trusting and hoping

For the last week or so, our adoption agency has been visiting Eastern--the adoption agency in Seoul.  Today, we got an email that filled us in on their trip and how Sam is doing.  They got to see him while they were over there!  They took plenty of pictures for us; he's growing like a weed and looks like a happy little boy :).

The news they brought back regarding when we travel is not so happy though.  Several months ago, South Korea changed their adoption laws to focus on and encourage domestic adoptions within the country (not new information for us).  Part of the law requires a new step--court approval.  This law also affects international adoptions, so this means more red tape, more rules to interpret, and some confusion while it all gets worked out.  It does not mean that they are going to do what Russia did and abruptly end all international adoptions.  Sadly, it means that babies are waiting longer to join their families than they used to.

Our adoption agency here and the one there are both working to get as much information as they can and to get things moving as quickly as possible.  We all know that the wheels of governments everywhere move at the speed of snails, so answers and decisions may be slow in coming.

Will you join with us in praying specifically for a few things?
--Pray for our sweet Sam, that God continues to prepare his heart to join us, his forever family.
--Pray that those in the government will have compassion on the children waiting for families, and that this compassion would cause them to put government hoops and red tape aside to do what is best for these babies.
--Pray that the kinks get worked out of the new process quickly to allow for paperwork to move swiftly for each waiting family.
--Pray for us to be able to bring our sweet Sam home this summer!
--Pray for Jeremy and me--there are days when I think that we'll only know Sam through pictures, and I am so discouraged by the whole thing.  Pray that I'll be continually reminded of all that God has done and WILL do, for He has done great things.

~Trusting the ONE that has Called Us~

it's true--time really does fly when you're having fun

Tomorrow is Jeremy's 29th birthday, and I have been asking myself one question--when did we get this close to 30??  I'm not sure when it happened or where the years have gone, but I know we've had a lot of fun along the way!

times of change=opportunities to exercise faith

Several days ago, we got an update on Sam, and it contained something that was totally unexpected.  Apparently, Sam has been moved to another foster family (don't panic--he is fine).  From everything written in the report and from what our adoption worker said, Sam is doing well--despite the upset of a transition.

For days, I've struggled with two things regarding this:  I have no control over what happens to our sweet boy during this period, even though everything in me feels like his Mama and wants to be a part of the decision making that affects him.  And, I don't want him to be upset in anyway, so to think that he's had to get adjusted to another family is hard since I know that he doesn't understand what's going on.

But, God doesn't leave us to struggle with things, does He?  He has graciously filled my heart with the peace that only He can give, and He's reminded me of the many things that we have to be thankful for--Sam is being loved on and cared for; he is growing and developing; he attached quickly to his new foster family, which is a good sign for when we bring him home and need him to attach to us.  He's brought us to this point, and He'll see us through the rest of this journey.

Like any Mama, I have to learn to trust the One that knit my sweet baby together, for He loves him more than we can imagine.  This time of waiting is filled with opportunities to put that trust into practice.

to: Teenage Sam

This past Sunday, our youth led the service at church.  It is always fun to watch them because they are so expressive and passionate about life.  I stood watching them with my mind racing years into the future, picturing Sam standing there as a teenager.  And, I started thinking, what would I tell "Teenage Sam" if he was here now....

-Wondering who you are and where you fit into life is common during this period of life, but don't lose heart or get discouraged.  Find your identity in Christ, sweet Sam; the rest will fall into place.

-Some may tell you that truth is relative--fitting each person's opinions and desires, but this is not the case.  God's truth is absolute and unchanging.  Know it and obey it; you'll never regret it.

-While looking to the future and anxiously counting down to the day when you're all grown up and on your own, don't miss the opportunities that are right in front of you.  Live in the present and look for God's divine appointments and blessings.

-There are decisions that have lasting consequences.  Make decisions thoughtfully and carefully; don't let one bad or impulsive decision strap you with unwanted long-term consequences.

-Disappointments, both small and big, will happen.  Although these disappointments will cause heartache, frustration, anger, and/or sadness, they will not trigger the end of the world.  Let God heal your hurt and disappointment, and then, move forward.  God has greater plans for you than we can imagine.

-"Being real" does not require rudeness.  It seems to me that many teenagers struggle with this, and I don't want you to be one of them.  I want you to be authentic and genuine, to state your thoughts and opinions, to stand for what you believe it, but I want and expect you to do this with love, respect, and kindness every single time. 

-Teenagers do not have special powers that make them invincible.  This means that all the crazy things that teenage boys do can cause you to get hurt.  Trust me on this.

-Your dad and I love you more than you know; no matter how old you get you'll always be our sweet Sam.

~Sincerely, your totally awesome and cool parents~

friends for the journey

Jeremy and I have said before that adoption has been the hardest thing we've ever done.  Thankfully, God didn't leave us to do it alone though.  He's given us an amazing family to walk alongside us, and the best friends that anyone can have.

There's a special group of friends that allow me to blow up their phones with text messages containing the latest update or picture or a pressing need.  They faithfully help me bear burdens and join me in taking them before the Father.  I am so thankful for them, and I love them dearly.

Amy--you jumped in with both feet to "mobilize the troops" at home and rally support without me even having to ask.  Not to mention, the yard sale wouldn't have happened without you and your hard work.  Looking forward to our next chat over Chinese...

Mel--my partner in crime that I dearly love, I'm thankful that we're going through our grown-up lives together. You have an incredible talent for knowing my heart and for saying just what I need to hear.  Your description of Sam as, "our God-given miracle baby," still warms my heart!
Hope--God certainly blessed us when He gave us such an awesome TN family!  You've loved us like your own and helped us in more ways than I can count.  You are awesome, and I can't wait for Sam to get here and love you as much as we do.
Danielle--my favorite half of Dsquared, I am so happy to have you as a friend.  When we moved here, you made the adjustment to living away from home so much easier, and your prayers and support for this journey has made it much easier to travel.  I'm thankful for both!

Jessica--your well-timed text messages are always full of encouragement and love, and they never fail to bring a smile to my face.  I'm not sure how many hours you've spent praying for us and our Sam, but I know that I'm grateful for them!
Amanda--our friendship with your sweet family has blessed Jeremy and me so much, and we can't wait for the girls to have a new playmate in our Sam.  I'm know we're in for some fun times, friend, and I can't wait!

Susan--your understanding and encouragement does a heart good, and I'm thankful to be on the receiving end of it!  It won't be long before we have a little boy with fuzzy black hair sharing our pew with us :).

Ali--my dear, sweet friend from the homeland, you are so much fun.  Jeremy and I love you dearly and can't wait to introduce Sam to the best fiddle player/singer/songwriter/Salsa dancer/Spanish teacher that we know :).

Lisa & Deborah--during the school year, I spend more time with these two than I do at home.  They are full of wisdom and great advice that I soak up each day, and I'm thankful for them!

she chose life.

Today is the 40th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade, the landmark Supreme court decision that has led to an estimated 55 million abortions being performed.  To think about it another way--that's 55 million babies that will never experience life!

On this day (and everyday), I am thankful for Sam's birth mother choosing life.  At possible risk of her reputation and any future prospects (i.e. marriage), she chose life.  Although I will never meet her or know her, my heart will always be full of gratitude for her and the decision that she made.

Because of her decision, we eagerly anticipate the child of our heart coming home.

Because of her decision, we see his sweet face each month in pictures and will one day hold him in our arms.

Because of her decision, we will have a lifetime of joys that'll come from parenting the cutest little boy on the planet.

Because of her decision, this little guy will learn to throw a football and be able to ride a bicycle--says Jeremy. (how I love him :)

Because of her decision, our sweet  Sam will experience the beauty of God's creation and the love of his Creator.


Because of her decision, Sam will grow into the man God intends for him to be.

then sings my soul

This morning, I woke up feeling kind of blah and wondering if we're ever going to get the call for Sam.  Because, honestly, there are days when it seems like that day is never going to happen.  This blah cloud of thoughts was still hanging around me as I stood in church listening to everyone sing.

Then, I heard this tiny voice behind me singing, "Then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee, how great Thou art, how great Thou art."   What a sweet sound it was!  And hearing that tiny voice singing was a sweet reminder that not only is the God we serve is great, but He's going to see us through this time of waiting and bring Sam home.

There will be a day when it's Sam standing beside me singing in his tiny, little boy voice about our great God.  It's this reminder that keeps me going, even on those days when the waiting seems unbearable.