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SO THANKFUL!

12.22.2012

LOOK WHAT CAME IN THE MAIL TODAY!

We have our USCIS approval! Now–we will hope that the Secretary of State is open a few days next week so we can get the state seal on this bad boy–and a few other things–and then we’ll send everything off to D.C.! After that–off to China it all goes! So excited to be getting so close to having a LID (log-in date) and then we’ll hold our breath for our LOA (Letter of Approval). Once we get our LOA we can also share his picture with you all:) Can’t wait to share his sweetness!

We have had a few people ask about his special needs–and some have assumed some things because we found our little on the Rainbow Kids site. Honestly, we aren’t really sure of all of his needs–and just want to get him home as quickly as possible first. We are thankful to already have an amazing pediatrician and neurologist and know we will be in great hands…until then we are just trying to get through each step as quickly as possible! Today had been a pretty rough day as Rico Suave has the flu, Parker-man started tossing his cookies and I had saved all my errands for Christmas fun for today…but I was running around the house to sick bells ringing (next time I’m not passing out bells;)–and keeping the wells away from the sick ones. I finally got out by myself to run an errand–and had been checking the mailbox all day…but it was EMPTY each time. When I pulled back in the driveway at 6pm–the mailman had just come…I opened it up and found our approval…and I sat there and cried TEARS OF JOY! SO THANKFUL! Truly, this is the best Christmas gift an adoption momma could ask for (other than traveling and getting to bring home her little!) This is the final step on the U.S. side of things–and now we get to send everything off!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

andrea

Posted in Adoption Milestone,Day in the Life
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Rebecca - December 23, 2012 - 8:20 am

Wonderful news! We are about a week and a half behind you. So excited that USCIS is moving so quickly. We are out of town and praying for a gift in our mailbox when we return. :). Praying for you guys and your little man this Christmas.

Kelly Brown - December 23, 2012 - 12:34 pm

YAY!!!!!!!! So excited for you!

sarah - December 23, 2012 - 4:34 pm

Soooo ecited for you – congratulations, what a Christmas gift!

Merry Christmas from the Youngs!

12.22.2012

I’ve gotten about 20 cards back…and a gazillion more never sent out–so if you are one of those–or a dear reader or friends via blog world–here’s our family’s 2012 Christmas card! I keep updating my EXL spreadsheet–and I’m gonna be all set for our little man’s homecoming announcements and next years cards for sure:) STILL no word from USCIS–but tomorrow is a new day–and maybe it will come! I will post here the MINUTE it does!!! MERRY CHRISTMAS from our family to yours…

And on the back we shared a little tid bit from each number on the top 12 of 2012 on the back…here ’tis:

1. Andrea and the Created for Care team led two retreats in January and March serving 1,000 adoption mommas. Excitng to see how the Lord is continuing to grow this ministry and bring rest and encouragement to moms. Two more retreats ahead in 2013!
2. Richard took Parker on his FIRST ski trip to Park City! They skied for a weekend with Richard’s cousin Jason and his son which was special because Richard grew up visiting and skiing with Jason as a kid. SO neat to see their boys ski together!
3. Regardless if they really finished #1…they think they did! P-man played baseball and had another great season with his daddy coaching! He got to play on a team with one of his best friends (2 of the 3 musketeers!)
4. Loo-bear began another season of ballet! She is dancing this year as a 5th year ballerina, and she takes two days a week. She also danced in her FIRST Nutcracker this year with a role as a little mouse. LOTS of hard work and she loved it!
5. We started our 2nd year of homeschooling this year. We have a little TOO much fun I think! We have been studying Egypt!
6. Richard went to Ndola, Zambia in June. You can visit www.wiphan.org to learn more about the ministry there! There are a million and one ways to get involved–so just let us know if you are ever interested in going or child sponsorship!
7. Isaac started swimming lessons this year. YAY! He and Frank take year round lessons and they are both little FISH!
8. We went on vacation to Hilton Head again this year with the Dentons. The kids had a blast! Their favorite things were flying kites and eating watermelon on the beach. We saw dolphins and after Mr.Denton got stung by a sting ray we also learned through the ER if that ever happens you need to stick your foot in REALLY hot water to get the poison out.
9. We decided to host a 15 year old who was aging out of an orphanage in the Ukraine. We fell in love with her–and spent our summer showing her around Atlanta. It was an action packed summer–and it was AMAZING!
10. Richard once again coached another soccer season with Paul (the 3rd musketeer’s dad!). Parker and Laney both played, but Laney discovered she wants to stick to just ballet. Parker on the other hand decided to drop baseball in 2013 and play soccer back to back instead.
11. We took our 1st trip to Disney! Frank insisted on going to Cinderella’s Royal Table with me and Loo–and he wanted to go as Captain Hook! We took both of the grandmothers with us–our #1 piece of Disney advice is now take the grandmothers!
12. We got to see God work a miracle in brining Princess T a family the day she was aging out! We were blessed to be at the airport for her arrival home. Tears fell as we watched Isaac overcome with emotion run to greet her and rejoice with her!
AND BEST OF ALL…we are growing again! He will be 2 years old in May, and we are praying to travel to China close to his birthday. We can’t share his picture YET, but we will be sharing them on our blog as soon as we can! Blessings to your family in 2013!
“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be the glory.” Ephesians 3:20

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Going to humbly ask ya’ll to please pray for our Zeke if you think about it over Christmas. And pray for my momma heart. Well–just pray really hard for him…cause I’ll be okay–I promise:) I mean–I’ll still be running to the mailbox every day hoping for that USCIS approval…but in the big scheme of things I’m all good! REALLY–please pray for him. Pray that he will be well loved on this Christmas. Pray for wellness and that the caregivers at his orphanage would love him big. Thank you for praying. And please pray for that letter to come speedily and to be guarded as it gets here!!! THANK YOU!

Blessings my friends…

Andrea

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Sarah - December 22, 2012 - 9:21 am

Hi Andrea,

I have been following your blog for some time now and love it… we are also an adoptive family – 3 adopted, 10 fostered and 2 awaiting a court date in a far off land-we have been waiting for about 3 months for a court date and may not get one until April or longer… one of them is 7 and is waiting for us knowing we are coming… but we have peace… yes we pray that we will bring them home soon and for God to open doors now, but we are not frantic because God is totally in control- He flung the stars into space and He holds our treasures hands now… He will not leave them or forsake them… I believe adoption is amazing and totally Gods’ heart (we are addicted 😉 but we also believe the process is used to mould us by His mighty hand… try not to worry or get stressed, enjoy the journey… there are so many hidden blessings on the way and He has our children safe and sound…

Sarah

He will be called Ezekiel “Strength of God” {waiting on Zeke…}

12.20.2012

His stocking is hung and embroidered with his new name…Ezekiel.

His old name…which means boy…doesn’t describe my little boy and all he will be. He is so much more than just a boy…so a new name Ezekiel “strength of God” will be one he will carry instead.

Just as God says in His Word that when we become His–adopted as his sons and daughters–we, too, are given a new name…one that we will hear when we finally meet Him face to face. Such a beautiful picture of adoption here on earth.

The rest of his name really means ‘Year of the Rabbit’…so part of that will go–but I love that if you break up that word–one of the Mandarin syllables can mean “spear” or “arrow” when it’s alone.

Another spear in our family. Frank also means “arrow”. Praying for each of my children to arrows for the gospel. (Psalm 127:3-5 “Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.”

Richard went away for a weekend several weeks ago, and he returned sure he knew our son’s new name. Ezekiel.

When he said it–my eyes got big because I dated someone in college with this last name…this information is just extra to make you laugh:). Rico Suave laughed at my reason to reconsider–and then Rico looked at me and said, “But ya married me.” That name quickly faded away, and I sat to listen to my love tell me about his weekend. He had gone away for the weekend to have a guys weekend of prayer with some of his close friends. During the prayer time, someone came to pray over Rich and prayed for our son in China. We had been talking about names…Malachi–call him Kai (but Kai Young was just a little too choppy Asian sounding)…Ezekiel and call him Zeke (Rich LOVED this)…Elijah and call him Eli…our hearts wanted a STRONG name for our boy we were praying strength into. As Richard was prayed over, they prayed that our son would be a “watcher of men”.

The rest of the weekend Richard was pouring over the book of Ezekiel and he came to the part in chapter 3 when the Lord gives Ezekiel the task to be a watchmen over his people. Rich came home very excited to share this with me–and when I listened to him explain about Ezekiel and his life…I thought what a beautiful legacy to follow in praying this over our son as well. A watchmen protects–but more so than just protect–a watchman would shepherd those around them pointing them to Christ–no matter the risk. A watchmen is bold in sharing with someone when they have done something that isn’t right–but loves them through it and continues to point them to Christ. A watchmen is brave and courageous and puts others first…and this was Ezekiel’s calling from the Lord.

Daily this mom has been praying for my sweet boy to have strength…that the Lord would be His strength…so when I looked up to see what the name Ezekiel meant–“strength of God”–I felt like really…we had very little to do with renaming our son–but the Lord had really guided us and showed us what his new name would be. We are going to call him Zeke–and we are daily talking about him…and out of everyone–little Frank asks about him the most. Every day he asks WHEN he can come home…and every day we pray for him and talk about him more and more naturally…really like he SHOULD already be here. When I say his name I remind myself how much that I, too, need the strength of the Lord to guide me and carry me. I mess up every day…oh how I do need Him!

I want to thank you for those of you who are praying for us and praying for our journey to him. I didn’t realize how hard it would be to have his referral/pictures FIRST and then race through the paper chase and wait. Today this momma turned 36–and I confess after not getting the USCIS letter today–when Rich came home and the children were all in his care…I snuck upstairs, closed my closet door and just sat there…and let the tears pour. It’s been 3 months holding his pictures–with most likely at least 7 more holding the same pictures…but that day we finally get to hold him will be so sweet! In the mean time–oh how I need more strength from the Lord!

I’m so thankful I have dear friends to celebrate another year of my life with (thank you Kelly, Angie, Tammy and Tami for taking me out…cause you know I needed to get out!) I think I almost forgot how emotional this adoption journey is…it’s like labor pains you quickly forget when you hold your little love. I know my Ezekiel is so worth this journey…

As I sit here with the Christmas lights shining…his stocking among the others…I know next year will be so different–and while I can’t wait–I know there is beautiful in between too.

Lord I ask that you would help me miss the beautiful in between as I long for the rest of the journey to quickly unfold. I thank you for all you will do–and we trust You to be enough. Fill us with Your joy and Your strength. Be with our sweet Zeke as he sleeps and plays and goes about each of his days without us. You are enough. You are always enough.

Blessings to you this holiday…

andrea

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Sandi H - December 20, 2012 - 2:37 am

Praying for protection for your little one. Praying for peace for you & your hubby. I feel in my heart that this adoption will be faster than you expect. This may sound strange but with Isaac in my heart I saw him running at a time when he was weak to stand. This child I feel rushing, like there is a rush to get him to you & innocent joy like he will spread joy. If you have ever had the pleasure of being around a precious child with Down’s syndrome their joy is infectious. His joy will be such that others will not be able to help themselves but feel it. God is preparing your heart for this little one who will need so much more from you. Cherish the hours that you have with your littles, God is giving you that time to fill them up with love & one on one time before the newest birdie enters the nest. Nehemiah 8:10 Do not greive for the JOY of the Lord is your STRENGTH! Isaiah 5:26 He lifts up a banner for the distant nations, he whistles for those at the ends of the earth. Here they come, swiftly and speedily!

Amy - December 20, 2012 - 8:58 am

Glad to know I’m not the only one with an “extra” stocking hung. We had actually already begun the process, but hung the stocking as a way of telling the kids. It was quite funny for them to count the stockings, and recount, trying to figure out why there were 6 and not 5. LOL And yes, having their sweet picture and then doing the paper chase is hard, but I find it as motivation 🙂

Becca - December 20, 2012 - 9:01 am

This post brought tears to me last night – what a beautiful thing it is that our Father gives us new names and sets us in families — praying for yall!

How He loves us…

12.19.2012

This week has been a really hard week for this momma’s heart. Not sure why-just one of those weeks! Okay…I think momma is in the perfect storm. End of the semester of homeschooling and she is due for a break. Waiting desperately for the USCIS letter approval and running to the mailbox every day and walking back up totally bummed. Trying to keep up with emails and daily ship out packages so we can cover our upcoming retreat expenses for 1,000 amazing mommas. Lots of pouring out and little pouring in. I took some 1 year old pictures for a sweet friend last week and haven’t been able to find 10 minutes to upload them–but she reminded me tonight…and as I downloaded pictures I was also be reminded of how He loves me…as pictures on that same camera from the kids opening up love from Mama Judy filled my computer’s screen. The reminder–was just what this momma needed.

Do you ever feel like that? You are called. Not ever easy. Called to pour out. And while you come to Him daily and He fills your cup–still as you pour…how refreshing and sweet it would be to have one person to be your “soul tender” and to so sweetly pour pack into you? The Lord blessed me with Mama Judy over 5 years ago…and without fail every season in our lives she loves us and pours in. That’s what she is to me–a soul tender. She sneaks treats on our front door, encourages me through out the year, reads every blog entry–and drives away..not needing a thank you or anything to be returned…just here to pour into us…and it’s always during seasons and days she could never have planned it but it’s so perfect for whatever we’re going through. Amazing how and when He loves us through others…amazing how He presses on others hearts to reach out and love on particular times, days and seasons. Being on the other end of that…always follow your instinct–you never know how it will bless someone you love!

Here’s are a few memories captured from our Mama J love last week! When she asked if the kids liked hot chocolate…UM…Frank is like in love with it;)

Laney feeling the love too…they are a little crazy when it comes to chocolate:)

And if you still haven’t gotten stocking stuffers yet–Oh my–these have been QUITE the hit at our house! You put them on your fingers–and they are little laser lights:) The next day they insisted on sleeping in them and I had to remember to go in and turn them off:)

Isaac had the honor of opening up his little brother’s gift from Mama Judy too…doesn’t he look excited to have the honor?

There’s more Mama Judy love postshere and here and hear and here and here and here for you to enjoy. I’m tellin’ ya…she is one of my most blessed gifts! Thank you Mama J for loving us so big!!! Love you to pieces!

xoxo,

andrea

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april - December 19, 2012 - 12:51 am

i LOVE isaac’s face in the last picture…priceless and adorable! What a blessing she is to your family! 🙂

“But take heart! I have overcome the world…”

12.14.2012

Today has been a very sad day in the history of our country.

One too many lives were lost…to a very broken soul…and my heart grieves for the children, families and all effected by what took place today at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut.

It doesn’t make sense. Innocent, most precious little lives lost. And so many that will relive that day and struggle with fear…so many families that will spend forever reliving today thinking of a million different “what if’s”…

Because I’m a mom–with little elementary age kids…it also hits me in a different way…knowing the giggles of my children…their hearts…dreams we have for their future. I can’t imagine the moms–my age…right now…rocking in their homes but not in a rocking chair–but instead grieving the loss and the whys of what happened today. I have so many mixed emotions…sadness, anger, fear. If I didn’t know God personally I would be shouting from the rooftops, “WHY! WHY! WHYYYY!” So many ask, “Why does God allow bad things like this to happen?”

One thing you can be sure of–our Father tonight…He is grieving. He, too, is broken hearted. He knew every single detail of each and every life lost and hurt today…and He loved each and every one deeply. Tonight–you can rest assured that our Father in heaven is grieving…a world He created…people He created…all to know Him and to know love through Him–but this…this was not part of His plan.

Our God–He is good. So good that He doesn’t press down His hand on you to move you left and right. He didn’t create robots…but instead men, women, girls and boys…with hearts that have the ability to love, hate, and make choices every single day. Instead of demands–our God whispers His love. And His love–He has whispered to all of us…only not everyone listens. And any time we live not listening–there is brokenness…it can be in a form in our hearts that goes unnoticed for awhile…but left alone it just grows and grows. The man responsible for today was once a little boy…just like those children–and truly as moms and dads…as mentors and teachers…we have such an opportunity to pour love in…and point them to the only one that heals the broken hearted…His name is Jesus.

My God–He is still good.

He was constant today.

Tables were turned over.

The heavens shook.

Tears fell.

As a mom to precious ones, I confessed my fear of the future. Isaiah 41:10 “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” I felt the desire to retreat and just stay there–like…forever. 1 Thessalonians 3:13, “And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right.” I can’t shrink back, just protect my family and hide. No–there are too many broken hearted who need to be poured into. There is a real battle out there and as believers…we must fight it. But it might look a bit different than what we think. Maybe instead of running we are to look out for the broken hearted and get messy with them–and pour love in. Messy people are not fun to love…but because there is only One that can heal them–and the battle is real–just maybe fighting that battle has a whole lot less to do with adding more security to our homes and schools but instead looking for those that are hurting and getting down right messy with them…and loving them BIG. Sorry folks but the enemy is a whole lot smarter than me or you–man’s inventions will not stop him or his wicked schemes…only Jesus will.

This wasn’t the first awful tragedy to take the lives of littles ones–but oh my heart…it longs for it to be the last. Our God in Heaven wants that even more than we do. He’s shaking His head and screaming WHY, WHY, WHYYYYYY so, so much louder than we are today. His love is so great, big and wide–but so, so many are missing it. Racing around to activity to activity when there are broken hearted just right next door. I’m not pointing to anyone here but myself. And I need to live life a bit more radically after today. I need to pray that the Lord would make me more bold…and that He would show me more sin in my own heart…because trust me–I have plenty of it there. And if it’s not rid of…it will just hurt–and to God…yuck is yuck. And to God–love is love…as we love others through His strength no matter how in capable we feel–because He is God He can and will use it for His glory…to heal…to restore…and to make this world a little bit more like He longed for it to be.

So tonight…instead of shopping–this mom is going to stay in my basement and continue packaging to raise money for a ministry I love…that pours love in. I’m going to not give up. I’m going to combat fear. And I’m going to not grow weary in doing good. I do need to call someone tonight too and ask them to forgive me because I got really frustrated with them today. And that’s not very pretty either.

I’m thankful we have a King that loved us enough to come. He cares. He cries. And if you are still reading this–I hope you know how much He loves you. Take heart–no matter how hard this life may get or look–He really has overcome the world. Let us turn what the enemy meant for evil today into good. Let us remember the lives lost, pray for those left behind and look every day for someone to love bigger for His name sake and glory.

Love you all in Christ Jesus.

Andrea

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Gabi - December 14, 2012 - 8:42 pm

Andrea, I don’t think I have ever commented before, but I am a regular reader. Thank you for this post. It really was exactly what I needed to be reading tonight.

Christy - December 15, 2012 - 7:37 am

Love this, Andrea. A part of me in my human flesh is fearful to raise kids in this culture, but another big part of me is so badly wanting to raise little ones up to life for Him and stand up for good and make a difference in the lives of those who are hurting. We will never understand sometimes, but we can use it as a reminder to love and let Jesus shine through us. What you are doing with C4C is helping us do just that – so thank you!

This says it all and more | hedesignedme - December 18, 2012 - 6:05 am

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