Prayers Needed

It's hard to believe, but it seems that our entire adoption is being held up right now by ONE piece of paper. We are having trouble getting the last document for our dossier done correctly, and it's crazy to me that one uncooperative person can throw a wrench in the whole process. While we wait on this one document, the clock is ticking on all the other documents we've already submitted. We have a 6 month window to get everything submitted to Vietnam, and that's 6 months from when the first documents were notarized (in June). I won't go into too much more detail than that, but we really need prayers right now from our brothers and sisters in Christ, please!

If you find yourself thinking of us, please pray that the road blocks will be moved quickly, and that God will soften the hearts of the individuals who are in the position to help or hinder our progress- that He will allow us to find favor with them, and they will be moved towards compassion and kindness.

We really appreciate your prayers, and know that they can make all the difference. I'm sure God has a purpose and plan in all of this, and I believe it will all work out in His timing (and maybe this delay is part of His timing)- but it never hurts to call upon fellow believers to hit their knees! Thanks! I'll let you know as soon as this problem is cleared up.

The Long Road to Brianna, Part III: Red Hairs and Banana Stickers

Hi, guys! Made it back from Florida safe and sound. Had a little rain, but nothing that hindered my trip. It was a very eventful, busy week, and I am now ready for a vacation! Isn't that always how it goes?

Anyway, a helpful little bird reminded me that I never did finish my story the other day. I was talking about how hard it was to wait so long, and believe we would get that child God had intended for us. I told you about how God continued to give us confirmation and peace that our match with Bri was not by chance, His plan was not deterred by us dragging our feet, and that it was all done in His timing (see this post for a refresher on Part I, and this one for Part II, if you didn't catch it). I said I'd tell you later about the other neat little hints God gave us.

Then I forgot... Hey-Whaddaya want from me? I'm 40. I have a gazillion kids. I forget things. Sorry.

One of many special details I love to remember about our Gotcha Day happened after we were loaded back onto the bus with Bri to go back to the hotel. I was holding my beautiful, brand new daughter on my lap, snuggled close to my chest. As the sunlight was streaming in through the bus window, I noticed one bright red hair, standing out amongst all the shiny black ones, on top of her little head.

For one thing, it reminded me of the Chinese Legend of the Red Thread (at the bottom of this page, if you've never heard it) which, even by itself, was special. But that wasn't the only thing that stood out to me about the red hair. If you know our family, you might understand where I'm going with this. Red hair tends to run on my husband's side. Three of our children are strawberry blondes and one had gorgeous, dark auburn hair growing up. To me, it was as if God was pointing out that familiar-colored hair to say, "See? She really is yours." It was a neat way for Him to "link" us together. At least I choose to look at it that way...

Another really fun "proof" God has given that this child was meant for us is something she started doing as a toddler and still does today. This is odd, but she likes to take the sticker off the bunch of bananas when I bring them home from the store, and put it right smack in the middle of her forehead. She'd leave it there all day if we'd let her.

What makes this really weird is that I did the same exact thing when I was little! I can almost hear God saying, "That kid is definitely YOURS. She's way too weird to be anyone else's!"

In fact, Brianna and I share more in common with each other than with anyone else in the house. Our passion for Del Monte stickers is only the beginning. There are so many ways we're alike, it's freakish. Two oddballs on opposite sides of the planet, brought together as mother and daughter, by the loving hand of God.

And there have been so many other ways God has shown us how perfect His plan was in making her a part of our family, and even in letting us wait 23 months to have her. I didn't like that part while we were going through it, but I'm so thankful for it now. She was meant to be ours. And she was so worth the wait.

I know some of you are waiting and wondering when this will end. Will there even be an end? Will it end well? So many little things with international adoption can go wrong. As we wait, we hear all the horror stories of yet another failed adoption, eagerly shared by someone who knows someone who heard something. And most of the time, we hear nothing at all. It's the worst kind of limbo, isn't it? My heart goes out to you and I know how hard this is. I know some of you are Believers, too, and started this whole process because you felt that same tugging from the Lord that this is what He wanted you to do. If that's the case, then don't give up! You're own precious little oddball, hand-picked just for you by God Himself, is waiting for you.

"The LORD Himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." Deuteronomy 31:8

Your day is coming. Your child is out there. Get some Del Monte stickers ready, just in case.

Crib Recall

Most of you have heard about the huge recall on cribs by now. Anne has done the work of gathering the information on it so instead of repeating it, just read it here (and thank you, Anne!). If you're crib shopping soon, please check it out. I've read some horrible things about some of these models.

Still in Florida and heading to the beach in a minute. Take care!

Off to Florida (to enjoy the rain... YEAH!)

Alex and Mike's school had "Nerd Day" today. Alex tried his best to win the nerd contest, and I say- he's a natural. You can't see it in this photo, but his hat has a dinosaur on it, and he wore a Spiderman sticker on the back of his hand all day. Excellent touches, I thought. He wanted to walk around with his fly unzipped and let his shirt tail stick out of his open fly. I was concerned that I might get a call from the school.

Alas, someone else was nerdier than this and won...

Can you imagine what "nerdier-than-this" looks like? Apparently a fanny pack was involved. The other kid's mom must be so proud.

Tomorrow is "Pirate Day." He's going to shake off today's devasting loss and try again. I have to wake up at the crack of dawn to draw on a "real-looking" beard and mustache (how "real-looking" can it be if it's drawn on with eyebrow pencil?). I don't recall doing this stuff when I was in school. We did really goofy things, like Math and Science and stuff.

I'm leaving tomorrow to visit my mom in Florida for a week . Of course, they are predicting rain and thunderstorms there all week. Oh well, we'll still have fun! I probably won't post much while I'm there so have a great week, Everybody... Talk to you when I get back!