Christmas Blessings

                                                                                                            

So blessed this Christmas!!! We had three different family gatherings, went to the Nutcracker, the Journey to Bethlehem, and a Christmas play. We spent time with many friends and family. There was much laughter and lots of memories made. We also spent time at home with just family. We added a new puppy to the family for Christmas. It was a beautiful time for all of us. The only thing missing was snow. The photo above is that of our recent photo shoot near the orchard in the backyard in November. Two of my sweet daughters. I am so blessed. My miracles. My joy.  Being their Mother is something I am thankful for daily.  Lately I am obsessed with advocating for orphans. How can I stop? How can I not do my part to help them find families? This passion of mine just won't go away, so I spend time each evening on numerous facebook groups advocating for China's special needs orphans. Good news! Two of the ones I had advocated for are now matched with families! The way the system works for China now is that you can actually see lists of children on many agency lists, and you can ask to be approved to adopt them. It is so exciting to see so many being chosen, but heartbreaking to also see so many more for months on end that never end up with a family. I am determined to keep advocating...speaking for those that can't speak for themselves. Also...I just might turn this blog into an advocacy blog. Many exciting things are happening!

 

I LOVE this week every year! The week between Christmas and New Year. We sleep in, we don't do school. We play with all our new toys. We play with our animals. We go out. We catch a movie. We generally take the time to just be. And I wish we did this more often. If we had snow----like we should by now, we would also be out in it..sledding, building snowmen and then coming in for hot cocoa with marshmallows. The kids are dying for some snow to finally come our way. Since we don't have any yet, but do have cold temps, we have been snuggling up by the wood stove and the Christmas tree reading books and being cozy. That's what winter is to me, and I love it!

More updates soon!

 

Russian Adoption Ban...

You may have already heard. The president of russia signed today. Americans are now banned from adopting from russia. This greatly saddens my heart, having been to russia twice in my lifetime, both times visiting orphans in the orphanages there. I wonder if those making this law have ever stepped foot in one of their dismal, cold orphanages with crumbling walls, little heat, little electricity and water? I wonder if they are aware of the abuse at the hands of local drunken men these children are enduring? I wonder if they really know what goes on inside these "detsky doms"?

Their eyes...they haunt me. The loneliness, the brokenness, and the emptiness is something I am not accustomed to seeing here in this country. They are hungry, cold, and many lacking just basic love and nurturing. So many with attachment and other mental issues now, due to the lack of love, nurture and positive parental guidance.

Russia changed me, 12 years ago when I was there. I fell in love with this country, it's people, and especially, it's children. My heart broke into a million pieces as I witnessed...touched...experienced the great need and the plight of the orphan there. I was horrified, sadened and compelled to do something. The orphanage I stayed at for two weeks was in the back woods of a small town. These kids were the cast aways, I guess, the difficult ones, the challenging, some of the most damaged by all the unfortunate events of their young little lives. It was rough, and hard to see how they lived out each day. They didn't go to school. They survived. Life was all about survival, and surviving at the hands of sexual predators in the village became thier norm.

One thing I know is that if this ban holds, and it not soon overturned, we cannot lose hope. Our God is bigger than any government, and if Americans are meant to adopt from there again, it will re-open. When we adopted from there in 2001, things went smoothly, fees were minimal, and it was quick and easy. In the last few years it has been an incredibly strict and difficult process. I know some children have suffered at the hands of their american parents. I do not discount that, but I also know that most have lived a life full of love and acceptance, and now have a future. I understand that kids from russia can be very difficult, ours was, as he came out of that very place I speak of, and the damage was far more than anything we could treat on our own, or even with professionals involved. Although our son was not a disruption, I do understand when parents have to make that difficult decision, and in many cases it turns out to be for the best. I know many are alcohol affected, and damaged before birth, but they still need love. They deserve a chance to be chosen, and loved in a family of their own.  I know other countries may still get to adopt, however, I read that a ban on all international adoption from there is in the works.

Another thing I know is this...if kids are not allowed to be adopted from there, they can still be loved and supported from here. Let me give you an example. When we went on our first mission trip to russian orphanages, we had a pastor from Florida on our team with us. When he returned home he simply told his church that there is a need and they adopted two orphanages. They go on approx. 2-3 trips a year to these orphanages to provide, love, supplies, food and nurturing to these children. There were also some teenagers on our mission trip who had already been there before, and they had sort of "adopted" certain children that they would check up on every time they visited. There are many organizations and ministries that work with the orphans of russia, and we can still "visit them in their distress".  Hopefully these options will still be ways in which we can be hands on showing the love of Jesus these children so desperately need.

In the meantime, let's all keep praying, and hoping the russian orphans will be safe, loved and find families as soon as possible.

The story continues...

It was another busy day here, and as I was out running errands all day long, my husband got a phone call from our adoption social worker. She stated that the bio mom (of our sibling set), called again, and this time she is stating that she and the bio father are BOTH willing to drop the appeals. That is hard to believe, but okay. This guy even appealed his relinquishment of his son when the state thought he was living with the aunt but was living with him, and he lost. He just doesn't back down. So, the adoption sw stated that she can't be the go between, and took the bio mother's number down and gave it to us (which I already have from the letter she sent us). Now, apparently it's back in our hands. We know what will happen. I will call and explain again that we will start visitations as soon as the appeals are dropped and the adoptions are final. They will ask for a visit with the son as soon as they drop their appeals and won't want to wait for the adoption. That is why we had the original meeting to begin with, so it would all be explained to them. Maybe, just maybe the bio dad is coming to his senses, but I won't know until I hear that he actually drops the appeal. I hate that we have to deal with all this now, but it's the way it has all worked out, and I have to believe it is for a reason. And, I was also told that bio mom is pregnant again.

God works in amazing ways!

So I am not up to par with this blogging thing these days. The truth is, life is exhausting right now. Life is full, and at times quite overwhelming. I have taken some time after the kids are in bed these past few days to do some blog reading, which is something I do miss. Only God could have directed the keystrokes the way He did today. I came across a blog that I may have only read once before. A woman with a heart for adoption and caring for orphans. A woman who has 7 children, and  her post stood out, as she was honest about how hard this parenting thing really is. Parenting a large number of children is nothing short of difficult, straining, and draining at times. She has beautiful children she has adopted, and yet, she was only surviving her days lately. I can relate. Then she said it. Warfare. Yes, it is what I knew all along. This can feel like a daily battle at times because the enemy wants to win. He didn't want these children to find loving homes. He would rather see them alone, neglected, and sometimes abused and dying in their orphanages. He would rather see U.S foster kids left in drug houses, not being taken care of, and abused as well. Yes, there is no doubt in my mind that spiritual attacks come in this form. He wants to take us down, those parents willing to step out for the cause of the orphan. I have something to say in response to this: The battle belongs to the Lord, and He is mightier than any attack that can come our way. 


I also took the time to read the blog of the couple I know who started a ministry to the homeless in my town. As I continued to read, the tears would not stop. These people have stepped out in faith every single sunday for the past 10 months to care for homeless in ways that would blow your mind. They go to an area where they are, and the people come,  and every week, their crowd gets bigger, and they bring food and items that are donated by random people, and they believe, in faith that they will have what is needed. They minister to them with prayer, Bibles, friendship,...and most of all, love. They have seen miracle after miracle. As I read this, it occured to me once more, that right here in my home, I am doing the same thing for the orphan, except it's not every sunday, it's every day, and that is what can make this ministry daunting. It takes the strength of the Lord to get through each day sometimes, just like these people who minister to the homeless. They go and rely on God's spirit and strength to minister to these people and to meet their physical and spiritual needs. And as I left that blog, I somehow (it had to be the hand of God), came across the next blog which I had never seen. It was another family interested in orphans and adoption. The thing that jumped out at me was this...We are on a mission...to love the orphan. It made me realize again, and I think that it was the Lord gently reminding me that I am a missionary in my own home, and that I am doing this for Him, and His glory. I am doing this for His kingdom, and for His children. I am caring for His children in my home, to raise them up to be strong christians who will go out into this world one day to also do the work to advance His kingdom. It is a humbling thing to realize, and also to realize how much I am failing, and how much I need Him. I cannot do this without daily help from the Lord. No way. And then I thank the Lord for this reality in my life...because doing the hard thing has made me seek Him more. 


And that's not all...the next blog that I ended up clicking on was this one. And after reading that, I realized that this difficult job is also full of blessings, and that I am not alone. The rewards are great, and seeing how God is moving in all of these families, who have embraced the orphan....the children of God, is awe inspiring, and then I look at my life, and I realize that even  while I trip over the mountain of laundry in the basement, and gain my composure again after two of my littles were screaming non-stop at the same time, and I mop the kitchen floor for the third time today...I thank God for these precious children, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

I have two 2 YEAR OLDS!!

My little sweet Laney had a birthday!!! That means I now have two 2 year olds!!! They are only nine months apart, so Lexi will be turning 3 in only three months! It's crazy how fast they grow up! In three months I will have a 1 year old, 2 year old, 3 year old, 4 year old, 5 year old and 10 year old.

Laney is my most "energetic" child. She is a handful. She is fearless. She has physical abilities above and beyond her age as she jumps off the top step and lands on two feet while her 9 month older sister is still scooting down on her bottom! She is very loving, sweet, and fun, and I am so glad that 2 years ago I answered the call to go pick up this tiny baby who was in the NICU of our local hospital! What a blessing she is, and who would have known that almost two years later, her older brother would join us? I can't imagine life without them at this point. We will be adopting both of them together in the very near future...they are both legally free, we are just waiting on the parents and whether or not they are appealing, and then we will finalize their adoption! Foster care and adoption is such a huge part of our lives. I can't imagine not doing this. If you are looking into it, I say go for it...foster parents are so needed...and who knows...you might just be giving a child a forever family!

It's done!!!

After almost two full years, the termination of parental rights trial finally happened!!! Yesterday, Laney became legally free!!! Now, we can begin the adoption paperwork for her and her brother!!!

I never would have believed when I brought this tiny little bundle home from the hospital almost 2 years ago, that I would end up with an added gift-her brother!!! What a blessing both of these two are.

Although the parents never completed even one required class, drug test, etc. they still continued to fight and argue their defense up until the last moment and the father is appealing the termination. They are still allowing us to get started with the adoption while he is appealing. He has no basis for the appeal, so the case will be closed sometime in the near future.

Praise the Lord for His wonderful gifts-children!!!

Bless an orphan...

As readers of this blog, you all know, I am passionate about orphan care. Why? Because it is the Lord's will that we as christians care for orphans in any way that we possibly can. God has given me a heart for them, a mother's heart full of compassion for orphans. It haunts me...it drives me, and it compells me. So with that, I want to share something exciting!!! A sweet friend of mine is about to embark on a trip to a far away land to meet her daughter for the very first time! I am so excited for her, her family, and for the little girl who waits.

They are having a fundraiser to help pay for the costs in adopting this little one. As a parent who has adopted internationally twice before, I know how fast it all adds up with travel, lodging, food, etc. Not to mention the adoption fees. This family will recieve 20-25% of anything that you purchase through this fundraiser. Go HERE to check it out, and know you are doing something big in helping this cause, because soon, another precious child will forever be home with her family. God BLess.

The date is set!

To celebrate National adoption day, families in our area who's adoption falls in Novemeber are given the option to finalize in the courts on this day. Since it falls on a Sat. all of us will be finalizing our adoption on NOVEMBER 21st 2011! We had the option of finalizing the week before, but it would have been just us, and the National adoption day for finalization is a big celebration with a party, etc. There will be around 9 other families finalizing their adoptions that day as well. We thought that was perfect, because finalizing our adoption of this precious one is nothing short of a celebration and a miracle!!! We cannot wait!!!

Blogger Blues & Great News!

I haven't been blogging much lately, because my blog has been messed up for a very long time. Since blogger made changes some months back, I am no longer able to leave comments. I have contacted blogger for help, but the info they gave me didn't fix it. So...on to better news!!!

Our sweet, adorable, precious foster daughter will be legally OURS very, very soon! I got word this week that all the paperwork is done, and I just need to wait for the adoption support people to call, then if all goes well, our attorney will be ready to get us in for a final hearing to officially adopt miss LexiLou! It should all be final somewhere around the beginning of November! November 5th we will also be celebrating our FOUR year adoption anniversary of Lilyann. Adoption has blessed us so much, it's hard to put it into words. More on that soon, but for now, enjoy the picture above of my little sweetie, who will finally, and miraculously be ours within weeks! Blessings!

Precious one...

Miss LexiLou, how lucky we are to have you in our lives!! You are such a blessing. From the moment I brought you home at 7 weeks of age, and you smiled up at me, I knew there was something so precious and special about you. We are so blessed to have such a sweet, precious, child. Your spirit is contagious. Your love is pure. You make us laugh so hard, and fill our hearts with joy. Joy...a word that we have always associated with you...and as your upcoming adoption approaches...it comes to mind that it just might fit you perfectly as your middle name. Hmmm? Lexi Joy, I like that. It fits you well. Bless you my sweet child...

She's legally free!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Baby L is now completely legally free, as the relinquishment was finalized in court yesterday! The sw just left and said that we will be switched over to the adoption unit in the next few weeks, and the process to adopt her will begin! Also, she said I can show pictures!!! So, stay close, soon you will see our adorable little baby L!!!!

Today!!!

In just a few hours I will be sitting in a court room waiting to hear the fate of sweet baby L.

Lord, I know you go before us, and you have it all in your hands. We thank you for this precious child, and all the time we have had with her. We pray that if it is your will, Lord, she will be become legally free today, and be able to be adopted by us. We ask that today's hearing goes smoothly, and that nothing hinders the proceedings. We thank you for placing her in our home and blessing us with this sweet child of yours. We thank you for the awesome God that you are, who knows everything we need.
In Jesus' name, Amen!

More soon!!!

Denied a family....

Please pray for this family and this child. I have no words. This is just so sad.
Go-->> here

Open Adoption

We have now been asked by the social worker of each of our foster babies about open adoption. They both wanted to double check with us again if we are still willing to adopt both of them, and they wanted to know what terms we would want in an open adoption.

Both situations are very different. Baby L has a young mother, and no father involved. She has shown interest in the past but currently is not and is not following her plan.
Baby C has both parents, who are together, but failing to follow through with any services, and her case is heading in the adoption direction as well.

The attorney's for these parents are suggesting that they relinquish their child. At that point, they will be legally free, and the adoption process can start. If they relinquish, they have a chance at the open, or semi-open adoption, therefore, remaining in contact with their child. Another reason a relinquishment is better for the parents is because, if they bring another child into the world, the state will again go through the process of providing them with the option to engage in services, and become healthy enough to parent their child. If they do not relinquish, then I am told the termination of parental rights trial is held, the parents lose their rights, and have no option of an open adoption or ever seeing their child again.

I have learned a lot about this process over the last year. I am starting to see a bit of light at the end of this long, long, very long tunnel!

Hopefully we will hear an update soon on whether or not the parents of both are willing to make a relinquishment/open adoption plan!

Foster care update

It has been awhile since I last updated on our foster babies! (FYI, in the sidebar, I have info, and a sneek peek at each of them)
Baby L has been with us since she was 7 weeks old, and she will be two years in a few months! She is still as adorable as ever, talking, climbing, laughing and smiling. Her mom was found not guilty a few months back, and was told to work hard toward her goals to get baby L back. She was highly motivated, (or at least it came across this way), but after she attended a short rehab program, she never called to visit with her again..we are a bit surprised, since she has all along shown a lot of interest. The termination of parental rights trial is coming up in June, but her attorney is asking about us doing an open adoption. This would mean baby L's mom would have to relinquish her rights to her before this trial comes up. As far as the relatives are concerned, the social worker told us that they have not called in months, so at this point, they are looking at an open adoption with us. Of course, I am cautiously optimistic at this turn of events, as I know we could be told something different the next time we talk to the social worker. Please keep baby L and us in your prayers, as it is FINALLY coming down to the end of this case (I hope!) and baby L should soon know where her permanent home will be!!  Next month we will be in court, so I hope to have some specific details and find out much more!


Baby C turns one year old this week!! She has been walking for a month already! She is happy, cute, and very attached. She is right on track developmentally-so she has made wonderful strides since I brought her home from the hospital as a tiny preemie last year.  Last month in court her plan got changed to adoption! Whoo hoo! Due to the nature of this process, the next hearing to update the status isn't until July:(
Her parents show up to every court hearing but they have not participated in even one aspect of the services they have been offered. So we continue to wait...and wait...and wait.


Thankfully, through this process of caring for foster babies, we have truly learned to surrender it to the Lord. We live each day, knowing the Lord is ultimately in control of their destiny, and we love them up, and train them up the best way we know how. And you know what? We are blessed beyond measure.

5, 6, 7, 8 Who do I appreciate??

My readers that's who...here's the special something I was talking about..I so hope you will check out my talented, generous, faith-filled friend and take part....

Hi! I'm Michelle's friend Lisa... (i'm the one on the left)

In celebration of Michelle's newly re-styled blog, I'd like to offer her blog readers a little something...
No hoops to jump through here, just a couple clucks clicks to visit my blog and shop, a quick post back to Michelle letting her know your fav item in my shop!
Then I'll make a note to include your name in the, "nest box!"

On February 28th "Mattie," my hen, will choose a name & I will snail mail that lucky someone, something "special!"

Told 'ya  e-a-s-y p-e-a-s-y!




***Mattie wanted to show you the nest box!


Michelle & I share a passion for helping children in need...
Fostering, adopting, advocating and praying for all the little ones that are abused, neglected & forgotten.
I am focused on surrendering to Christ & through Him, serving "Children in need, first."

I invite you to visit my blog, "2 Surrender & Serve" CLICK http://www.2surrenderandserve.blogspot.com/
and my new on-line shop, "S & S Dry Goods, Art & Sundries"
CLICK http://www.ssdrygoodsartsundries.bigcartel.com/



The Lord blessed me with a need to create, sooo I decided to create for a cause!
My shop is unique in that I am not making a profit for myself.
When something sells, I donate to charity first (like tithing!), buy more supplies with what is left &  then make more goodies for the shop!

A portion of each sale in my 'lil shop goes to National CASA and other organizations that benefit abused/neglected children in Washington State.

- CASA www.washingtonstatecasa.org/what-is-casa
- Tacoma Rescue Mission www.rescue-mission.org/about
- DSHS www.dshs.wa.gov/children.shtml *even this agency is in need of clothing, diapers & formula used in emergency placements
- Pediatric Interim Care Services www.ccsww.org/site/PageServer?pagename=childrenyouth_pics


I am a volunteer Guardian ad Litem, or CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate), for information about
National CASA www.casaforchildren.org/site/c.mtJSJ7MPIsE/b.5301295/k.BE9A/Home.htm
or Washington State CASA please visit here, www.washingtonstatecasa.org/what-is-casa
***Dr.Phil also supports CASA! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAtwcb-sTh4
As of last week, we have 248 active CASA's in my county, 751 children have an assigned CASA and sadly approx.600 more are still waiting!

Will you please pray, volunteer and/or pass on the info to your friends & family?
Nothing happens by mistake, not even you stumbling across this blog, adding it to your reading list & becoming a "blog follower" here.
Michelle is glad you're here & that you take a few precious minutes of your busy day to share in her world.
She appreciates you stopping in to read, comment & share little bits of yourself.

...and now, so do I!

Proverbs 31:20
20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.