REALITY - Down to the crunch and the numbers are really big...

O.k.  I HATE discussing fiances.   I really really do! But unfortunately it takes funds to adopt these wonderfully made children that are hungry for love & hungry for a forever family.  (so don't adopt some say?  Sorry, that's not an option! When my Lord calls me to adopt, we cannot let money or anything else stand in the way no matter how scary it may seem.) We are really in need of some serious funds in the next 8 weeks.  I broke down today and finally added it up.  This is the  amount of funds we know we need for the rest of our adoption fees and for Phil & I to travel to China.  Big Breath (our orphan loving God is bigger, our orphan loving God is much bigger, our orphan loving God  can chomp this out before our daughter ages out).........$22,250  No I'm not kidding and we have 8 weeks.  We tried to fundraise prior to Christmas with photography (and we've used those funds toward adoption fees), but with getting paperwork together, just getting back with GiGi, the sickness we've had, regular school and life, yadda, yadda, yadda I honestly do not know how many fundraisers we can do in the next 8 weeks to get this money  (time is not in our favor). Please don't take that wrong.......we are willing to do anything in our power but our time is running very short! I'm swamped from the time I get up until after midnight almost every night!

We had plans to do Valentine pictures and Phil was planning on building some props for that during Christmas break, but none of us were well so that didn't go over.   Pictures take time not just taking them but also processing them.  We LOVE photography but right now we have to get our daughter home.  I hope to get in some pictures but I honestly do not know how many shoots we will get in.

With GiGi's adoption we were with a different agent (not considered a Christian agency) so we did not even qualify for many grants.  I'll be  honest in telling you we also did not search out grants greatly with our first adoption because we felt there were others in greater need - we were clueless that we would be stuck in China such a long time and clueless we would be called to adopt again so soon.  GiGi's adoption was our first adoption and we did refinance our home - that is not an option again.   I sold my Suburban to pay expenses so that is not an option.  We also incurred many financial hardships unexpected during 2012 - theft, surgery, accident, pay cuts, etc.  We still have fees from GiGi's adoption that has to be paid off.  Those fees are not included in the $22,250; that amount is only what we know we need for Guan Ya's adoption.

I REALLY REALLY Hate to even address this, but at this point I feel it is necessary.  I think you need to know we are not getting funding elsewhere for anything - including our adoption.  O.k. (sigh) here it goes........Contrary to popular belief we DO NOT get assistance from any other place.  No one paid for our last adoption and no one is paying for any of Guan Ya's adoption.  If you would like to question me about this, please feel free to send me an email and I will be happy to let you know we are self-sufficient.  We make sacrifices, spend wisely and trust our Maker to provide.  With the donations (whether monetary donations or buying items we had for sale, etc) we got from some very kind people and some sweet  strangers we did raise some money and we are forever thankful for you.  There is one person that helped; she did not fund our adoption but she gave the funds for Colt and Macy Jade to go to China.  She knows who she is and I hope she knows how grateful we are and our children are for the life experience they gained!  Our children were forever changed by that trip and I would not take it back for anything!  It was a life changing experience for them and it was wonderful for GiGi as she felt much more comfortable with them around.  We were all able to bond together. I could go on for days as to how life changing and positive it was, but that's for another day. 

Please do not judge people's funds by friends or family and assume they get their money from those sources.   We were told by others during our last adoption people didn't feel they needed to donate because they thought someone else paid some, most, all of our adoption and paid for our home and other items.  I'm sorry, but this could not be further from the truth!  Phil and I pay our bills and I'll leave it at that.  

 I just wanted to assure you that we are responsible for getting the funds for Guan Ya.  If we do not get the funding, our daughter will forever be an orphan in China.  I believe she will not have to carry that title, but we are her last hope at adoption since she ages out March 9, 2013.  We have to be in China with the final adoption papers signed by March 9 (YES weeks away).  They will not extend that date if we don't have the funds.  Everything has to happen by that date or the adoption will not occur.

We have filled out for a couple grants.  We are hoping to hear back from one this week.  If we do not hear by the middle of the month then the grant committee did not pick us.  With changes in laws lately and the economical crisis, grants have had a huge increase in applications and sadly a decrease in funding.   We have a few other grants we were eligible to apply for and I hope to hear from them prior to leaving for China.  The grants alone might cover a couple thousand dollars IF we were chosen - Grants are to aid in paying for adoption and not meant to pay for adoptions. 
  
We are also going to get a video on GIVE1SAVE1ASIA as soon as we can get one together.  The GIVE1SAVE1 is not a grant but they help promote for others in the adoption process and encourage others to give as little as $1 to help fund.  We are busy and trying to get funding but we are going to need your help to bring our daughter home.  

I've added up and within the next week, we need $3,581 to pay fees.  These fees cannot be delayed!  This is to get our Dossier to China & fees from our adoption agency.  I've seen God pull together people and make this work.  We've added a Chip In button so people can watch the funds increase as people give. If you feel led please help us come up with the $3,581.  We are just going to break the fees down as they come - the most expensive fees will be just prior to travel.

I've never enjoyed discussing finances, but that is what we have to get in order to have Guan Ya forever our daughter and not an orphan!  We are working hard to get everything else together.  If you know of something we have and you would like to buy, please message me.  I ask you pray for us and SHARE our story every where  you can.
As stated in our last post As promised.... every little bit helps meet our goal!  The more our story is shared, we pray the more people are blessed.  Please share on Facebook, tell your work about us, put us on your prayer list at church!  

     This is Guan Ya and she is ready to come home

Can you spare $1 to help bring her home?

Our chip in button is at the top right of blog 

and at the last post, I've given a list of ways you can donate.

PLEASE help us meet this ransom for our beautiful daughter that types to me 

Mamma, I'm waiting on you to get me. I miss you!  

Eternal love to you! 

Guan Ya

Thank you for your support and prayers!

Our orphan loving God is bigger than that $amount we owe!

Satan has been after us a while, help us show the Devil how Christians will band together and not let numbers stop a precious 

girl from coming home.

Thank you for all you've done!

Blessings, Thanks & Love to all!

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!