A year has almost gone. Seasons have come and gone, and life moves on...this sounds like a start to a really bad poem, but that is kind of where we are at right now. Ready to be together.
Just ready to do life together. Play together. Eat together. Go on walks together. Not feel the sting when around other children knowing a little girl halfway across the world is waiting, even though she may not even understand.
F-A-M-I-L-Y.
Oh, and you definitely need to know about our adoption progress...
We recently realized we have been saying A's name wrong for the past year. Oh yes, we sure have. Nice parents, eh? We received a snippet of old video of A, and heard her name being said, and our mispronunciation began to sink in. A little comical, really. I thought for a minute we may just let it slide...
until Mr. Fly started correcting me when I was saying A's name the not so right way. So that was that. See us for corrective measures if you so wish. I think we got it this time!
You heard it first (well, close to the first anyway)--- We can now say our sweet girl's name properly. Adoption progress, right? That is as good as it gets, for now.
In rookie fashion, I have started to try to intentionally enjoy life, and to allow myself to truly soak up the beauty of God's seasons, instead of run, run, run from one activity to the next. Like for starters, I bought apple cider at Trader Joe's thinking that it was just going to make Fall dance in our house. It kind of did---good stuff. I also made an apple crisp, which was not all that tasty. My advice to you? Don't use outdated Crisco. Do yourself a favor, and shell out the extra few dollars to get a new can. Thank me later. Mr. Fly said it was yummy, but he is a strange kind of nice.
Anyway, Saturday night, I got the bright idea to go take fall pictures in a local park while Mr. Fly was working. I drove to the park on the east side of town to realize that the sun actually sets in the west, and my glowing natural light that I was wanting was no where to be found. It looked more like dusk. Not about to give up, I gave it my best shot, and turned my aperture or shutter speed (whatever you call it) way down, like way down. I just wanted some light, people. It didn't really work. I left with just a few dark and dreary fall with-a-hint-of-blur pictures. I would have taken more, but it came to my realization that I only brought my mostly full SD card with me. Pro move.
I left feeling okay ...I tried. I even attempted driving quick but oh, so cautious speeds across town to see if I could find some tree with the sun's glow on it, but alas, the sun had set.
Effort is worth everything in my book..
Secretly, I blame my Herculean effort to get an awesome picture on Don Angle, and his recent blog posts of nature. Help, Don! It is clear I just new a few quick basics to at least just get me started on the right side of town. Oh, and was that aperture or shutter speed I was wanting?
Check out Don's recent work...
http://www.donanglephotography.com/blog-3/
I imagine you all would just love me to share my artsy photos of the dusky trees I captured. If my camera card was not still in our car, I would consider sharing immediately. I guess you will just have to wait for now.
If you think of it this week, please pray with us that our approval comes very soon.
We ache for the moments when I won't need to race across the wrong side of town to take inspiring pictures. How wonderful it will be when we can take pictures of our girl, and show her how precious she is in the Lord's sight. In His time.
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Thursday, September 27, 2012
In the Midst of Quietness
No news on the adoption front lately. We don't really hear anything. Too quiet. I wish I could say things were speeding along, but we're just kind of hanging out here.
That is the way it goes, they say.
We started the official process to become A's family almost 10 months ago exactly. We found out about her over a year ago. The time has f-l-o-w-n in some ways, and in other ways, it seems like a really long time.
We have been waiting on a big approval from I*d*a for over two months now. This is pretty normal, well, really normal, but we would prefer to not be normal. We had a friend and another family that had their approvals processed super quick, so we got our hopes up, and probably shouldn't have done that to ourselves. We're praying that things happen sooner than later because we know time with her is so,so precious and necessary right now. Crucial, really.
While we wait, we do what all normal people do... things like---have consecutive fundraising garage sales.
We finished up the final adoption fundraiser garage sale of the year this past weekend at our house. It was a pretty good sized sale, and was mostly leftovers from our previous sale, with a few new goodies mixed in here and there. The sale went well! We are glad we decided to do it again.
I had planned to make and sell baked goods, and serve hot drinks as I sat idly by the sale table in my nicely pressed linen skirt, and tamed hair, and of course, if you know me, you know that didn't happen. The hair was a flyin, people! I was laying on the bed the night before the sale at some odd hour after organizing the sale, and I told Mr. Fly that I was about to go to Kroger's to buy ingredients to make scotcheroos. Mr. Fly, in all of his good reasoning, notified me that I was not going to Kroger's, and that my sound mind was worth more than the delicious goods I was about to make.
Can you see who is the rational one in our house?
Okay, so maybe I was relieved that Mr. Fly foiled my plans, but I did get pained during the sale when I saw the little old men that would be so happy to buy a nice gooey scotcheroo, and cup of coffee while their wife scoured the reject Santa Clause collection table.
edit: My dear hospitable mother did bring coffee the first morning of the garage sale, but after that, I faltered on the coffee as well.
Am I still talking about food?
Anyway, it was great fun to catch up with some neighbors throughout the garage sale. The neighbor boys would come every night right before we closed with pockets full of loose change to see what they could barter with me on, or better yet, what they could get for free. It was pretty stinkin' cute, and was a win-win for all of us. It was so fun to see them with all their loot, and I am just about positive that their mothers welcomed them and all of their treasures home with open arms...? I didn't ask.
It was a good chance for me to tell the neighbor kids about A, and to fill them in on her story. The boys told me they would be nice to her, and some of the neighbor girls are ecstatic about the possibility of getting to help out with her...be still my heart.
I had a restless dream last night that we had another garage sale that started this morning, and we were starting to get some "stink eyes" from the neighbors. Note taken.
I went to an Empowered to Connect parenting conference 2 weeks ago in Nashville. Awesome. Awesome. Awesome. Mr. Fly was unable to get off work, but I was so glad I decided to go. More on the conference later.
Also, we took our first sign language lesson today...oooo boy.
That is the way it goes, they say.
We started the official process to become A's family almost 10 months ago exactly. We found out about her over a year ago. The time has f-l-o-w-n in some ways, and in other ways, it seems like a really long time.
We have been waiting on a big approval from I*d*a for over two months now. This is pretty normal, well, really normal, but we would prefer to not be normal. We had a friend and another family that had their approvals processed super quick, so we got our hopes up, and probably shouldn't have done that to ourselves. We're praying that things happen sooner than later because we know time with her is so,so precious and necessary right now. Crucial, really.
While we wait, we do what all normal people do... things like---have consecutive fundraising garage sales.
We finished up the final adoption fundraiser garage sale of the year this past weekend at our house. It was a pretty good sized sale, and was mostly leftovers from our previous sale, with a few new goodies mixed in here and there. The sale went well! We are glad we decided to do it again.
I had planned to make and sell baked goods, and serve hot drinks as I sat idly by the sale table in my nicely pressed linen skirt, and tamed hair, and of course, if you know me, you know that didn't happen. The hair was a flyin, people! I was laying on the bed the night before the sale at some odd hour after organizing the sale, and I told Mr. Fly that I was about to go to Kroger's to buy ingredients to make scotcheroos. Mr. Fly, in all of his good reasoning, notified me that I was not going to Kroger's, and that my sound mind was worth more than the delicious goods I was about to make.
Can you see who is the rational one in our house?
Okay, so maybe I was relieved that Mr. Fly foiled my plans, but I did get pained during the sale when I saw the little old men that would be so happy to buy a nice gooey scotcheroo, and cup of coffee while their wife scoured the reject Santa Clause collection table.
edit: My dear hospitable mother did bring coffee the first morning of the garage sale, but after that, I faltered on the coffee as well.
Am I still talking about food?
Anyway, it was great fun to catch up with some neighbors throughout the garage sale. The neighbor boys would come every night right before we closed with pockets full of loose change to see what they could barter with me on, or better yet, what they could get for free. It was pretty stinkin' cute, and was a win-win for all of us. It was so fun to see them with all their loot, and I am just about positive that their mothers welcomed them and all of their treasures home with open arms...? I didn't ask.
It was a good chance for me to tell the neighbor kids about A, and to fill them in on her story. The boys told me they would be nice to her, and some of the neighbor girls are ecstatic about the possibility of getting to help out with her...be still my heart.
I had a restless dream last night that we had another garage sale that started this morning, and we were starting to get some "stink eyes" from the neighbors. Note taken.
I went to an Empowered to Connect parenting conference 2 weeks ago in Nashville. Awesome. Awesome. Awesome. Mr. Fly was unable to get off work, but I was so glad I decided to go. More on the conference later.
Also, we took our first sign language lesson today...oooo boy.
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Standing in Puddles of Joy ::because our cups have overflowed::
I have attempted to write this post on several different days over the last couple of weeks... I could never finish the post because I don't know how to fully express our gratefulness after the cook-out/adoption benefit celebration that was held for sweet A.
Joy. Blessed. Thankful. Faithfulness of God.
Those are just a few words that try to describe our hearts.
Some of our dear friends and family organized an evening in honor of A...to celebrate her life, and a cook-out to raise funds to bring her home.
Thank you so much to everyone who helped make the night what it was...all of you. I can't hardly even name everyone who put time and effort into pulling the evening off.
Thank you so much to all of you who came and to everyone who prayed for the evening.
The party was decorated so cute! Lots of fun details everywhere. I didn't get a chance to take very many pictures myself, and capture all the fun "pin-worthy" details, but do have a few more pictures that a friend took on my camera, and some my mom took. If anyone has any pictures they took, send them my way please!
Thanks so much for everything, Laura and Lindsey! You guys are awesome...
It was a blur of an evening, but so very fun! We are sad the guest of honor could not be there to celebrate with us, and can't wait to tell her stories of her "village" that loved her.
We love you all! We think A will love you too.
----If anyone at the benefit saw the "guest list" that everyone signed floating around (just white sheets of paper), and know where it ended up, please let me know! We would love to have everyone's signatures as a keepsake for A. Kind of {really} sad we can't find it.
Friday, August 31, 2012
Overdue!
Jiminy Crickets!
We're already 9 months and 10 days into our paper pregnancy! We are way prego. Our brains appear to be swollen with paperwork retention, our hearts have a hole in them, and are contracting some 60 times a minute with some focal pain. They say our baby is doing well, and she is measuring quite large compared to the average newborn {{for obvious reasons}}.
We are praying that things will keep moving along...we are waiting on approval from the I*d**n government currently. Please pray this comes soon.
The delivery still looks a long ways away, so we try not to think too far ahead...because when we do, it just seems too long. Too far away.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
Yes. He will.
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Something for Everyone
It was full. A garage sale lovers' dream.
We had our adoption benefit garage sale the last weekend of July, and the first weekend of August.
6 days of fun. Well, what I remember anyway.
It was crazy. Crazy awesome. God business.
In the middle of the busyness, I didn't get to take many pictures, but here are a few to give proof that it really was crazy big {{kind of like my newly acquired biceps as a result}}.
There were so many generous people who donated items, and a football team of family and friends who helped us prepare and man the garage sale. Thank you all so much!
A loud "shout out" {because we're a noisy bunch}to my Aunt Bren! She is a garage sale diva, and was a huge, huge help the whole way through. You can see her in this picture below, and she'll despise that her picture is on here, but should get over it eventually. She jumped in on the "dirty work", and would consistently keep showing up to help days prior to the sale when I was beginning to wonder if we would be able to get everything ready in time.
My mom, of course, was also a big help, and stuck it out even after she got sick during the garage sale---and folks, the weather was ... more than warmish and sticky. We had our own personal sauna. As I type this, I am wondering why we didn't we think to charge admission to our luxurious spa? Next time. Wink, wink.
Oh, Mary Kate! Why don't I have a picture of you?
Fabulous Mary Kate. She approached me and asked if I would care if she donated some of her antique items, and create a booth in the garage sale. "Um, let me think about it... Sure!" She has a heart for children who need families, and wanted to be part of A's journey home. The booth was awesome, and styled nicely; MK brought all kinds of antique and vintage flair to put in it, and then her cool sisters came and donated some more antiques for the booth. We pretty much had our very own antique road show. If you didn't make it to the sale by 8:20, you kind of missed out on much of this booth. Cleaned o-u-t.
Also, a big thanks to Dave A.! He arrived to help us bright and early the first morning of the sale to help hang signs, and ended up staying all day to help man and organize the sale. Huge help!
Some little people that came wanted to contribute too. Sweet? Yes, very much so.
Thanks, Parks!
Gracie helping with curb appeal!
The sale went over so well, and we want to thank all of you very much who played a part in helping pull it off! From those who donated items, the kind owners of the building we used, friends and family who made yummy baked goods, all the family who came and helped hang up clothes, a dear friend(s) who kept bringing me lunch, friend who sewed up adorable handbags to put in the sale...the list goes on and on, and on.
A is loved. We are very blessed to have family and friends alongside us who share our heart.
Praise God! He is more than worthy.
edit: Thank you to everyone who CAME to the garage sale, and shopped, and generously donated. We really appreciated you stopping by!
We had our adoption benefit garage sale the last weekend of July, and the first weekend of August.
6 days of fun. Well, what I remember anyway.
It was crazy. Crazy awesome. God business.
In the middle of the busyness, I didn't get to take many pictures, but here are a few to give proof that it really was crazy big {{kind of like my newly acquired biceps as a result}}.
A loud "shout out" {because we're a noisy bunch}to my Aunt Bren! She is a garage sale diva, and was a huge, huge help the whole way through. You can see her in this picture below, and she'll despise that her picture is on here, but should get over it eventually. She jumped in on the "dirty work", and would consistently keep showing up to help days prior to the sale when I was beginning to wonder if we would be able to get everything ready in time.
My mom, of course, was also a big help, and stuck it out even after she got sick during the garage sale---and folks, the weather was ... more than warmish and sticky. We had our own personal sauna. As I type this, I am wondering why we didn't we think to charge admission to our luxurious spa? Next time. Wink, wink.
Oh, Mary Kate! Why don't I have a picture of you?
Fabulous Mary Kate. She approached me and asked if I would care if she donated some of her antique items, and create a booth in the garage sale. "Um, let me think about it... Sure!" She has a heart for children who need families, and wanted to be part of A's journey home. The booth was awesome, and styled nicely; MK brought all kinds of antique and vintage flair to put in it, and then her cool sisters came and donated some more antiques for the booth. We pretty much had our very own antique road show. If you didn't make it to the sale by 8:20, you kind of missed out on much of this booth. Cleaned o-u-t.
Also, a big thanks to Dave A.! He arrived to help us bright and early the first morning of the sale to help hang signs, and ended up staying all day to help man and organize the sale. Huge help!
Some little people that came wanted to contribute too. Sweet? Yes, very much so.
Gracie helping with curb appeal!
Caroline helping at check-out.
A is loved. We are very blessed to have family and friends alongside us who share our heart.
Praise God! He is more than worthy.
edit: Thank you to everyone who CAME to the garage sale, and shopped, and generously donated. We really appreciated you stopping by!
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Matching Grant Goodness
Is anyone else enjoying this gawgeous midwest weather? We are soaking it up. Too bad my flowers didn't toughen up and fight off the intense heat last month---they would be loving this peaceful sunshine.They now reside in the garden beside the dead squash, and withering broccoli. Gardening has never been my friend. I started feeling bad about it, but then remembered: The weeds. The weeds have never left me! By my side, they will surely always remain.
This post isn't really about the weather or the weeds. I am actually writing about some really awesome organizations that are blessing us majorly, and we would love to give back to them someday.
A couple of weeks ago, we were very, very thankful to be notified that we were chosen to receive a $2,500 matching grant from God's Grace Adoption Ministry (501(c)3 ministry) in Modesto, California. We had been anticipating their decision, and were beyond excited to hear this awesome news. THANK YOU SO MUCH, God's Grace Adoption Ministry for being His hands and feet to us!
God's Grace Adoption Ministry will match every dollar (tax deductible) designated to our family sent to them up to $2,500, and if there is more than $2,500 sent to them that is specifically designated to our family, they will still send all the extra money to our family to put towards the expenses of bringing sweet A home. How awesome is that?
Going into A's adoption, we knew it was going to be very extremely expensive, but at the same time knew that we didn't want the fear of finances stand in the way of bringing her home. We hear time and time again that God provides, and it is true, we have and are seeing His hand. We don't like to talk or focus a lot about the financial part, but it is very real, and very big. However. She. is. worth. every. penny. EVERY SINGLE PENNY. With that said, do we wish that adoption was more affordable? Yes, definitely.
Some of you may be familiar with the costs of adoption, while others may not.
A's adoption will cost approximately $40,000. Uh huh. Beyond her adoption, we know we will have numerous large medical bills to help her get the care and treatment she will need.
We were hesitant on how to start fundraising---because it is hard to ask. Then, some of our friends threatened us {you know who you are}, and said if we didn't do fundraisers they would start announcing for people to send us money in the mail because they wanted to help. Well, then.
With the recent news of God's Grace Adoption ministry grant, our garage sale, generous donations, HandinHand grant, JSC grant, and our personal savings, we are now about halfway funded for our adoption costs. Amazing. Praise God! We are still in awe.
I have posted a copy of the letter that God's Grace Adoption Ministry gave us to share with our friends and family. All donations are tax deductible. Yipee! If you feel lead to donate to help with the costs of bringing A home, you can follow the instructions on the letter, and write our names in the memo line of the check so their office will know the donation is for A.
Donations are anonymous.
We are so thankful we live in a community that cares for a little girl you have never met, being loving and supportive to our family, and most of all: Praying for A. We know she is precious to God, and we just can't wait to have her home.
Garage sale pictures coming soon!
This post isn't really about the weather or the weeds. I am actually writing about some really awesome organizations that are blessing us majorly, and we would love to give back to them someday.
A couple of weeks ago, we were very, very thankful to be notified that we were chosen to receive a $2,500 matching grant from God's Grace Adoption Ministry (501(c)3 ministry) in Modesto, California. We had been anticipating their decision, and were beyond excited to hear this awesome news. THANK YOU SO MUCH, God's Grace Adoption Ministry for being His hands and feet to us!
God's Grace Adoption Ministry will match every dollar (tax deductible) designated to our family sent to them up to $2,500, and if there is more than $2,500 sent to them that is specifically designated to our family, they will still send all the extra money to our family to put towards the expenses of bringing sweet A home. How awesome is that?
Going into A's adoption, we knew it was going to be very extremely expensive, but at the same time knew that we didn't want the fear of finances stand in the way of bringing her home. We hear time and time again that God provides, and it is true, we have and are seeing His hand. We don't like to talk or focus a lot about the financial part, but it is very real, and very big. However. She. is. worth. every. penny. EVERY SINGLE PENNY. With that said, do we wish that adoption was more affordable? Yes, definitely.
Some of you may be familiar with the costs of adoption, while others may not.
A's adoption will cost approximately $40,000. Uh huh. Beyond her adoption, we know we will have numerous large medical bills to help her get the care and treatment she will need.
We were hesitant on how to start fundraising---because it is hard to ask. Then, some of our friends threatened us {you know who you are}, and said if we didn't do fundraisers they would start announcing for people to send us money in the mail because they wanted to help. Well, then.
With the recent news of God's Grace Adoption ministry grant, our garage sale, generous donations, HandinHand grant, JSC grant, and our personal savings, we are now about halfway funded for our adoption costs. Amazing. Praise God! We are still in awe.
I have posted a copy of the letter that God's Grace Adoption Ministry gave us to share with our friends and family. All donations are tax deductible. Yipee! If you feel lead to donate to help with the costs of bringing A home, you can follow the instructions on the letter, and write our names in the memo line of the check so their office will know the donation is for A.
Donations are anonymous.
We are so thankful we live in a community that cares for a little girl you have never met, being loving and supportive to our family, and most of all: Praying for A. We know she is precious to God, and we just can't wait to have her home.
Garage sale pictures coming soon!
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
I Miss Her, A Trip that Changed Me, and Some Openness
She is missed.
We are waiting. Waiting on her to be with us.
Wondering what she is doing today...
I went to my niece's 4th birthday party last weekend. So much love and joy she had surrounding her. A family that loves her. Cousins that love her. Joy radiating.
God desires that for every child.
So many children... alone.
Stats say 163 million.
Alone. Lonely.
Waiting.
I don't think that children have to have birthday parties to have joy. They don't need fancy stuff, status, or their own room. I think children need families. Families that love them, and pray for them. Hugs and kisses too.
We don't know what our family is going to look like when A comes home, but we know God is sovereign.
Our little girl has been so loved and prayed for the past 2 weeks by many strangers who became aware of her through our garage sale. Strangers in the flesh, but family in Spirit, have opened their hearts to A.
Please, Lord, heal her precious little heart, and be open to our love.
The garage sale was amazing. People kept coming---my many obnoxious neon signs did help draw the crowds, but we're pretty sure God had a little more to do with the success. Emotions rolled in as well. I feel sorry for the kind lady that was asking me some simple questions about A last Saturday, and I start melting into tears before I could finish answering her. I think heat and exhaustion could be playing a small part in some of the emotions, but really, we feel so overwhelmed with love, and prayers, and support...and just the plan that God has for A.
He does have a plan, you know.
We don't always understand it, or it may look a little scary, but we're learning the best way to approach it is: Trust Him.
Oh, were we the last ones to figure that out?
When Mr. Fly and I tied the knot eight years ago, we had always talked about our desire to adopt. Of course, we were going to have a couple of biological children first that hopefully would act just like their dad {{he's sweeter than me}}, get our feet wet on the whole parenting thing, master it, and then adopt our 3rd or 4th child...a bouncing, healthy little baby. I love babies. Always have.
We didn't leave a lot of room for changes in our plan--it was totally single spaced. I left out several other large details that we had in our big 'ol life plan. Some of them weren't that edifying anyway. ha. I am sure all of you can relate. Life is unpredictable, but God is faithful.
Last year around this time we were grieving over infertility, severe endometriosis, tired of surgeries, and countless doctor visits. Life really wasn't as bad as I thought it was, it just wasn't reflecting my perspective of what I expected my life to be, and it wasn't what I thought it should be.
Also, around the same time last summer, we were in Guatemala on a mission trip to minister to orphans with special needs {you can imagine who actually ministered to who}, through Hope For Home with Daryl and Wanda Fulp.
I am posting a few more pictures of our trip. The first picture below is of many of the wheelchairs that belonged to children inside the orphanage. In this particular orphanage, Hermano Pedro, we were not allowed to take pictures of the children. This is sad, because I know their sweet faces would melt you. Most, if not all, of the children in this orphanage had special needs. To the right of the wall in this picture were rows and rows and metal cribs. Cribs full of sweet, innocent children who did not choose to be there.
This picture below is of some of the older boys we were able to take out to lunch a couple days while we were there.
On this Guatemala trip, I had packed a whole huge black suitcase of gluten, dairy, and sugar free food because I was on a stringent diet in hopes of achieving pregnancy. Mmmm, rice cakes, brown rice that is. It didn't work. Yes, I felt better, but no pregnancy. Pain, sad and defeated pain, is what we felt. I'm not sure if this pain ever goes away completely.
You can bet that Daryl and Wanda will never forget me even if they tried---mostly due to the large suitcase full of food I trucked along, and my stock of food in their refrigerator. Yep. I.was.prepared., and we were unaware of God's will that was going to be unfolding.
Daryl and Wanda's little daughter, K, who also deals with cerebral palsy, was such a dear to us, and she had a true concern for me when she found out that we were praying for a family. She had lots of questions. I liked talking to her, and she touched my heart.
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Towards the end of the trip, I think, I remember sitting at Hermano Pedro orphanage {the one where all the wheelchairs were lined against the wall} holding and rocking physically and emotionally hurting children by their cribs while sitting next to Wanda. We talked about adoption, foster care, and such. This orphanage environment was all new to me. It was painful to see. We did see joy on some of the children's faces, but words really can't describe some of the sadness we saw.
I distinctly recall a moment as we were sitting there talking...Wanda was encouraging adoption of waiting special needs children. I also remember thinking, ..."I think I would want healthy children" if we ever adopt. Silly me. Is that even possible? Hello. Trauma. In other words, I was trying my hardest to not become convicted of anything while talking to Wanda, even though I am pretty sure I was feeling uninvited conviction creeping in.
Back to 2012.
Here we are! So excited to bring our little girl home.
Two random "shoppers" at our garage sale asked me if I had ever heard of Hope for Home Ministries, when they heard we were adopting.
Why, yes, we have.
Not only did we experience our mission trip with them, but God used Hope for Home as a tool to bring A to us. If I have the story right, Don and Mel, were introduced to their son through Hope for Home's services. After Don and Mel went to pick up their son in I*d*a, P, they saw A, and had her on their hearts to find a home for her.
Amazing how so many events tied together to bring us where we are today.
Edit: I did want to clarify that A was never a 2nd choice due to infertility. God brought her sooner to us than we expected. In fact, the day we found out about her, adoption so soon was not really on our radar, even though I think God had been preparing our hearts. When we heard about her, we both felt peace that she was to be our daughter.
So, you see, we don't really know what we are doing. We're simply along for the ride.
Sweet A needs prayers, along with all the other hurting and lonely children in the world.
God is writing our story, and He is writing yours too. They are all different. They are all beautiful.
God's blessings and peace on your journeys.
__________________________________________________
Some more adorableness to make you smile:
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We are waiting. Waiting on her to be with us.
Wondering what she is doing today...
I went to my niece's 4th birthday party last weekend. So much love and joy she had surrounding her. A family that loves her. Cousins that love her. Joy radiating.
God desires that for every child.
So many children... alone.
Stats say 163 million.
Alone. Lonely.
Waiting.
I don't think that children have to have birthday parties to have joy. They don't need fancy stuff, status, or their own room. I think children need families. Families that love them, and pray for them. Hugs and kisses too.
We don't know what our family is going to look like when A comes home, but we know God is sovereign.
Our little girl has been so loved and prayed for the past 2 weeks by many strangers who became aware of her through our garage sale. Strangers in the flesh, but family in Spirit, have opened their hearts to A.
Please, Lord, heal her precious little heart, and be open to our love.
The garage sale was amazing. People kept coming---my many obnoxious neon signs did help draw the crowds, but we're pretty sure God had a little more to do with the success. Emotions rolled in as well. I feel sorry for the kind lady that was asking me some simple questions about A last Saturday, and I start melting into tears before I could finish answering her. I think heat and exhaustion could be playing a small part in some of the emotions, but really, we feel so overwhelmed with love, and prayers, and support...and just the plan that God has for A.
He does have a plan, you know.
We don't always understand it, or it may look a little scary, but we're learning the best way to approach it is: Trust Him.
Oh, were we the last ones to figure that out?
When Mr. Fly and I tied the knot eight years ago, we had always talked about our desire to adopt. Of course, we were going to have a couple of biological children first that hopefully would act just like their dad {{he's sweeter than me}}, get our feet wet on the whole parenting thing, master it, and then adopt our 3rd or 4th child...a bouncing, healthy little baby. I love babies. Always have.
We didn't leave a lot of room for changes in our plan--it was totally single spaced. I left out several other large details that we had in our big 'ol life plan. Some of them weren't that edifying anyway. ha. I am sure all of you can relate. Life is unpredictable, but God is faithful.
Last year around this time we were grieving over infertility, severe endometriosis, tired of surgeries, and countless doctor visits. Life really wasn't as bad as I thought it was, it just wasn't reflecting my perspective of what I expected my life to be, and it wasn't what I thought it should be.
Also, around the same time last summer, we were in Guatemala on a mission trip to minister to orphans with special needs {you can imagine who actually ministered to who}, through Hope For Home with Daryl and Wanda Fulp.
I am posting a few more pictures of our trip. The first picture below is of many of the wheelchairs that belonged to children inside the orphanage. In this particular orphanage, Hermano Pedro, we were not allowed to take pictures of the children. This is sad, because I know their sweet faces would melt you. Most, if not all, of the children in this orphanage had special needs. To the right of the wall in this picture were rows and rows and metal cribs. Cribs full of sweet, innocent children who did not choose to be there.
This picture below is of some of the older boys we were able to take out to lunch a couple days while we were there.
This awesome boy was actually in another orphanage we visited. He was very social and was glad to have people around him. His orphanage had less of an 'orphanage' atmosphere.
On this Guatemala trip, I had packed a whole huge black suitcase of gluten, dairy, and sugar free food because I was on a stringent diet in hopes of achieving pregnancy. Mmmm, rice cakes, brown rice that is. It didn't work. Yes, I felt better, but no pregnancy. Pain, sad and defeated pain, is what we felt. I'm not sure if this pain ever goes away completely.
You can bet that Daryl and Wanda will never forget me even if they tried---mostly due to the large suitcase full of food I trucked along, and my stock of food in their refrigerator. Yep. I.was.prepared., and we were unaware of God's will that was going to be unfolding.
Daryl and Wanda's little daughter, K, who also deals with cerebral palsy, was such a dear to us, and she had a true concern for me when she found out that we were praying for a family. She had lots of questions. I liked talking to her, and she touched my heart.
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Towards the end of the trip, I think, I remember sitting at Hermano Pedro orphanage {the one where all the wheelchairs were lined against the wall} holding and rocking physically and emotionally hurting children by their cribs while sitting next to Wanda. We talked about adoption, foster care, and such. This orphanage environment was all new to me. It was painful to see. We did see joy on some of the children's faces, but words really can't describe some of the sadness we saw.
I distinctly recall a moment as we were sitting there talking...Wanda was encouraging adoption of waiting special needs children. I also remember thinking, ..."I think I would want healthy children" if we ever adopt. Silly me. Is that even possible? Hello. Trauma. In other words, I was trying my hardest to not become convicted of anything while talking to Wanda, even though I am pretty sure I was feeling uninvited conviction creeping in.
Back to 2012.
Here we are! So excited to bring our little girl home.
Two random "shoppers" at our garage sale asked me if I had ever heard of Hope for Home Ministries, when they heard we were adopting.
Why, yes, we have.
Not only did we experience our mission trip with them, but God used Hope for Home as a tool to bring A to us. If I have the story right, Don and Mel, were introduced to their son through Hope for Home's services. After Don and Mel went to pick up their son in I*d*a, P, they saw A, and had her on their hearts to find a home for her.
Amazing how so many events tied together to bring us where we are today.
Edit: I did want to clarify that A was never a 2nd choice due to infertility. God brought her sooner to us than we expected. In fact, the day we found out about her, adoption so soon was not really on our radar, even though I think God had been preparing our hearts. When we heard about her, we both felt peace that she was to be our daughter.
So, you see, we don't really know what we are doing. We're simply along for the ride.
Sweet A needs prayers, along with all the other hurting and lonely children in the world.
God is writing our story, and He is writing yours too. They are all different. They are all beautiful.
God's blessings and peace on your journeys.
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Some more adorableness to make you smile:
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