tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50559276988939682132024-03-05T02:09:16.428-08:00Bamboo and Pluff MudCarpenter Family Adoption JourneyJessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05473681477720869354noreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5055927698893968213.post-68524462941927742062013-12-01T06:32:00.001-08:002013-12-01T06:32:24.747-08:00Advent: Out of the Root...<div>There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. (Isaiah 11:1, 2 ESV)</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcOnmhM82qTP6Q0pJYabZTQY2d_ndfNgZas29RxPqwJFhX6TOoJcEjqN0ToFVW7feOW2PVspj9URaQ7OiAcJjZ1T9G7F6_hn3yx_BajklMRjbD94jrS3vKJfRYcW7mNyBQMzkmcuaqEX5v/s640/blogger-image--829984731.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcOnmhM82qTP6Q0pJYabZTQY2d_ndfNgZas29RxPqwJFhX6TOoJcEjqN0ToFVW7feOW2PVspj9URaQ7OiAcJjZ1T9G7F6_hn3yx_BajklMRjbD94jrS3vKJfRYcW7mNyBQMzkmcuaqEX5v/s640/blogger-image--829984731.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05473681477720869354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5055927698893968213.post-67795121539085271342013-11-05T18:41:00.004-08:002014-10-28T12:21:13.837-07:00Advent: Books & Links I'm preparing for a little Adventures in Advent workshop next week. I listed resources 2 years ago on my previous blog; and I've had a few questions about resources, etc. So, here they are. What are your favorite boosk or traditions and scripture readings? Jesse Tree? Advent Candles? How do you prepare for the celebration of Jesus' first coming to earth? And how do you speak and teach your children through the daily life about their place in the redemptive narrative of history that promises one day all sad things will be untrue? <br />
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I'd love to hear from you as I post and update the next few weeks! <br />
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Here are a few of my favorites, I've linked to Amazon, apparently I have some little associate account that I've never used. But, here we go. We'll give it a try, I've linked to Amazon or blogs or websites. <br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Lavanderia Regular"; font-size: 29px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /><span style="font-size: large;">For Adults & Young Adults</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1581348339/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1581348339&linkCode=as2&tag=httpwwwaustin-20">Treasuring God in Our Traditions</a> by Noel Piper<img a="" alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=httpwwwaustin-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1581348339" height="1" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0764808435/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0764808435&linkCode=as2&tag=httpwwwaustin-20" style="border: currentColor !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0982621469/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0982621469&linkCode=as2&tag=httpwwwaustin-20">Behold the Lamb of God: An Advent Narrative</a> b</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #274e13; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>y Russ Ramsey<img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=httpwwwaustin-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0982621469" height="1" style="border: currentColor !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></b></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/%3Ciframe%20src=%22http://rcm-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/cm?t=httpwwwaustin-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B006HNTWNU&IS1=1&ref=tf_til&fc1=726969&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=61CB79&bc1=FFFFFF&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr%22%20style=%22width:120px;height:240px;%22%20scrolling=%22no%22%20marginwidth=%220%22%20marginheight=%220%22%20frameborder=%220%22%3E%3C/iframe%3E" target="_blank">Music to Behold the Lamb of God</a> </span><br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0764808435/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0764808435&linkCode=as2&tag=httpwwwaustin-20">Advent and Christmas with Thomas Merton (A Redemptorist Pastoral Publication)</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=httpwwwaustin-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0764808435" height="1" style="border: currentColor !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1570755418/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1570755418&linkCode=as2&tag=httpwwwaustin-20">Watch for the Light: Readings for Advent and Christmas</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=httpwwwaustin-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1570755418" height="1" style="border: currentColor !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
by multple Authors<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1414387083/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1414387083&linkCode=as2&tag=httpwwwaustin-20">The Greatest Gift: Unwrapping the Full Love Story of Christmas</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=httpwwwaustin-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1414387083" height="1" style="border: currentColor !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
by Ann Voskamp<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0310324521/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0310324521&linkCode=as2&tag=httpwwwaustin-20">Advent Conspiracy: Can Christmas Still Change the World?</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=httpwwwaustin-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0310324521" height="1" style="border: currentColor !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
by McKinley, Seay, Holder<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0806615443/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0806615443&linkCode=as2&tag=httpwwwaustin-20">We Light the Candles: Devotions Related to Family Use of the Advent Wreath</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=httpwwwaustin-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0806615443" height="1" style="border: currentColor !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1612614116/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1612614116&linkCode=as2&tag=httpwwwaustin-20">Joy to the World!: The Forgotten Meaning of Christmas</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=httpwwwaustin-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1612614116" height="1" style="border: currentColor !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
Isaac Watts<br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;">Young Adult Reading</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1569553491/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1569553491&linkCode=as2&tag=httpwwwaustin-20">Tabitha's Travels: A Family Story for Advent (Jotham's Journey Trilogy)</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=httpwwwaustin-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1569553491" height="1" style="border: currentColor !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0825441730/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0825441730&linkCode=as2&tag=httpwwwaustin-20">Bartholomew's Passage: A Family Story for Advent</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=httpwwwaustin-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0825441730" height="1" style="border: currentColor !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0825441749/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0825441749&linkCode=as2&tag=httpwwwaustin-20">Jotham's Journey: A Storybook for Advent</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=httpwwwaustin-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0825441749" height="1" style="border: currentColor !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13;"><b><u><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Donkey in the Living Room</span><br /><a href="http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?item_no=684487&product_redirect=1&Ntt=684487&item_code=&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP" target="_blank">Donkey In the Living Room </a><br /></u></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Jesse Tree</u></b></span> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Reading from <a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/" target="_blank">Ann Voskamp's Blog</a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span>Family Celebration <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Unwrapping-Greatest-Gift-Celebration-Christmas/dp/1414397542/ref=pd_sim_b_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=0WSPSHAFJT4FS278PZ6Q" target="_blank">Ann Voskamp </a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;">Advent Candles</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001B7MLRG/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B001B7MLRG&linkCode=as2&tag=httpwwwaustin-20">Advent Candle Set</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=httpwwwaustin-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B001B7MLRG" height="1" style="border: currentColor !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
** they usually sell out quickly!
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<a href="http://www.focusonthefamily.com/parenting/holidays/making-meaningful-christmas-memories/celebrate-advent.aspx" target="_blank">Focus on the Family Advent Reading </a></div>
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Candle Reading by <a href="http://celebratingholidays.com/">Celebratingholidays.com</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.celebratingholidays.com/?page_id=1423" target="_blank">Week 1 </a></div>
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<a href="http://www.celebratingholidays.com/?page_id=1429" target="_blank">Week 2</a><br />
<a href="http://www.celebratingholidays.com/?page_id=1429" target="_blank">Week 3</a> <br />
<a href="http://www.celebratingholidays.com/?page_id=1435" target="_blank">Week 4</a></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><b><u><br />Advent Calendars</u></b></span> </div>
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Naptime Diaries<a href="http://www.naptimediariesshop.com/" target="_blank">http://www.naptimediariesshop.com/</a> with Journe ** our calendar for 2014</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br />Online Reading Resources from Daily Blogs or Downloadable:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://noelpiper.com/">NoelPiper.com</a> <br class="kix-line-break" /><br /><a href="http://shereadstruth.com/">SheReadsTruth.com</a><br /><a href="http://youversion.com/">YouVersion.com</a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /><a href="http://naptimediaries.com/">Naptimediaries.com</a> (downloadable via Advent Calendar)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://aholyexperience.com/">AHolyExperience.com</a> <br class="kix-line-break" /><br class="kix-line-break" /><a href="http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/good-news-of-great-joy-free-advent-ebook" target="_blank">Good News of Great Joy</a> by DesiringGod.com</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /><span style="color: #274e13;"><b>Some of Favorite Kid Resources: </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><a href="http://truthintinsel.com/">TruthInTinsel.com</a> for crafts **we'red doing crafts this year...oh my! </div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0615729169/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0615729169&linkCode=as2&tag=httpwwwaustin-20">The Donkey In the Living Room: A Tradition That Celebrates the Real Meaning of Christmas</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=httpwwwaustin-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0615729169" height="1" style="border: currentColor !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">by Sarah Cunningham<br />* This is a super fun reading story to sort of play off the fun of opening a new nativity animal each dady and telling a story. </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0310722918/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0310722918&linkCode=as2&tag=httpwwwaustin-20">Song of the Stars: A Christmas Story</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=httpwwwaustin-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0310722918" height="1" style="border: currentColor !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
by Sally Lloyd Jones<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0310708257/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0310708257&linkCode=as2&tag=httpwwwaustin-20">The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=httpwwwaustin-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0310708257" height="1" style="border: currentColor !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Sally Lloyd Jones
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1590520890/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1590520890&linkCode=as2&tag=httpwwwaustin-20">The Adventure of Christmas: Helping Children Find Jesus in Our Holiday Traditions</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=httpwwwaustin-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1590520890" height="1" style="border: currentColor !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
by Lisa Whelchel
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0735819637/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0735819637&linkCode=as2&tag=httpwwwaustin-20">Advent Storybook</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=httpwwwaustin-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0735819637" height="1" style="border: currentColor !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">by <span style="color: #666666;">Antonie </span><span style="color: #666666;"> Schneider</span></span></div>
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Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05473681477720869354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5055927698893968213.post-58899348103210076242013-11-04T03:46:00.000-08:002013-11-06T03:51:19.929-08:00Christmas Sale at Bamboo & Pluff Mud Shop<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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I've listed a lot of sale options on my www.bambooandpluffmud.storenvy.com site! If it's too challenging to order that way, email me at bambooandpluffmud at gmail.com or message me through my Facebook page: www.facebook.com/bambooandpluffmud.</div>
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<br />Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05473681477720869354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5055927698893968213.post-38031345339421830912013-09-18T12:33:00.000-07:002013-09-18T12:33:40.268-07:00{Pre-order} Rooted Pendant & Nest SaleThe most popular combination seems to be the Tealish Turquoise Rooted Pendant and the Silver & Pearls nest. So, let's have a pre-order sale to get a jump start on Christmas shopping. <br />
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I've launched by <a href="http://www.bambooandpluffmud.storenvy.com/" target="_blank">Storenvy site</a>, too; and I hope this will help simplify the ordering system. Hop on over and check it out! You can always access this store link from this blog or my Facebook page or Instagram account! I've listed 20 items in this combination. I'll be shipping the first 10 by October 1st and the 2nd batch around October 10th. I'm leaving a little window in the shop schedule for when I'm attending and *working* the amazing <a href="http://www.togetherforadoption.org/" target="_blank">Together for Adoption c</a>onference. <br />
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<br />Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05473681477720869354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5055927698893968213.post-49355864821850299242013-09-17T11:07:00.002-07:002013-09-17T11:07:26.642-07:00Advent & Miss Ann VoskampIn
the winter of 2010, before we began our adoption journey, when
Justus was about 2 months old, we began our Advent Journey. The hustle
and bustle of Christmas had taking it's toll. I'll spare you the details; but I was becoming a Scrouge. Discovering the focus of Advent was an amazing gift to my heart and to our family and we are so grateful to get to share that with our friends. <br />
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The baby that was 2 months old will be turning 3 years old in just a few weeks. So, we prepare for Advent 2013 and our first year to celebrate as a family of five! The other day as I was rummaging in our garage cabinet, I caught a glimpse of the vase for my modge podge Jesse Tree. The broken tree limbs shoved into frosted glass brought a silent peace to my heart. <br />
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Days ago, I pulled out some of my favorite Advent books and began to think about the November Advent Worshop. I began to think and pray for the Momma's coming and the families who are a seeking and telling the true redemptive narrative in the only real Story that goes beyond just Bethlehem nativities with a dash of Walmart Santa. <br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1414387083?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=1414387083&linkCode=xm2&tag=httpwwwaustin-20" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeE1jCJfxjaxzwc89PGBm9cMFBfvY-fJ5Rumka7fkwqIEAIKiGJgCBqvABqv38eyHU4Z_I89EQjFjs0_SN_PfGwbGmi27q4PkQXeJN5WSjZOvEQ6gZgsKv8v5Ouq7eBvYiRjs1Y9T_c0tO/s320/book+photo.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/" target="_blank">Photo from Holy Experience Blog</a></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1414387083?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=1414387083&linkCode=xm2&tag=httpwwwaustin-20" target="_blank"><br /></a></td></tr>
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And then just today I finally had time to open my email, and something beautiful arrived in my email box from precious Ann Voskamp's blog. I consider one of my "top influencers" if this was a Klout page. She was..<a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/2013/09/free-bonus-christmas-ornaments-free-jesse-tree-ornaments/" target="_blank">sharing about her book dedicated solely to Advent</a>....So, yes, my copy of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1414387083?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=1414387083&linkCode=xm2&tag=httpwwwaustin-20" target="_blank">The Greatest Gift</a> is on it's way; and yes I hope to share it more and more with those of you who will begin to prepare for Advent in November. I hope you'll order it, too! I'm sharing a link right here and it'll be on the side of my blog with my little Amazon deal.<br />
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I'm only slightly excited!<br />
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Here's the link to buy it now. I'll be adding some of my other favorite Advent Books to a post soon as well! <br />
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<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=httpwwwaustin-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1414387083" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/cm?t=httpwwwaustin-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=1414387083&IS1=1&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&fc1=726969&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=61CB79&bc1=FFFFFF&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05473681477720869354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5055927698893968213.post-10938422137724116672013-09-10T03:05:00.001-07:002013-09-10T03:05:19.302-07:00What will you tell them about their roots?<span style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); "><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGKNNMC0LLaQ9KIXvZihRusC6SJuxE8ZUMklhJLauDYEIdLg9W4upkjoGpDQttia0eJKXE6T1gWBRU9rX6iqiAzRjDHKq5gT1OJDpEWroiH2ldgi6Ry5xI1KHL7nUF_Omtsqs6e__YGmW4/s640/blogger-image-1442489624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGKNNMC0LLaQ9KIXvZihRusC6SJuxE8ZUMklhJLauDYEIdLg9W4upkjoGpDQttia0eJKXE6T1gWBRU9rX6iqiAzRjDHKq5gT1OJDpEWroiH2ldgi6Ry5xI1KHL7nUF_Omtsqs6e__YGmW4/s640/blogger-image-1442489624.jpg"></a></div>I remember someone innocently asking us what would we tell our daughter about "her roots". The question began to churn. I realized that wasn't just a question for my daughter; but it was one for all my children. What will we tell them? Will their story begin with His story? Will we pray that their lives go beyond the top soil and into the nutrient rich earth? And for us, will will we ask for the Grace to dig deeper into the Gospel's Story that began with a promise of a Messiah out of the Root of Jesse? So, just what will we tell them about their roots? </span>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05473681477720869354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5055927698893968213.post-91392001751837397542013-08-26T16:36:00.001-07:002013-09-08T10:46:40.348-07:00Bamboo & Pluff Mud {the shop}<div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">So, let's skip 5 months of blogging andfill y'all in on one piece of info. </span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We are going for it with Bamboo and Pluff Mud Shop. </span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I am adding some samples. Nests are generally around $20 {plus shipping}. I post a lot of sales and samples on Facebook and Instagram. But, I will try to keep some samples here, too. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Email me at jess dot mariecarpenter @ gmail dot com if you don't have FB or IG, you can email orders. But, if you do have FB, please use that to help me track orders. I will invoice you via paypal. Necklaces come on approx 18" hemp</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Chain.</span></div>
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Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05473681477720869354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5055927698893968213.post-51851562238583744782013-03-19T23:22:00.001-07:002013-04-04T12:03:01.090-07:00Leaving on a Jet Plane....and the "Attachment Post" Today is our packing day. And wow, do we need a day! We are bringing home lots of special gifts for our little girl (and for our boys, too!). <br />
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Travis and I keep standing and looking out the big huge window over the city. We're definitely not big city people, and we are eager to get home; but we are both sad, too. Last night, when Meili Joy fell asleep on our bed, I laid down beside her and a huge lump pushed at my throat. I went ahead and cried. I have no idea how she is going to process everything in the next few days. She has been happy and playful (for the most part) with us. She's had her moments, and definitely is a two year old who doesn't like to be told "no". <br />
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However, we are also prepared for reality, she has been in China, and in a familiar place with the same smell, busy streets, and mostly Asian faces. Yes, she's had a mix of Americans around her in our travel group; but she's still the majority. She also thinks she's an only child right now. <br />
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This is where things get real. There is a lot of one word prayers going on in my heart right now "Abba". The best and most simple prayer. <br />
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We can't wait to get her home, and join our boys at home. We know they are going to make a dynamic threesome. I can already tell that she and Justus will battle it out a bit, and that Austin will be a wonderful big brother to her. Sidebar, Justus also doesn't know he's about to become a twin. <br />
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<strong>What will we do when we get home? And what are we asking of you as our family and community</strong>? <br />
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Please continue to pray for us. We are already tired, and we are on a 12 hour time change right now, and so is Meili Joy. And this will be new for everyone. This will also be a bit different than when we brought the boys home. We'll need a different kind of support. <br />
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We are excited to meet some of our family and MJ's grandparents at the airport. We'll be arriving around 5 pm on March 21st. I hope that MJ will have slept and as long as she has some food, I think she'll be in good spirits. We welcome anyone who wants to see her. <br />
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<strong>A couple requests:</strong><br />
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We do ask that <strong>you don't ask to hold her or give her anything at the airport</strong>. If you have special gifts, we can save those for later. I believe her brothers have gifts for her. If your kids have something, that is okay. Please be prepared, she may grab it, and she doesn't know how to share at all yet. <br />
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After the airport, we're going to try to hunker down for awhile. Yes, I said "hunker". <br />
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This is going to be hard; but we are trusting all the attachment/adoption experts on this. We will be focusing our time of connecting now as a family of 5 and in a new place for Meili Joy. We've got a great bond going on with her; but she still doesn't get that we are fully her parents now. And our parenting is taking a huge curve, being new parents to a two year old who we have no solid background information on is challenging. We were told that she was in foster care when we got her file (in Oct), and then we were told when we got here she had barely been in foster care. She has been taken from a biological family, to nursing and orphanage staff, to a three month stay in foster care as an only child, back to the orphanage, to a two week fun-spree with us. So, helping her to create a security in her identity as our child, a sister, and us as her parents is vastly important to her attachment in the long run.<br />
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And what do we mean by attachment? There are dozens of articles and studies and professionals who can speak to this; but for a child who has experienced trauma (like our girl), finding a secure place is very important. Even if she is very happy and energetic, at the core, she is still not sure what is going on yet. For her to thrive, we want to give her that security of us as her parents, that we will take care of her. As an infant, our boys figured that outon their own and quickly. We even tried to get them used to lots of people who fed them, gave them things, etc. <br />
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Well, basically, with adoption, it's backwards. <br />
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So, we don't want anyone to have their feelings hurt or feel that we are keeping her from all of you. Everyone in our community and family have been a huge part of this journey and helping us financially, physically, emotionally and spiritually. So, we are asking you to join us on the second part. This isn't the glamorous part. This isn't just the precious adorable smiling child, or the energy of fundraising. This is when we parent and love and grow into a full forever family with a new child who has come from a hard place. You all saw place where she was found. That reality doesn't go away, even though she maintains a very playful disposition. <br />
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The main goals, if you are around us, please allow us to feed her, give her things, change her, hand her toys, food, and anything she needs. If she reaches for you (and she will if she is mad at us for saying "no") please go ahead and smile at her and point to us. Please don't give her any toys or things at this time. If you want to give her something specifically so she knows it is from you, you can hang onto it for awhile, and we'll get it to her. <br />
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Please pay attention to our boys, too. They will need lots of extra attention. <br />
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We know that especially for our extended family, this is a lot to ask. We feel especially for Travis and I's parents this is going to be a bit hard for the first few months. We've always worked very hard for our boys to connect and have special relationships with them, and we want the same for MJ. It's going to have to come at a slower pace. We know from other friends who have told us that if their child connects more with a grandparent more than the parents in the first few months, that it can delay their attachment by months. So, we are grateful that our family understands and is going to allow us to have a different approach for a few months. Having to ask my sister not to come in right away to Charleston to meet her, was hard. She was ready to hop a plane . Having to ask my Mom not to come over to help me for the first week or two, is hard. (She's even going out of town!) Having to ask our special Grandaddy Bag to be put on hold for Karen and Tom is hard. <br />
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Again, hard decision; but as her parents, we have to make the best decision for her and help her to thrive in the best way possible. We so appreciate all your support in this adjustment. Thank you for loving us, giving us so much grace, and being with us through all of this. We invite you to the next phase with us, too! <br />
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We don't know exactly how long this will take; but we've been advised to keep limited attachment for the firsts month home. So, that's where we'll start. Please keep praying for us, and we will be posting and sharing. We'll be taking Meili Joy to a cardiologist in a few weeks, we do know she has a slight murmur still, and we are praying for positive results that we don't need another heart surgery anytime soon. <br />
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Please also feel free to talk to our adoption community, Laura Lewis or Sharon Lyon or Angie Rylands, if you have any questions on the attachment or don't get why we are doing something. And please feel free to message us or ask us, too. We aren't sure how crazy things will be; but we promise to try to be open and appreciate all your grace during this next phase. <br />
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I have to admit, I'm super nervous. Living in a hotel with no job to do, and 2 weeks with Travis, and no meals to make has allowed us to fully focus on Meili Joy! Now, it gets real!<br />
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We love y'all!<br />
Jess & TravisJessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05473681477720869354noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5055927698893968213.post-14189309736105031402013-03-19T22:24:00.000-07:002013-03-19T22:24:04.233-07:00Fun Times & Not So Fun TimeAfter we went to Meili Joy's finding spot, our awesome guide, Rebecca, had us stop for lunch. When we walked in there was an entire fish market, including a standing pool with fish in it. Craziness. <br />
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Rebecca ordered for us and our driver and we had fried rice, noodles, and some type of peanut dessert with hot tea (of course). <br />
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After this, Meili was exhausted. She cried for about 30 minutes on the way home. We called it a day. <br />
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That night, we went out to dinner across the street and experienced some of the disturbing evening scenese. Apparently, there are a couple of extremely disfigured and disabled people who are brought out by other people to the streets at night. They are laid in the middle of the sidewalk. We had been prepared for this, and last week, apparently, they were on the walking over passes. But, I still can't get over it and we literally almost stepped on them. We understand there is nothing we can do and giving them money isn't the best idea. I won't detail out the scene for anyone; but I have never seen anything like this before. I was grateful again for the work that A21 and other anti-trafficking organizations are doing around the world. And I wanted to scream and punch the people we suspect are trying to make money off of these individuals, the ones lurking to the sides. <br />
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We are having so much fun in the hotel hanging ou with her and playing and eating noodles. I am grateful for the down time because it is a very busy area. We also spend a lot of time packing up all of our things to take with us. Exchanging money. Making sure we have snacks for our little princess, etc. <br />
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We were very grateful for a huge group that came in on Friday night. <br />
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On Saturday morning 11 families got on our big tour bus and went to the Medical clinic. It was crazy, and our guides did an amazing job. <br />
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We all lined up first for photos, and our little girl had JUST fallen asleep in the carrier. She falls asleep on me in the carrier almost every morning. She seems to sort of glaze over around 9:30 am and if I'm holding her or we get in a van, she sleeps great. Anyhow, we had to wake her for her photo. So, it's a pretty funny photo. Then we go from room to room in our groups. One was for weight and height. She was great, and then cried a little. Then one was for drawing blood. They just changed the TB test from a patch test to drawing blood. They actually took her from us for about 4 minutes and did the procedure. I was so sad for her, and happy to get her back. She sweats like crazy when she gets upset. <br />
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Then we had to have them listen to her heart. Our guide was going to stay with us, but she was running back and forth. And the first nurse was talking to me in Mandarin, and I had no idea what she said. She came back with another doctor. He listened to her heart, and they talked. Then he went and got another doctor. I was getting super nervous. The third doctor came in and they all talked. We found Rebecca by then, and she said that they were saying she still had a slight heart murmur. We expected that she may have this since she had open heart surgery last year. They told us that the doctor who was the third one they brought in was "a very famous good doctor". <br />
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We were there forever. Meili started to get super wild, and we were glad to get back to the hotel. <br />
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We went to the Banana Leaf with Angie, her Mom, and her boys. We had our first crazy experience with service. We had heard great things about this place. First they brought us one big menu, we finally flagged someone down to give us a second menu. We ordered our food. We loved the green beans and chicken and rice that Angie ordered was good also.We also liked the spring rolls. Our noodles never came, and that was when the fun began. We waved at about 7 people. They would lift their hand at us and keep going. What?! <br />
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Finally, we had poor Cameron translate that we didn't get our noodles. Then 20 minutes later they still weren't there. So, we told them, we didn't want them, we want to go. So, we tried to just get dessert. We asked Connor (who has been with Angie for a week) how to say "Mango Pudding" in Mandarin. He can read the characters and then Cameron interprets what he says (in Mandarin). So, he reads it. Looks at us and says "Mang Go Pu Deen" In a specific cadence. Hilarious. So, we say "mango pudding" as "Mango Pudding". Finally after arguing with them, we settled everything. <br />
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What a night! Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05473681477720869354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5055927698893968213.post-82960928911939375582013-03-14T06:53:00.002-07:002013-03-14T06:53:39.925-07:00Day 4: Ancestral TemplesI was a little nervous about going to "temples". I had a little bit of an odd experience in Tokyo, years ago. But, we thought it was important that we go to learn a little more about her culture. It's a big deal to be in her actual city (where she was found). So, we are trying very hard to get a feel for the culture here. Even though it seems like New York to us, it's still very different. Today, it was cooler. Wish I'd worn a jacket to the tour. But, it was more comfortable than the days before. <br />
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The ancestral temple was a former special home for worship and school for one of the larger royal fammilies. It's not functional anymore and the government owns it; but the architecture was amazing. No nails in the entire building. The carvings are beatuiful. We bought our tea sets here because they are guaranteed not to have lead in them (Okay, so I bought two sets. I couldn't help it. The cheaper "every day" set was cute; but not as amazing as the smaller more expenseive sets. We bought a fancier set for MJ for her wedding or something special like that). And we had a small tea ceremony with the ladies. It was wonderful. We also saw these crazy bugs for sale. We bought small little charms for the boys. Hilarious. And we watched them hand paint artwork and the pottery. <br />
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This is most of our group, minus one of the families. Five more families come in on Friday! </div>
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Our guide, Rebecca, told us that China is known for some of these specific trades and it is important to preserve the culture by passing down the tradition of these hand made items. It was fun to buy some of these special gifts for Meili Joy here. We also found out that what we were calling "cherry blossoms" are actually Mei Flowers. Um, hello!? Rebecca was so excited that we were naming her Meili. She kept saying "that means beautiful. and it is a Chinese name!" <br />
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So, after the temple. We came home and she took her first long nap. My head and sinus' are horrible, so I started my zpac. Pretty sure the smog and cigarette smoke is getting to me. Then we decided to try to find a few more restaurants and stores on our own. So, for the families traveling behind us, here are my notes. We tried to find the Banana Leaf restaurant, and we didn't. We found the Saltan Turkish restauarnt though! <br />
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So, here we are going out to dinner. I had also bought a dress the day before in one of the boutiques, we figured I better be stylish and also used our "godmother" Aunt Abby money for a special boutique dress with a little petticoat skirt for Meili Joy. So, we have done the high fashion side of GZ now. The ladies in the store said "Oh, I have 'L' for you" meaning Large. And, they come way off their pricies when I showed any interest. It was pretty funny. And that was even in the mall. I am not loving that my flat iron doesn't work well. It's so fancy here, that I'm not loving being all grungy casual. But, that's probably just my vanity! <br />
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Soon to travel families: <br />
So, come out of the front of the hotel, walk along the sidewalk, up the weird stairs w/ a ramp in the middle and down the subway stairs. Once down stairs, veer to the right (don't buy a ticket) and follow the Exit B signs, you'll come back up the stairs on the other side of the road. You can't cross the road there unless you do this, or walk to the other side, where the high bridge/cross walk is. I was scared to walk this. I had heard there were some very disturbing sights from disfigured homeless people and other situations. But, we did walk that way back after dinner. It wasn't too bad. We had taken the stroller, and that was hard. We went through the Friendship Store, and managed the floors. Floor 4 has the extra grocery story. Floor 6 is high end children's clothes. Nothing super special. And the mall is insane! Designer everything!<br />
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We walked down one of the side streets, and finally saw the Sultan Restuarant (under the Friendship Store to the left of the huge TV screen). It was a turkish restaurant that another adoptive family was coming out of. They said it was good. We ordered the flat bread and the appetizer dip that was yogurt (like tzaziki) and then split a mixed chicken & kabob meal. We also ordered the chick pea salad and the rice pudding and the other pudding and turkish tea for dessert. <br />
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She dressed up and put her headband on and all the bright colored hair ties that I had and that Abby had bought for me. <br />
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Okay, VPN back up. Hitting "publish". Wish I could load more photos; but they are only letting me load one at a time. I have to go back & hit "upload" and open the camera folder each time and start over. Oh, well! Thanks for praying! </div>
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Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05473681477720869354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5055927698893968213.post-24345047589397514942013-03-14T06:20:00.001-07:002013-03-14T06:20:09.813-07:00Day 3 with Meili JoyThe only thing our agenda on our 3rd day with her was to go to the police station for passports. Again, we thought this would be a lot of down time; but we were tired. So, we all took our time getting up. Had another breakfast downstairs, and hung out in the room. <br />
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We took a walk through the "Gardens" of the Garden Hotel. Meili Joy liked these and we let her ride in the stroller. She really likes to go. She gets super excited when she sees me getting my shoes. She grabs her shoes and tries to put them on. Then when we are ready to go, she baby babbles at me and gets behind me and pushes me. She runs to the elevators and squeals when she hears the bell sound of the elevator arriving. <br />
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We have to hang onto her downstairs, the lobby is very busy and she wants to run around. We have been doing big breakfasts and sort of skipping lunches. <br />
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We did do some walking. We tried to find the grocery store again. We missed it; but ended up at Starbucks for green tea frappuccinos because she fell asleep in the carrier on me. Then, we went and found a cute dress in a boutique for me. Well, a shirt for me. It's a dress for most people here. <br />
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At 3pm, we all loaded up and headed to the police station. We had our passports on us. Our guide had us do everything in order. They took a photo of MJ and we weren't allowed to take photos in the building. We had to wait til 3 pm because that's how long our paperwork from the day before takes to process through the system, etc. <br />
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Our guide took us down anoter street, out the the other side of our hotel where the pharmacy is. She showed us a few stores and we found out the Cow and Bridge restaurant had opened here in GZ. Our friends had told us that this was a great restaurant for Thai food. We went with another couple who is from Greenwood, SC. This is their 2nd adoption, so they are pros. MJ threw a crazy tantrum before we went in. I was so scared that someone was going to take her from me. And both our kids were just crazy in the restaurant. But, maybe the fact that I forgot my "I'm allergic to lemongrass" card at home started the evening off great. The waitress literally called someone who spoke English and he talked to me. They brought out a stalk of what looked like celery; but they thought was lemongrass and put it on the table to show me. Anyhow, it was very funny. The couple we were with had great fun with us. I think everyone was glad when we left. <br />
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Prayer requests: sleeping. We want to do everything we can to help her sleep well and the best way she can feels safe and secure. However, we've found out she most likely is used to going to sleep on someone while they are standing up. And neither of our backs are doing well standing and holding her (in dead weight) for 30-120 minutes. So, we are really praying for wisdom on how to help her and not frustrate her at all; but also what we can physically sustain. <br />
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We will visit her orphanage on Friday AM (Thursday night your time). Please pray for this. <br />
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And keep praying for our boys, our health, our travel group, etc. We know that she's doing very well right now; but we are being very cautious and trying to trust the guides, our agency, and cotinuously rely on God's wisdom and strength.<br />
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But, y'all this little girl is amazing!!!!! We can't wait to get her home to meet her brothers. We know they are going to love her and she is going to be so excited to have them (well, at least she will be eventually).<br />
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Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05473681477720869354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5055927698893968213.post-84445380790392109782013-03-14T05:37:00.002-07:002013-03-14T05:37:41.702-07:00GuangzhouSo, our sweet pea is from Guangzhou. Many parts of Ch**a are more remote country side, etc. But, our little girl is from GZ. And this sort of feels a lot like New York City. So, our first Gotcha Day was pretty low key. We ordered room service and ate in the hotel. Travis held Meili until she was asleep and she slept through the night in her crib. She woke up once around 11:30 pm. She went back to sleep after being held for awhile. <br />
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Travis and I were both pretty tired, too. So, we all went to bed early. It was so surreal to have walked through the day we had been praying and dreaming about. We still are so grateful for all the prayers and support. We couldn't believe how many people were setting alarms and online in the middle of the night praying for us. <br />
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Thank you. It is very crazy to finally be going through the motions, and trying to absorb as much as possible. And it is sort of as if you kick into auto-pilot. So, our prayers, are just "Here we go, Jesus, go before us." <br />
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The next morning we had our first breakfast and lots of time just hanging out in the hotel. We wonderered why there was so much "down time" in our schedule the first few days; but just getting ready, trying to navigate what we'll eat, what she needs, playing, facing getting dressed challenges (or rather not getting dressed) is a big deal. So, at 9:30 am, we headed back to the civial affairs office with our group. We were wondered if any of the children would be nervous. But, they were mostly playing together. One at a time, we went into a side office with a gift with us, and we were asked a few questions, with our passports. And we signed a form saying we wanted to adopt her. We promised to never abandon or abuse her and told them why we wanted to adopt her. Then we went upstairs to have our forms notarized and were asked more questions. And left a small gift, etc. <br />
No one really looked at the gifts or smiled; but they were polite. <br />
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Then our guide ran to the bank for our orphanage "donations". We were given official forms and took a photo with the three of us as the "official" photo. And as far as Ch**a is concerned, she is legally our daughter! <br />
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She also was gulping down her water. We found out she could really care less about the formula. But, we sort of keep making it for her. She ate puffs and fruit and bread and noodles constantly for the first 48 hours. We didn't care. We just kept letting her know there is plenty of food. She gets very upset if you try to share a plate.<br />
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That night, we started the infatuation with the I Love New York shirt. Once she has a shirt on, she likes to stick with it for awhile. Again, we just go with it. The second morning, we just put her new clothes over her pajama shirt. After breakfast, she was attached to her new shirt, so we could take off the pajama shirt.<br />
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We ventured out of the hotel, which seems silly; but again, this feels a bit like New York to us. So, it's busy. Huge buildings and busy streets, and no crosswalks. Also, everyone told me that it's super "casual attire" here. I am assuming the provinces are more casual; but people are dressed in stillettos and even full sequin dresses even at breakfast. It's no wonder MJ is a fashionista. She's from this city. <br />
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For friend who will travel here, we walked out the side door of the hotel (passed the elevators and toward the bank) out the back door to the right, through the gates and toward Costa Coffee. Starbucks will be the to the right. There is a little mall there, and at 3F is Belgiannos. It was great Italian. They don't let you bring your own water. So, we ordered cokes and then a bottle of Evian. They said "It's a big bottle". So funny. We drank the entire bottle between the 3 of us. Travis ordered the lasanga and we ordered saffron risotto and a penne pasta for MJ and I. They had a great sauce that was basically tomatoes with different breads. We were very early, and so, the entire wait staff just stood and stared at us. They really liked Meili Joy. She and I wore bows in our hair. <br />
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So, that was our 2nd night! MJ slept mainly through the night. But, was up for about 2 hours. Travis is the baby whisperer. She really likes to be held standing up. She doesn't know how to support herself, so she's completely dead weight. Obviously, I want ot hold her; but this is pretty brutal on my back. But, I also think she thinks he is cozier to sleep on. She definitely doesn't fall asleep without being rocked our held standing up. Travis also stands by the window and for some reason looking out over the city really calms her down. <br />
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(Again, no editing, etc. Forgive the errors. VPN only works intermittantly. Maybe someone can log in & edit for me!) <br />
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<br />Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05473681477720869354noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5055927698893968213.post-80541135995537491532013-03-12T19:54:00.002-07:002013-03-12T19:55:09.109-07:00Baba's (Daddy's) Promise<br />
Dear Meili Joy, <br />
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Today is Monday March 11th, 2013. A day your Mama and Baba will never forget. <br />
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This is your "Gotcha Day" and somewhere around 2 or 3 today we will embrace you for the very first time. This thought is hard for me to bare as I know how much joy it will bring to us, I must also in love acknowledge the pain it will bring to your foster family and the confusion that it will bring to you. At this early age of yours you are unsure of the change surrounding you, however we will walk this journey together. Side by side, hand in hand, day by day; we will be there for you the way our great Father in heaven will be there for us. We will comfort you when you are sad, protect you when you are scared. We will encourage you when you are down, and hold you when you are lonely. Mama and Baba will lay our hands on you praying the scriptures over you, that you might be led by the Spirit. We will embrace your uniquenesses and honor your heritage; all the while we celebrate your likenesses and cherish your name. <br />
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Today you will become Meili Joy Carpenter. Daughter to Travis and Jessica Carpenter. Sister to Austin James and Justus Reed, granddaughter to Sharon and Jerry Miner, Karen and Tom Lewicki, and Harold and Ann Carpenter. Amid these relationships you have cousins, aunts, uncles and greats and a special godmother. But above all these things you are a Chosen Daughter of our Father in heaven.<br />
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For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. (Romans 8:14 NIV)<br />
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You are beautiful, precious, chosen, and wanted. <br />
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You are desired, and loved. You are and shall always be deserving of respect and honor. <br />
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You are Meili Joy Carpenter.<br />
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With a never ending, never stopping, always and forever love.<br />
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Baba.<br />
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This is the letter Travis wrote to Meili Joy around 4 am on her Gotcha Day. </div>
Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05473681477720869354noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5055927698893968213.post-38093633867454515832013-03-12T05:33:00.000-07:002013-03-12T05:33:53.737-07:00Gotcha DayWe loaded our van at 2pm on March 11th to meet our daughter in the Civial Affairs office of Guangzhou. <br />
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So, what did we do til 2 pm? Well, Travis and I had arrived via train on Sunday, the day before. We went straight to our rooms after a somewhat bumping train ride through the countryside, and set down our things and went into a paperwork meeting with our Guangdong Province group until about 7:00 pm. By the time we went to order dinner, we had both hit the travel wall. Jet lag, fatigue hat caught up. Especially with me (Jess). It's so funny that you can be so absolutely excited; but the stress of travel, really still effects you. We are running into a few eating issues with me, since I've been on Gluten Free and hardly any pasta, white bread, etc for my EDS flare ups. I also can't eat anything with Lemongrass and a few other random things, since I've had three major angioedema episodes this year (one as recently as 2 weeks ago).So, reality of ordering food was a bit challenging. So, we've decided I'm probably going to go with a lot of white carbs and pastas and desserts. I'm pretty sure I'll come home from China 15 lbs heavier. <br />
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So, we were both exhausted after a quick dinner in the hotel. We woke up for the breakfast buffet here at the Garden. Then we spent the next few hours finally unpacking, settling in, organizing, getting our paperwork together, packing Meili Joy's back pack, and charging all our electronics. <br />
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I was so excited and nervouus. I was grateful for Spotify and worship music blaring. <br />
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At 2 pm, we met our travel group downstairs. Everyone chattered away on the bus, and I realized again my introverted-extrovert was showing. I could barely talk and make converstaion. As we walked down a short cut to the Civial Affairs office, I tried to breath it all in, looking up at the high buildings. Starting at the laundry out the windows. The low hanging pretty green trees. <br />
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We turned a corner to a sleek grey marble building. We walked up the stairs and into a strange wooden elevator. Up to the 8th floor, we were all seated in a big open room. We were told to get our cameras ready. <br />
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We saw a small little girl walk in with a nanny. We thought maybe she was Meili and realized she wasn't. Then out of the side of the room came our girl. She was wearing a cute blue and white outfit and holding the hand of her nanny. They walked her across the room. We were seated in the corner and caught a glimpse of her. Travis knew it was her. He was pointing. But, they took her behind the curtain. <br />
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A few minutes later, our guide started calling us all up quickly. We thought we'd have more time, one at a time to get our children, but she called us up next. I was so glad we could hand off our video camera on the ipad because we almost didn't get video. <br />
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We had been told she may scream and to offer her a treat and toy. When they told us we could go twoard her, they also had me go first and then Travis to follow. She just looked at me with a blank stare. I showed her the doll. She didn't care, so I figured I might as well grab her. She didn't cry. She just smiled. In the video, I'm more jittery than she is. <br />
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After we sat down, she just stared into my face. Looked me square in the eyes and stared. I kept telling her who I was, that we loved her, that Jesus had brought us all this way. That she was chosen and loved. She just sat for the longest time. She was "dead weight". She doesn't weigh that much; but she doesn't support herself at all when she is held, so she feels heavier. <br />
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We started going through the bag, and she loved the puffs. She had a little round cookie in her hand that she stared at for a long time. She finally took a bite. I also gave her a sucker, and she held it and then let me feed her. Later, I tried to take it from her hand and feed her when Travis was holding her, and she swatted me. We were pretty impressed that she reacted. All good signs. <br />
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So, we were in the office for over an hour. The other families with us, did amazing. One of the families was adopting a little girl who is 5; but her special need causes her to grow beyond her age. So, she looks more like she is 9 or 10. She was crying for a long time. Her Dad just stood and let her cry. I have to admit, I believe Lifeline really had prepared each family very well. No one seemed in shock about how their kids were reacting. <br />
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Travis and I were so grateful to so many of you for getting up and praying for us. We truly believe God's presence was with us. Meili Joy's shirt even said "Princess" on the sleeve in English letters. <br />
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Once she started eating the puffs, she didn't stop. She ate them all night. In fact, she has barely stopped eating since we met her. <br />
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When we got back from the Civial Affars office and the "Walmart" run. Travis had to go to a paperwork meeting for an hour and half. Meili Joy and I played. She didn't like for me to mess with her play, too much; but she wanted me to stay int he same room. She didn't like the other room or want to play on the bed. She loved her bracelets and etch a sketch. She sat and colored for almoss 15 minues. Then she lined up all her toys, took the forks and spoons out of the bag and lined them up. <br />
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We ordered room service when Travis came back. And she fell asleep on Travis around 9 pm. That is her normal bedtime. She really panicked and cried when we tried to put her pajamas on her. So, we went with the ones w/o feet and let herr keep her socks on. She liked that. <br />
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She slept through the night in her crib by our bed. <br />
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(Photos to come. Cant' get them to load via blogger. And we are so tired that we don't feel like being on here, too long. Please keep praying for us, MJ, etc. Also, Jess' back and shoulder.)<br />
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Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05473681477720869354noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5055927698893968213.post-75600780216807509862013-03-10T19:33:00.000-07:002013-03-10T19:33:04.409-07:00Almost Gotcha DayWe are sitting in Guangzhou at the Garden Hotel. We head to the cival affairs office at 2 pm today. I was thinking we'd be bored waiting; but the time to actually settle in and feel organized is really wonderful. <br />
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I'll back up and cover some of our basics of our travel. We spent an amazing 20 hours in NYC, and we'll save that post for later. But, headed to JFK airport early Friday evening. We settled into the Admiral Lounge for British Airways. Our donated miles included all of this special status. It was great because we had run around like crazy people in NYC. <br />
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We bored the plane around 9:30 pm and waited for about an hour and half to de-ice. The fact that we had even made it to NYC the day before had been our first miracle. Almost all of the flights out of Charleston had been cancelled except Jet Blue. Jet Blue only flies this route for the flight we were on back/forth to NYC. Not gonna lie, the turblanance on landing at JFK was pretty intense. But, I was at peace about it. So, we weren't surprised when we had to sit and wait for de-icing in JFK later. However, we were not concerned about connections because our plane was stopping in Vancouver, and we weren't even leaving the plane. <br />
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Having the bonus gift of being in business class was wonderful. Our seats laid down flat. And they came with a duvet style cover and pillow. I had packed a neck pillow and other travel pillow, too. So we had plenty of great neck support. Since it was 11 pm, we were super tired. We started taking our homeopathic No Jetlag meds. And I took some melatonin and Airborne. I think we both slept most of the flight to Vancouver. I woke up every 2 hours or so, and slathered on coconut oil, salin nasal spray, eye drops (had taken my contacts out), and took our No Jetlag pills. I also had cayenne pepper in a little spray bottle for my feet, etc. I think we took a total of 2-3 doses of airborne the entire trip. We had both been fighting sinus congestion, so I was trying to keep my skin and nose hydrated. I also had a pair of hospital grade compression socks on (thank you, Shar!). My feet started to swell at the beginning; but I kep the cayenee/water mix on them and my hands. <br />
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They fed us a dinner after leaving JFK and then again as soon as we took off in Vacouver. I had planned to blog; but I just felt that I needed to sleep and trying to disengage my brain. I was sad that I hadn't done my spotify offline correctly because I was missing some of my music. <br />
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Anyhow, the Cathay Pod experience was a huge blessing. I stretched out and did some pilates stretches every couple hours, too. I can not believe that I flew/sat on an airplane for about 20 hours and walked off without pain. So, very grateful to Jesus for that extra blessing. <br />
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At one point, Travis and I ordered soup and cake at about 3 am. That was fun! <br />
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We arrived in Hong Kong at 8 am. They served us breakfast about 5:45 am on the plane. We both changes and I put my makeup back on, etc. It was hot when we were in the airport. <br />We waited for our<br />
shuttle to the Sky City Marriott down in the 28-30 section. We were space cadets and went through Immigration first, and then got our bags and then walked through customs. We didn't even stop at customs. Just walked through the "nothing to declare" area. <br />
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We were greeted by Angie's mom, Barbara, in the hotel lobby. The bus boys took our bags to our room, and we checked in. Travis ended up going down to eat about an hour later. We decided we would try to take advantage of being in HK. So, we took the hotel shuttle to the main subway station. It was like a classy mall, kind of reminded me of Keystone Mall in Indy. We bought subway tickets with our Hong Kong dollar (divide by 8 for the amount in US dollar). We road the subway line all the way to HK Station. We got off there, and got a taxi to the Tram Station Peak. Then we stood in a very long que for tickets. It was very funny, everyone kept moving in herds closer and closer to the tram. The line was super long; and jetlag was catching up with us at that point. <br />
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The tram is like a little train car on a rail that goes straight up the mountain. At the top there is a big mall type area and you can look out over the city. We were so blessed to have a sunny clear day, hardly any of smog. We could see for miles. <br />
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We took the same transport back, and then realized we had no idea where the shuttles picked up. But, we made it back in time for dinner with Angie, Cameron and her mom. I had the buffet becuase I hadn't eaten much that day. Cameron ate mini octopus. Seriously! <br />
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We fell asleep at 7:39 pm. Out cold! <br />
The next morning, we took our time waking up and headed to breakfast. Then we prayed over Angie and her Mom and Cameron and headed upstairs to pack. We took a taxi to the train station. We tried to take lots of pictures for the boys to se, like these double decker buses. So far, our souveniers for them are sighting buses from NYC and HK. <br />
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Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05473681477720869354noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5055927698893968213.post-3512526280987013272013-02-27T12:34:00.002-08:002013-02-27T12:34:24.256-08:00Packing WeekI am totally procrastinating at this point because I'm overwhelmed with packing. I am very eager to go; but I hit a wall with packing. And the problem is, when I am overwhelmed with packing, I over pack. So, I am stepping away from the crazy bin of things upstairs, and going to sit here and write a blog post! The good part is that the over packing seems to be all the gifts that we take for people. So, that means we'll have more room on the way home!<br />
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Many of you will know this; but here is the story of the last few weeks. On February 8th, at 6pm, I received an email from our agency social worker to call her. However, as soon as I saw the email, I called her and her phone was dead. Around 6:45, she was finally able to get her phone charged and tell me that we had Travel Approval. We had a record 7 day TA! That's a miracle. The average is 10-21 days. <br />
<br />Now, usually that means we are booking plane tickets within 24 hours. However, this was a Friday night. Friday night before Ch**se New Year. That means the US Consulate was closed. It re-opened very briefuly on the 14th and 15th; but that only allowed our request for a Consulate Appointment to be received. We were hoping to travel still on February 28th with a March 12th CA appt. <br />
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On the 13th or 14th, I received a call that due to some logistical challenges we were requesting March 19th as our consulate and not March 12th and we may not get approval for that until Feb 19th or 20th. So, this was quickly becoming the shortest TA wait, and longest CA wait in history. <br /><br />I am going to tell y'all the flat out truth. I was devastated. I could not stop crying. I was frustrated, and even rather angry. I did not get it. That two weeks felt hard and horrible. Looking back, I also believe that the stress of waiting had just pushed me over the edge. I had not had a good cry about this in a long time. All the nerves and excitement just spilled out. After I understood that our agency was making this decision for our best interest and so that they could be fully available for us, and that they had a team going in on medical trip with doctor's who volunteer their time and understandably dictate when they can go, I was able to see the bigger picture. The agency needed all their translators and team available for us, and they couldn't do that if they were spread out all over the country at the orphanages. <br />
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But, before I could grasp it all, I was a mess. And I didn't want to talk to anyone at the agency because I was so bummed and I just wanted to get on a plane yesterday. But, they were persistent in reaching out and allowing me to be emotional. I was even more impressed even though they aren't at all just putting on a show of being the most impressive agency in the US. They are living out the Gospel and entering into the nitty gritty of adoptive families. <br />
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As in typical-Jessica-fashion, after my big emotional drama, I was able to settle down and ask God to show me what he had for our family in the next few weeks. It quickly became very apparent that God had some things to do in my heart and Travis'. I wouldn't say that we were "benched"; but I would say that God pretty clearly let me know that I was not indeed ready to go. <br />
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A group from our missional community was heading to the Empowered to Connect Conference in Orlando. Travis and I had hoped to go to this; but we thought we'd be traveling during this conference. It seemed too close to travel to leave our boys, too costly, etc. However, God had a plan for that, and I ended up getting to meet a friend who lives in Florida who let me stay with her (for free) and two of our awesome JTM families let me ride down and back with them (for free). So, after a $20 ticket, I was able to sit for 2 days listening to the ETC team share about connecting and doing the hard work for children who come from hard places. As soon as I arrived in Florida, I knew that was where I was supposed to be. I knew God had some things to do in our hearts, and not just for Meili Joy; but for our boys, too. And again, time with our awesome community is invaluable. I think this is my 4th road trip with Sharon Lyon! <br />
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I came home, and Travis had experienced his own God-encounter weekend, and not just because he kept the boys for 2 nights without me home! That's his story, so I won't tell it; but it was really great to come home and know that God had planned to work on both of our hearts that weekend even being a part and in different ways. <br />
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<br />
So, on my 35th birthday, we received the call that we had our consulate appointment and could start booking our plane tickets! However, we were not sure at this time if we were going to be able to use the miles we were donated. Every time we went on line, all the dates required more miles than we had. We needed 55k or less for each leg of the flights in order to get all 3 of us home. Most of the options required 70k miles.<br />
<br />After spending 10 hours on the phone with American Airlines, my agency, a travel agent (who quoted us $4k for the tickets if we couldn't get the miles to work), we were able to figure out a route from NYC to Hong Kong. However, we had to buy round trip tickets from CHS to NYC and then use the miles but we would have been buying tickets from BJ to GZ either way. We did have to leave on Thursday night instead of Friday; but we got the first flight out of HK (we can't leave GZ until 7pm on 3/20). So, we are flying up to NYC a night early to spend the night with my BFF, Abby, who just so happens to be Meili Joy's godmother and was adopted from S. Korea when she was a baby. And we just so happen to clear customs in NYC on 3/21 in time to also let her meet Meili Joy. Can you so amazing? So very special.<br />
<br />
And, it just so happens that miles we are using at 55k each way are business class... and many of you know that I have some issues with my connective tissue, and this is a big deal. We are so very grateful. This has been an amazing gift for us. The family donating them would like to remain anonymous; and we are respecting that. But, we are so grateful. <br />
<br />
<br />
(Okay, again, it's taken me 4 times longer than necessary to try to type this all out. And if I don't hit publish now, I'll lose my window of time.) <br />
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<br />Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05473681477720869354noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5055927698893968213.post-52094667125635580412013-02-06T11:51:00.000-08:002013-02-06T12:22:15.732-08:00The Final Wait: Emotional Dump Back in 2005, I think I was a blogger. Today, well, I occasionally finally edit or post; or I just hit send and give up on spelling and grammar check. And I've been irritated at myself for missing so many fun things. I am using my FB & Instagram account as my journal for our milestones. However, here are some basic updates.<br />
<br />
Our Article 5 was picked up on January 30th. That means our final formal form was stamped and approved in Gu***hou and sent to the C****A in Bei%%g. I think that was a fancy step because it was hand delivered by over night courier. I also love that my paperwork was in the same envelope as our friends, the Rylands, and their paperwork for their two boys. <br />
<br />
So, once, the A5 and the rest of our paperwork was sent to the C***A
in Beijing. We are just waiting on Travel Approval. Our agency will get
this in the mail and call us.<br />
<br />
So, then what? Glad you asked. <br />
<br />
We will then scramble and call the family
who is donating their bazillion frequent flyer miles and points and ask
them if there are any conflict fly dates for the next 3-4 weeks. We'll
probably put a flight on hold at that time. Then we'll quickly request a
Consulate Appointment with the Consulate in Gua***ou. They'll approve
our CA appointment (takes about 24 hours). We'll call back to the family giving us the miles; book our flight; and cry and scream. In the middle of that, I will send a flurry of text
messages and probably half of Mount Pleasant all the way to the Battery
will hear me. They might even think it's another Revolution.<br />
<br />
I'd
also like you to know that my hair stylist and friend, Heather, will be
getting one of those first text messages. What?! Vanity you say? After
all this fundraising, and pleading for the cause of the orphan, etc, I'm
going to get my hair done. You bet your bottom dollar. I am not about
to meet my daughter with 80s prom hair and roots 4" long. Priorities,
People!<br />
<br />
Then, we'll get on the phone to schedule the rest of our trip/coordinating flights from BJ to GZ and all that jazz. Then, I will start freaking out over all the things I should've have been doing when I was hitting "refresh" on my phone and email.<br />
<br />
And I'll make my Mom & Dad a 16 page list of notes on the boys. And I'll sing our final Power of Attorney, Will, etc. Pack our bags, finish shopping, and hop a plane with my husband! <br />
<br />
So, we are only on day 7 of our wait. And
everyday, I have to admit, I'm obsessively watching all 4 of my Ch*** FB
Groups. Every time someone posts a TA, I study the agency name, and how
long they waited. Today marks Day 7 for us. Today is the first day that
we could MAYBE get a call. I know this because our agency got a batch
of TAs last Friday.<br />
<br />
The catch is that Ch(((se New Year
is next week. So the C****A is closed til the 18th. And then the
Consulate is closed on the 18th because they celebrate US holidays.
Seriously, that is the gig to have? You celebrate in-country holidays
& the country you represent. Genius! <br />
<br />
So, back to what I was
saying. We could get our TA as late as Feb 12th if they mail them Feb
8th (and if we are in that batch). And then the Consulate would be open
the 13th -15th (Ch**a) days, so really only the 14th & 15th here (8
hours a head over there, I think).<br />
<br />
So, that's what I'm totally NOT obsessing over. Sigh. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5_L59C8uTzp1cqwQGc32AdlCaT2kCqVEJWjT9nmO74VPImwirF9pNxWlbOLCf6WNx_rFsq9F5Rqb2h7M1_JCGEThBpuE4Q6SCGTjceCv47YwKUevCR_cQtf-QyrSrf8liRScG1Aj659nL/s1600/25930_10151247403137038_562005493_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0me-ynXn3W-3sXnL0qpZ0tlHsck0ueOe1K4-Epw5XBjFrYH8KmFOFolUF3S1IBxlTxMH9LDv8nEeWfI6wvLZYscul5oddsXnS5Kcy14nos0fHidFH0XjhJOqCNOu9xTYAnTAeOCX6Tpwd/s1600/542746_10151247315662038_1050657012_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0me-ynXn3W-3sXnL0qpZ0tlHsck0ueOe1K4-Epw5XBjFrYH8KmFOFolUF3S1IBxlTxMH9LDv8nEeWfI6wvLZYscul5oddsXnS5Kcy14nos0fHidFH0XjhJOqCNOu9xTYAnTAeOCX6Tpwd/s1600/542746_10151247315662038_1050657012_n.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5_L59C8uTzp1cqwQGc32AdlCaT2kCqVEJWjT9nmO74VPImwirF9pNxWlbOLCf6WNx_rFsq9F5Rqb2h7M1_JCGEThBpuE4Q6SCGTjceCv47YwKUevCR_cQtf-QyrSrf8liRScG1Aj659nL/s1600/25930_10151247403137038_562005493_n.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpnjIyVXpSezupvhsfRhv01nrKZ-Bj0zJ9dKrsqltfYozfrc9BJTr_wALWbUVEyhJXVBEYqTvezme6tgJa53KfGbOWgU2BdrFZd5wNk8vqr7-Tqu6Bb9_Qedsum5B85d_0bVmWmv2R5wgl/s1600/154857_10151248198137038_560764684_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpnjIyVXpSezupvhsfRhv01nrKZ-Bj0zJ9dKrsqltfYozfrc9BJTr_wALWbUVEyhJXVBEYqTvezme6tgJa53KfGbOWgU2BdrFZd5wNk8vqr7-Tqu6Bb9_Qedsum5B85d_0bVmWmv2R5wgl/s1600/154857_10151248198137038_560764684_n.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX-pmVb_SBGVzV7DkiKdWUNBYGeGOXh2gLQl_EHJwVEwL6oIKqllxJA2b64oqfsMMD6UNwMebiNxKFVcg-b0xr4dhXLS-fTl0Jdmn4ndZEjBiI57UmiUHDhBvQ2ZXqvjyKwXVQOJqR5Sjw/s1600/539825_10151247306622038_654082953_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX-pmVb_SBGVzV7DkiKdWUNBYGeGOXh2gLQl_EHJwVEwL6oIKqllxJA2b64oqfsMMD6UNwMebiNxKFVcg-b0xr4dhXLS-fTl0Jdmn4ndZEjBiI57UmiUHDhBvQ2ZXqvjyKwXVQOJqR5Sjw/s1600/539825_10151247306622038_654082953_n.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXv9HB0jE6-_szzHKNtHgddni5dXHu4aq7n9UcUqyU6EzvGSEgp6Q-FDKsJuOrMmGowMuFVPYbvhSAy4cMKRIrWUKlJeLnmDBYnGSXb3mpO_7ePUozMqQyHNXmNfUstpjANfkSF4igp7ot/s1600/534954_700259045275_752768432_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXv9HB0jE6-_szzHKNtHgddni5dXHu4aq7n9UcUqyU6EzvGSEgp6Q-FDKsJuOrMmGowMuFVPYbvhSAy4cMKRIrWUKlJeLnmDBYnGSXb3mpO_7ePUozMqQyHNXmNfUstpjANfkSF4igp7ot/s1600/534954_700259045275_752768432_n.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a>In other news, we had an amazing shower for Meili Joy on Monday night at my Mom's house. She preached a little adoption theology and hosted with some of my best girls. I appreciated every person who was there and who has walked this journey with us. We wrote names on the blocks from Meili Joy's block party, and we wrote notes for CNYear on special envelopes (Mrs. Gregory, you are brilliant!). Cherry blossoms were everywhere! My first pink shower! All of our gifts for her are so special. Adorable clothes, bows, leggings, shoes, dresses and art work and custom clothing, just so very special! And a special skinny car seat for her (since she's only 22 lbs) that we can fit 3 across our backseat! <br />
(Here are the boys sitting in it to the right.)<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWSZ5tLHfY5HkoLyrBI4t7xs2RsyMLvSvII6KBFOIcNg4XGeo_UJa0xEtOykPAiO1b99R8VKK7RkKgvUGC9Vva52rBdzCLxz1B0IqOPgVaxBR2t2vL-x2WHHRgaVJ2zXeox5rtH3mESuoy/s1600/223443_10151249204352038_1528410228_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWSZ5tLHfY5HkoLyrBI4t7xs2RsyMLvSvII6KBFOIcNg4XGeo_UJa0xEtOykPAiO1b99R8VKK7RkKgvUGC9Vva52rBdzCLxz1B0IqOPgVaxBR2t2vL-x2WHHRgaVJ2zXeox5rtH3mESuoy/s1600/223443_10151249204352038_1528410228_n.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a><br />
My favorite moments was to sit in the middle of these wonderful women, I honestly almost fell over, just from the emotion of all the women who prayed for me, Travis, our family, my parents as they keep the boys, MJ's TOF heart condition, etc. I am carrying those prayers of the Saints with me.<br />
<br />
Thank you, ALL! Your Thank you cards are coming w/ our Meili Joy is home announcements! Um, yes, it'll be our 2011/2012 Christmas Card/Thank you Card/ Announcement Card! <br />
<br />
<br />
I know that my Father loves me even more than I love our Meili Joy. And I know he knows every detail. I can't explain, though, how absolutely difficult this is to just wait and know we can go at anytime. I totally am claiming 9 month adoption/preggo hormones! I just want to get to my Baby. Again, totally a paradox. I believe that God knows exactly when we'll go and has drawn out each step, and I'm also letting myself be super eager to leave NOW! In the midst of this, it's been so much fun to soak up our boys. Stand and watch them. Stare at our family of 4. Big transition ahead. We've been an "all boy" family for 6 years! Every time a family grows, there are changes, ebbing and flow.<br />
<br />
But, the wait.is.really.painful. Almost physically. I had no idea that it would hurt this much. The anticipation. Our little girl leaving her foster family. Thinking of them and the empty home they will return to. Oh, Jesus, please let them come to the orphanage the day we visit. We hope they come. We want to hug them. It'll hurt, oh, boy, will it hurt. And our baby girl might not want us when she sees them; but, Jesus knows we hope to see them! <br />
<br />
I also have not blogged about this; but I absolutely can not stop
thinking about our I800 approval that says "Petition to classify orphan
as immediate relative". Oh, wow! Seriously! Do you not see the parallel?
"Petition" granted- Jesus on the Cross- "to classify orphan"- oh, y'all
know by now we were slaves, orphans, lost, etc! Then "as immediate
relative".
Yup. To the KING! Y'all to the King of the Universe! Not the President
of America or anywhere else. THE King. My Jesus. Oh, it's so
overwhelming! You see what I'm doing here. Preaching the gospel to
myself. Preaching it so I can hold on and not grow wear or sad or tired.
That's our Hope. That's our Joy. <br />
<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji3T2gkjndMZoSE5jJxmZlHKh7w1c3PW1fHKd1qnPjMCnYesObOuMdVk0qLFeohczKiHjhsjbIQpnbPRMNRssrMDdtYaNnyLpSXKMA4JwSwXAHTgjsoRrVP8KAQn1VFOyIIwpVBm8EHlhB/s1600/481297_10151198912152038_1333768445_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji3T2gkjndMZoSE5jJxmZlHKh7w1c3PW1fHKd1qnPjMCnYesObOuMdVk0qLFeohczKiHjhsjbIQpnbPRMNRssrMDdtYaNnyLpSXKMA4JwSwXAHTgjsoRrVP8KAQn1VFOyIIwpVBm8EHlhB/s1600/481297_10151198912152038_1333768445_n.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
(And there is also a photo of how Rockstar my agency is above, too.) <br />
<br />
<i>Dear Meili Joy, </i><br />
<i>We are coming. Your brothers are talking about your daily. Austin said he isn't even going to miss us. Your brother, Justus, says "pray" every night before we go to bed and says "Mei-Joy home". Your Daddy is working his tail off, so he can take time off and orders can keep rolling in; and your Mom. Well, she's a hot mess obsessed with holding her cell phone for the call and refreshing her internet feed for a hint of a "TA" batch coming. And she's sad for you foster family, and she's sad for you. And she knows you may not think she's that great at first. Hey, your brothers don't always think I'm a rockstar either! </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>We are fully embracing our absolutely crazy-selves and just going to love you with full hearts. They say "Go Big, or Go Home!" Yup, that's what we are doing! And we are so excited. And we may be a little scarey at first; but we love Jesus and we know that He'll shine through. And in our imperfection and weakness, He'll be our strength, hope and love as you join us! </i><br />
<br />
<i>We love you, </i><br />
<i>Mommy, Daddy, Austin & Justus </i>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05473681477720869354noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5055927698893968213.post-2672534664453158522013-01-16T07:57:00.001-08:002013-01-16T13:17:28.981-08:00LOA to CableSo, all my intentions of blogging all of this, have been great. But, have not happened. I have totally relied on Instagram and Facebook for my posts and documenting. Paperwork is moving quickly, and yet, still feels like we hurry up and wait. <br />
<br />
The last week has been a praying for paperwork to just move week. The two slow periods with our adoption that I struggled with was the wait for our homestudy to be approved, when it sat in the mail room for about a month in Columbia; and the wait for our I800 approval to get from KS to NH, that took 10 days. Obviously, when we were waiting for MJ's referral, it was hard. But, it was different, I understood better that wait and knew God was choosing our child for us. I've got to admit, I've got to work on my patience on the US side. And it's super hard when it's simple timing of just mailing a piece of paper, etc. <br />
<br />
Here was our time frame: <br />
12/17 LOA was approved <br />
12/18 800 was submitted the <br />
12/21 800 was received <br />
1/4 800 approved <br />
1/8 800 mailed out of MS 1/8 to NH<br />
1/11 800 recieved in NH <br />
1/14 Told it's not in the system, to wait 2 weeks, no GUZ # yet (2 phone calls, 5 emails)<br />
1/14 Didn't know it; but it was processed and sent to Embassy in GZ<br />
1/15 Emails sent in AM, called at 5:30 pm, got GUZ# & found out paperwork went to Embassy 1/14<br />
10:35 received PDF of approval in email (Travis' email)* <br />
1/16 Cabled (China's 1/16, our 1/15 pm) meaning the rest of our paperwork was sent to our agency in GZ<br />
<br />
Links: <br />
Here are some links that really help explain all the craziness of the paperwork from LOA (Letter of Approval) to TA (Travel Approval), for anyone who is interested. <br />
<br />
<br />
LOA: <br />
http://www.china-adoption-online.com/letter-of-acceptance.html<br />
<br />
<br />
I800: <br />
http://www.china-adoption-online.com/uscis-forms-I800.html<br />
<br />
*NVC/Cable: <br />
http://www.china-adoption-online.com/letter-of-acceptance.html<br />
<br />
Since the approval happens, and then is snail mailed, my agency needed a PDF copy of the approval. <br />
They don't automatically give you a PDF emailed copy. You have to request it, So, I called and emailed to request it. On Monday, they told me that it'd take up to two weeks and it wasn't ready. But, when I called back yesterday, they told me that my paperwork had been sent to the Embassy on Monday. See how crazy that feels? And I had to call three times in 2 hours because every time I called the full request for a PDF wasn't being submitted. <br />
<br />
By the way, I'm calling the National Visa Center at this point, in the US. Not anyone in Ch**a and asking for them to give me a GUZ #.<br />
<br />
Once I had it,I realized I needed to be very specific: "Will you please put in a request for a PDF to be emailed to me, and the email on that account." And then, I needed to say, "So, the official request for the PDF is in the system? Okay, thank you very much." The first time, I got the GUZ#. I don't know why I didn't just ask for the request. The 2nd time, I called they said that the PDF would come. I realized after I hung up that didn't mean that the request was in. So, I called back to confirm the request had actually been submitted, and they said they need a supervisor. I realized he didn't know much about adoption. So, I called back 5 minutes later and got someone else who said he would confirm that request was in. I got the PDF about 20 minutes later. I don't know what worked, the call or the emails. <br />
<br />
I also did request it by email using the details from China Adoption on how to request it. At first I used the SIM#, then once I asked for the GUZ#, I used that.<br />
GUZ#, Travis' Name, DOB, Meili Joy's official name, DOB, and who I was on the case, etc. <br />
<br />
<br />
And here is where we are in the process now, this from <a href="https://www.blogger.com/After%20you%20have%20received%20I-800%20Approval%20and%20have%20been%20cabled%20(and%20gotten%20the%20NVC%20letter),%20it%27s%20time%20for%20your%20Article%205%20letter%20to%20be%20issued%20by%20the%20US%20Embassy.%20This%20is%20a%20step%20that%20you%20don%27t%20have%20to%20really%20DO%20anything%20about,%20but%20it%20is%20helpful%20to%20know%20what%20is%20going%20on.%20%20Once%20you%20have%20emailed%20your%20NVC%20letter%20to%20your%20agency,%20they%20will%20forward%20it%20to%20their%20in-China%20representative.%20%20alt%20text%20%20The%20in-China%20rep%20will%20take%20the%20NVC%20letter%20to%20the%20US%20Embassy%20in%20Guangzhou%20along%20with%20your%20DS-230%20application%20and%20Parental%20LOA.%20The%20US%20Embassy%20only%20allows%20representatives%20to%20drop%20off%20the%20paperwork%20on%20certain%20days.%20%20UPDATE:%20Effective%20February%2028th,%202011,%20pickup%20days%20will%20changed.%20Article%205s%20will%20now%20be%20picked%20up%20and%20dropped%20off%20on%20Tuesday,%20Wednesday,%20Thursday,%20and%20Friday!!!%20This%20is%20GREAT%20news%20for%20families!!!%20Monday%20will%20no%20longer%20be%20a%20pickup/drop%20off%20day.%20%20Why%20is%20my%20paperwork%20going%20to%20the%20consulate?%20%20The%20consulate%20needs%20to%20review%20your%20new%20child%27s%20visa%20application%20(the%20DS-230),%20make%20sure%20it%20meets%20the%20qualifications%20for%20an%20immigrant%20visa,%20and%20then%20signs%20off%20that%20everything%20is%20in%20order%20for%20the%20adoption%20to%20be%20completed.%20This%20is%20called%20the%20Article%205%20letter.%20You%20cannot%20obtain%20custody%20of%20your%20child%20until%20the%20Article%205%20letter%20is%20issued!%20%20The%20consulate%20takes%20a%20standard%20two%20weeks%20to%20complete%20this%20process.%20If%20your%20paperwork%20is%20dropped%20off%20on%20a%20Monday,%20it%20will%20be%20picked%20up%20from%20the%20consulate%20by%20your%20agency%20rep%20two%20Mondays%20later.%20%20Once%20it%27s%20picked%20up%20from%20the%20consulate,%20it%20will%20be%20delivered%20directly%20to%20the%20CCAA%20for%20Travel%20Approval!" target="_blank">China Adoption Online</a> says, and I'm quoting them here; but I added the "**".<br />
<br />
<br />
"<b>After you have received
<a href="http://www.china-adoption-online.com/uscis-forms-I800.html">I-800 Approval</a>
and have been
<a href="http://www.china-adoption-online.com/National-Visa-Center.html">cabled (and gotten the NVC letter),</a>
it's time for your Article 5 letter to be issued by the US Embassy. This
is a step that you don't have to really DO anything about, but it is
helpful to know what is going on. </b><br />
<br />
Once you have
<a href="http://www.china-adoption-online.com/National-Visa-Center.html">emailed your NVC letter</a>
to your agency, they will forward it to their in-Ch**a representative.
<br />
<img alt="alt text" src="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQAirOL-RQ7Iryv4BCnIN4P8vq0ZmiT7hxqAwnPIFWcQU9kPvDUGg" height="200" hspace="10" style="float: left;" vspace="10" width="200" />
<br />
The in-Ch**a rep will take the NVC letter to the US Embassy in
Guangzhou along with your DS-230 application and Parental LOA. The US
Embassy only <b>allows representatives to drop off the paperwork on certain days."</b>
<br />
<br />
<b></b>
<br />
"The consulate needs to review your new child's visa application
(the DS-230), make sure it meets the qualifications for an immigrant
visa, and then signs off that everything is in order for the adoption to
be completed. This is called the Article 5 letter. You <b>cannot obtain custody</b> of your child until the Article 5 letter is issued!
<br />
The consulate takes a standard two weeks to complete this
process. If your paperwork is dropped off on a Monday, it will be picked
up from the consulate by your agency rep two Mondays later.
<br />
Once it's picked up from the consulate, it will be delivered directly to the CCAA for Travel Approval!
"<br />
<br clear="all" />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkXDJxcEWTSpt8WpfnZjDleyz0PG9ziSEjVMKLYD58gop3_WhjhOAHk-2WB2lJq55O_yS1dplz0APXHTdHTSw6bl_4jwkARZsjbJVxuBqQ_TBtRsM5vSOnUyIo7Rdysp_eykLqot5R43mv/s1600/NVC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkXDJxcEWTSpt8WpfnZjDleyz0PG9ziSEjVMKLYD58gop3_WhjhOAHk-2WB2lJq55O_yS1dplz0APXHTdHTSw6bl_4jwkARZsjbJVxuBqQ_TBtRsM5vSOnUyIo7Rdysp_eykLqot5R43mv/s1600/NVC.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a>And that is all done now. I also forwarded the email to my agency at 10:35 last night, and posted in our Lifeline group that I had sent it. Three minutes later, our Ch**a director told me they had forwarded the document to our agency rep in Ch**a. Seriously, they are amazing! <br />
<br />
It's kind of nice now, because there is no calling or emailing today. I seem to do well when I can't do anything. But, get all crazy when there is something that is my responsibility, or seems like mine, to get her home. Back to soaking up our time as a family of 4, reading over packing lists, finishing her room, etc. I'll have another more uplifting post to come tomorrow. Hoping this helps others who come behind us.<br />
<br />
Prayer Requests: These are super specific, and our church is in a series on specific prayer requests, so I'm going for it! <br />
<br />
My very specific prayer request if for a miracle for TA to still come in time for us to leave my birthday week (ideally leave Feb 22). I know it's more like March 1st right now; but either way, just hopeful. <br />
<br />
Second specific request, a Tuesday Consulate appointment. It would really help with our donated airline mile and that maybe a flight on AA would open up from GZ to the US without a trip back to BJ. <br />
<br />
Our third, that I could find a set of Dinio (formerly Sunshine) car seats (two for 2 year olds) and 1 booster bottom for Austin on Craig's list. They aren't very common and I think will fit in one row for our car. Hey, at least, I'm not asking for a used Lexus SUV with a third row or Honda Odessey minivan to show up....I mean, really!<br />
<br />
(And now that I've been interrupted 15 times trying to just read over this, I realize why I never blog. I can't proof things with my kiddos awake!) Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05473681477720869354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5055927698893968213.post-29715948837462166552013-01-06T17:51:00.000-08:002013-01-06T17:51:53.445-08:00Give1Save1 Week! <span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Well, I know my blog is long over due for an update, and I promise one is coming. In fact, I plan to over blog in the next 2 weeks. But, in the mean time, I wanted to share about our friends <a href="http://www.give1save1asia.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Angie & Tom Rylands</a><a href="http://www.give1save1asia.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"> </a>and their adoption journey back to Asia for two more, yep, two more older children! <br /></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH7jNZJOKh1fBVoi_Lu1FmoSpLLl2KDPky-r8jIZaGPUXWwXeORQQCOJl5tukrZeRgkrixwEFR4azqsPNgGfB1WHAvOHIcNddvNYZFe-ce7qvKRWP8cVBdkd2tVuS7LZJuZ6ot6HvMC7uz/s1600/rylands+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH7jNZJOKh1fBVoi_Lu1FmoSpLLl2KDPky-r8jIZaGPUXWwXeORQQCOJl5tukrZeRgkrixwEFR4azqsPNgGfB1WHAvOHIcNddvNYZFe-ce7qvKRWP8cVBdkd2tVuS7LZJuZ6ot6HvMC7uz/s1600/rylands+blog.jpg" height="272" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tom, Colin, Tommy, Cameron & Angie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I met Angie when she and her husband, Tom, were in the process of adopting Colin and Cameron, two of her (currently) three boys. They were "aging out of the system", and she was racing the clock for both of them because of their age (on paper) stated that they were almost 14. This would mean they are no longer guaranteed a home in the orphanage and no longer adoptable. But, by God's grace, they got the boys home in time. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVhoS8MUyVolj1CbrM2y5iCxeE_uUVYk8qfU_AaUMWtFIgWxCI2qqFFNZqW3QmehlK60COQVV_PtyQqiKukLxqxGqCGoQpbPS5Z_T1u1Xp9O62QCrAtTtFlPGnIxEdesw0QpVbUFE5wle7/s1600/JTM+Kids+Together.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVhoS8MUyVolj1CbrM2y5iCxeE_uUVYk8qfU_AaUMWtFIgWxCI2qqFFNZqW3QmehlK60COQVV_PtyQqiKukLxqxGqCGoQpbPS5Z_T1u1Xp9O62QCrAtTtFlPGnIxEdesw0QpVbUFE5wle7/s1600/JTM+Kids+Together.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Rylands boys are in USA shirts </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I only knew Angie via email and facebook, until the beginning of last year. But, I followed her journey and her friends journeys, and they welcomed me with open arms into the Ch**a adoption community as we began our journey to Meili Joy. When we finally met in person, it was as if we'd known each other for years. Bottom line, this family gets it. Their hearts are committed not just to their family, but to 100's of adopting families and children and bringing glory to God through it all.In fact, Angie has taken a job as the SC State Director for our agency, Lifeline (and y'all know how much I love Lifeline!). <a href="http://www.give1save1asia.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Angie and Tom</a>
have been incredible blessings in the Carpenter family's life this
year. God even moved them into our neighborhood which means we get a
chance to see them a little more often. Justus especially adores Colin,
and often asks to "I see Colin?" </span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTfodjMQ25XrcLYtqVwyPqpeEcu6Hpt9FUWLdnjzTdTvM-ixfD0sGlYeerKXT-_j3xYLmoKSrQlkxiINXjMh1HolF-8k4zoWHdLCsFORp9VBY5Mo8xrNYqWc9svfEy9gBBzQ0T4JoXBWBJ/s1600/Connor+Save+Image.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTfodjMQ25XrcLYtqVwyPqpeEcu6Hpt9FUWLdnjzTdTvM-ixfD0sGlYeerKXT-_j3xYLmoKSrQlkxiINXjMh1HolF-8k4zoWHdLCsFORp9VBY5Mo8xrNYqWc9svfEy9gBBzQ0T4JoXBWBJ/s1600/Connor+Save+Image.JPG" height="200" width="132" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Connor Rylands</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Last spring and this summer, God called their family back for 2 more boys. I remember in April, we were at Together for Adoption Boot Camp in Greenville, and Angie could not put down a picture of another child. We kept just staring at her wide eyed. Really!?! Four boys? Yes, that was God's call. And now it will be 5 Rylands boys, 4 from Asia and 1 from birth. They have amazing stories of how God led all of them to these boys, and you can check out all the details on <a href="http://www.rylandsfamily.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">their blog. </a></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrk4gORH7ro_GqsmOf63fXfczkrcw9E0QtPYtTgJF7a5zVCYMGNFYROPCZEI85HIXTEbvxprM6xUSsef0GCC0uyav_UBvmdv67zVP6GvnRAhkXc4L_Lr5RgsaZJhdlR0dfD_lPb-dQABNO/s1600/Cooper+Rylands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrk4gORH7ro_GqsmOf63fXfczkrcw9E0QtPYtTgJF7a5zVCYMGNFYROPCZEI85HIXTEbvxprM6xUSsef0GCC0uyav_UBvmdv67zVP6GvnRAhkXc4L_Lr5RgsaZJhdlR0dfD_lPb-dQABNO/s1600/Cooper+Rylands.jpg" height="132" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cooper Rylands</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Their process is a little different than ours since they met their next two boys from a "Waiting Child List", they did not have as many wait times as we did. So, even though they started a few months behind us, they are on the almost on the identical time table as we are. We may even get to travel together for part of this trip! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Here's the catch: since their process goes faster, they have had a lot less time to fundraise. They haven't had 18 months to fundraise, like we have. They've had since this summer, about 6 months, and they are adopting 2 more boys! They have the orphanage fees to cover for both boys as their next step. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">As I've shared, the orphanage fees are fees that are required and paid to care for children who are not adopted yet. They average orphanage fee is $6,000 per child. There are also 2 extra plane tickets to come home, visas, hotel for about 2 weeks, etc, and travel. So their total need is still over $20,000 and it looks like they'll be approved to travel by the end of February, early March, like we will be. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Do I believe it's going to come in for them? Absolutely. Is it crazy to say that? Yes, but after what I have seen God do this year in our own adoption and the support of Journey Together, I know that God is calling so many to give just a little to do something very big! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">This week, the Rylands are featured on the Give 1 Save 1 Blog. Checkout their story here. <b>They also have a matching grant from <a href="http://www.journeytogetherministries.org/" target="_blank">Journey Together </a>for the first $1,000 that they raise</b>. Check out their post, their video and all <a href="http://www.give1save1asia.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">the fun here!</a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><b>About Give1Save1: </b> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I love <a href="http://www.give1save1asia.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Give1Save1</a>: Asia because they are creating a community and habit that continually supports adoptive families, much like what we hope the Charleston community will feel called to do with our Hope Families. I hope that supporting adoptions becomes a normal part of budgets and planning and generous giving, etc. Give1Save1 asks families to log on every week and give just $1 to an adopting family that is featured on their website. So, this week, it's <a href="http://www.give1save1asia.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">our Rylands</a>! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Please pray for this precious family, and if God tugs at your heart to give $1, $5 or more, thank you and please do it! And please never think that your $1 or $2 gift doesn't make a difference. It really does. I can testify to that! Just getting a $10 bill handed to us during this journey has been a crazy encouragement. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Thank you for taking the time to read about our special friends and their journey, and thank you so much for your love and support over the last year. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">P.S. Angie also has some other adoption related fundraisers on her <a href="http://www.rylandsfamily.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">blog</a>. One of them is amazing Goat Milk Soap for $6. It has cleared up some of my skin issues better than anything I've used in ages! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">P.P.S. Her oldest son, Colin, has his own blog now, too. The link is on her <a href="http://www.rylandsfamily.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">blog! </a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">So, there are lots of ways to get involved!</span>
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Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05473681477720869354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5055927698893968213.post-65476574526300304552012-11-20T17:21:00.001-08:002013-09-08T11:21:54.652-07:00We're Having a Party! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4RykcANz6z0a-oNAC7p9apl0TxIB2jqe_Z9KLJ3fX1qfHApdvck8qC1thiWTUWF52mcgWduY0W3vTFyumWzHS00Fz3xjHEtdQsH5EVVBV_eB_9BQ5XHgwYD7tn_YYHJSaK6rEDEUGUSTq/s1600/MJ+Birthday+Invite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4RykcANz6z0a-oNAC7p9apl0TxIB2jqe_Z9KLJ3fX1qfHApdvck8qC1thiWTUWF52mcgWduY0W3vTFyumWzHS00Fz3xjHEtdQsH5EVVBV_eB_9BQ5XHgwYD7tn_YYHJSaK6rEDEUGUSTq/s400/MJ+Birthday+Invite.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So, I wasn't sure how to handle Meili Joy's birthday, and today it hit me. We'll have an online fundraising party for her. And I think we'll go ahead and have some pink cupcakes that day, too. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And, you are invited! You are invited to make one more donation, and we are seriously just asking for $10. Yep, that's it! And then, maybe you could share this with 10 other people if you'd like to. Because that would be even more fun. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And then we're going to take a set of wooden building blocks and custom paint them and creatively write on the side of the blocks, the names of everyone who gives to this birthday celebration. I was looking for a way to preserve the names and faces of so many people who have loved this little girl and helped us bring her home, and I believe this will be it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />I'm even thinking we might have a creative painting party for the blocks, too since I have so many crafty friends. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Please
remember, we are so thankful for each one of you and your part in our
story to Meili Joy, and so excited for so many of you to be a part of
her life here in Charleston. </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Ah, yes! We are in the home stretch. I keep seeing paperwork coming in at lightning speed in my facebook groups with other adopting families. And I just know we are really close to LOA. I'm excited. I'm a bit nervous. Okay, a lot nervous. And I'm very eager to be done fundraising (for us, at least ) and just settle into adjustment phase, new family of 5, let reality sink in that I'll be a Mom-of-two 2 year olds by next spring. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In the mean time, we have a fun event for JTM, then a birthday for Meili Joy, then a fun birthday for my big boy (how did he get to be so big!?), and then Christmas and New Year's! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And besides y'all, it's advent! Come, Jesus, into all of it! Into all this craziness and all this joy and all this nervousness and all the weariness. O, Come, O Come, Emmanuel! </span><br />
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Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05473681477720869354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5055927698893968213.post-1284810399564444142012-11-19T10:00:00.000-08:002012-11-19T10:00:27.745-08:00{Out of Translation} One Step Closer! We are OOT! Meaning our fancy dossier paperwork is out of translation and ready to find our other paperwork, PA, and take us to our next step of LOA (Letter of Approval that takes about 4-6 weeks), and then we have a few more steps of paperwork to wait for that will take us about 2.5 to 3 months.<br />
<br />
So, with shortest time from for LOA and other steps, we could be going to China Feb 19th, um, okay, that's my bday, let's just say that would be an amazing birthday present! Longest estimate would be around March 30th.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05473681477720869354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5055927698893968213.post-34073787472464301742012-11-09T11:46:00.001-08:002012-11-09T12:38:16.413-08:00Our Joy {Meili Joy Carpenter}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">On October 30th, Travis and I met our daughter, Meili Joy, on paper. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We were very surprised to receive her referral. The night before I had spoken to our case worker with our agency, and I did not at all anticipate a referral. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I had been told over and over that we'd "just know" when we saw our daughter's face. And between the hand full of files we'd reviewed, I honestly started to question if that was going to happen. I knew we weren't picking our daughter based on a cute face; but over and over I had other adoptive moms tell me that we would just know. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiaVXqdGkuf4RtU4MSDGHzPAJyAKSUFs0TT9pOIsVyBGBDwh5VX2mWNo22-nfRkZgL5fYPZvhFmjcniw6ue-VaLNQCxkc2vgxOUJt_0Q8repmxfu3QxB7fhxAZsTPHeydikbWoVge-oJgl/s1600/Meili+Joy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiaVXqdGkuf4RtU4MSDGHzPAJyAKSUFs0TT9pOIsVyBGBDwh5VX2mWNo22-nfRkZgL5fYPZvhFmjcniw6ue-VaLNQCxkc2vgxOUJt_0Q8repmxfu3QxB7fhxAZsTPHeydikbWoVge-oJgl/s1600/Meili+Joy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I was clutching my big
old Anthropolgie porcelein "J" mug from Abby, sipping my brew and
soaking in Jesus through my Bible on my iphone. Trav was wrapped in a
dark gray robe, holding his Bible on his phone, too. I realized that I had missed an email from the night before, and ended up on the phone at 6:45 am with someone from the agency. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">So, quickly we were on the phone discussing her special need and the fact that there were some things about her file that were outside of our original "child desired" form. And it mattered; but it didn't. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We both just nodded, and mouthed "This is it! This is her file!".</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I think that early morning moment will forever be frozen in my mind.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">A few hours later, as her pictures scrolled onto my computer screen, we laughed and were grateful for the hours and days we had spent looking at photos of children online from Asia. She was, of course, dressed in masculine clothes, and we weren't surprised. But, as the picture loaded, Justus knew, too. He rushed to the computer, turned his head to the side in a shy smile. "Baby!" He kept smiling and pointing "Sister!", he said. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">He wasn't phased by the long scar on her little bare chest marking her as a survivor of open heart surgery. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The morning turned to a flurry of phone calls and rushing her file to via email proper doctors to review. And, by God's amazing grace, we had three cardiologists review her file within hours. Three doctors that I had never spoken to before that day. In fact, one called me from Charlotte after I was given a referral to his office from an online facebook group that new he had a heart for children from Ch**a with this specific heart condition. He was very gracious and kind and eager to help us in any way.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">All agreed that her file looked promising. There are always unknowns. Always. Especially in international adoption. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">And we know, there might be more surgery. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">There might be some scary days for her; </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">but she is our daughter. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">And, now, it's time to bring her home. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We are so grateful for every step of this journey. We are constantly humbled and amazed by the work he is doing in Charleston and with Journey Together, and are excited for the next steps. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Please pray for us as we wait for the last round of paperwork, we are hoping to bring her home early next year, possibly between February - April.We are waiting for LOA, Letter of Approval, and then there a bunch more "A" steps that will get us closer and closer to our approval to travel. We'll keep everyone posted! Please also pray for those taking care of her. Pray even now that God will work to heal her heart in more ways than one. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Fundraising Update: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">As for fundraising, we believe we may need about $5,000 more to cover the final costs of our travel, guides, fees, etc. At this time, we have been given a wonderful blessing of having our international flight covered, so we are only looking at our flight from Beijing to Guangzhou, where she is and where we will visit the consulate. We will have several other final agency fees, immigration fees, travel fees, hotel, final document fees, and other miscellaneous fees involving paperwork, Jess' visa will have to be expedited, etc. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">At this time, we are still selling Uganda beads and I am trying to figure out if I can carve out any time for bird's nest necklaces; but I'm honestly not sure I can. I think we'll need to get creative after Christmas and do some type of fun event, etc.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We will also be a featured family at the Journey Together Hope Fund Gala, A Night to Give 1 Hope. This event is raising funds for the Hope Fund that will allow local families to apply for adoption grants. But, people will also be able to donate directly to us through JTM's non-profit status then, too. I hope some of you will be able to attend. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We do have limited tickets to this amazing event, and you can get them through our eventbrite link: www.journeytogethercharleston.eventbrite.com </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> We are also a Hope Family with Journey Together, and that means that we can receive donations through JTM's non-profit status for our adoption. They will write checks directly to our agency, etc. You can see our Hope Family page <a href="http://www.journeytogetherministries.org/carpenterfamily" target="_blank"><u>here! </u></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thank you for walking this journey with us. For loving our family and our daughter.</span>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05473681477720869354noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5055927698893968213.post-28643638747722775322012-11-04T11:42:00.001-08:002012-11-04T11:42:40.147-08:00Orphan Sunday 2012This week, I saw my daughter's face for the first time. <br />
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This week, I walked to the back of the auditorium to light a candle to pray for our daughter, knowing exactly what she looks like.<br />
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This week, I saw my daughter on a vimeo video. She was wearing pink sandles, an orange sweatshirt and yellow pants.<br />
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This week, I saw the scar on my daughter's chest where doctor's performed a potentially life saving surgery last March.<br />
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This week, Travis and I have a daughter.<br />
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This week, my boys have a sister. <br />
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This week, my heart is forever tied to a family in Asia, her birth family.<br />
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This weekend at Seacoast Church, Rob Braniff, one of our new pastors, opened our services introducing his family and his three adopted children. This week, Josh Walters, shared our communities story of how God's heart for loving others can change a community. This week, Chris Russo, shared a spoken word to the song God of the City, and I raised my fist in the air and nearly jumped out of my skin. <br />
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My child doesn't know it yet; but she is not an orphan
anymore. She is still in a foster care/orphanage situation half way
around the world. But, she has a Mom and Dad who are ready to bring her
home. And she has a Mom and Dad who probably made the decision to give
her up in order to save her life due to difficult circumstances they can not take care of her. <br />
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Today is Orphan Sunday 2012 and such a huge day for our journey into adoption. Yes, it is all about one child. Yes, it is a journey of each family. But, it is always a bigger story. So many of us do not know we have a Father. We live without hope. And my hearts prayer today as I pray for 147 million without families around the world, is that the rest of the billions that do not know their Abba Father will also find their way home today!<br />
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Soli deo Gloria! <br />
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"I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you."<br />
-Jesus <br />
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<br />Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05473681477720869354noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5055927698893968213.post-1848996006837184462012-10-22T12:42:00.001-07:002012-10-22T18:52:03.731-07:00Our Meili Joy{s}<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We decided on a name for our daughter and it is Meili Joy. It is pronounced like "May-Lee" Joy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Here is the backstory:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">{Info on Naming Children from Orphanage File} </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Several months ago, around April, I became eager to decide on a name for our daughter. Naming a child who is already born, is sort of an odd thing. Most of the time, the name that a child has in an orphanage, especially in the Asian country we are adopting from, has nothing to do with anything personal. Sometimes, it does; but not often. Usually, it is a street name or a common last name for all children. So, there is possibly an original name given by birth parents, then a name given by the orphanage and possible a name given by an orphanage or agency on a file as an alias. For instance, we follow several sites on Facebook that have children's photos and names like "Louise" or "Oliver" or "Cheryl", etc. These are just their public names. They also have an Asian name on paper.
So, we realize that most likely our daughter's name on paper, will have no significance. If we find out that there is some type of significance, we plan to maintain some of that identity! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">{Picking our Name} </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">With that said, as I was praying over names, I realized that somehow my original ideas of names didn't seem to be fitting. I had always love Bella Grace because it means Beautiful Grace, and well, really, do I need to explain that any further? But, it wasn't settling in my heart this time.
As I was praying and pondering her name, I googled "Bella Grace in C*&*se" and one translation came up "Mei Li". Suddenly, I wrote down "Meili Joy". We felt that Mei Li would give her some identity to her birth country, and if she ever wants to pull her name a part into two words, she could also do that. Joy is my sister's name, too and special to us. And it's a cute American sounding name (I had no idea it was becoming popular). I talked to Travis about it and he loved it. That is a huge deal because we have never agreed on names right away. But, then again, I might have pulled the "I think God gave me a little nudge toward this name". Maybe after the entire Isaiah passage for Justus, he didn't want to get a theology lesson on my time in the Word picking names. Either way, we were excited to be on the same page.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">{Sharing the News} </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I called my sister to ask for her blessing for us to use "Joy"; and explained we thought it'd be very special for her to have a family name. I also called Abby, my BFF, that I plan to write about later this week, and asked her to be Meili Joy's godmother. We don't even do godmothers; but I feel that Meili Joy will </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">need one and I know the perfect godmother for her! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We still didn't want to announce it for some reason. And I was still wanting to be sure that when we saw her, the name would still be perfect for her. But, in a very small circle, and between the two of us, we started to share the name and refer to her as "Meili Joy".
Here is where our story gets a bit crazy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">So, two months later, I was on the Facebook page of an organization that cares for mild special needs children. I used to scroll the pages all the time. And as I was scrolling through and praying for the sweet faces with their ful American names next to them: "Herschel", "Oliver", "Louise", "Cheryl", etc. there was suddenly a six month old little girl, with the name "MeiLi Joy" staring at me. I almost dropped my laptop. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Travis and I were in shock.
Of course, we thought it had to be our daughter. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">{Meili Joy and MeiLi Joy} </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Yes, we contacted the organization. Yes, we contacted our agency who has been more than helpful and understanding. Yes, we prayed. We tried to figure out how to request her file, not possible. We realized we had no idea what her diagnosis was and we did not care. We started sponsoring her monthly. We started lighting two candles every Saturday in our commitment prayer time as a reflection of support and love. We did everything we could to try to find her. I google mapped the city where she was supposedly living. I prayed that our agency would begin a partnership with her foster care city, etc.
Time after time, it seemed like a dead end. And yet, we still keep asking in case her file shows up in the right place. Our agency has been very kind in understanding. Month after month we get a very small update on her from her foster care family since we sponsor her.
But, at this time, we have been told that this "MeiLi Joy" on Facebook is not the "Meili Joy" who will be our daughter.<i> </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>And for legal reasons, I'm going to refrain from explaining the details on here about files and requesting them. Everyone has been extremely professional and maintained all types of appropriate and legal process in this case. We do not want to do anything to disrupt the system and are in full respect of the process to protect children from being trafficked and exploited and all the other reasons for strict country rules and the Hague. So, we have been sure to respect our agency and the organization on what we can and can't ask for. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i> </i>So, what does it mean? We have no idea. We are trusting God. Can we say we were able to guard our hearts and not fall in love with the little MJ that showed up with "our" daughter's name? Nope. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We are head over heels for her. Can I tell you that we really have days where we think she is our daughter? We honestly in our gut hope so. But, we really try not to go there because we know that would just kill us; and we understand that everyone has told us "no". And this is not the kind of thing you mess with. (Read: We do not want to tick off the wrong people.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We have talked crazy, too; and called our agency to tell them that we will be willing to accept two referrals, if one of them is her file, and all that jazz.
But, for now, we are praying for our daughter, Meili Joy, and our sponsor child, MeiLi Joy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">And if by God's grace they are one and the same, we will rejoice. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">And if they are not, then it is our immense privilege to love this "MeiLi Joy" during this season of her life until she is with her forever family.
</span>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05473681477720869354noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5055927698893968213.post-46074535089467878992012-10-13T19:08:00.004-07:002012-10-13T19:10:17.153-07:00Lighting Candles{I know my blog looks funny, totally apologize, tried to fix something & change it up and it didn't work.}
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We have made this walk for almost a year. And each time, it has been something that has felt joyful and full of anticipation. <br />
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Until last week. <br />
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We lit an extra candle last week. For the child that we couldn't say "yes" to, in addition to our daughter's candles and two others. And, someday, maybe when I can edit a post without rambling sentences, I'll start writing more again on that. But, honestly, I'd feel defensive and wordy. And then I'd just be sad and emotional and caught up in the heaviness. And then there is the layer of one of other candles, of the child we are sponsoring with the same name that we plan to name our daughter, but that we have been told we can not adopt. And then the feelings that come with the wait, and the shift in time line, that we anticipated, but never wanted to accept. But, I don't know if that's the story that we tell. We promised to be honest about our journey, and yet, I don't know if the details are helpful to others or not. And are details as important as the outcome of the journey, of the story, of who the story is about? I'm not sure. And I'm not a professional blogger, so I'm still sort of a journaling blogger with my own somewhat self-absorbed view. <br />
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Yet, I know we are supposed to tell our story. So, if you'll forgive me for the half pieces, and the fact that I can barely get all of this together right now, I hope you'll be encouraged and see more Jesus. </div>
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So, in the midst of some amazing miracles and work this month; in the midst of getting to stand on top of the mountain; in the midst of some really amazingly fun and slightly intense ministry work; in the midst of getting to witness God's word change lives more dramatically than I have witnessed in a long time (up close); as we rejoiced and were overwhelmed by so much joy, I also grieved. </div>
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And the theme continues, joy and suffering. {Stick around my facebook page, and you'll see it.}<br />
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And as I ugly cried right there in our church last week, with my hand stretched high above my head in the most desperate reach I might have ever posed, I know that never once is our daughter walking this alone. </div>
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Never once. And God is faithful. </div>
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And I will white-knuckle that truth over and over when it gets too thick and the air seems to stop. I will hold onto the gospel until I can breath again. </div>
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The problem with my constant self-analyzing and hyper-perception is that half the time I am fully aware of how ridiculous I am. I knew that God gave us a new season of ministry. And I knew it was a start and finish for this much intensity. I knew that it would last intensely for 2 months. And I knew we could do it, for this season. We had cleared our plates most of the summer and spring; and we were ready. And I knew I'd be tired when it was over. And I am. And it's not quite over. </div>
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Yet, I was quietly wishing every day, that I'd have to drop everything to rush around for paperwork because we had just met our daughter on paper. And when we had to keep going, twice in the last month, because we knew it wasn't the right file, I kept busy. I kept going. I had a good cry or two and appeared to have moved on. I am not sure who I am anymore, because quick good cries are not my style. </div>
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And even last weekend, in the middle of my first really hard cry {there were two}, God spoke pretty clearly to me through a few friends that our file review was not wasted. And we were able to see God work together for good something hurtful in the matter of hours. Amazing. It seems that situation was never really about us {I mean, really when is it ever!?!}</div>
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And yet, at the end of the message tonight, that did not even touch on a theme about our daughter, I realized </div>
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as I stood to head toward the candles, that I wanted to sit back down. I did not want to make that walk. It hurt. I fought back the lump in my throat immediately this time. </div>
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I almost found myself counting the steps. Starting at my feet as I walked. I started thinking I need to bring some face powder to church. And I kept walking. And I kept praying. And Travis must have sensed it because he reached back for my hand. Then we stood silently and lit our three candles {one for our daughter, one for our Compassion child, and one for the little girl I mentioned above}. <br />
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And as we sang, "God you are faithful....Never once...Standing on this battlefield...", I stretched my hand up once more, and it hurt to reach that hard for heaven. </div>
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But, I will walk that walk to light that candle each week, </div>
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even though it is getting harder, </div>
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and even though I hear this is only the first wait, and the next one after we know who she is, is worse. </div>
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And I really wish, I could write more clearly right now. It's jumbled up in all the good, and all the sadness, and all the joy, and all the present joy and all the future joy. </div>
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And God is faithful. So, I will put each foot in front of the other and walk to that candle and trust God for our daughter, each week, and each day. And each week, I'll re-up that commitment. Until she is home... </div>
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<br />Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05473681477720869354noreply@blogger.com2