We are on the little waiting hamster wheel that goes round and round. I assume it will eventually come loose of the screws and take off for real:) DSS has requested additional paperwork such as more reference letters and some information on what we plan to do with our kiddos if we get taken out of this world early. I also had to get local police clearance which of course was no problem, just a bit inconvenient. Kind of like going to the department of motor vehicles because ya never have the right information on paper the first time ya show up. In the mean time immigration was waiting patiently to assign us a fingerprint appointment in a constantly overbooked list in Charlotte so I finally tracked someone down to say that for the love of pete we would take an appointment in Charleston instead. While this adds an additional 2 hours each way, it is better to have some appointment somewhere rather than no appointment anywhere. I expect to get that actual appointment in the mail this next week along with all the out of state reference letters. I am amazed at how many nurses and doctors relocated since our last hospital stay of March 08. One of the few reasons I love facebook is that the social network transcends all that moving and I can still find folks pretty quickly.
My texas friend and adoptive mama Shelly has sent a little sweater dress with hairbows for Marina for court day and also a wonderful sage color winter coat. I am now ready to get on a plane and put these clothes on that little girl and get on with this program. For so long we have been praying that Marina stay safe and filled with peace, but have recently changed the prayer to hurry up and get us there for her. (keeping her safe in the meantime). Sometimes we just forget what and how to pray I think. I am reading the book Crazy Love by Francis Chan and it really addresses this prayer issue that we have--like how we recite the same words all the time and ask God to do what he was going to do all the time anyway. Tully and I are both going through this bible study together and it is starting to put God in a much larger perspective. Since we as humans are so finite, it is easy to slot God in there as well, again and again, seeking the sky genie's services. But I know there is more to this than meets the eye and I am always searching for answers regarding the effects of prayer. If I am going to spend the time, I would like to know that it does not sound ridiculous and waste the time using virtual baby talk to the Creator of the Universe.
This has been an icy and snowy weekend. The first sound I was awakened by yesterday morning resembled something out of a war movie as Evan yelled WOOHOOO at the top of his not so little lungs. Followed by the I told you so dance--yes there was snow on the ground. Unfortunately it was very cruncy ice masquerading as fluffy snow...sledding on ice is only fun in one direction and dragging the sled back up the hill was daunting to anyone. Evan has a small abrasion where he skinned his face twice on the ice slipping down. Today we went for a movie instead, finding it to be a safer alternative than ice sledding. Planet 51 was pretty cute and then we went to a little seafood restaurant for sandwiches...upon entering we were faced with the most beautiful wall water fountain. This is the kind of waterfall that penny wishes are made of and Evan separated me from all of my pennies immediately. He only threw one though. When he came to the table he told me he wished for Caylyn to come back and for Marina to get her brother. Who says pennies are not worth much?
I have been promoted at work lately to area supervisor and have also expanded work to cover a couple of hours a week with Family Connection of SC, assisting families with their medicaid questions. This is somewhat hilarious since I probably have more questions than anybody but they swear to train me so we will see how good they really are I suppose.
That is about it for now, the sun is setting and the roads will be icing over again. Be safe and warm. After this weekend I have added thanks to my prayers for Haiti. Thanks that it is not winter as well...
PS the little baby girl Sofia who was our prayer angel at Christmas has gotten a family commitment so she is going home this year. I am very happy about this. I might add that if you click on her warrior button you will be taken to the giving stats for this past Christmas prayer warrior project for Reece's Rainbow. I can't decide which thrills me more, the grant money raised or the families who made commitments. Just check it out and see what impresses you the most!
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Monday, January 4, 2010
Last time Christmas will be without you...
Twas the Night Before Christmas--for the Parentless.. ...
Twas the night before Christmas and all through the land
there are parentless children, with no toys in hand
No stockings to be hung by the chimney with care
no hopes for a family soon to be there
Their beds are not snug--but cold and quite bare
there are no goodnight kisses--no one to care
While we in our homes, laughing in delight
all settle down for a Merry Christmas Eve night
When in someones' heart--there arises a clatter
there are children in need--who's lives really DO matter!
Away to the computer please go in a flash
to see the sweet face with whom YOU could be matched!
While a child you see--their beautiful face all aglow
could this be MY child--could I already know??
When in the dreams of the orphan--what always appears
is a family to love them, to care and hold dear
As you stare at that child--your heart beats real quick--
for you know in your heart that sweet face will stick
More dreams sweet children have--to call parents by name-
come mama! come daddy! come family to claim!
To the ends of the earth--your heart seems to call
now child--I'm coming--I wish for you ALL!
So on a plane to your child--over rooftops you flew
to hold this dear soul--a wish did come true
And then in a twinkling-I saw through the door
this child of my heart-that was waiting no more
As I got my camera and was turning around-
into my arms did he come with a bound!
He was dressed in many layers from his head to his foot
and into my heart his life was just put
there was no round face--no plump little belly
just sad little eyes, and legs shaking like jelly
In a swirl of a pen, and a stamp and a seal
my world became brighter--like I could suddenly feel!
We spoke not a word--they weren't needed at all
and I knew in this moment where I got this call
God laid his hands on my heart--and to the occasion I rose
and He could do it for you--this question He'll pose.....
It won't be a shout--no not even a whistle
it won't be real clear--but faint like a whisper
Can you make room in your heart--if you try with your might?
And make a difference for one--help them see the light?
I can see you exclaim as you hold your child tight--
Thank you Lord for this gift--you got it EXACTLY right!
Someone posted this recently on RR chat and I wanted to keep a copy of it to remind me how I worried for Marina and the others especially through the holidays. I could never see how in the world my life would continue with the way it has already transpired, but here I am, adding warrior for the smallest of orphans to my resume. We are awaiting our fingerprint appointment and the courteous approval of DSS concerning our homestudy.
We stopped by our facilitator's house in Florida on the way home and really enjoyed seeing her sweet family...actually seeing what I would have expected as chaos and craziness was over run by love and peace that flowed between the children and their mom. It just worked so sweetly. 3 SN kiddos and an infant and a 6 year old little boy who was just precious. It was inspiring and precious and personally I would have spent the day laying on the floor sharing much of my time with Emma who was totally content to enjoy the music within her toy as it was laid against her head. Something about her is so beautiful in a way I cannot explain. Then there is Princess Brianna with her magic shoes and little wand and flowing blond hair. The stop was a good one and in two hours gave me the visual that replaces the imaginary when we are emailing and chatting on Yuku on Monday nights.
I cannot believe we were swimming in the ocean last week in Florida and it is sooo incredibly freezing here today. I am up early, coffee brewing, and I need to go set my work schedule for the day, but I sure do NOT want to go out that front door this morning:) Praying that all good mail comes this week. I would love for us to submit our paperwork to Ukraine the day it opens in February 1. Would welcome a prayer or two to join to ours. Cathy
PS found another photo of Marina that does not have someone's arm in the way, it is blurry but cute:)
Twas the night before Christmas and all through the land
there are parentless children, with no toys in hand
No stockings to be hung by the chimney with care
no hopes for a family soon to be there
Their beds are not snug--but cold and quite bare
there are no goodnight kisses--no one to care
While we in our homes, laughing in delight
all settle down for a Merry Christmas Eve night
When in someones' heart--there arises a clatter
there are children in need--who's lives really DO matter!
Away to the computer please go in a flash
to see the sweet face with whom YOU could be matched!
While a child you see--their beautiful face all aglow
could this be MY child--could I already know??
When in the dreams of the orphan--what always appears
is a family to love them, to care and hold dear
As you stare at that child--your heart beats real quick--
for you know in your heart that sweet face will stick
More dreams sweet children have--to call parents by name-
come mama! come daddy! come family to claim!
To the ends of the earth--your heart seems to call
now child--I'm coming--I wish for you ALL!
So on a plane to your child--over rooftops you flew
to hold this dear soul--a wish did come true
And then in a twinkling-I saw through the door
this child of my heart-that was waiting no more
As I got my camera and was turning around-
into my arms did he come with a bound!
He was dressed in many layers from his head to his foot
and into my heart his life was just put
there was no round face--no plump little belly
just sad little eyes, and legs shaking like jelly
In a swirl of a pen, and a stamp and a seal
my world became brighter--like I could suddenly feel!
We spoke not a word--they weren't needed at all
and I knew in this moment where I got this call
God laid his hands on my heart--and to the occasion I rose
and He could do it for you--this question He'll pose.....
It won't be a shout--no not even a whistle
it won't be real clear--but faint like a whisper
Can you make room in your heart--if you try with your might?
And make a difference for one--help them see the light?
I can see you exclaim as you hold your child tight--
Thank you Lord for this gift--you got it EXACTLY right!
Someone posted this recently on RR chat and I wanted to keep a copy of it to remind me how I worried for Marina and the others especially through the holidays. I could never see how in the world my life would continue with the way it has already transpired, but here I am, adding warrior for the smallest of orphans to my resume. We are awaiting our fingerprint appointment and the courteous approval of DSS concerning our homestudy.
We stopped by our facilitator's house in Florida on the way home and really enjoyed seeing her sweet family...actually seeing what I would have expected as chaos and craziness was over run by love and peace that flowed between the children and their mom. It just worked so sweetly. 3 SN kiddos and an infant and a 6 year old little boy who was just precious. It was inspiring and precious and personally I would have spent the day laying on the floor sharing much of my time with Emma who was totally content to enjoy the music within her toy as it was laid against her head. Something about her is so beautiful in a way I cannot explain. Then there is Princess Brianna with her magic shoes and little wand and flowing blond hair. The stop was a good one and in two hours gave me the visual that replaces the imaginary when we are emailing and chatting on Yuku on Monday nights.
I cannot believe we were swimming in the ocean last week in Florida and it is sooo incredibly freezing here today. I am up early, coffee brewing, and I need to go set my work schedule for the day, but I sure do NOT want to go out that front door this morning:) Praying that all good mail comes this week. I would love for us to submit our paperwork to Ukraine the day it opens in February 1. Would welcome a prayer or two to join to ours. Cathy
PS found another photo of Marina that does not have someone's arm in the way, it is blurry but cute:)
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