As promised.........

I know I hit share to FaceBook on yesterday's post!  I even typed something in the message about going to bed.  When I looked at Facebook today, it did not show anything posting so I would appreciate you reading the post Standing Amazed In His Glory  I want you to see the amazing things God will do with Faith!  I know you will be encouraged!

As promised from yesterday................

Oh how we love all our children - of course this always includes our Guan Ya!  We praise God for allowing us to have daily communication with Guan Ya!  Our bonding is already so strong through emails!  I want to share a few messages she has sent me.  The first one I've already posted on Facebook but I want to have it here too.
You can call this one lost in translation! lol

Guan Ya "Ha ha!  I  like this bag, I never want you!"
 If I'd not gotten all the previous messages that night and the weeks prior, I would be concerned!  Sometimes you have to laugh at miscommunications!   

It should have translated to 
"Ha ha! I like this bag, I always want you (my family)!"  
Sweet girl, you never, ever, ever have to worry about wanting for your family!  After almost 14 years, your forever family is coming!  We are here baby girl and going no where!  We will ALWAYS be yours!  
We love our precious girl so much! 

Guan Ya and I have had many messages about her name and how she wants it written on American paperwork.  I wrote out how each of us had our First, Middle, Last name written out - Ex. GiGi Dahl Smith, Macy Jade Smith, Colton Lane Smith, etc.  
Guan Ya "I would like to have my name Guan Ya Smith because I want my father's last name."
Be still my beating heart as it is melting!  She did not understand that Smith would automatically be her last name and wanted to make sure she carried her Daddy's last name like us!  

Macy Jade has asked if Guan Ya would like to have her middle name.  Jade is a special name because Jade is very precious in China.  I was again melted by the sweetness of my children to think Macy wanted to share her middle name with her sister!  We mentioned this to Guan Ya and she likes Guan Ya Jade Smith also.  We are giving her some time to think of exactly how she wants her name.  
For GiGi, it really doesn't matter how it's written because she has decided her name is YaYa!  Everytime she saw Guan Ya's pictures, she would say "Guan Ya" then she would shake her head no and say "No Grandma!" I guess Guan Ya and Grandma was too close to sounding the same so she now says "YaYa sissy"!

I've gotten so many sweet messages from Guan Ya that there are too many too list!  They are daily!  Some of the messages she sent us has just broken my heart to pieces!  In the beginning she would write us how she would be no trouble to our family and how she would work hard for us and how she would take care of others. She even had other friends write to us and say the same things. Oh how it hurt to me to think in her mind we were adopting her for help!  She thought the only way someone would adopt her - a deaf-mute, almost 14 year old girl - would be for a helper.  She couldn't understand how we did not want her to take care of us but how we want to take care of her!  We want to love her and she is our daughter!  After much hard work through messages from us, I think she is really liking the idea of how much we really love her; how she is equally our daughter as any other daughter in our home!

I have never mentioned her working for us.  However, I did make the mistake one time of saying to her that if she liked to cook she could teach me how to cook Chinese.  Guan Ya responded  "I will always cook for you."  I explained that was not what I meant at all!  I told her that we could cook together for fun!  I'd teach her how to cook American food and if she knew how to cook Chinese, then she could teach me how to cook it.  It was something we could enjoy together, but that she was not the cook of the home.  I have a feeling it may take some work to get her mind-set of a helper removed. She is loved and is a member of our family!  I've tried to let her know she is already a member of our family in every message I can.  With time, I think she will figure it out - probably be as rotten as the other kids & needing constant reminders for chores! lol

The message from last night really got me laughing! 
Guan Ya said 
I have so many exams to review.  It has been so busy.  I'm waiting on you to pick me up!

I Loved the message!  I guess she thinks it is just too busy at school for her now and that she is ready for us to come get her!  I'm not sure if she thinks school here will not be as busy or hard, but she is ready to come home!  I assured her we would be there very soon!!!!  She has been so good about expressing her worries and letting us know her wants/needs/etc.  I'm so proud & thankful she feels close enough to express her feelings already!

We LOVE our kids and are so proud of all of our children!  We have been blessed!

If you feel led to donate, we have several ways for you to donate to help bring our daughter home (all found at the top of our blogspot). 
Mail to:  
Phil or Niki Smith, 226 Hwy 45, Rienzi, MS  38865

Donate at any Trustmark National Bank:
Phillip Smith or Niki J. Smith's Adoption Account

There is a paypal button to the far right at the very top of our blogspot.  If you click HERE  it should take you to it.

If you prefer to make a payment for our fees directly to our adoption agency, we are using  http://lifelinechild.org/ 
LifeLine Children's Services  
 2104 Rocky Ridge Road
Birmingham, AL 35216
T: 205.967.0811
F: 205.969.2137
E: lifeline@lifelineadoption.org
You can contact Morgan Cheek and I feel confident she would be more than happy to let you know how to get the money toward our fees.

We are still in debt from GiGi's adoption and are honestly trusting faith in our Lord to provide the funds!  


Our adoption agency figured adoption fees for Guan Ya to be around $30,000 (I don't think this included plan ticket, but I'd have to look at their estimates to be sure).  Estimates always seem to be less than actual expense.
 GiGi's adoption costs us a little over $50,000 (I can provide receipts for ever thing for proof)
* $6,000+ was due to the unexpected 1 week delay we experienced
*Tickets were also at an all time high - praying ticket prices will be cheaper this flight.
* Guan Ya's orphanage fee was graciously waived by her orphanage so that is saving us several thousand this time too!


The numbers look enormous on paper.....o.k. they sound elephantly (like my imaginary word teachers? ;-)  too! We know He will provide and we hold all the faith!  Please do not feel any amount is too small if you feel led to donate!
  Do you remember Mark 12:41-44?  

If everyone on my friend's list donated only $1 (no amount is too small!),  we would have $1,912.  (This would almost pay for the 2 fees we have due very soon!) Wow, what a difference $1 could make!

If everyone on our face book list donated $1 and shared our link in turn causing 2 of their friends to donate $1, we would have $5,736.
  
If everyone on my friend's list (1912 friends) donated $5, we would have $9,560

If each person on my friend's list pledged to donate $1 a week until we united with our daughter, that would be $8 = $15,296 (1/2 our adoption fees ; $10 donated each = $19,210.   (a good peaceful dent in what we will owe)
Will you help us to get others to pledge just $1 a week until we leave? ($8 total which alone would cover 1/2 our expenses)  Can you or anyone you know live without $1 a week?


For each person that donates $25 or more, I will make the same offer to send them a charm bracelet,  or a necklace,  or a pair of earrings if you want it. 
With the earrings or necklaces, you have a choice of 
MS State inspired
U of MS inspired
AL inspired
Faith inspired (ex. cross, words faith, etc)
You have to let me know which you would like in the comments, an email or in the comments in paypal, etc.  I know not everyone wants something so I don't want to send something you do not want.  


See how it adds up so fast when everyone works together?  PLEASE never feel any amount is too small!  If you do not feel led to donate, please pray for us!  Please pray specifically for the following
-the funds to be met
-paperwork and timing 
- for safety and continued bonding with Guan Ya
-for us as we wait 
-wellness (someone here has been sick since Christmas Eve - I'm praying everyone will be able to go back to school tomorrow.)

If the first 2 prayer requests aren't met, we would not be able to unite with our daughter and she will age out of the system causing her to be a forever orphan.  She has 8 weeks left to be adopted!  If she is not adopted in 8 weeks, she will remain a forever orphan in China (she will forever be our daughter in our hearts!).  I refuse to let my mind wonder there because I know God is the King of all Kings and I have faith that His will be done!  I also know I have a lot of friends that care about the orphans and want them to have homes!  If you didn't care about the orphans and Christ's love, you probably wouldn't be reading now........so I know you have the heart!

If you don't feel led to donate to our funds, please consider helping someone today!  If you feel led to help the orphans, there are lots of families needing funded and there are a ton of organizations that you can donate to.  Regardless of what you are led to donate to let 2013 be the year of giving!  Don't delay; today's the day!  
In the words of Winston Churchill 
"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give!"

Thank you for each that continue to follow and share our story!  Thank you for each of you that have prayed for us &/or given to us in any way!  We are blessed by each of you!

Standing Amazed in His Glory......

I will start today's blog letting you know if God is calling you to adopt (or do anything else), do not delay if He is calling for you now!  He will provide!  I have been simply amazed at how God provides when we follow His calling!  

What is money vs the power of God???  Didn't God feed the multitudes with just a little bread and few fish? (Mark 8) Do you think He is out of the miracle business today?  I don't believe so!  Remember Faith as small as a mustard seed?  (Matthew 17:20)  Do you know how small a mustard seed really is???  Usually only 1-2mm - here is a visual



I would love to demonstrate 2 miracles of modern day faith, prayer, and willingness of others to follow His calling (both the adoptive families and others willing to aid the adoption of His wonderfully made children).  All I know is that I Stand Amazed!  I stand Amazed at the miracle of just how much God LOVES these precious children!  I stand Amazed at how very much He will bless others that walk on Faith for these special children and how Only He could pull of these modern day miracle. 

I posted the last day of 2012 about a family in needs of funds that was traveling very soon!  Many wondered why in the world I would post about another family needing funds & why I would offer help for them if we really needed funds too!  Well, this mission is not about US!  This lifelong mission we have been called to is about THE CHILDREN! The precious children that have no homes or families - ALL orphans around the world!  Yes, we are really in need of funds and I don't even want to say how far we are from meeting all the money we need.  We have a short period of time, but guess what?  Some of these other children and families have shorter time to come up with the funds!  I believe God does not want me to focus on Me but to focus on His LOVE for all of us!  I believe He calls us to Love one another as ourselves!  Well, if I was selfish in only looking out for OUR funds, would I really be looking out for His children?  ALL these children need & deserve loving home!  We must all unite together for each of these children - NOT just our own children!  I believe that is truly the heart of Christ!

With that being said, I have been blessed beyond belief to watch others come together to give these children homes!  I have been given a renewed faith that our funds will really be met too!  
The family that I wrote about last week here was $13,000 short of funds on December 17.  If I'm not mistaken I'd read at one time shortly before that date, that Vickie also felt as we do.....it's too much to even count how much we need right now.  Sigh, a too often feeling in the adoption community.  The families that adopt are often not wealthy families, but families that have hearts broken for these children and are trusting God to provide!  Let me just update about this precious family and how God provides for those that follow His will.  This family is now 95% funded!  Yes, praise be to the Lord and I thank each of you that donated to make this possible!

Well, I was just giddy about how my Lord was providing for this family!  I was so excited and my faith was pumped!  Then, I was lead to another family.  Stacy Richardson and her family stepped out on faith for her son!  They immediately needed $15,000 for a "surprise adoption".  Stacy didn't know where the funds would come from but she knew this was her son and that God had called them to adopt him - even though they didn't have $15,000 laying around.  Within 24 hours, God provided through the generosity of others $11,236.  NO I'm not joking!!!!  Within 46 hours (YES FOURTY-SIX HOURS), they were fully funded for the $15,000!  

You think we don't serve an orphan loving God?  Do you really think He will not provide?  It maybe at the very last minute but He will provide!  God knew I needed to see Him show out and He has used these 2 families as a model; when you follow His will  & have faith, God WILL provide!  He often calls others to help! I'm praising God for allowing me to see these miracles unfold!  I'm praising Him for those that followed His calling and donated!  I'm praising His name for those willing to be blessed and call these children their children!  I'm praising Him for calling us to this journey!  It's not always easy but it is faith building and a blessing!
 Wow, I'm so excited to see how God is going to provide for us!  We have less than 8 weeks so we will find out before long!  It maybe $1 at a time donations or it maybe several big donations.???  I don't know but I do know He will provide because Guan Ya is our daughter and this IS His will!  We have 2 larger payments coming up soon so I'm excited to see who or how He provides for these needs!  PRAISING HIS NAME!  I pray you know my Father and can praise His name!  I pray each of you are a Christian!  If not, please message Phil or I and we would be more than happy to show you how to accept Christ as your personal savior!  There is no peace like the peace you can get from His love!  

Sorry, that part got long - I'm excited!  ;-)   I wanted you  to read all that because I want you to know about our Lord; I wanted you to praise Him with me;  and I want you to be encouraged in your faith too!  I know I was posting about Guan Ya tonight and her messages to us, but this got long.  I figure you are tired of reading my writings so I will post about Guan Ya tomorrow!  
Yes, I really will - I already have the post written so you'll have to wait until tomorrow to hear about our precious girl!  Keeping you in suspense.  ;-)  

I praise the Lord for each of you that have continued to keep up with us, prayed for us and aided in our adoption in anyway!  We sincerely Thank you!

Urgent Last request of the year (not for us)

Okay, with 2012 coming to an end, I have to make one last post.  My heart has been burdened for this Christian family that I do not know.   Proverbs 24:12 If you say, "But we knew nothing about this,"does not he who weighs the heart perceive it?  Does not he who guards your life know it?  Will he not repay eveyone according to what they have done?  I have a complete understanding of the dire need the orphaned child has to gain the love of a forever family and I also have an understanding of the financial burden adoption can cause to a family.   I am a walking testimony that many of us adoptive families begin an adoptive journey on complete and total blind faith that funds will be provided to allow our children to be united with us -their forever family.  Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.  We are able to afford raising another child but the high costs of adoption cause the burden.  

Yes, we are still trying to find where God has placed the funds for our adoption and we have a very short period of time (less than 65 days) before we are to unite with our daughter; however, our family is not the only one in financial need!  BUT this post is not about us but about LOVE - love for the orphans and others! Our daughter is not the only one needing her forever family!  We have little time but this family only has SEVEN DAYS (yes, you read that right 7 days).  

I'm asking for one last good deed from you for 2012 - to donate any amount to this family to bring their daughter home!  God is good and His heart is no doubt for the orphans.  With all the hurt, bad, & evil in the world, let us turn it around with one small deed at a time.  I feel like I ask a lot from you but I'm never asking for me - it's for the children to find the love they deserve and need!  I wouldn't ask if I didn't think you cared too for these precious treasures! 

If you donate $25 or more to this family tonight/tomorrow, message me to let me know and I will send you a free silver plated charm bracelet - no joke!  I believe in every child deserving a home and I believe in you!  If you cannot donate $25 or more, donate a smaller amount today/tomorrow and I will deduct it from a photo session from GiGi's Light Photography©  if you live in our area! 

I'm in prayer for this family and ask you to please pray with me.  I praise God for adopting us into His family!  I praise God for allowing these children to have forever families!  I praise God for placing a heavy heart on those willing to bring the orphans into their home as their children and I praise God for those willing to help families trying to bring home these precious and wonderfully made children!

How will $5 affect you?  How could $5 affect the life of an orphan?  .............................Think about it
Together we can all make a difference; it just takes a little from each of us to accomplish great things!  
End 2012 with giving and make a 2013 resolution to do more for others and make a difference!
Here is the family blogspot and there is a chip-in at the top of the page:
http://wwwourchinagirl.blogspot.com/ 
"I am only one, but still I am one.  I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do." Helen Keller

Praise.......

How often do you feel ashamed for doubting, questioning, feeling sorry for yourself, or something similar?  Honestly, there probably aren't many days that I don't see the "big" picture for a brief second. It may even be something small like burning the toast or the spilled milk.

In my last post, I wanted to be honest.  I was bummed that everything wasn't "perfect" like I wanted it!  GiGi is sick and the rest of us are fighting sickness, Guan Ya isn't with us, Christmas was slim to say the least, & we were hoping to help others more this Christmas.  

No sooner than those thoughts filled my heart I felt guilt!  How could I feel sorry that things were not perfect in "MY" mind.  I quickly thought about 
*all the families that are going through Christmas without loved ones 
*the families that know they have limited time with their loved ones 
*the orphans that have NO family to spend Christmas with nor have anyone to hold them while they are sick
*the less fortunate that are cold, hungry, or without clothing or shelter
*our military men and women that have to not only spend Christmas without their family, but often go months without their family
*the list could continue with those not as fortunate as I this Christmas!

The thankfulness continued to flow in throughout the night with more messages from our precious daughter! I praise the Lord that He has opened a door for communication between us and Guan Ya!  I praise Him for trusting us with these precious children - to me, the grandest gift is children!  There is no other greater Earthly pleasure in my opinion and to think the Lord has trusted little imperfect me with these treasures is sometimes confusing!  Why would I be blessed with so many treasures?  
I'm flawed but I love these children with everything I have in me!  I may not be able to give them many earthly possessions, but there is not another person on this earth that loves their children more than I.  I do feel I can give them something more important than material possessions.........love and the knowledge of God's love and word!  That's all I have but it's enough for me!

I'm lost for words on how I can explain how proud I am of my treasures!  My sister-friend from China call my children "honey kids" because she thinks they are so sweet!  I love that thought and the love that they demonstrate (when they aren't fighting among themselves).  Colt, Macy Jade, and Guan Ya (GiGi is too young to understand this deep emotional connection yet) love each other and they've never met!  They don't just love each other, but they love each other as siblings - they have a bond that I believe will never end!  How/why was I so blessed with such loving children?  

You can read the letters Colt and Macy Jade wrote to Guan Ya here .  Last night, I was blessed again to communicate through many messages to Guan Ya.  I sent the messages from Colt & Macy to her yesterday since it was Christmas.  Guan Ya responds back to their letters saying what a dear brother and sister they are to her.  Ya was very excited to get a message just from them.  She told them she was ready to be with them and thanked Colt and Macy for accepting her as their sister.  She also told them how much she loved them.
Wow, what a blessing!  Tears rolled down my face to think of how loving and accepting all my children are of each other!  

I've read of many other children that were adopted of older age and it sometimes takes years for the child to say I love you or call the parents mom & dad or to accept their siblings - some never do this.  We knew this prior to accepting Guan Ya as our daughter.  However, we knew she was our child and if she never accepted us as her family, she was still ours.  Her acceptance, love, and reaction to us had no bearing on our feelings for our daughter!  We were/are prepared for emotional distance and bonding to not be automatic.....it's not a warm fuzzy feeling to think about but we try to be honest & know this is likely. It is very understandable why emotional connections can be hard with older children!  This age is hard on all teens with so many changes! I cannot imagine the courage these children face to leave everything they know to have a family!  
Again, I'm praising God and in complete awe that He has picked flawed me to be this precious child's mother! I knew there was something special about her before we started her paperwork.  Yes, all children are special, but there is something different about Guan Ya!  I cannot wait to see all the things the Lord has in store for this exceptional child! 

Thank you Lord for entrusting me with such treasures!  I praise You through the storms and the sunshine!  I pray you will continue to open doors to allow our union with our daughter!  Please protect our precious children until we can unite!  I know this is your will and that you will continue to provide!  Thank you for all the faithful people you have provided along the way to help fulfill your will for us!  Thank you for trusting us with your most precious treasures!  I praise only You for it all!

For great is His love toward us & the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.  Praise the Lord.
Psalm 117:2 NIV

I'm one Proud, honored, & blessed Mommy that is PRAISING my Lord!

   

2012 Christmas summary..........

GiGi was sick running fever and in bed for the very first time since we adopted her and it was her first Christmas. :-(
Colt and Macy Jade both have terrible coughs. 
And since I'm complaining, I miss my Guan Ya!

This Christmas we have been blessed by people we do not know and some we don't know well! 

We have GiGi at home and in less than 70 days we will have our newest daughter in our arms. 

We've No illnesses we cannot get over. 

I have been blessed to correspond in many emails with Guan Ya since yesterday. She is already calling us mom and dad/father, has sent us several pictures, says she is excited to come home and tells us she loves us. Thank you so much to those of you that donated money to help bring her home as part of your Christmas giving! Every bit adds up and nothing is small to us!  Thank you also for the many prayers.  We continue to ask for prayers  especially for the following 3: 
-Paperwork & timing
-Bonding with Guan Ya & for her until we unite
-Financial Fees from adoption  

We have a warm home, plenty clothing, plenty food, more love than many could imagine and we have Christ at the center of our home. How can I complain? We have been blessed!

So many things I'm thankful for, but I have to mention the  happiness & gratefulness my children bring to me knowing the true meaning of Christmas!  Both said this was their best Christmas ever because GiGi was home with us!  They were grateful for love!

 I hope you all had a Merry Christmas!

GuanYa updates

I hope our nation finds comfort & love after the devastation of one person’s actions in CT a week ago!  I wouldn't even know where to start talking about what happened that day!  I cannot allow myself to think what if…………..  It’s too heartbreaking & I cannot even imagine the pain that 20 innocent children’s parents, friends, classmates, teachers, mentors have felt since Friday!  As time will move it off most the front of our minds until it is mentioned again, there are some that will live with the daily loss!  My heart hurts and our nation hurts for all these involved!  My prayers are with each and every one as I know many others are with them!

We cannot let the fear over take us from this senseless tragedy!   Likewise distressing, an average 125 children die each day from cancer!  Each one of those children has families, friends, teachers, etc. that hurt daily from their loss also.  I say this not to minimize the losses from CT in any way!  My point is that we do not need to live our lives in fear as we do not know the days, hours, minutes we have left on this earth.  In fact, each day we live, we are dying!  There are no do overs in this lifetime and once a day is gone, we do not get to add another day to our lives if we do not live it accordingly!  Make each day one that you are proud of!  Love more, do for others, smile more, and pray more! 

The Monday following the tragedy  my kids did not attend school.  Not because of the shooting (however, it would have been easy for me to keep them home in fear) but because it sounded like I had seals living in my home barking all night!  I’m so glad Christmas break is here!  I love having our family all together!  Many tire of each other, but we really don’t and always look forward to our time together!  Our family time is our most cherished time!  Christmas is quickly coming up & as many look forward to gifts giving/getting & other traditions we just don’t find as much joy in that as our time together! This year, each of our kiddos has 1 main present and 2 smaller gifts – for main presents, Colt -a watch, GiGi - a doll of her own, & Macy……that kid has really not asked for anything so she got smaller items.  They know they aren't getting much and they didn't ask for much of anything. I’m so thankful our kids understand the true meaning of happiness!  Sorry I’m having a mommy bragging moment!  I guess we are easily pleased and our happiest moments are together! The only thing that could make this Christmas better is if our precious GuanYa was joining us this Christmas.  However, as I told her in the last letter I sent “It hurts that you are not able to be here with us this Christmas, but it brings great joy to know we do not have to spend another Christmas apart!”   

I brag on my kids often on Facebook and you are going to have to hear more bragging soon!  Our GuanYa is just a priceless, beautiful & precious soul!  We've gotten more emails from her the last 2 weekends.  As soon as I yell “We've gotten another email!” Everyone is crowding my computer before I can even translate her email.  In her last email she stated that she received our letter and was very grateful of it and the pictures we sent to her! She told us she loved us and wanted us as her family!  It was cute because she wanted to ask us about Scout.  I’m not sure what she meant but it translated that she asked if Scout as TongArm?
 And she ended her letter with
 “Lifetime Love you” 

Wow, talk about melting our hearts!  I’m thinking she was asking if Scout was a military dog but if anyone has a different translation or insight on what she might have meant, please feel free to share!

I think she enjoys our letters because last Friday night (her Saturday morning) she sent us an email -as usual, I got it my Saturday morning when I checked emails.  I was super busy & did not respond to her immediately as I usually have in the past.  I've only gotten message from her on Saturday mornings so I didn't know if she was even seeing the emails I sent until almost a lapse in time of a week.   I was in the middle of writing her a message that Sunday night when I got a message from her.  I opened it up & it was completely blank.  I giggled a little because I think it was her way of saying.... Mom, why haven't you responded to me?  I never want her to feel I'm not here with her every step, but I have to admit I got a really warm feeling to think she really longs to get messages from us!

Our biggest concern with adopting GuanYa was not our love for her or bringing home an older child & not even the fact she was deaf-mute!  We see her as our daughter so all those issues were not issues of grave concern - of course loving her was of NO concern!  Our biggest distress that we've prayed the hardest about was that she would not want a family.   We only wanted what is best for her from the very start & of course we longed for her to want a family!  From her messages, I’m pretty confident that she is excited about us as her family and the joy it brings to our hearts is indescribable! 

We all still ask for lots of prayers for paperwork, fiances, timing, & bonding!  I couldn't imagine bonding being any better at this point but we want to keep on progressing!  We need lots of prayers for the other areas because if something doesn't work out with any of these 3 area, we would not be able to bring her home.  Her time to be adopted ceases March 9, 2013.  We need your help & as you can see, she wants us as a family!  We do not want to have our hearts broken & cannot imagine Not bringing her home to her family - my mind cannot go there!  And GuanYa is excited to have us as a family!  This is her ONLY chance to be adopted to a forever family!  I cannot bear to think how it would tear her heart apart to think she has a family & for something to fall through!  However, the fact of the matter is that we have 77 days to get all the paperwork completed & funds raised!  Yes, in a few hours that will be 76 so we have NO time to spare!
I want to leave you with 3 things - 2 letters written to GuanYa (1 from Colt & 1 from MJ) and the latest picture from our precious daughter. 
 I hope your Christmas is 1/10 as blessed as our Christmas!  Thank you for continuing to support & follow us!

I want you to know I love you & you’re my favorite big sister.  You’re always in my heart.  Even when you are in China, I still love you!  I bet you’ll love me too! You’ll love our silly family & will never feel adopted; you’re just one of us!  We have lots of fun with our animals.  You should know that we love you with all our hearts.  I cannot wait to have you home!  I make mom let me see everything you send us.  I’m so excited to have a big sister!  You must know that your sister GiGi wants a big sister & wants you here really soon too.  You are the perfect big sister for us!  Do you want to know how I know that?  Because I can feel it in my heart!  You are so beautiful – you could be a model.  I want you to show me how you get so beautiful.   I will share all the stuff I have with you & I think you will love it!  Everything we do I see you with us!  It feels like I’m already hugging you; I can already see it!  You will be the best big sister ever!   We will have things waiting on you & love you with all our hearts!  You will love it here!

Love,

Macy Jade

(age 7 years old) 

GuanYa, I’m so excited to have you in our family!  I know you will make our family better and more complete!  When you get here we can play my video games together.  I know we’ll have the grandest time!  You’ll always be with me in my heart & soul!  I’m so glad that you love us & I’m thankful for every message you send us!  It makes me happy to know you are typing to us!  Thank you so much for accepting us as your family! 

Your brother,

Colt

 (age 9 years old)

New traditions

Can anyone else relate?

Maybe a better question for this time of year is can anyone NOT relate?

Well, Phil & I have made a decision in our family this year to make new traditions for Christmas.  Our focus (each member of our family) will not be on WHAT will we get for Christmas but what we can give to others.  No, we aren't talking about giving toys (unless they come out of our children's EUC stash) but we are giving necessity items or we will give with a purpose (supporting someone/some cause).  Our kids have never experienced a Christmas like they will have this year.  We've said in the past we aren't doing much for Christmas & we aren't getting wrapped up in the materialistic side of Christmas.  Well, after our visit to China this summer and seeing the orphans with out a forever home,  we cannot go on acting like we don't know where real value lies!  Our decision for Christmas is good for us & I realize it doesn't work for everyone.  Many enjoy the hustle & bustle  that comes with Christmas, but it stresses me to the max!

This year I have purchased NO presents for Christmas.  Nope, not a one!  The kids have been told they will get 3 small presents and we will put littles in for the stockings.   It's pretty easy to focus on the greater things in life when you have no other choices.  No, my kids don't need gifts & we will be giving small packages with essential items to others instead of gift giving.  Wow, this is a change for our regular Christmas, but the kids don't seem to mind at all!  When others have asked our kids what they want for Christmas, they say that they don't need anything.  If they other are persistent, our kids will ask for money to go get their sister.  No we've not told or encouraged them to do this, they have decided this on their own.  They see how much more important and how God is calling our family to give GuanYa a home.  She is our daughter & their sister!  They ask about her everyday & GiGi points to her pic & calls her by name.  We are honored to have children that love their sister whom they've never met.  They put everything they want on hold to have their sister here.  How blessed are we?

I wanted to draw your attention to another site.  This family has bless us already more than they could know.  Check out their 3rd annual 24 days of Christmas Giving http://www.afamilyofsix.blogspot.com/2012/12/24-days-of-giving-families.html 
Please take a look and prayerfully consider donating to one of these families if you are called to. Yes, our name is on the list but I ask you to listen to God's calling about where you should be giving!  All children deserve the love of a forever home - not just GiGi, or GuanYa or just the children in China, or just the children in the US, or xxxxxxxxx.  ALL children deserve the love of a forever family!  Can you imagine not having someone there to teach you about Christ, clean & kiss your cuts, teach you about the trials of life & how you can deal with them, tuck you in every night, tell you you are loved & you are important, show you that you are loved, guide you, help you, and the list could go on forever - and that's all these kids need --a family that will forever be there for them.  Don't get me wrong; these kids bless our lives more than one could imagine!  However, if people aren't willing to follow God's calling & trust in blind faith, many children might still not have a forever home.  I feel that our calling to adopt these precious children is no greater than the calling He has for you!  God calls us all & has an individual plan for each of us!  It's up to us to follow His lead!  

Please continue to hold us close in prayer and especially GuanYa!  I know she said she is happy but this is a major change in her life!  Please pray God will mold us all together.  Pray He will show us the places He has stored for our financial needs to adopt.  Please pray we will know how to help others & love more as He loves!  We ask for your prayers and each one means more than you could know!  Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for following in our journey.  We pray you will find God's calling for your life each day & we pray you will also find the strength to follow His plans!  God Bless & we love each of you!