12T14:21:16.312-05:00Callings......<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">This is such a great <a href="http://vimeo.com/93629995" target="_blank">video</a>! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I can relate to Deb so much.</span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">As we were going through the process of
adopting GiGi, I remember seeing older children needing homes & sometimes I
would see a family on my Facebook friend's list, adopt an older orphan.</span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I remember thinking "WOW!</span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">That's great others can adopt these
kids.</span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I don't understand how but I'm
glad others can give them the love and family they really need.” </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I verbalized to Phil & others many times
that I could never adopt an older child but I was glad God called others to do
so.</span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Why not? For me, I saw the older children as<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"> - having too much hurt<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"> - having too much
trauma/baggage<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"> - high probability of having attachment/bonding issues<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"> - too high risk<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Do you know what I've learned since then? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b><u>It's NOT about ME!</u></b>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Deb (in the above video) also said "God told me she is supposed to be my
daughter. What the heck am I supposed to
do about that?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I completely understand what Deb meant by that statement
because when we were called to adopt Guan Ya, it was a very strong
calling. Until we started the road to
adoption, I didn't know if I even believed these strong callings others claimed
to have about things. We had never
before experienced such a strong calling and this (adopting an older child) was
something I didn't think I was capable of doing. Our family had always been very close and how
could I.........well, I'm still learning. I'm not perfect but I love all
our children no matter what. Each day my
goal is to show them that I love them selflessly & unconditionally and that Christ loves them even more than I do (even though my small mind cannot wrap around the thought of more love than my heart holds for them).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Phil & I were talking on the way home from Biloxi
yesterday. He asked me if I had ever
thought about the people God calls for certain tasks. God has been calling unskilled & ordinary
people for jobs since the beginning of time.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">We spoke about Mary.
Why was Mary chosen to be Jesus’ mother? </span></div>
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<a href="https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/t31.0-8/10003839_618471594896297_2805278652010143382_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/t31.0-8/10003839_618471594896297_2805278652010143382_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">(Picture provided by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GiGisLight" target="_blank">GiGi's Light Photography</a>)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">What an incredible role Mary played in the Word.</span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">She wasn’t some awesome & great mother
that was chosen to be the mother of Jesus; nope, she didn't have children & wasn't even married.</span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">How likely was it
that she was the most skilled?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Phil & I spoke of Paul & how he never thought he
was a great speaker. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">We also discussed David.
Do we really think he was prepared & “the best man for the job” to
battle the 9+ft tall <span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #333333;">Philistine giant</span>, Goliath? David was the youngest of his brothers &
even had to persuade King Saul<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>to
let him battle Goliath. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #333333;">We
discussed many other examples in the Bible and we in no way compare to them but
our role is important – just as yours!</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">In the wise words
of my husband on why we were chosen: “Niki, you know we have way more heart than
money and skills and that is why we were called to adopt. He takes care of the rest.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">No
doubt! We don’t always have all
the answers laid before us but our Father knows best so we follow His lead on
our next steps! Yes, we are very blessed and He is always by our side. </span> <o:p></o:p></div>
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If He is calling you for a job & you feel unprepared, remember He knows best. Follow by Faith & He will provide the rest.</div>
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If you are interested in knowing more about Project HOPEFUL, you can visit their Faceboook page <a href="https://www.facebook.com/projectHOPEFUL?fref=nf" target="_blank">here</a> & their website <a href="http://www.projecthopeful.org/" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06113350681268292701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6378420522804985448.post-79931150444265698392014-03-05T11:55:00.000-06:002014-03-05T12:39:30.857-06:00One Year – Where are we now?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro Bold","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">It’s
been 1 year since we met our eldest daughter.
I know many of you followed us on that journey and probably remember the
stress we had just up to a few days before we left for China. Our daughter, Guan Ya, was aging out (meaning
she would be ineligible for adoption on her 14th birthday 3/9/13). I don’t think we ever went into great details
about how unsure we were about if the paperwork would go through until we got
on the plane to China – even then, we didn’t have all appointments set up. We just trusted God to get us there in time
(with NO delays in travel; we were REALLY pushing that close to getting her in
time) because that is all we had to rely on since the time we started the
process to adopt her. We knew we were
called to adopt her but nothing made sense.
We followed on blind faith and unsurprisingly He provided. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro Bold","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Where
are we now? I think that is a question I
ponder often because I wonder myself from time to time. There are times like this morning where
things seem perfect. Perfect in the
sense of, I get a big smile & “I Love you” as I drop ALL the kids off at
school. However, also perfect in the
sense of, I hear sibling fussing & typical teen behaviors &
attitude. Then there are days that often
turn into weeks that I think “I’m just not cut out for this! And I pled for God
to remind me why He would pick ME for this task.” Those are the days that many may think I
should not expose but I wouldn’t be painting a true picture if I said
everything was great! I know teens can
be trying & difficult & unappreciative but it goes so much deeper than
that during these trying times. We may
go through longer periods of “Perfect Times” & then I am almost robbed like
a thief in the night when the “Hard Times” show up. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro Bold","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I
feel people will think “What a terrible parent” about me for telling it like it
is here but maybe others that are walking this walk can have comfort they are
not alone. However, I think until you
have reared a hard child that has come from a tough past it is hard to fully
understand. I still absolutely love Guan
Ya as I do all our kids but if you want to face the facts, she doesn’t come
from the same background as our other children – even GiGi. GiGi was only 2y/o when we adopted her so she
had not formed her own being & all GiGi remembers is us as family. GiGi is happy and loving and doesn’t carry
all the baggage that a teen (that remembers being left on the streets alone)
carries with her. Guan Ya also is
bitter. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro Bold","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I
think she is not only bitter about being left by her father but she has told me
how mad she is that she is deaf. I
encourage her to embrace her deafness but GUAN YA wants to hear and SHE wants
to speak. I’ve been bombarded with
negativity at times because GUAN YA wants to hear & speak and honestly I
had too much other stress & other things to deal with. This is one reason I stopped blogging about
Guan Ya & about how she was progressing; I just didn’t have time for the judgment
from others when I was going to do what was best for my daughter anyway.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Adobe Garamond Pro Bold, serif; font-size: medium;">We
adopted Guan Ya knowing she was deaf and we knew she may never hear nor
speak. We adopted her with no
expectations of her ever hearing or speaking.
However, I want to stress the point that GUAN YA wanted to hear before
she ever met us! 1 year ago Guan Ya had
the Chinese interrupter ask us a question that broke my heart. The question from Guan Ya: “Will I be able to hear when I get to
America?” I promised her that day that
we would investigate every avenue that she wanted to search to help her hear to
her maximum potential. We put that search
on the back-burner this summer after being told time after time by audiologists
that Guan Ya would never hear spoken language.
At that time, other things were pressing (bonding, schooling, etc.) and
we promised Guan Ya that when the time was right we would explore more if she
wanted us to. Honestly, this wait has
only made Guan Ya angry at me. I think
she feels betrayed because I have promised to explore further but she doesn’t
understand the concept of waiting. It is
not a matter of “lost in translation” (side note: communication is going really
well for all of us right now) but she does not like to wait on anything. At this time, we are still waiting on
insurance before we can explore further her options for hearing. It frustrates me to no end that we cannot
continue until we have insurance straight but it angers Guan Ya. I’ve explained over and over that we cannot
afford the doctor visits & doctor’s recommendations without insurance coverage
and that is why we wait. She understands
why we wait because I’ve been very detailed to educate her about insurance and
the process. It still angers her &
she turns her anger on me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro Bold","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I
know that many of you reading may think I’m bitter but I’m honestly just
telling you the “real” story today.
There are weeks that our family is torn inside out & it’s pure Hell
but there are other times I’m so grateful to function as a “normal family”
(whatever that is but it’s not the Hell we experience at other times). I also realize that those of you that feel
like you know Guan Ya personally would never believe she is like this or that
she could act like this. Our daughter is
a smart girl and she knows how to & when to behave but home is where she is
most comfortable so this is where she acts out.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro Bold","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I
know by now, you are thinking about me: “Where is your compassion for your
daughter? Don’t you realize she has had
a hard time with adjustment & a hard time with her past life? Don’t you know
this isn’t easy for her? Don’t you
realize teens are different?” Yes, I
realize every bit of this but until you see the rage that can fly (and I will
not go into details) it’s hard for you to understand completely. I
think Guan Ya has been treated as the poor orphan girl with a hard past life so
much that she doesn’t feel like the same rules apply to her. I do realize this but she is also my daughter
and she is no longer an orphan child. Guan Ya has been treated so differently
(and not in a bad way) at times that she feels entitled to better; at home she
is my child and she doesn’t like following the same rules or getting in any
trouble when she is wrong/disobeys or being told “No, you can’t have xxxx”
(just as we tell our other children). We completely take her past into consideration
but we’ve had to find tough love too. I
would be doing her a complete injustice if I did not treat her as her
siblings. I believe she has to learn to
live in the world and she needs to learn rules & boundaries apply to her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro Bold","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">On
the other hand, Guan Ya is a very sweet girl. Yes, I know that seems to completely
contradict some of the previous but this is our true life picture. My life often feels very bipolar and if you
see me, I likely look exhausted…..for good reason! lol Guan Ya attended our
state deaf school from August 8 to December 20.
During that time, I put 10,000 miles on my car driving back and forth to
Jackson, MS. That was such a stressful
period of my life when I didn’t have all 4 kids under one roof. We honestly thought this was the best option
for Guan Ya and there were definitely some good things from the
experience. However, that is not the
best place for her at this point. In January,
Guan Ya started to school at our little public school that I attended from
kindergarten and graduated from. She loves school at our local school which her
2 siblings also attend. Guan Ya is
trying hard and learning a lot. Our
daughter is very determined and stubborn and we try to keep that channeled into
good scenarios. She gives us no trouble
at all with school. We have also all
learned a lot of ASL after school hours and are forever grateful to our private
teacher. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro Bold","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Most
of you know this but for those of you that do not follow me on Facebook, we
lost our home to fire on December 19 (just 11 weeks ago). We lost everything and have been living in a
motel. I won’t lie, it’s been tough –
REAL tough but I think better days are ahead.
I know the fire and hurt will always remain with us but we are finally
seeing fewer tears and more smiles and laughter. The screaming, crying, sweating nightmares
from one of our children were more heartbreaking than I can explain in
words. Within the next couple weeks we
will finally not be calling the motel home but we will be living in our storage
building that was not destroyed by fire – THANK YOU to some WONDERFUL VOLUNTEER
FIREFIGHTERS! The renovation will start
soon to turn it into a living space & we will call it home for a while…….I
never thought I’d be excited to call that 700sq ft space “home” but we are so
ready to be out of this motel. I will
also start looking for a job again. This
is very scary for me because I have been a stay at home working mom for 11
years now. I had an online jewelry
supply business but I’ve been unable to work since the fire. I have very mixed emotions about this but I
honestly believe it will be a good thing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Adobe Garamond Pro Bold, serif; font-size: medium;">One
year ago, I thought “wow, what a journey! I’m ready to slow down and for some
stability!” However, that obviously wasn't in God’s plan. In the last year, so much
has happened and changed in our lives – my head has not stopped spinning! I guess you can say we are a work in progress
& He’s still working on me. I don’t
know where God will lead us or what doors He will open or what job He will call
me to or ….honestly, I don’t seem to know much these days! Lol This is what I know “He’s got this!” so I try
to let the cards unfold in His timing but I’m definitely not a patient person!
Prayers are still appreciated and if you want to hear about our life events
& mostly happy times, feel free to follow me on Facebook. We have been blessed and I would jump on a
plan at the last minute again for Guan Ya.
No one has been promised an easy ride but we have learned to make the
most of each situation and trust His lead.
Life has been stressful over the last year but we have been more blessed
than I could ever imagine. Thank you to
each of you that have provided for us and blessed us in any way! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06113350681268292701noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6378420522804985448.post-76394509119331754412013-07-05T16:49:00.005-05:002013-07-05T16:49:57.679-05:00Wow! Summer is 1/2 way over<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hey2kMjjWWA/UdcpP4FI2eI/AAAAAAAACrw/Iyt3N81khdY/s1600/GiGi+at+Piney+Grove+June+2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hey2kMjjWWA/UdcpP4FI2eI/AAAAAAAACrw/Iyt3N81khdY/s320/GiGi+at+Piney+Grove+June+2013.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Nyala; font-size: 16.0pt;">I see my
baby girl in all her joyfulness & adorableness and I can't help but hear
Frank singing<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Harrington; font-size: 16.0pt;">"Ain't she sweet? See her walking down that street.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Harrington; font-size: 16.0pt;">Yes I ask you very confidentially, ain't she sweet?<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Harrington; font-size: 16.0pt;">Ain't she nice? Look her over once or twice.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Harrington; font-size: 16.0pt;">Yes I ask you very confidentially, ain't she nice?<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Harrington; font-size: 16.0pt;">Just cast an eye in her direction, </span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Harrington; font-size: 16.0pt;">oh me oh my, ain't that
perfection?"<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Nyala; font-size: 16.0pt;">It's
hard to believe that this time last year we were anxiously booking plane
tickets to go get this baby!!! At that time, we had no idea how much our family
needed her!!!! GiGi is spoiled rotten but loved more than she will ever know!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Nyala; font-size: 16.0pt;">I can't bear
to think this sweet baby with all her perfection could still be laying in an
orphanage! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Nyala; font-size: 16.0pt;"><b>Who couldn't love this baby???</b> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Nyala; font-size: 16.0pt;">I honestly believe every life she has touched loves GiGi! I believe she was loved by her biological mother & she was left for a better life - I wish she could see GiGi now! I pray often for her mother that had to make the unthinkable decision to leave this blessing; I honestly cannot imagine the pain she has to endure! I believe she was loved by the orphanage, but they just didn't have the hands needed to care for all the children & all children deserve to live in a loving home....not an institution! And I know that every person that has met GiGi since we have been blessed with her falls in love with her! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>I am grateful everyday for being chosen as the mother for all 4 of our precious children! Each were placed in my arms & I am humbled each day to know of all the mothers in the world, God chose me to give these gifts!</b></span></div>
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<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: xx-large;">How can anyone not see that we are the blessed ones???</b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We have been so busy since we got back from China with Guan Ya that I have not updated our blog as I did prior to leaving. It is easy to type in a few phrases on Facebook or upload from my phone pictures to FB so if you follow us on FB, you have viewed many of our pictures. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For those of you not on FB, I wanted to share some pictures of our blessings. The ones labeled stamped "GiGi's Light" are pictures from our photography business that we are gearing up. It has taken awhile to get back to a point we can start taking pictures again. We hope to use this God given talent to help get us out of adoption debt and to support our family (that has grown 2xs over one year - what an unexpected blessing!). </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You can find us on FB </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/GiGisLight" target="_blank"><b>GiGi's Light Photography</b></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">to see more of our work, book an appointment, or ask questions.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Phil is working on a website and we will post a link when it is finished! We hope to not only showcase our work, but to help others by discussing the technical side of photography for all of you that like that aspect! We hope to share our knowledge & love of photography to help others! This is from the words of Phil about the website:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: Nyala; line-height: 115%;">"Stay tuned for the launch of our website. We will showcase our
photography, but also look closely at the art of photography. We will discuss
the duality of GiGi's Light. Niki covers the pretty and I cover the gritty. We
will deconstruct some of our favorite photos and talk cameras, lenses, and the
digital darkroom. So, we hope that you'll drop by when everything is up and
running."</span><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: Nyala; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You may find more pictures of Macy in the GiGi's Light pictures because she loves the camera and to take pictures. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The other kids - not as much! Guan Ya hasn't agreed to a photoshoot yet but when she does, you will see the pictures! :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We love photography but try not to irritate our children excessively by our love of photography when they don't love to get in front of the camera! We've been asked before why we don't take more professional pictures of our other children & it is by their choice. Do not fret, you will find many snap shot or phone camera pictures of all of them! :0)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">With out further rambling, our blessings!!!!!!!</span></div>
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Cousin Love!</div>
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Guan Ya gettting her ears pierced! </div>
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They love their Daddy!</div>
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Such a Silly Girl!</div>
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Bella Kate learns the Chinese squat from Guan Ya! </div>
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He maybe 4 legged, but he is the biggest baby of the house!</div>
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SCOUT!</div>
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The most gentle dog I've ever known! He returns the pet hamster (when it escapes) in his mouth without hurting it.......but kills moles outside!</div>
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I wonder why GiGi loves to go biking so well????</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">More cousin love!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The reason we don't make our kids take pictures when they don't want to take pictures! lol</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thank you each one for following our story! We continue to share because our hope is that you will find an unexpected blessing or be touched in a special way though the blessings we have been given! </span></div>
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Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06113350681268292701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6378420522804985448.post-67316174294398223402013-06-18T15:58:00.001-05:002013-06-18T15:58:05.667-05:00Story on WTVA<span style="font-size: large;">This is story C.J. LeMaster did for WTVA on our journey</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.wtva.com/news/local/story/Mother-gives-adopted-Chinese-daughter-new-life/THD8Hixo-Ee5Jk1jWk7NMw.cspx#.UcDFWfAorGy.blogger">Mother gives adopted Chinese daughter new life</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Each day we keep learning & plugging away! All of our kids are doing great & get along amazingly well! We couldn't have asked for it to be any better! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">This adoption drained us every way possible! I'm not sure we will ever completely recover from the financial or emotional stress it took to get Guan Ya home! The financial strain was a combo of the 2 adoptions in 1 year! I would do it all again in a heartbeat! She is worth every bit of it! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">If it was not for true angels on earth that aided us in Guan Ya's adoption, we would not have been able to bring her home. Guan Ya is the happy & beautiful girl that so many of you invested in her life! I want everyone to know what a blessing you are to Guan Ya & all of us! We have been blessed & are forever grateful!</span><br />
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Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06113350681268292701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6378420522804985448.post-24860915401868892702013-04-21T21:28:00.001-05:002013-04-21T21:32:31.170-05:001 month......<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">(This post was started on Friday so even though I'm easily confused I realize it's not still the 19th. I am too lazy tonight to rewrite. lol)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large; text-align: left;">Wow! Where do I even start! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I know we've made national news coverage and many of you have seen bits of our story though your local newspaper or through FaceBook.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">This was the date I had intended on typing an update for some time. Why? Well today is April 19 & we arrived back in the US from our last trip from China on March 19. Yeap, one month ago! It seems like so much longer to me that we have been a family of 6.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">How are we doing? How are we adjusting? How is Guan Ya? Honestly, we are all doing great! Guan Ya is a 14 year old teenager and I could not expect her to be adjusting any better. I do not just say that, but I honestly mean it! The biggest problem we have in our home is that there are 3 girls and 1 boy. Needless to say as most siblings, the girls tend to team up on their brother. He is a little out numbers but loves to aggravate & the girls all love to tattle on him. Sound like any other family you know? Typical siblings! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I've had many say - Isn't Guan Ya just so thankful that you got her out of the orphanage and gave her hope, love, & a future that she otherwise wouldn't have? Listen, Guan Ya is a 14 year old teen! Were you grateful to your parents when you were that age or were you moody and thought your parents were crazy with no taste to fashion and just had no sense? She is just like any other teen. We do not treat her like a guest of the house with special privileged and she does not act like a guest of the house. She rolls her eyes and gets mad and will not wear anything I think is cute just like any other teen. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">She is a sweet and wonderful daughter! She has truly joined in the family & is showing love just as we love her. Here is a card Guan Ya made for me that I shared on FaceBook and will share here if you missed</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I am really sorry for not updating more often as I had intended on doing though out the entire process. Truth is that I often feel I must guard my family. Yes, it was our decision to bring out our adoption, the process, needs we had through adoption, & mountains and valleys. However, since the very start of Guan Ya's adoption we have faced such scrutiny. I do not regret for one second sharing and I knew this would not be an easy road. If I made a list of all the people we have been reported to since September, all the nasty messages I've gotten or my friends/family have gotten many would think it was exaggerated. We have had everything done properly and there has been no problems just extra hoops added. There has NEVER been a question from a legal stand point or via any people that evaluates us. Others that are not in these positions have felt it their need to report us for various things based on their own opinions of us adopting a deaf child and how we have felt it best to raise her thus far. </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> I do want you to know that I have gotten more protective about what information I give out about what/how/why we are doing things we do for Guan Ya. I'm sorry for the majority of you that honestly care about us and Guan Ya and truly have a heart for knowing more about her. I will continue to update but more information will come after time instead of while we are in the process. </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">However, that is not what my post is about; </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">I really wanted you to know we are doing great!</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> I have been extremely busy the last month between many doctor </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">appointments, building a stronger bond with Guan Ya, adjusting to life, speaking to classes, Easter, birthdays, taxes (not ever fun to me! ha) & much much more!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Speaking of taxes makes me think of Monday - when yes, I waited until the last day to do my taxes and I spent most of the day in the tax office. As I was sitting in the office, I heard of the Boston marathon bombing immediately after it happened. My heart just immediately dropped when I heard of causalities, fear and injuries! I couldn't help but think of loved ones and how many fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, uncles, aunts, friends had been effected by this senseless tragedy! I was honestly sick to my stomach as I read the report and reports that continued to come in about the bombing. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: x-large;">Today's post was always intended to update you on how things are going here but I cannot write without reflecting on all the tragedies (bombings, ricin letters, explosion, & </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">loss of lives) </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">of the week. I will end with a reminder that none of us are promised tomorrow or even another breath! Remember we never know our time left on earth so give hugs to those that need them, love one another, don't let hate dwell in your heart with all the evil that has happened last week. Live your life as if it was the last day & tell the ones you love how much you love them so there are no regrets! If this was your last day, are you ready to leave this earth as everything is right now?</span><br />
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This is a picture I took over a year ago but I saw it as I was uploading the other pictures.</div>
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It reminds me of the many teardrops that have fallen last week due to the many that are heartbroken over things they have no control over! </div>
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Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06113350681268292701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6378420522804985448.post-77837708734637394512013-04-03T22:12:00.003-05:002013-04-03T22:12:26.082-05:00Lots of information so read to the end please.....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Alright, I have a lot to get into this post so let me just get to the basics. :0)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">As I said in my previous post we have had adjustments, but we expected that from the beginning. Guan Ya is a beautiful, sweet, precious daughter but she is a tough cookie to break! She is at an odd age of 14 years old; she has not been a part of a family - hence, does not know how to be a daughter or sister; she is in a very new & odd foreign land with new food, new sights, new smells, & NEW, NEW, NEWs everywhere! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">On Monday I broke the golden rule that I have read over and over not to do. I know this is so very hard on her & she has not been home very long, but I had seen so many shimmers of light. We almost felt she was scared to be part of the family & that she really just did not understand. To give a few examples, she would often cry if we made her join in on family time, not want to eat with us, push (not physically) her siblings away with no tolerance for their love & attention for her. It was hard because we tried to talk to her and do several things with no real success. After much prayer and discussions with Phil about what we should do about her distance, we just decided to lay it all out. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">On Sunday, thanks to Google translate we had a huge in depth discussion that included Phil, Guan Ya & me. It started with the normal "What is going on?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Guan Ya replied that she did not want to go out and grill hot dogs or play with her siblings or draw on the sidewalk that day. (Please understand she never wanted to try anything new and never wanted to do family time with us.) We explained that we are a family and that in our family we spend time together. We also explained that in life we will sometimes have to do things we did not like but should make the best of it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">She said "O.k." but it was that normal just o.k. so we would leave her alone. Well, those of you that know me know that I have to lay it all out. After some prodding (this was not the first conversation of this nature), I broke the rule (No hate mail please! If this is not right for you/your family wonderful but this is how our family felt we should handle it. I tell it here so others will know what worked for us {thus far}) Our next question was "Do you know what would have happened to you if you remained an orphan in China after your 14th birthday?" Guan Ya's response was "No" We explained that it was unknown but from all research, it was not a promising future. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">We explained to her how she was our daughter from the moment we saw her picture. It was explained that from that moment on we had the love for her as a parent has for a child. We told her that when we came home from China with GiGi that we were tired & broke but that she was our daughter so we could not leave her in China. We did not want her to be an orphan in China because she was a daughter- our daughter! For 6 months we did everything possible with our focus on bringing our daughter (her) home. We explained how we loved her more than our lives and would do anything for her. We told her that all of us in the family wanted her to be part of our family as our daughter & sister and all of us agreed she was our family when we started the paper work. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Our conversation was not extremely deep with YaYa but we let her know that love is what brought her to us! We let her know it was not an easy task to get her home but that we would not think twice about doing it again! We've never regretted calling her daughter or the hard work to get her home! We also told her that she owed us nothing but that we wanted her to know how much we loved her and that we wanted her to be part of our family! I told her like us, love us or hate us, she was stuck with us as her family FOREVER!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">She had tears in her eyes, but she reached for me with the biggest hug I've ever gotten! Then she reached for Daddy! I think it took that for her to realize that we did not just sign papers and bring her home as if no big deal. It was a break through moment when she realized she was a big deal and that we fought for her to be home! Later we played a game and she sat down before we were ready to play. She laughed so hard that night! At bedtime Guan Ya came into my room and laid down besides me and snuggled up for a while! I'm not sure a snuggle ever felt so good! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">YaYa had pushed away her siblings so much that Macy had been coming in our bed or her brother's bottom bunk to sleep. Guan Ya turned on the light before she left my room that night and handed me a message on Google translate. She asked if Macy would come and sleep in her room that night! Boy, oh boy, talk about a happy moment! YaYa had never reached out for her siblings like that! Of course, Macy was ecstatic for Guan Ya to ask her to come in there (it is both of their room with bunk beds)! Those 2 have been inseparable since!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The next morning Guan Ya reached out and gave me another huge hug told me that she had the best night ever the previous night! I asked her if she knew why I got on to her and she responded "No" Me: Because I'm your Mommy and that is what parents do with their kids! Her faced beamed with a smile! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Since Sunday night YaYa has been a different child. I know I have pushed her but I know she is capable of so so much in this life! I know God is the only reason this beautiful child is now our daughter! I know He has great things in store for her and I feel it is my place to push her, support her and help her to have the tools to achieve those things! I don't feel the force from her to push away from us. It was a major break through a layer! She has joined in on all family time with a real smile! We have cooked together and she has joined in without being asked with chores. I know this is the first of many talks we will have but it felt wonderful to feel real love from her! She is joining in our family because she wants to!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I could write on about the many adventures but I need to write about a few more things before I finish. Last Wednesday, I got an email from Martha Mendoza of the AP (Associated Press). I have spent very little time on the internet since we got home from China and the fact that I saw the email and opened it is surprising! When I read it, I honestly thought it was a hoax email. Mrs. Mendoza is writing a story on Google Translate and had come across our journey (I have no idea how!). She wanted to call us and do an interview over the phone to include in her story on how we had utilized Google Translate. Wow, I could not believe she would be interested in us country bumpkins! After reading the email a couple times, I decided we would do the interview. We felt the interview went great and Martha really seemed interested in us! It's our lives so I just think of it as living God's journey for us; it doesn't seem so special to me. We are just doing what we are called to do - no different than anyone else could do. We had been running to doctor appointments and been completely busy so I really haven't had much time to reflect on the magnitude of the AP contacting us. Then, on Monday Phil came in the room and looked like a deer caught in headlights! He said "Well, that was someone from Jackson, MS that works for the AP and he is coming here on Thursday to spend some time with us, take pictures, and get a feel for our family." Me: Huh? What? Really? Wow! (I think it was probably more like Huhwhatreallywow! because I was so blown away!) Phil continued to explain how the researcher/reporter/photographer (sorry I don't know his official title but he is gathering information for Mrs. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Mendoza's story) stated he had not been this way for a story in over 10 years. Phil said that "No" was not an answer for him coming because they want to know more about us and find our story intriguing! Sooooooo, tomorrow we have a reporter out of Jackson, MS from the Associated Press coming to spend some time with us. Please pray that God's words and knowledge will flow from us! We have always been behind the scenes kind of people but if this helps to get God's word out, let the world know about the orphan crisis, or cause any good then we will always speak out!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Google Translate guys sent a message to tell us "Hi" and said they were glad to hear how it had really helped us! We have really utilized Google Translate and it has aided us to have a relationship with our daughter before she came home. Since she has been home, it has aided to have deep conversations we could not have otherwise had! We are really grateful for this Free program! We still use sign language and will continue to learn sign language, but it takes time! During the next few years, Google Translate will be an invaluable tool until we are all fluent with ASL!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">O.k. for the last bit of news, we will have a dual birthday party for Colt and Guan Ya on Sunday 2pm at Biggersville First Baptist Church. Everyone is welcome to come and celebrate with us and meet our crazy but loving family of 6! If you would like to communicate with Guan Ya, you can download Google Translate for free. Some people have asked what gift to give them. Honestly they need nothing and please do not feel you have to bring a gift to celebrate with us! Some have asked about Guan Ya's size. She has been given some clothes and ummmm....let's just say she has not been Americanized in clothing! lol She is very picky with what she likes in clothes so unless you just really have a deep urge to get her clothing, she would probably enjoy something else. However, we are appreciative of anything! The kids would just enjoy having your company!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">As you pray please remember us tomorrow but also please remember my cousin Katie who is YaYa's age and has been in terrible pain! Also, please remember my friend Barbara and her family as they have a family member that has received some crushing news. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Thank you for continuing to follow us through all our journey to follow God's will! Thank you for everything you have done and continue to do for us! We are more grateful than you can ever know for being a part of our mission!</span><br />
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Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06113350681268292701noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6378420522804985448.post-75436894063401423542013-03-31T21:34:00.001-05:002013-03-31T21:35:21.852-05:00HAPPY EASTER!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The Smith's - Est. 1998</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: purple;"><strike>LITTLE</strike></span> <span style="color: lime;"><b>$$$$</b></span>, <span style="color: purple;">LOTS of</span> <span style="color: magenta;"><b>LOVE</b></span> = <span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><b>RICH</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I am sorry I have not posted in a long time. I know many of you have been waiting to hear from us! There has been a lot of jet-leg, adjustments, & doctor appointments in the last 10 days when we stepped back on US soil. We are so appreciative of each of you that words cannot describe!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">This Easter was different from any of the others because we have a teenage daughter in our home! We are beyond grateful for each of you that made this Easter special by allowing our family to unite! As I think about Easter and the meaning of it, I can not help but think about how much our Lord loves us! He loves us so much that He allowed His only begotten son to die so that we can live. I continue to think about how grateful I am that in time our YaYa will be able to know about His love for her! This was unlikely to happen in China. Because of YOU, YaYa will know how Jesus loves & died for her, you, & me!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Eventhough, this journey has not been easy, I without a doubt, would NOT change it! We never followed this road because it was the easy route! We followed this road because it was the path chosen for us! We will go back after another precious child if God calls us again. We feel we must pay off all our adoption debt from the last 2 before we can start on another one. However, if it's God's will, I have no doubt He will drop that money off in the least expected way so we can provide the love & forever family for another child. We are humbed that God has chosen us out of ALL the other people in the world to parent the 4 children we have now!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"> Do you think it was easy when our Lord made the decision to allow Jesus to die on the cross? (Luke 23) Do you think it was easy when Moses was chosen to lead the Israelites out of Egypt? (Exodus) Do you think it was easy for Noah to be criticed for building an arc or for Noah to preach for over 100 years without converting a single person? (Genesis 5) And the list could continue.......</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"> The examples of hard roads for other Christians often dwarf anything I've done! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I have to admit that I've learned that even though I "thought" I knew how to LOVE like our Savior, I've realized I have a lot of work in that departmet! Loving others is not only verbalizing it, but it is a verb, an action, something you must do! Love is the greatest commandment thus I believe it is hard to give 100% true LOVE as Christ LOVES us! Think about it! Would you do ANYTHING for another that you would do for yourself, your child? You may quickly say "Yes, I'd give the shirt off my back" However, we often have another one in our closet. Love is the greatest gift & the hardest commandment to follow if you really think about it! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">We appreciate all of your prayers & everything else you have done for us more than you know! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">My prayer for each of you is that if you do not know our Savior, then you will come to know Him! He LOVES YOU!!! He wants YOU to come to Him! If you do not know how to become a Christian, please feel free to contact Phil or I at anytime! There is NO greater LOVE than the LOVE Christ has for us! If you are saved, I pray you find your path that God is calling you to! I pray you will love as Christ loves us! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">G</span><span style="font-size: x-large;">od Bless each of you my special friends!</span></div>
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Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06113350681268292701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6378420522804985448.post-30780415004586182592013-03-30T21:37:00.000-05:002013-03-30T21:37:22.203-05:00China Pictures<div style="text-align: center;">
Finally able to upload some pictures from our second China adventure- Phil</div>
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<br />Phil Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14431577008362861511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6378420522804985448.post-37542754581496082552013-03-12T05:53:00.001-05:002013-03-12T05:53:13.114-05:00GZ China Zoo........<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b>March 12, 2013</b></div>
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Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06113350681268292701noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6378420522804985448.post-34787282222012924282013-03-11T19:48:00.000-05:002013-03-11T19:49:03.136-05:00Orphanage visit......<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Things are going better than I could have expected! The orphanage was a wonderful experience for everyone! Of course there were tears but I would have been worried if not! It was bittersweet at best! It was such a comfort to feel YaYa clinging to me when she cried but it hurt so much to know we were the reason she was being pulled (eventhough I know, she knows, & all the staff/friends know it's the very best things for her). YaYa is also very happy; we see it; the guide sees it; her nanny, orphanage director, & teacher stated it. </div>
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She held my hand, hugged on me, laid her head on my shoulder as I comforted her as mamma! We got lots of pictures. Her nanny had raised her since she was 8y/o & we found out the nanny was the reason she is adopted now! So many things had to fall in place on both sides that it is amazing to see how God worked to get her home! She had not been on the list for very long because the orphanage had never put a deaf child (this is what they said but I wonder if they meant an older deaf child) on the list to be adopted because they did not feel anyone would adopt a deaf child. Her nanny pushed the orphanage director to put her on the list because she said YaYa had so much potential and would really thrive in a forever home. The director finally gave in but they knew her time was limited to even find a home at the age she was placed on the list. God just took over and made it all work when it really did not seem possible. It's is nothing short of amazing to see God's work through YaYa!</div>
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When we were at the orphanage the director told me of an older child (I believe age 13years old). The girl had gone to school so I could not meet her. The director told me this girl had so much potential & was fine in every aspect mentally, physically but she had been burned on the face. She told me that she would not put her on the list because she knew no one would adopt her with the scares on her face. I begged her to send me pictures & more information because I told her that she deserved a home & that I would do everything I could to find her a home before she aged out. Please pray with me that someone will give this girl a home she deserves! My heart just breaks! I will post more information as I get it.</div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.38;">Also, we got to met YaYa's friends & see her school. We were only allowed a few steps into the school gate but all of YaYa's friends came running to her. Her best friend was so sad & crying. I continued to find myself hugging & kissing on her because my heart just broke! YaYa was all smiles as she told her friends good bye. Her reaction was so much better than I expected! She truly seems happy with this crazy family!</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.38;">I was also very happy that her teacher told her that she needed to make new friends & focus on a better future. She told her they would always be there but that she must move on & make a new home. It was very encouraging the things she said to Guan Ya & the support I felt from her!</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.38;">My heart was so full & I was so blessed to see God work! Yes, it was hard for all, but it was beautiful too! Thank you for all the prayers!!! Love to you all!</span></div>
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Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06113350681268292701noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6378420522804985448.post-31785861404487063822013-03-10T08:38:00.002-05:002013-03-10T08:42:20.556-05:00Pictures.....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Birthday girl just saw her cake. We went out to eat for her birthday & had it delivered while we were gone.</div>
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Today at the longest & oldest shopping street in GZ.</div>
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This is Guan Ya with Grace our guide.</div>
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Yes, I'm as tired as I look but I'm a happy Mama!!!</div>
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I realized after this pic that I don't have any pics of Phil & YaYa because he always has the camera.</div>
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I'll try to get some tomorrow</div>
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Bubbles at the mall anyone?</div>
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You see things like this everywhere. This guy is pushing corn <b>in the middle </b>of the busy streets.</div>
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View outside our hotel in China.</div>
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<u>Written earlier on my FaceBook for those of you that didn't read it:</u></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left;">We have had some wonderful days! Guan Ya just loves on me & holds my hand! She really seems to crave the love we give her! We see lots of big smiles & giggles & not a scared girl anymore! She even tried to say I love you Babba & Mamma last night. She used the translator to type out what she was trying to verbalize. We have been signing it often but she wanted to say it with her voice! I thought yesterday was her birthday but she really blessed us! I have pictures <b>(above)</b> I will try to put on the blog later. I'm sure we will have rough days but I'm enjoying the good days to the max!</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left;">We will be going to the orphanage tomorrow so please pray for her! I know it will be a very hard & emotional day for her! It hurts to even think about it as a mamma, but I know it is what she needs to do! I would never deny her going back to say goodbye! We have been preparing gifts for her friends, teachers, "aunt" (this is what she called her, but maybe her foster mom in the orphanage), etc. I had been mistaken because I thought she had lived with foster parents but she has been calling the people that watch over her end of the hall at the orphange her foster parents. She has been caring for herself & was living with 3 other girls that had aged out. The orphanage director said she was very lucky last Monday when we united because none of the other girls made it to forever homes! </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left;">Also, will you help me think of questions that we might ask to the orphanage staff, teachers, etc when we go back tomorrow. I've been making a list & I thought you might have some suggestions of things I've not thought of yet. I'm thankful that we will also be able to visit her school that she attended. I am grateful to get the chance to see the life she lived. Blessings to each of you! God is great!</span></div>
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Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06113350681268292701noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6378420522804985448.post-77580926618099425692013-03-09T08:14:00.000-06:002013-03-09T08:23:18.140-06:00Wednesday<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Above are pictures from our day Wednesday. It was our rough morning so there weren't as many pictures of our beauty. She wasn't up for picutes and that was alright. Phil said there were more pictures from this day but they did not upload to the computer for some reason. Maybe there are some with GY on the camera. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We could tell Wednesday when we got up our girl was distant. She laid her head down at breakfast, walked on the other side of the room we were in with her back turned to us. As we were going to the park, she started crying. As a momma, it hurts because you want to take the pain away. We tried to comfort her but she refused to do anything. She refused to look at anything at the park, she pushed away from us physically by walking as far away from us as possible & told us "Do not talk to me!" Yeah, I guess some of that is just typical teen girl stuff too! However, I knew my YaYa was mourning the loss of what she knew & what was familiar. I knew she was pushing us away because we were the reason things were changing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Guan Ya knows this is a great change. I really believe she loves us & she signs it to us often. However, the orphanage life is her past/her norm/her comfort. This has to be a very hard change for her & we know that! After we went to the beautiful garden above, she got in a happier mood. The rest of the night was much better.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yesterday, GY was in a good mood yesterday and I felt huge steps were made in bonding! We went to S</span><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">hamian island yesterday. There were lots of giggles & great bonding moments. She loves the typical girl things - jewelry, purses, clothes (Chinese fashion is very different than in the US) We are going to try and limit the amount of clothes we purchase here for her. It is not because we want her to be more "American" in style, but when she comes to America, I think she may see style is different & want other clothes. Guan Ya came to us with only the clothes on her body, the items we had sent her and a few pictures.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ya Ya also LOVES paper, pens, orgami, & anything stationary stye. She seems very proud of the items we give her! She is very opinionated and pretty head strong. I am very glad she will tell us her likes/dislikes because I want her to keep who she is as a person. I've already experienced the typical eyes rolling ("really mom") from her. I took it as a sign of bonding & that she feels comfortable enough to be a teen with me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> I've worked a ton to get these pics to upload for all of you so I will stop here & write a different post later. Maybe I can get caught up soon! Thank you all for the continued prayers & love you have shown! You are the reason this beautiful girl is no longer an orphan! All praise be to our Lord! </span></div>
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Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06113350681268292701noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6378420522804985448.post-59039340495189303112013-03-08T22:17:00.002-06:002013-03-08T22:17:34.530-06:00Long delay.......<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;">I am really sorry for such a long delay in writing!!! I brought all of you on this journey to share with you & I did not mean to leave you out! It have been absolutely crazy! This is how it's gone since Saturday:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Saturday</u> - on plane by 6:30 am</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> - changed planes 2xs (once in TX, once in Seoul)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Sunday </u> - get to HK about midnight (slept just a few hours)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Monday</u> - left hotel in taxi to train</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> - on train by 10:30a.m.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> - train in Guangzhou China by 12:30pm where we met our guide </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"> - go to hotel (check in & put down bags)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> - by 3pm we had our daughter</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> - eat, buy translator, buy clothes for Guan Ya</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Tuesday</u> - adoption completed by afternoon</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Wednesday</u> - paperwork, pictures for GY, walk around shops close to hotel</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Thursday</u> - rough morning start but it was nothing not expected. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> Guan Ya was mourning all she knew and is leaving.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> We went to the see beautiful flowers & she was much better.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Friday</u> - go to the Island; walked around close to the hotel</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yesterday was a great day! I have to admit I loved the most hearing Guan Ya giggle! 2 of my most memorable moments happened yesterday! First, we were in a shop & GY wanted to get my attention. I heard the sweetest voice say "Mamma" When I turned around it was Guan Ya showing me something! The second was as we were walking home, Guan Ya reached to for my hand for the first time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We have been surprised at how well the signing has gone for communications. Many of the Chinese signs are the same or similar to the American sign. We are all teaching & learning from each other. We are teaching GY the ASL & she shows us the CSL. When we sign, we often sign one form of SL followed by the opposite form of SL. I am very pleased at how well we are translating. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Since I have this much written, I'm going to post it. I'm going to start a new blog now.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The much wanted pictures of Ya Ya & her new doll. </span><br />
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Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06113350681268292701noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6378420522804985448.post-63740580603200906642013-02-28T10:26:00.002-06:002013-02-28T10:32:56.196-06:00In Silence.......<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Be still and Know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Corbel, helvetica, verdana, arial; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: blue;"><b>"I'm finding myself at a loss for words</b></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: blue;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Corbel, helvetica, verdana, arial; line-height: 20px;">And the funny thing is it's okay</span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: blue;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Corbel, helvetica, verdana, arial; line-height: 20px;">The last thing I need is to be heard</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Corbel, helvetica, verdana, arial; line-height: 20px;"><b><span style="color: blue;">But to hear what You would say"</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Lyrics from MercyMe - <i>Word of God Speak</i>)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">full lyrics follow post</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I got up yesterday hearing a whisper repeated in my ears</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"Be Still & Know" </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I felt it was my day to just listen. </span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/LyIrr6NWjvk?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I did not forget anyone yesterday! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">At times it actually drove me crazy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm not addicted to social media but</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> I wanted to share with you that we were cabled yesterday. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I wanted to share with you that we booked our flights & we leave Sat morning. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I wanted to share with you my heart that is bursting with love for all you have done for us! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I wanted to shout thanks from the mountains for the blessings you have brought in our lives!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'll be honest with you in saying I am absolutely lost for words what to say to you all to show our extreme gratitude for every person following our story, praying for us, sharing our story, giving of time, money, & other items. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What do you say when Thank you just doesn't seem appropriate?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Honestly, I don't know because that is where I'm at now! I'm humbled for all you have done to get our daughter to home!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am so excited that I can barely contain myself! I feel like I'm pregnant and going to have my baby in 4 days. I know I keep saying it and I'm a proud mamma but YaYa is just precious!!! I have to share her email:</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>No, I have never been shopping. You do not need to bring me anything. I do not know the things I like. I guess I like chocolate. </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Have you come to China yet?</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>I will not be afraid. I am very happy.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>I love you!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I mean really..........who could not love this beautiful soul? There is a good reason why she has touched hearts all over the US & beyond.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Back to my original thought...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was in silence for several reasons yesterday on social media.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Mark 6:31</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat,</span><sup class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-24439A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup><span style="background-color: white;"> he said to them,</span><span class="woj" style="background-color: white;">“Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yesterday, my silence was a way to praise my Lord! I felt He wanted all my attention so I spent my complete day with Him!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I know God does not tire as I do but do you remember what He did after the first 6 miraculous days in the Bible? </span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span>(Genesis 1) <span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Gen-2-2" id="en-NIV-33" style="background-color: white; text-align: start; text-indent: -32px;"><sup class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"> </span></sup></span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left; text-indent: -32px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left; text-indent: -32px;">. </span></span><span class="text Gen-2-2" style="background-color: white; text-align: start; text-indent: -32px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">By the seventh day<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-33B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup> God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he <u>rested from all his work</u>.</span></span><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><span class="text Gen-2-3" id="en-NIV-34" style="background-color: white; text-align: start; text-indent: -32px;"><sup class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;"> </sup>Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy,<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-34D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></sup> because on it he <u>rested</u><sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-34E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)"></sup> from all the work of creating<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-34F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)"></sup> that he had done.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><span class="text Gen-2-3" style="background-color: white; text-align: start; text-indent: -32px;">(Genesis 2:1-3) </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yes, I realize yesterday was Not Sunday, but I felt God has moved so many mountains to bring our mission this far that I should honor Him and fast and rest and praise and worship in Him alone. Yesterday I wanted to ask nothing from my Father but give praise to Him for all of the miracles He performed for one orphan aging out child (Orphan NOT FOR LONG!!!!). </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As I was quiet, I was able to absorb some of the greatness that is soon coming full circle with Guan Ya. I used the time to reflect on how faithful our Father is when we trust! I stood back & looked at the last 6 months in absolute "WOW" with No words. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It is too vast & too beautiful to put words on this great journey!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> I was in silence in honor of our Lord!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was in silence in honor of our precious daughter Guan Ya that God has trusted us with. I do not mean that to say she does not communicate but she is mute/silent in voice. Yes, she communicates and yes she can type but this was just my way to honor her & the great honor I have of being her mother & to honor our Maker for picking us for this path!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yesterday morning as I continued to hear whispers of "Be Still and Know" I also remembered it was BlackOut via K-Love.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">"Tomorrow, Feb 27, we're disappearing on social media in honor of the 27 million men, women and children who've disappeared. Trapped in slavery. In brothels. In factories. In quarries. Working as slaves. In 161 countries, including the U.S.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"> "</span></h4>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.klove.com/blog/amanda/post/2013/02/27/Black-Out.aspx">http://www.klove.com/blog/amanda/post/2013/02/27/Black-Out.aspx</a></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">If you read my post</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://long-road-to-china.blogspot.com/2013/02/what-happens-after-she-ages-out.html" target="_blank"><b>"What happens IF she ages out?"</b></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">You will understand how much of a realization this </span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-size: large;">We are praising God for all the mountains He has</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-size: large;"> moved to get Guan Ya home to our forever family.</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-size: large;">We pray for all the ones in child trafficking and all </span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-size: large;">"slaves"! </span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Now you know why I was silent yesterday!</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Today, I found out we got our Article 5 & TA over night! We had been told we would not have TA until after we had traveled because of the time constraints. We will get our Consultant appointment when we are in China. YEAH LORD!!!! If He hasn't moved mountains, then I'm not sure what moving a mountain would look like! God has done so many miraculous things though this journey that it's hard to wrap my mind around it! He has used you to ensure His will was done & you trusted and obeyed! Thank you for listening, following, & loving Him and an orphan child enough to give from your heart! You have not only forever changed Guan Ya's heart & life but you have also changed my heart & life!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We will be very busy today & tomorrow preparing to leave & get our girl! Please continue to pray for Guan Ya & us! I know she is a strong & brave girl but she has to be scared of leaving everything she knows. I'm sure she will morn which is a normal process. Please pray for her & that we will know how to handle situations we may be faced with. Pray for bonding and Pray for safe travels without delays! Our girl still ages next week (China time) so our goal is not complete.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I leave you with some wonderful news about the mountains God moved Tuesday in the adoption community. We were able to get our minimal amount needed to be able to travel & 2 other families that will be traveling soon also were funded that day! How awesome is that??? I'm proud to be a part of a community that understands the true heart of God.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">I think I posted enough already to make up for my missed day </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">yesterday! :0) </span></span><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 18px;">I want you all to know we read every message that </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 18px;">comes through and </span><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 18px;">each is very special to us & encourage us. I try </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 18px;">to respond to </span><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 18px;">each message but if you have not gotten a response </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Please continue to pray that our works will glorify the Lord!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Please continue to pray for our union with our daughter in a few days!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><b>May He get ALL the Glory!</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Corbel, helvetica, verdana, arial; font-size: large; line-height: 20px;">Lyrics from MercyMe -</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Corbel, helvetica, verdana, arial; font-size: large; line-height: 20px;"> </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Corbel, helvetica, verdana, arial; font-size: x-large; line-height: 20px;">Word of God Speak</i></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Corbel, helvetica, verdana, arial; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: blue;">I'm finding myself at a loss for words</span></b></span><br />
<b style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: blue;">And the funny thing is it's okay</span></b><br />
<b style="color: blue; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Corbel, helvetica, verdana, arial; line-height: 20px;"><b style="background-color: transparent;">The last thing I need is to be heard</b></span></b><br />
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<span style="color: blue; text-align: left;"><b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Corbel, helvetica, verdana, arial; line-height: 20px;"><b style="background-color: transparent; text-align: left;"></b><br /></span></b></span>
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<span style="color: blue; text-align: left;"><b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Corbel, helvetica, verdana, arial; line-height: 20px;"><b style="background-color: transparent; text-align: left;">But to hear what You would say</b></span></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: blue;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Corbel, helvetica, verdana, arial; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">[Chorus:]</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Corbel, helvetica, verdana, arial; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Corbel, helvetica, verdana, arial; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">Word of God speak</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Corbel, helvetica, verdana, arial; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Corbel, helvetica, verdana, arial; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">Would you pour down like rain</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Corbel, helvetica, verdana, arial; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Corbel, helvetica, verdana, arial; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">Washing my eyes to see</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Corbel, helvetica, verdana, arial; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Corbel, helvetica, verdana, arial; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">Your majesty</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Corbel, helvetica, verdana, arial; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Corbel, helvetica, verdana, arial; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">To be still and know</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Corbel, helvetica, verdana, arial; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Corbel, helvetica, verdana, arial; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">That you're in this place</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Corbel, helvetica, verdana, arial; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Corbel, helvetica, verdana, arial; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">Please let me stay and rest</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Corbel, helvetica, verdana, arial; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Corbel, helvetica, verdana, arial; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">In your holiness </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Corbel, helvetica, verdana, arial; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Corbel, helvetica, verdana, arial; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">Word of God speak</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Corbel, helvetica, verdana, arial; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Corbel, helvetica, verdana, arial; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Corbel, helvetica, verdana, arial; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">I'm finding myself in the midst of You</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Corbel, helvetica, verdana, arial; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Corbel, helvetica, verdana, arial; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">Beyond the music, beyond the noise</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Corbel, helvetica, verdana, arial; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Corbel, helvetica, verdana, arial; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">All that I need is to be with You</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Corbel, helvetica, verdana, arial; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Corbel, helvetica, verdana, arial; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">And in the quiet hear Your voice</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Corbel, helvetica, verdana, arial; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Corbel, helvetica, verdana, arial; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Corbel, helvetica, verdana, arial; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">[Chorus: Repeat 2X]</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Corbel, helvetica, verdana, arial; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Corbel, helvetica, verdana, arial; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">I'm finding myself at a loss for words</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Corbel, helvetica, verdana, arial; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Corbel, helvetica, verdana, arial; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">And the funny thing is it's okay</span></span></b></div>
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Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06113350681268292701noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6378420522804985448.post-13654035833628280912013-02-26T08:32:00.002-06:002013-02-26T08:32:43.137-06:00Double Dog Dare TODAY.......<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Guan Ya is now in the SINGLE digits of days she has left to be adopted!!!!<br />
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Today I have a massive headache that is on the verge of a migraine! Yes, I'm sure it's stress related, but I have GOT to get it controlled before it gets full blown! Which likely means lying in a quiet dark place....which I of course have NO time for but I don't have time for a full migraine either!<br />
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I have not been able to book flights yet, but it is highly likely we will be leaving in 3 days after looking at the flights last night! Next Tuesday, we will be united with our beautiful Guan Ya! Next Wednesday, we will complete her adoption and forever be a family!<br />
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Everyone has done so very much for us that words just do not cover our hearts of gratefulness! The love you have shown for our daughter is greater than I could have ever imagined! We pray God will bless each of you as you have blessed us! I hate to ask anything else of you, but we were given a "match fund" by a family. I know many of you have given so very much of time, prayer, encouragement, donations, & so much more. However, if you have considered giving a monetary donation, may I ask that you please give today because <b>Guan Ya's donations given today will be doubled for every dollar</b>! And if you feel led, PLEASE share the following anywhere you would like (FB, blogs, emails, tweet, word of mouth, etc) We have had <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 17.77777862548828px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">$135 total donated at (=$270) YEAH!!!! Please keep praying & sharing!! Our goal is to have $1,115 more donated today so if you can help us meet that goal in prayer, sharing, donating any amount, it would help lift a burden from us.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 17.77777862548828px;">I have a lot to do before we leave and I need to get this </span><span style="line-height: 17.765625px;">headache</span><span style="line-height: 17.77777862548828px;"> gone so I can be 100%+. Please pray that it will be gone ASAP & that everyone will stay well! I'm trusting you to help spread the word today as I am now going to rid this headace! We need your continued prayers to carry us through! </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 17.77777862548828px;"><u>This is the message I posted last night & you are welcome to Copy & Share this message:</u></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Last night we t had an incredible offer from the </span><a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=1541654072&extragetparams=%7B%22group_id%22%3A0%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/cathy.cavanaghreilly?group_id=0" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;">Reilly</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> family!!!! They have offered to MATCH every dollar donated up to $1,250 that is sent though Guan Ya's paypal account<b> </b></span><a href="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=3JP9XTQ2JDMWL"><b><span style="color: #3b5998; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; cursor: pointer; line-height: 18px;">https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_butto</span></span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;">n_id=3JP9XTQ2JDMWL</span></b></a><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b> </b><br /><br />This is what Mrs. Cathy stated:<br />"Okay..so here is a "double dog dare" for everyone. The Reilly's will match every dollar donated by the end of the day tomorrow </span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: red; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>(which is now TODAY)</b> </span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> February 26th, up to $1,250. So, with matching we can reach $2,500. please donate though paypal so they get the funds ASAP.<br /><br />Kevin(Gracie's BaBa) Cathy (Gracie's Mom) ....And...Matt, Chris, Sarah, YaoYao, Jack, and Mei Mei"<br /><br />PLEASE SHARE!!!!! If you donate $50, then it will be matched with $50 so for your $50, we get $100 thanks to the Reilly family!!!!<br /><br />If you've heard me speak then you know about Gracie's room that GiGi was in while in the orphanage in China! We give credit to Gracie's room for GiGi bonding with us so quickly & having less problems with catching up among many other things. If you do not know about Gracie's room, please read about it here and consider donating! I plan to help <a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=702063244&extragetparams=%7B%22group_id%22%3A0%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/barbara.m.bennett?group_id=0" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">Barbara McKissick Bennett</a> with her new position with their program when we return from China. This is about Gracie's room:<a href="http://www.dianjiangkids.org/#!what-is-gracies-room/c1q5t" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><b>http://www.dianjiangkids.org/#!what-is-gracies-room/c1q5t</b></a><br />(Do you even recognize that little puff ball playing the xylophone?)<br /><br />COME on, what are you waiting on???? Go donate so it will be doubled and SHARE, SHARE, SHARE! We have not booked flights but we will be leaving on Friday or Saturday!!!! THANK YOU REiLLY FAMILY!!!!!!!</span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Don't forget our video is featured on Give1Save1Asia</span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; display: inline; line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://give1save1asia.blogspot.com/2013/02/new-week-meet-smith-family.html"><b>http://give1save1asia.blogspot.com/2013/02/new-week-meet-smith-family.html</b></a> </span></span><br />
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Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06113350681268292701noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6378420522804985448.post-90385289350021456762013-02-25T22:30:00.001-06:002013-02-25T22:59:09.501-06:00Double Dog Dare You!!!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">O.k. we have just had an incredible offer from the </span><a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=1541654072&extragetparams=%7B%22group_id%22%3A0%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/cathy.cavanaghreilly?group_id=0" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;">Reilly</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> family!!!! They have offered to MATCH every dollar donated up to $1,250 that is sent though Guan Ya's paypal account<b> </b></span><a href="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=3JP9XTQ2JDMWL"><b><span style="color: #3b5998; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; cursor: pointer; line-height: 18px;">https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_butto</span></span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;">n_id=3JP9XTQ2JDMWL</span></b></a><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b> </b><br /><br />This is what Mrs. Cathy stated:<br />"Okay..so here is a "double dog dare" for everyone. The Reilly's will match every dollar donated by the end of the day tomorrow February 26th, up to $1,250. So, with matching we can reach $2,500. please donate though paypal so they get the funds ASAP.<br /><br />Kevin(Gracie's BaBa) Cathy (Gracie's Mom) ....And...Matt, Chris, Sarah, YaoYao, Jack, and Mei Mei"<br /><br />PLEASE SHARE!!!!! If you donate $50, then it will be matched with $50 so for your $50, we get $100 thanks to the Reilly family!!!!<br /><br />If you've heard me speak then you know about Gracie's room that GiGi was in while in the orphanage in China! We give credit to Gracie's room for GiGi bonding with us so quickly & having less problems with catching up among many other things. If you do not know about Gracie's room, please read about it here and consider donating! I plan to help <a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=702063244&extragetparams=%7B%22group_id%22%3A0%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/barbara.m.bennett?group_id=0" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">Barbara McKissick Bennett</a> with her new position with their program when we return from China. This is about Gracie's room:<a href="http://www.dianjiangkids.org/#!what-is-gracies-room/c1q5t" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><b>http://www.dianjiangkids.org/#!what-is-gracies-room/c1q5t</b></a><br />(Do you even recognize that little puff ball playing the xylophone?)<br /><br />COME on, what are you waiting on???? Go donate so it will be doubled and SHARE, SHARE, SHARE! We have not booked flights but we will be leaving on Friday or Saturday!!!! THANK YOU REiLLY FAMILY!!!!!!!</span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Don't forget our video is featured on Give1Save1Asia</span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; display: inline; line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://give1save1asia.blogspot.com/2013/02/new-week-meet-smith-family.html"><b>http://give1save1asia.blogspot.com/2013/02/new-week-meet-smith-family.html</b></a> </span></span><br />
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; display: inline; line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; display: inline; line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">If you missed the news, we have not booked our flights yet, but maybe leaving out as early as FRIDAY (yes, like a few days!) We will meet our YaYa on the 5th & her adoption will be completed on the 6th! In 1 week from today (China time) we will have our forever family of 6 united! Oh how I love the sound of that!</span></span><br />
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This was my message this morning from our precious daughter:<br />
"I am excite<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">d to see this video my photo (referring to the video from this <b>post</b><a href="http://long-road-to-china.blogspot.com/2013/02/guan-yayoure-coming-home-video.html" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><b>http://long-road-to-china.blogspot.com/2013/02/guan-yayoure-coming-home-video.htm</b>l</a>)<br />I'm so happy! I would like to see you right now - I know within 7 days! I also hope that it is that soon<br />I love you!"</span></div>
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Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06113350681268292701noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6378420522804985448.post-38392463364104972212013-02-24T09:55:00.000-06:002013-02-24T09:55:19.544-06:00Guan Ya....You're Coming Home Video<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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We want to let <a href="http://give1save1asia.blogspot.com/">http://give1save1asia.blogspot.com/</a> know how grateful we are for featuring Guan Ya's video on their blog this week! We will be featured from today to next Sunday. We love their blog and what they are doing for orphans & adoptive families! They are truly an asset! Thank you so much! If you are not familiar, you can read about them here <a href="http://give1save1asia.blogspot.com/p/about-us.html" target="_blank">http://give1save1asia.blogspot.com/p/about-us.html</a> Their goal is to ask people to give at least $1 each week to the featured family of the week and this week they are featuring Guan Ya's story! How awesome is that???? </div>
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PLEASE PRAY and SHARE so that we can raise the rest of the needed funds THIS WEEK & can travel to unite with our daughter! :) After you do this, we ask that you will continue to give at least $1 to each family of the week to bring home an orphan!</div>
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Our adoption agency has requested us in China by March 4th, 2013 (yes just a FEW days!!!) to bring our daughter, Guan Ya HOME! We are so humbled and blessed to be part of this journey and to be Guan Ya's parents! <br />
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We are still short several thousand we were needing prior to travel. God has moved so many mountains and I know He will provide the funds for this also. If you feel led to donate, we ask that you donate at this time through our PayPal because we can get our money quickest that way (and we MUST be on a plane NO LATER than a week from TODAY - February 24, 2013 today's date!). <br />
This is the link to Guan Ya's fund<br />
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(GoFundMe can take up to a week to get to our account and we need these funds prior to travel. That is why we are requesting donations for Guan Ya not be made through GoFundMe at this time.)<br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIcsY2YqNoc&feature=youtube_gdata" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIcsY2YqNoc&feature=youtube_gdata</a></div>
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If you are on a phone and cannot access that link, you can watch it here:</div>
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<a href="http://studio.stupeflix.com/v/50414rOAhM/">http://studio.stupeflix.com/v/50414rOAhM/</a> </div>
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Thank you very much to each of you that have helped to get our daughter home! We are so thankful God has brought us to this point! We're praising the Lord for everything including making you part of our journey! We are thankful for your willingness to help us follow His will and give Guan Ya a family! Without God using others & others following His lead, we would not be able to think about bringing our daughter home! You will forever be a part of making an orphan become part of a forever family as a daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, & cousin. Please continue to remember us, pray for us (especially Guan Ya), and share our page with others! Then, watch as God continues to move mountains & change lives! Thank you for following His will and loving the orphans! We pray that each of you will be blessed as you follow our journey!</div>
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If you aren't familiar with our story, Guan Ya is a beautiful 13 year old orphan that is deaf. On her 14th birthday (March 9) she will become ineligible to ever be adopted. If we aren't able to complete her adoption by her birthday, she will forever be stamped an orphan. God has placed Guan Ya in our heart as our daughter! Our story is one of Faith, the moving of mountains to reach our daughter in time & the great love for our Father. Follow our story <a href="http://long-road-to-china.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><b><i>here</i></b></a> and read about a modern day miracle! </div>
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For those of you that missed Friday's post, here is the message Guan Ya sent to her Daddy:</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: medium;">"I got your message! I'm in school now! But I wanted to know that you are alright? I'm fine now! Is mother and brother and sisters alright? I am so missing you, I love you! Yaya"</span></div>
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If you missed our story from WREG, you can watch it here</div>
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<a href="http://long-road-to-china.blogspot.com/2013/01/blog-post_23.html?spref=bl#ooid=l0MDlvODok4fyqZhAe1bnCIc0hfGRxOt">http://long-road-to-china.blogspot.com/2013/01/blog-post_23.html?spref=bl#ooid=l0MDlvODok4fyqZhAe1bnCIc0hfGRxOt</a></div>
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You can read more about our family in this post</div>
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<a href="http://long-road-to-china.blogspot.com/2012/12/and-this-is-our-story.html?spref=bl">http://long-road-to-china.blogspot.com/2012/12/and-this-is-our-story.html?spref=bl</a></div>
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<b><i>We are using LifeLine out of Birmingham, AL if you feel the need to verify our adoption.</i></b></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><u><b>Deuteronomy 31:6</b></u></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."</span></div>
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<strong style="line-height: 21px;"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Proverbs 22:2 (NIV)</span></u></strong></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">“Rich and poor have this in </span><span style="line-height: 21px;">common: The LORD is the M</span><span style="line-height: 21px;">aker of them </span><span style="line-height: 21px;">all.” </span></span></div>
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Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06113350681268292701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6378420522804985448.post-23847539083298956892013-02-22T13:24:00.002-06:002013-02-22T13:30:17.320-06:00Pouring like a sponge that can hold no more.....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">I was not
going to write a blogpost today. However, I'm pouring out tears like a sponge
that is being squeezed and can hold no more. When I was called to share our
journey with you, I obeyed and I want to share our entire journey regardless of
how busy I get.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 36px;"><span style="font-size: large;">It has been a roller-coaster tense kind of a few days! I promise I don't like drama nor am I attention seeking! The things that happen in our lives cannot be made up! Our paperwork that has been expedited well........more hangups! </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 36px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Surprised? I'm not! </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 36px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 36px;"><span style="font-size: large;">1.) Hangups have included the closing of the facility due to a snow storm - trust me when I say this is extremely uncommon! </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 36px;"><span style="font-size: large;">2.) Then, we lacked the Chinese documents of Guan Ya's medical paperwork; we had them in English just not in Chinese. I went on a great search to find these and did not remember seeing them - good reason why! The CCCWA did not send these. I honestly laughed out loud this morning when I figured out we didn't have them. My contact person probably thought I was nutz (she probably thought this prior to my laughing). I just said I expected nothing less! This is just typical for us & I said God's got this! It's still provokes anxiety but there was nothing I could do about this! I did think about it for a second & my anxiety wanted to skyrocket because I remembered it was FRIDAY NIGHT around 11p.m. in CHINA where the paperwork sat. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 36px;"><span style="font-size: large;">I mean really - what's the likely hood of getting them today?</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 36px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 36px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Just about the time I started to spiral in a panic, I walk around the corner & see this</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fTdOZS9VkOo/USe7LbgmjhI/AAAAAAAACaw/ziBCZ8Jx67g/s1600/858523_10200751062199346_387689520_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fTdOZS9VkOo/USe7LbgmjhI/AAAAAAAACaw/ziBCZ8Jx67g/s320/858523_10200751062199346_387689520_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 36px;"><span style="font-size: large;">and I hear</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 36px;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Luv Lu tooooooo!"</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 36px;">For those of you that missed it on my FB, this is a guilty look and phrase!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 36px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Again, I laughed because what else are you to do when..........well, I'll just say she knew she was in trouble! </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 36px;"><span style="font-size: large;">I mean she has the cuteness perfected!</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 36px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 36px;"><span style="font-size: large;">In less than an hour, I get a phone call from our adoption agency. Our paperwork FROM CHINA was received and sent to our officer so our paperwork could proceed! Nope, I'm not even kidding! Again, I laughed and said I'm not even asking because I know this is only by God's hands!</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 36px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 36px;"><span style="font-size: large;">It's not my lack of care that makes me laugh but lack of control so what else is there to do??? </span></span><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 36px;"> Maybe it was just God's way again of letting me know He's got this!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 36px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 36px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Then, I got a text from Phil. You see I didn't mention it a lot but he was just torn up for a long while because he knew the odds were not in favor of us adopting our daughter before she aged out. I mean honestly there was no way to slice it to make it work by looking at everything! We handle things differently most of the time. He could not handle the thought of not having his daughter here and the reality of what would likely happen to her! It was really more than his daddy heart could handle! It was no different than being told this was Macy or GiGi as Guan Ya is equally our daughter in our hearts!</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 36px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 36px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Well, the last week he has started to turn the corner and see the light! His attitude has changed & as I blog, handle paperwork, etc. he has started nesting! I love it when he starts to nest! He has done it with all 4 of our children! He goes in super Daddy speed to get things done - those of you the know Phil know that it is a defect from birth that causes him to never have this speed! (Love ya hubby but you cannot deny that getting in a rush is not your style!)</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 36px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 36px;"><span style="font-size: large;">This morning during his break, I get a message! You would have thought God was standing before Him because he was so excited. (Trust me again when I say I love my hubby but he stays on a pretty flat playing field with his speed, emotions, etc. For him to get excited it must be something pretty big!</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 36px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 36px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"> "Got an email from YaYa!!!!!!!!!! Forwarded it to ya!!! </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 36px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">This is really happening!!!"</span> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 36px;"><span style="font-size: large;">(I wish I had Emoji icons on my keyboard because I think he used them all at a minimal of 3xs each! I didn't know he knew all those icons! That's how I knew that boy was excited! )</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 36px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 36px;"><span style="font-size: large;">I opened my email to find the sweetest message Phil had sent from Guan Ya to her Daddy!</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 36px;"></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">"I got your message! I'm in school now! But I wanted to know that you are alright? I'm fine now! Is mother and brother and sisters alright? I am so missing you, I love you! Yaya"</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 36px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 27px;">Oh be still my beating heart!</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 27px;"> Well, he was OVER the moon excited and I was too! What a precious child God has blessed us with! This is the point where the tears began to rush like a sponge filled to the max and being squeezed! Oh baby girl, we will be there soon! Have I told you how much we love her and how humbled we are that God picked us of all the people in the world to be this sweet girl's parents?</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 27px;">It has been a fight to get her home </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 27px;">and I don't regret one second of it!!!!</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 27px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 27px;">I will also tell you this too about her teddy bear Daddy! See the girl's are always Daddy's girl's here! If Mommy says "No", Macy will say, "I knew to ask Daddy first." Yeah, they are the apple of Daddy's eye & they so love their Daddy! Obviously Guan Ya will be no different! She has him wrapped just like the other 2 (Colt is more Mommy's boy but NOT the girls!)</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 27px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 27px;">On Sunday, I will share with you a special short video (only about 3 min) I made of our journey! I showed it to Phil last night and he cried! Wait, do you remember this is the man that basically cries over NOTHING! It's just Phil & he just doesn't cry so if something makes him cry it's a pretty stinkin' big deal!</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 27px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 27px;">O.k. there are my ups & downs & shining daughter!</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">PLEASE don't
forget about our fundraiser tonight!!!! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">It's from 5:30-7:30 & you can drop
by and get a to go plate if you cannot stay! There has been a lot of hard work
put into this fundraiser by some very special friends so <u><b>PLEASE</b></u> come and make
it a success!!!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">AND Don't Forget to BRING YOUR CHANGE!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"> Thank you!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uOmsv3WepGM/USfD_3m68hI/AAAAAAAACa4/cpYEu6ZRyVA/s1600/Guan+Ya+Fundraiser+flier+-+NorthStar+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uOmsv3WepGM/USfD_3m68hI/AAAAAAAACa4/cpYEu6ZRyVA/s320/Guan+Ya+Fundraiser+flier+-+NorthStar+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 27px;">( I told you I cannot make it short!)</span></div>
</div>
</div>
Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06113350681268292701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6378420522804985448.post-92176080379732715772013-02-20T19:34:00.001-06:002013-02-20T20:35:25.908-06:00Final Push......<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span id=".reactRoot[25].[1][2][1]{comment269317233201084_1236310}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[0]" style="background-color: #edeff4; color: #333333; line-height: 14px;"><span id=".reactRoot[25].[1][2][1]{comment269317233201084_1236310}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[0].[0]"><span style="font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;">This is AWESOME!!!</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<strong class="txt1" style="background-color: #f6f6f6; color: #73922d; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></strong></div>
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<strong class="txt1" style="background-color: #f6f6f6; color: #73922d; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">$21,355.00</span></strong></div>
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<strong class="txt1" style="background-color: #f6f6f6; color: #73922d; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></strong></div>
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<span style="background-color: #edeff4; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 14px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: #edeff4; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 14px;">We need one more push to get this met </span><span style="background-color: #edeff4; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 14px;"> <b>ASAP</b>!!!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #edeff4; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 14px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: #edeff4; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 14px;"> Please read on our <a href="http://www.gofundme.com/240pg4?utm_medium=wdgt#description" target="_blank"><b>other site</b></a> about the $2,000 in </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #edeff4; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;">fees they charged us on the $22,500. Our $22,500 goal still </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 14px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #edeff4; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 14px;">lacks <b>$3,360</b> ($2,205 due to GoFundMeFees & $1,145 to</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #edeff4; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 14px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: #edeff4; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 14px;"> </span><span style="background-color: #edeff4; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 14px;">hit our goal) GoFun</span><span id=".reactRoot[25].[1][2][1]{comment269317233201084_1236310}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3]" style="background-color: #edeff4; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 14px;"><span id=".reactRoot[25].[1][2][1]{comment269317233201084_1236310}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0"><span id=".reactRoot[25].[1][2][1]{comment269317233201084_1236310}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[0]">dMe charged us fees but didn't include </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 14px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #edeff4; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 14px;">their deduction in our total met. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #edeff4; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 14px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #edeff4; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 14px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #edeff4; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 14px;"><b>PLEASE KEEP PRAYING & SHARING!!!</b> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #edeff4; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 14px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #edeff4; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 14px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #edeff4; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 14px;">I know </span><span style="background-color: #edeff4; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 14px;">we can get this knocked out<u> </u></span></div>
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<b style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 14px;"><u><br /></u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 14px;"><u>within the next 24 hours</u> </b></div>
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<span style="background-color: #edeff4; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 14px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #edeff4; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 14px;">if </span><span style="background-color: #edeff4; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 14px;">you </span><span style="background-color: #edeff4; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 14px;">will just help us by sharing </span><span style="background-color: #edeff4; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 14px;">again!!!!!</span><span style="background-color: #edeff4; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 14px;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #edeff4; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 14px;">Thank you!!!! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #edeff4; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 14px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #edeff4; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 14px;"><b>YOU </b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #edeff4; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 14px;"><b>ROCK!!!</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.gofundme.com/240pg4?utm_medium=wdgt#description" target="_blank">GoFundMe</a> may not like my big fat green $ eating </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.gofundme.com/240pg4?utm_medium=wdgt#description" target="_blank">GoFundME monster</a>! lol</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.gofundme.com/240pg4?utm_medium=wdgt#description"><b>http://www.gofundme.com/240pg4?utm_medium=wdgt#description</b></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">So we now have 2 GoFundMe sites to try and clarify why we were lacking $2,205 more due to fees. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The one directly below the green $ eating monster </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">& our original GoFundMe account here</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.gofundme.com/longroadtochina?utm_medium=wdgt"><b>http://www.gofundme.com/longroadtochina?utm_medium=wdgt</b></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You have blessed us so very much already! I cannot wait to show Guan Ya how many people love her!!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Would you help us with this last push????</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's a <u>24 HOUR PUSH</u> to get the remainder funds ($3,360)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> online met.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you are willing to pray for this need to be met within the next 24 hours, please place your name & location below this post.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We will be traveling in <u><b><i>less than 2 weeks</i></b></u>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm honestly thinking we could be traveling in one week.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So if you are willing to share & pray for this need </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>($3,360) </b></span></span><span style="font-size: large;">to be met we would be most grateful!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;">John 14:13-14 </strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;">Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">anything in my name, I will do it</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><i>Lord you have been so good to us!!! Thank you for all the blessings! I praise & glorify your name alone! You know our need and I have Faith you will provide!!! Thank you for all your wonderful servants that you have sent our way to fulfill your will for Guan Ya! I'm sorry when I doubt your abilities & my faith lacks! I give it all to you Father! You have my heart & my life! I praise you for the people that follow our blogspot and I pray that you will give very special blessings to each of them as they have blessed us! </i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><i>I Love you & thank you for always loving me!</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="color: red;">Please be with our precious Guan Ya!</span></i></span></span></div>
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Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06113350681268292701noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6378420522804985448.post-79579382902102869902013-02-20T11:53:00.001-06:002013-02-20T11:55:24.536-06:00O.k. I need something from all of you....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I'm pretty positive you will want to read to the end of this post to find out about newest news. I'm going to make you read all of it before you read about our miracle child! :0)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">O.k. I need something from all of you!!!!!!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>I mean we are getting our daughter!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>First,</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b> I NEED YOU TO PRAY for Guan Ya & for all of us!</b> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">She is so excited to get a family but the transition at the age of 14 years old couldn't be the easiest. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">We need to have her a birthday party when we get back to the US.....whatchathink??? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Getting everything together to go to China has not even crossed my mind until last night!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>SECOND, </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>I NEED YOU TO PRAY for our FUNDRAISERS to be a SUCCESS!!! AND PRAY FOR THOSE that have spent many, many long hours to make it a success! PLEASE come join us & bring friends because our hosts have put so many hours into these & without people, there cannot be success! That is just disheartening when people have worked so hard to prepare! So I'm not even asking you to come for me, but come to show the ones hosting it how grateful you are for their long hours spent to prepare it!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Just as a bonus....GiGi will be there! :0)</b></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e7JBvHUTmvM/USUGbs2tazI/AAAAAAAACXA/hZMTQxa9NWM/s1600/Guan+Ya+Fundraiser+flier+-+NorthStar+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e7JBvHUTmvM/USUGbs2tazI/AAAAAAAACXA/hZMTQxa9NWM/s320/Guan+Ya+Fundraiser+flier+-+NorthStar+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dHx2beVknOM/USUGdUvlIzI/AAAAAAAACXI/mVkRc47QHc4/s1600/534860_10100615767878096_271373009_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dHx2beVknOM/USUGdUvlIzI/AAAAAAAACXI/mVkRc47QHc4/s320/534860_10100615767878096_271373009_n.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>We still have our 31 ONLINE Fundraiser here</u></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.mythirtyone.com/shop/eventhome.aspx?eventId=E2816094&from=DIRECTLINK&verify=true">https://www.mythirtyone.com/shop/eventhome.aspx?eventId=E2816094&from=DIRECTLINK&verify=true</a></div>
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<b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">This fundraiser is only happening another <u>5</u> days.</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17.98611068725586px; text-align: left;"><u><b>Restaurant Coupons</b></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17.98611068725586px; text-align: left;"><br /> </span><a href="http://upload.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fcoupaide.com%2Fdeal%2Fsmith-adoption-fund%2F&h=SAQHgwHQY&s=1" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17.98611068725586px; text-align: left; text-decoration: initial;" target="_blank">http://coupaide.com/deal/smith-adoption-fund/</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17.98611068725586px; text-align: left;"><b><u><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Change a Child's life</span></u></b></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; line-height: 17.98611068725586px; text-align: left;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Change-A-Childs-Life/430628360341115" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; line-height: 17.98611068725586px; text-align: left; text-decoration: initial;" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/pages/Change-A-</a></span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Change-A-Childs-Life/430628360341115" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; line-height: 17.98611068725586px; text-align: left; text-decoration: initial;" target="_blank">Childs-Life/430628360341115</a></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>We would like to get a total on the amount of change collected next week so if possible please turn it in by this weekend! It's still not too late to collect it! This is a great way to get your kids involved and they love to be a part!</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17.98611068725586px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>We ARE still doing our 300 puzzle pieces and drawing</u></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 17.98611068725586px; text-align: left;"> </span><a href="http://long-road-to-china.blogspot.com/2013/02/new-fundraiser-u-do-not-want-to-miss.html" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17.98611068725586px; text-align: left; text-decoration: initial;" target="_blank">http://long-road-to-china.blogspot.com/2013/02/new-fundraiser-u-do-not-want-to-miss.html</a></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Once donations started coming in, the puzzle piece buying almost halted completely. We still need to sell these pieces to help pay for prior fees. In less there is another miracle (which is absolutely possible!) we will not be drawing for this until after we return from China & can sell more pieces. Again, that depends completely on YOU and how many pieces we sale. Our puzzle for Guan Ya needs to be completed before we draw for the prize! :0)</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>THIRD</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>SHARE our Fundraisers & STORY </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>& CONTINUE Following!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Now the part you've been reading for, but please take my above requests to heart! We need prayers & I pray daily you will be blessed by our journey!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I do not know what had happened to communication between us & Guan Ya! The last I had heard from her she would not be able to contact me for a day or 2 because of exams. That was in January. I've messaged her almost daily even though I wasn't getting messages from her. Sometimes my message just said we loved you! TODAY I got a message from her- first since January! </span></div>
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<i style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>"Long time and you did not contact, but I have to hear from you! I miss you, I love you! Guan Ya"</b></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">She must not have been getting my messages! I cannot tell you what it means to hear from her again! Oh we love our daughter! Tears again are falling to hear from her! We are coming soon baby and we do not have to worry about emails not getting to you!!!!! We will be able to hold you and give you the love you deserve! I'm humbled to be this miracle child's mom!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">When I look at our countdown pictures</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RXWO6rQs210/USUA8mJYb9I/AAAAAAAACV0/vrrnFiYoTWI/s1600/23353_420042234754369_1006265340_n12+15days.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RXWO6rQs210/USUA8mJYb9I/AAAAAAAACV0/vrrnFiYoTWI/s320/23353_420042234754369_1006265340_n12+15days.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">They have such a different meaning! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I know that I will be united with our daughter within the next 15 days! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I have been super excited but the realization just struck me last night between 11-12pm. I woke up Phil and he wasn't amused with me shaking him yelling like a mad person</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>"Phil, PHIL, PHIL!!!!! </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>WE ARE GOING AFTER OUR DAUGHTER & SOON!!! </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b> LIKE VERY SOON!!!!!!! </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>GUAN YA IS COMING HOME!!!!"</b> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">He grumbled something in his sleepy state about</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> 'yeah, I know! We need to pack!'</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I said "YES, WE NEED TO PACK!!!!"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">He grumbled but not now!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Me: Oh yeah, I need to sleep!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">My heart was racing and my mind was about to blow up with the magnitude of everything! I'd been in fight mode so much about going to get our daughter that it has been hard to grasp <b>WE ARE GOING TO GET OUR DAUGHTER!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The shock wore off and total excitement exploded last night so what else is there to do but text your best friend at this time of night - right? :0)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">She was like "Yeah, I know!"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Well, how did everyone else know this and not in shock as I'm yelling it from the tops of my lungs....oh yeah, I guess I told you all & You got it! I was delayed in the magnitude!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">WOW!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Getting Guan Ya's message this morning, just shot my excitement into space! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">We will be leaving in less than 2 weeks!!!! We are so blessed by each of you!!!! THANK YOU for being part of this journey & being a part of bringing home our daughter!!!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">We love you all!</span></div>
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Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06113350681268292701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6378420522804985448.post-2893393756772709072013-02-18T17:03:00.001-06:002013-02-18T17:03:15.172-06:00WOW!!!!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Wow!!!! What a difference a day can make!!!!!!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Lots of updates and lots of things changed!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">First of all the question everyone has been wondering & I finally have an answer!!! Where are we at in the process????? I've not been dodging this question but I honestly did not know. When you expedite an adoption things do not go in typical order so it was somewhat unclear to me where we were at until today. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Today, we found out that we were</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="background-color: yellow;"> LID February 6</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><u><b><span style="background-color: yellow;">Today we got our LOA</span>!!!!</b></u> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"> <b>That is awesome news!!!</b> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Next question - so what's next??? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Our 800 was already turned in weeks ago & waiting the LOA. The LOA will be emailed tomorrow to the USCIS. Then, it will be asked of the USCIS officer to overnight our 800 to the department that is in charge of cabling us. We will need an appointment to th</span><span style="font-size: x-large;">e Guangzhou consultant</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> in China. However, the very worse case at this point is that we would travel without the Guangzhou appointment and obtain that after in China. I am not concerned if we need to do this and this is worse case! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">HEY, DID YOU HEAR THAT????? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">The tables have completely turned </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="background-color: red;">WE ARE GETTING OUR DAUGHTER!!!!!!!!!!!!</b> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"> Do YOU hear me screaming with excitement?????</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I have the dumbest looking grin on my face!!!!! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: red;"><b>GLORY TO THE HIGHEST!!!!</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: red;"><b> PRAISE THE LORD!!!!!!</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I am humbled to be the mother of Guan Ya! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I have cried for thanksgiving! I have sat here in pure shock that <u><b style="background-color: yellow;">we ARE getting our daughter!!!!</b></u> I really don't know what else to say! I know you are all excited too!!!! I hope this answers your questions!!!!!!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I've got to think about packing but right now, all I can think about is holding our daughter and seeing her for the first time!!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">In the next few days, we should know more about travel dates. Of course I'll update you! <b>You</b> are part of this beautiful orphan girl <b>NO LONGER</b> being an orphan!!! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">For her 14th birthday, she will get her forever family as her present! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I'm not sure we will be able to top that gift in the future years! :0)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Don't forget about saving your change and the fundraiser on Friday. Right now I've got to sing praises & stop grinning so big because my face is already hurting from smiling!!!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="color: blue;">Guan Ya, daughter, here we come!!!!!</span></b> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: red;"><b>Oh how we Love you baby girl!</b></span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">We love you too!!!! Don't stop following or sharing our story or praying!!!! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"> Over the last few weeks, you have witnessed a modern day miracle!!!! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Shout His praises & share our page so others can see the miracle unfold to the fullest!!!!!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>ALL GLORY to the KING</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>THANK YOU!!!</b></span></div>
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Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06113350681268292701noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6378420522804985448.post-19674649595862850192013-02-17T22:00:00.001-06:002013-02-17T22:00:28.270-06:00Please Lord....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Lord, I know you hear my cries and feel my pain! I know your tears fall as mine flood like a river.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Often my children will come to me with their arms up because they are hurt and want me to hold them, kiss them, and tell them I love them. Oh my Father, tonight I'm my children crying with my arms up! I need you to hold me, kiss me, tell me it's going to be alright! I know you never leave my side!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I never doubt God's divine plan but some days are easier than others! Some days my continual prayer is </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Please Lord let your will be done! </b> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Other days as today I pray, beg, cry & plead all day</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> <b>Please Lord bring my daughter home! </b> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I know His will is best but my heart loves my daughter & I will not go without a fight! I still really feel my daughter will come home to us so don't think I'm in doubt! Some days are just harder & today was one of them! She has 18 DAYS!!!! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Keep praying for Guan Ya, us, the paperwork push, the funds, and for God's will to be done! He knows our heart and knows our desires! Love to all of you!</span></div>
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Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06113350681268292701noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6378420522804985448.post-36355099423448766922013-02-16T20:17:00.001-06:002013-02-16T20:28:46.728-06:00Fees & answers to ?s<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="color: blue;">I want you to know we are 100% at peace at where God had taken us to this point! His fingerprints are on EVERYTHING!! </span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-center;">(John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you)</span><i style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-center;">. </i><span style="color: blue;">We are trying to stay positive and keep the negative thoughts away as they pull us away from our big picture.</span><span style="color: blue;"> We are in no way being naive but we do not want to sink in the dark clouds with the what ifs. Maybe with addressing this one time here there will be fewer questions as we have TONs going right now & I have to stay on the upbeat. </span><span style="color: blue;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Psalms 94:19 When anxiety</span><sup class="crossreference" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-15451A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">was great within me, y</span><span class="text Ps-94-19" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; position: relative;">our consolation<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-15451B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup> brought me joy.)</span><span style="color: blue;"> We are typically very private people but I feel you have a right to know what our fees look like, what we have paid, what we owe, & what will happen if the unthinkable happens!</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;">First of all, there are NO guarantees with adoption! I hate to be negative but it's kinda like being pregnant. Yes, you anticipate your child and holding your child but until your child is born and breathing, there is no guarantee. I do not mean to paint a grim description because thankfully that is not the normal outcome. However, we've experienced the total loss of our baby that we thought I'd deliver healthy and alive, but that didn't prove to happen. Guan Ya's adoption is a "HIGH RISK" adoption & we knew that when we were called to adopt her! Is there a guarantee we will adopt her? I'd love to say absolutely we are 100% positive that Guan Ya's adoption will go through! I've tried to be as open & honest through out the process as I've asked for prayers for the paperwork to go through in God-speed & for financial costs to be lifted. I honestly think it will, but my prayer is that God's will be done!!! I praise Him from bringing us to this point even with all the hurt and unknowns!!!! I look at how many people have come together for His purpose and how many people have been blessed through this process! Wow, I know God is happy and we are at complete peace knowing we are right where He has brought us! The Chinese New year just ended the end of this week & the Chinese consultant is now back open. They have been closed for the holiday so they will now proceed with paperwork.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;">I've been asked "What if you don't raise all the money even though you are so close?" FAITH!!!!! FAITH is what started us on this journey & FAITH is what will carry us through! I have 100% FAITH in my Lord & Savior!!!! We do NOT get ANY refunds for fees that we have paid! NONE! We have to continue to fight on & pay fees as they come up or the process STOPS. I cannot and will NOT give up on our daughter! </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;">YES, everything I've told you is 100% to the best of my knowledge!!! No, I wasn't kidding or telling 1/2 truth to try and get funds raised! It's not my laws or rules! The </span><b><span style="color: red;">CHINESE government</span></b><span style="color: blue;"> says (Not LifeLine, New Beginnings, Phil, Niki, or even the US gov't) that a child cannot be adopted after the age of 14years old! NO, I wasn't kidding! I guess if the Chinese gov't decided to make an exception, then they are the gov't and could do so, but I've NEVER heard of them making any such exception! However, I believe Anything is possible through Christ!!! </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-weight: bold;">(Matthew 19:26 </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold;">Jesus looked at them and said, </span><span class="woj" style="background-color: white;"><b>“</b><span style="color: red;">With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible</span><b>.”)</b></span></span><span style="color: blue;"> Ask other adoptive parents that have gone through high risk adoption with children that are aging out! It's not a game! It's REAL & can be completely heartbreaking if this adoption does not go through. It will be heartbreaking for us, for you, & Guan Ya that will never be able to be adopted!!!!! I've written in past posts what is likely to happen for a child aging out. Please go back & read them if you haven't already! I don't want to repeat for those that have already read the post & I don't want to think about that possibility</span><span style="color: blue;"> right now!</span><span style="color: blue;"> </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;">With all that being said, we are NOT running off with any money if the adoption does not go through! If this adoption does not go through, we have again lost another child. However, we will do anything we can to support her as she will always be our daughter! The amount we have raised would not even pay off the debt we've accrued through these 2 adoption processes in 6 months. No, I'm not kidding. We went into GiGi's adoption $10,000+ in debt; then, we spent the extra week unexpectedly which cost an extra $6,000 that we again did not have! PLUS as you will see below, we have paid out about $8,000+ to this adoption thus far. These are the reasons we HAD to raise the funds amount in GoFundMe for Guan Ya's adoption!!!! Even though, we are still in adoption debt, we will NOT use the money raised to pay off those debts!!!!! That is not what they were raised for! We were called to adopt a child! Guan Ya is our daughter PERIOD! However, if the adoption fails (which brings me to tears to think about but I feel the need to address) we WILL adopt another child! We trust God's will and we will dance with Him to find the child He has for us! If this adoption fails, we will morn the loss of our Guan Ya! We will explore every possible avenue to help her! However, I want you to know right Now I WILL PRAISE the LORD even if Guan Ya's adoption does not go through! I've never been so sure about anything as I am right now telling you that God called us to follow this path! I do not think we have made the wrong decision because HE called us here! I praise His Holy Name!!!</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;">The $22,500 amount we had set to raise was the absolute least amount we HAD to raise to bring home our daughter! We sill have other fees & as I said above, we are still in debt! We will continue to fundraise after we bring our daughter home to pay off our debt & to help support other families going through the process of adoption! There has been something I did not realize until this last week. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">***</span></b>GoFundMe does not account for the fees they charge us when they keep a total! They take out about 9% before they send us the money. It has been working so well, I hated to change. I think it has been fun for people to watch as others donate & has also encouraged others to donate. Also, we have Chip-In which charges about 4%. HOWEVER, Chip-In has sold out and is shutting down within the next few weeks. Also, I also could not find a way to add amounts in to Chip-In that did not go directly to Chip-In. I cannot remember the exact date but it's before Guan Ya ages out that Chip-In will end! Yes, sending money would be the cheapest way, but it does not keep a running total until I add it into the GoFundMe site. I know that many are skeptical these days so the sites like GoFundMe keeps up with a total when money is added and it's easy for people -they don't have to remember to send money, find the address, etc.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;">These are the fees we owe & some of what have been paid. The first general figures based on the large amounts below do not show all the fees we have paid to this point for Guan Ya's adoption (Ex. just for one fee we paid $890 for our USCIS biometrics that isn't included). However, we wanted to give a quick general overview of what is owed & then if you want further details, you can keep reading. We thought it would be easier this way; if you don't want to see anything but general #s you can quickly see them first.</span><span style="color: blue;"> </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;">These are the figures ONLY for Guan Ya's adoption! We paid or borrowed all the fees for GiGi too which is not reflected in any of these totals!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b><span style="color: blue;">We have PAID $4,199.86 to LIFELINE -</span> <span style="color: red;">$5,173.75 </span><span style="color: blue;">OWED LIFELINE</span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b>We have PAID $2,290 to New Beginnings - NO more payment owed</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b><span style="color: blue;">Per LifeLine's Last Email with details of payment, it will cost an estimated</span> <span style="color: red;">$10,500-$11,000</span> <span style="color: blue;">(Owed) Inter-Country Cost</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b><span style="color: blue;">It is recommended that we carry atleast </span><span style="color: red;">$2,500 Cash</span><span style="color: blue;"> (very few places accepted credit cards the last time we were there. Also, we had extra fees the few times we did use it.)</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b><span style="color: blue;">Phil's, mine, Guan Ya's Flights </span><span style="color: red;">$5,500-6,000</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b><span style="color: blue;">As you can see from the numbers above, the $22,000 is NOT all of our fees due! The $22,000 is the bare minimal we had to raise to bring Guan Ya home! We are still paying on fees borrowed from loans & credit cards. We have ALWAYS paid off our credit cards at the end of every month until 6 months ago with GiGi's adoption! This makes me very uneasy and I think God has allowed me to be uneasy so that I can fully trust in Him! When you see us continuing to fundraise, you will know we are not running a scam but that the fees are real. This is why we are opening our doors for you to see what is going on from the inside. I have collected all my gold jewelry from my lifetime & already had it weighed. After weight, it was estimated that it will bring $1,200 and this should pay off the additional cost that is not included above. However, there are still about $2,200 in GoFundMe fees that isn't accounted for in that $22,000. I didn't want people to think I was just adding in money as our funds grew so I did not add this to the total amount in our GoFundMe when I realized it this week. I trust God will provide these funds as He has the others. If you have any suggestions about showing we need this $2,200 for GoFundMe fees without people thinking we are just increasing the needed amount, please let me know.</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b><span style="color: blue;">I am also very proud of others that have donated to us! I know there have been many phone calls made to our adoption agency (LifeLine of Birminham, AL) to verify our story! I'm not offended at all but grateful! Verifying where your money is going is helping others that are TRULY fundraising for the said purpose! It also lets our adoption agency know how many people really care about these children! Thank you for making sure your money is going where you want it to go! </span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b><span style="color: blue;">I want you to know we have made changes! We have not just put up a donate place at GoFundMe & not adjusted our lives!!!! I don't call it a sacrifice; Jesus paid it all! I owe it all to Him! I'm selling my gold jewelry</span></b></span><b style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: blue;">; we've sold the nicer of 2 vehicles (the other we've owned 10 years) & bought something that most wouldn't consider driving; we have almost completely cut out going out to eat and eaten many, many sandwiches or roman noodles. </span></b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b>(Matthew 6:20 "</b></span><span style="background-color: #fffefd; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.") </span><b style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: blue;">These are only very few of the changes we've made. I'm not complaining & in no way want anyone to think I'm asking for sympathy! NO WAY!!!! We've been sooooo blessed! The fees are astronomical for adoption, but these children are worth every cent!!! These are all God's children!</span></b><br />
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<img height="315" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kHc-RqVAa7k/TrrJWPZRaaI/AAAAAAAADtM/kooRGfZYqE0/s320/Treasure.jpg" width="320" /></div>
<b style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></b>
<b style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: blue;">I am only one, but I can do all I can as one! I will do all I can for one as I wish I could do for all orphans! We have taken on these fees; we have taken on these children to care for & love forever; we've taken on their medical issues, & we've taken it all on for a lifetime. The fees for these children do not end for us at the end of the adoption process! We will accrue fees over a lifetime! We will also accrue the joy of knowing we've followed in our Father's path; we will accrue the blessings of another child; we will accrue the happiness of being a parent; we will accrue pure delight knowing there is 1 less!</span></b><br />
<b style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Philippians 4:13 "I can do ALL things through Christ which strengthens me!"</b><br />
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<img height="240" src="http://wheregracesuperabounds.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/jesus-paid-it-all.jpg" width="320" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b><span style="color: blue;">Following is a more detailed list of the fees for adoption:</span></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">This is taken from LifeLine's Fees:</span><br />
<br />
AGENCY FEES:<br />
Note: The following agency fees will be paid directly to Lifeline in<br />
installments as listed below.<br />
Application Fee $250.00<br />
Lifeline Children's Services Fee $5,500.00<br />
China orphan care ministry* $250.00<br />
Chinese Liaison Fee $1,500.00<br />
Home Study Fee** $1,500.00<br />
Shipping Fees: All Documents $195.00<br />
General Translation Fee $50.00<br />
Post Adoption Services** $1,750.00<br />
Post Adoption Translation Fee $360.00 (per child)<br />
Note: A $500 deposit will be charged to out-of-state families for post adoption services. There will be<br />
a home study fee for the home study provider in your state for which you will be charged a<br />
fee (typically $1,500-$3,000) for all non AL, FL, GA, KS, KY, MS, SC, TN, WA families.<br />
Note: Post adoption services are to be paid directly to local provider for out of state families.<br />
*Orphan care ministry fee goes toward (Un)Adopted, Lifeline's orphan care ministry.<br />
**Fees applicable to AL, FL, GA, KS, KY, MS, SC, TN, WA families<br />
In-state Residents: Agency Fees listed above are to be paid in 5 installments<br />
(application fee plus 4 agency installments)<br />
Paid with application $250.00<br />
Paid upon acceptance $2,776.25<br />
Payable at the completion of home study $2,776.25<br />
Paid when dossier is sent to China $2,776.25<br />
Paid when child’s referral is accepted (LOA) $2,776.25<br />
--<b>All agency fees must be paid prior to travel</b><br />
Out-of-State Residents: Agency Fees listed above are to be paid in 5 installments<br />
(application fee plus 4 agency installments)<br />
Paid with application $250.00<br />
Paid upon acceptance $2,088.75Payable at the completion of home study $2,088.75<br />
Paid when dossier is sent to China $2,088.75<br />
Paid when child’s referral is accepted (LOA) $2,088.75<br />
--All Agency fees must be paid prior to travel<br />
Total In-State Fees: $11,355.00<br />
Total Out-of-State Fees: $8,605.00<br />
FOREIGN COUNTRY PROGRAM PROCESS EXPENSES (dossier submission):<br />
CCCWA log in fee for a child when you are not yet matched with a child $1,190.00<br />
CCCWA log in fee for a child when you have been matched with a child $800.00<br />
CCCWA log in fee for reusing your dossier ($20.00 wiring included) $710.00<br />
CCCWA log in fee for a second (or subsequent) child being adopted concurrently $500.00 <br />
Total Foreign Country Program Process Expenses: $1,190.00<br />
--Foreign country expenses will vary depending on individual family situations<br />
ADDITIONAL PROGRAM FEES (IF APPLICABLE):<br />
$600.00 Orphanage Partnership Fee (due when a family receives pre-approval for a<br />
child from one of our partnership orphanages)<br />
$500.00 Pre-Identified Child Fee due when a family enters the program with a Pre-Identified child, not on the shared list or any Lifeline List or when a family currently in the program identifies a child that is not on the shared list or any Lifeline list.<br />
$250.00 Out-of-State Home Study Review: Families using Non -Hague Accredited Agency<br />
$140.00 Non-Orphanage Partnership SN online processing fee<br />
SECOND (OR FURTHER SUBSEQUENT) CHILD PROGRAM FEES (IF APPLICABLE):<br />
Note: if you are adopting a second (or further subsequent) child concurrently, your travel expense and time<br />
in-country will increase.<br />
$2000.00 Second (or further subsequent) Child Lifeline Agency Fee (due when a family receives PreApproval for a second (or further subsequent), concurrent child<br />
Please note: if you are adopting a child concurrently, your estimate travel expenses and time in<br />
country will increase<br />
$720.00 USCIS 1-800 Fee<br />
$500.00 CCCWA Dossier Submission Fee for a second child*<br />
$140.00 Non-Orphanage Partnership SN online processing fee for second or subsequent child<br />
$600.00 Orphanage Partnership Fee (due when a family receives pre-approval for a second or<br />
subsequent child from one of our partnership orphanages)<br />
$360.00 Post Translation Fee for second or subsequent child<br />
*Adopting a subsequent child past 2 can require an additional dossier payment of $800.00<br />
OUT-OF-POCKET U.S. ADOPTION EXPENSES:<br />
Note: the following estimated expenses will be paid out-of-pocket during the home study process<br />
Fingerprint fee (for home study) $102.50<br />
Medical Reports (varies depending on health insurance coverage)* varies<br />
Passport pictures (8 copies) $20.00<br />
Passports for two parents $240.00<br />
Birth certificates (1 copy of each) $26.00<br />
Marriage license (1 copy) $13.00NCFA Parent Training $195.00<br />
Crossings Education $12.00<br />
Out-of-state CAN clearances varies<br />
*Medical Expenses for the home study may or may not be covered by your health insurance plan. Please speak<br />
with your insurance company for details.<br />
Note: the following estimated expenses will be paid out-of-pocket during the dossier process:<br />
Citizenship and Immigration services fee (for 2 adults adopting 1 child) $890.00<br />
Fed Ex fees (dossier sent to Lifeline) $45.00<br />
Dossier County Certification ($3/doc) based on 13 documents; based on AL $39.00 <br />
State Certifications ($5/doc) based on 13 documents; based on AL $65.00<br />
Chinese Consulate Authentications ($25.00/doc) based on 13 documents; based on AL $325.00<br />
Authentication Courier fee (based on 13 documents) $150.00<br />
Estimated Out of Pocket Expense $2,122.50<br />
Total Estimated In State Fees with Estimated Out of Pocket Expense $13,477.50<br />
Total Out of State Fees with Estimated Out of Pocket Expense $10,727.50<br />
Estimated Travel Costs for China:<br />
In-Country Costs (to be wired to China ahead of travel)<br />
Provincial based on 6 days in Province<br />
Official costs $6,500.00<br />
Hotel Accommodations $580.00<br />
o Based on Lifeline recommended hotel; Standard room<br />
Guide service $300.00<br />
Transportation/sightseeing package $500.00<br />
Tips for guide/driver $120.00<br />
In-country flights $750.00<br />
o Guangzhou based on 6 nights/7 days in Guangzhou<br />
Consulate costs $450.00<br />
Hotel Accommodations $800.00<br />
o Based on Lifeline recommended hotel; Deluxe suite<br />
Guide/transportation/sightseeing package $1,100.00<br />
Tips for guide/driver $120.00<br />
Total: $11,220.00<br />
Out-of-Pocket Costs<br />
International flights <strike>$3,000.00 </strike> <span style="color: blue;">We traveled this summer and flight tickets were $2,000 each. I've checked flight costs last week and they were at cheapest $1,800. Flight tickets tend to increase closer to time of travel. One way ticket prices are not much less than round trip. We estimate the cost to be <b><u><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">$5,500-$6,000</span></u></b> for total cost for Phil, Me, & Guan Ya</span>.<br />
Spending money (souvenirs, shopping, lunches, dinners) $2,000.00<br />
<span style="color: blue;">We do not plan on buying any souvenirs or VERY minimal souvenirs. We were very surprised that the cost of food was equivalent to the cost of in the US. We did try to purchase food from the local grocery store to eat for some meats. However, I will have to get some taro pies while I'm there. :0)</span><br />
Costs associated with visiting orphanage (est.) $500.00<br />
Additional beds/breakfasts (if necessary) varies Visa expenses (for 2 adults) $350.00<br />
Bell Boy tips $25.00 <br />
Total: $5,875.00 <br />
Total estimated in-country: $17,095.00<br />
--Total in-country costs may vary depending on time in country, province, time of year, etc.<br />
<br />
<br />
Additional Post-Adoption Costs:<br />
Note: The following estimated Post-Adoption Expenses will be paid out of pocket after you return<br />
home with your child. These post-adoption costs are not included in the estimated total as they vary<br />
by state.<br />
Social Security Card (varies) <br />
United States Birth Certificate (varies)<br />
Passport (varies)<br />
ESTIMATED TOTAL COST <br />
$29,012.50 <span style="color: blue;">+$3,000 unaccounted for in flights $32,000</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">The above are LifeLine Fees taken from their information. We used our previous homestudy agency, New Beginnings. I did not look up the exact cost but it is the cost we paid within $100 give or take.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">$800 to Update </span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">$1,490 Post Fee Visits (These MUST be paid <u>BEFORE</u> our Homestudy was released to LifeLine)</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue;">When we began to adopt in 2011, there was a refundable tax credit. We had depended on it to pay for some of GiGi's expenses (even though it would not be returned to us until AFTER we adopted her). <u><b>However,</b></u> Jan 1, 2012 the refundable tax credit was abolished. Even though we began the adoption when the tax refund was in place, we had not completed the adoption thus we could not take advantage of the refundable tax credit. The tax credit is of little use to us. From what I've heard from most adoptive families, they do not make a large sum of money so the credit is of little use. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue;">This is an invoice that was sent to me for my fees to our agency:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">Type Date Num Memo Due Date Paid Open Balance Amount</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">Smith, Phil</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">Invoice 8/21/2012 15304 China Application Fee 8/21/2012 Paid 250.00</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">Payment 8/21/2012 02495B China Application Fee Paid -250.00</span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">Invoice 8/22/2012 15424 China Initial Program Fee 8/22/2012 Paid 1,891.25</span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">Invoice 8/22/2012 15425 CCAA online processing fee: ... 8/22/2012 Paid 140.00</span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">Invoice 8/22/2012 15426 China Paypal Fees 8/22/2012 Paid 14.61</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">Payment 8/22/2012 9LH75... China Initial Program Fee/CC... Paid -2,045.86</span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">Invoice 1/15/2013 17407 China Special Needs Dossier ... 1/15/2013 Paid 800.00</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">Payment 1/15/2013 1773 China Special Needs Dossier ... Paid -800.00</span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">Invoice 1/21/2013 17344 Dossier Authentication 1/21/2013 Paid 104.00</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">Payment 1/21/2013 2010 Dossier Authentication Paid -104.00</span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">Invoice 1/22/2013 17570 Pre-Identified Child Fee 2/22/2013 Paid 500.00</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">Payment 2/4/2013 1774 Pre-Identified Child Fee/China... Paid -1,000.00</span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">Invoice 2/22/2013 15684 China Home Study Fee 3/22/2013 Unpaid 1,391.25 of 1,891.25</span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">Invoice 5/22/2013 15685 China Dossier Fee 6/22/2013 Unpaid 1,891.25 </span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">Invoice 10/22/2013 15686 China Final Program Fee 11/22/2013 Unpaid 1,891.25 </span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;"><u>Total Smith, Phil <b>OWES 5,173.75 to LIFELINE</b></u></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;"><u><b><br /></b></u></span>
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Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06113350681268292701noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6378420522804985448.post-1932908681875567012013-02-14T19:53:00.002-06:002013-02-14T19:53:59.904-06:00ONE MORE TIME.....Musician, Magician, Writer, Photographer. I can't the nights that I've dreamed of a life in one of those fields. They all seemed so cool and interesting. This has been the internal struggle. It might sound a bit juvenile but for the greater part of my adult life, I've been trying to find myself. I still live in the "when I grow up, I'm gonna be...." world. It's just part of me.<br />
<br />
This journey has taught me a couple of things: First, I've spent way too much time and energy on trying to work things out in my head without working them out with my hands, and Second, most of what I have been working toward is vanity. But I'm slowly learning to take what I've experienced and let God do with it what he sees fit. I could have never imagined that I (my family) would be in the place we now find ourselves. The challenge that lies ahead seems so large that I can't process it unless taken in small steps.<br />
<br />
All of the things that I thought would make up my future never really bloomed, but I can now see how they guided me to this point.<br />
<br />
It's sorta funny that I feel so young and inexperienced at a moment when I should be wise. By 40, I figured that I would have a small grasp of the "meaning of life". That hasn't happened. God is teaching me gradually. I still find myself asking "God, are you sure?". The answer does not change. He only calls me to move forward. I can't look back. In the rearview are all of the things that I selfishly wanted for myself. This is a journey of faith. God's will is greater than my own.<br />
<br />
It would be impossible for me to express the overwhelming feeling of gratitude that I have for everyone following this journey. It is my wish that God touches your life. Just listen and he will lead. It isn't easy, but his call will transcend anything that you could have wanted from this crazy life.<br />
<br />
When I woke this morning, I had a song running through my head. Certainly not the first time this has happend, but this time it was just a little different. It was as if God was giving me a mirror into myself and leading me toward China and my daughter. This particular song has never really stood out as a message of faith...until today.<br />
<br />
....<i>You see I've always been a dreamer.</i><br />
<i>Spent my life running around.</i><br />
<i>And it so hard to change.</i><br />
<i>Can't seem to settle down.</i><br />
<i>But the dreams I've seen lately,</i><br />
<i>keep turning out, and burning out, and turning out the same.</i><br />
<i>So put me on a highway,</i><br />
<i>and show me a sign.</i><br />
<i>And take it to the limit one more time.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
Keep us in your prayers. ~PhilPhil Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14431577008362861511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6378420522804985448.post-62295287144262081072013-02-13T21:34:00.001-06:002013-02-13T21:34:09.049-06:0022 DAYS<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Our daughter has 22 DAYS left!!!! </span></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><u>22 DAYS!!!</u></span></b></span></div>
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PLEASE keep spreading the word & praying!!!! Progress is updated here <a href="http://www.gofundme.com/longroadtochina?utm_medium=wdgt" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3b5998;"><span style="cursor: pointer;">http://www.gofundme.com/longroadtochina?utm_medium=wdgt</span></span> </a></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Also, help us to keep spreading the word about our fundraisers & </span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">pray for all the precious people that are hosting them & for success!!! Thank you for everything you have done to help give Guan Ya the love she deserves!!!!</span></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><br />**Feb 22; 5:30-7:30pm; Supper at NorthStar Church (<a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=702063244&extragetparams=%7B%22group_id%22%3A0%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/barbara.m.bennett?group_id=0" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: initial;">Barbara McKissick Bennett</a>)</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0a7bUD9s3qQ/URxZa3I9ykI/AAAAAAAACQs/WQnYhVpIykw/s1600/Guan+Ya+Fundraiser+flier+-+NorthStar+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0a7bUD9s3qQ/URxZa3I9ykI/AAAAAAAACQs/WQnYhVpIykw/s320/Guan+Ya+Fundraiser+flier+-+NorthStar+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="userContent" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed" style="display: inline;">
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><br />**March 2; 6pm; Sponsored by Blue Mountain College (<a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=6508983&extragetparams=%7B%22group_id%22%3A0%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/leeanne.b.price?group_id=0" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: initial;">LeeAnne Blakney Price</a>;<a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=500298500&extragetparams=%7B%22group_id%22%3A0%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/crystal.graves.37?group_id=0" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: initial;">Crystal Graves</a>)</span></div>
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