Why Adopt?

I was shocked that the local Evangical Magazine had an article in it about adoption with Steven Chapman. He did say some wonderful things. I like that he said "Adoption is a visible gospel --we were once without a name, without a hope and a future, but God took us in and called us His children." So if we're all adopted by God, then why are so many people almost anti-adoption in today's Churches?

He said that not everyone should adopt, but there are other ways to help out. It's nice to see that even he mentions that those that won't ever adopt should help those that are willing to do an adoption. Adoption is a ministry. I would hope that children are loved in all the homes that adopt. Jesus loved kids. I believe that if money were no object we'd have a bunch more.

We spoke up in church and told the whole church that we are really going to China. Everyone was like "it's about time." Yeah, it sure is. Although I have no new pictures or updates to share with anyone, we will have pictures once we go to get her!

Have a good week, I'm sure ours will be busy.
Pray for our finances and our travel arrangements.
May God open doors financially to help us pay for all our adoption expenses.

**s**

Happy Birthday Alexander!

Happy Birthday Alexander!

I am blessed to be your mommy.

Or as you say "the Ma Ma"

We love you!

**s**

Bloom where you are planted

I'll have to find this poem and share it. It's written by a nun, and it basically says: "God put you here for a reason in the spot that you are in." I was thinking about this today when John and I were talking and asked what he thought about that with Rachel Qin.

Very interesting topic....and John's right. She isn't planted anywhere. She's sitting in an orphanage waiting as life passes her by. She's a seedling sitting on a hot rock waiting for help. She hasn't bloomed and she hasn't been planted. We're not uprooting her---she's never been planted, sprouted, watered, loved, adored, admired, etc. She needs me.

Look at the opportunities that we're giving her. Beyond the fact that she'll feel like Pollyanna...winning the shopping lottery.... She'll have her own room. Her own clothes. She'll be a part of a big family with a mother, father, little brother, grammas, grampas, and lots of aunties and uncles who already love her. Not to mention all my friends and online friends who can't wait to meet her or see her picture. She already is being loved. Prayers are already prayed for her.

Someday soon we will go and scoop her up, bring her home and plant her right in the middle of Wisconsin soil. She will not only be a US citizen, but she will become an American woman. Yes, she will be MY DAUGHTER! I will water her, groom her, love her, and teach her to blossom.

Her "bloom where you are planted" story might start in China....but it detours to USA (Wisconsin) and where will she end up?

Amazing!

***s***

China chatter

Hello Kitty Dolls picture "borrowed" from ebay :)

We have no new travel info about China yet. Maybe early next week.

We did get Rachel Qin insurance today. Hurray! We called around and didn't think we'd find any, after about 4 phone calls we got some. WOW!

John ordered Chinese money from the bank, so we'll have some to spend in the airport. $1 of ours will buy 8 of their money. We'll need a bag to carry our money around there :)

I need to find my travel/packing list. I had one, if I can't find it I guess I'll have to ask someone online to give me a new one.

**s**

TA --Travel Approval for China

Okay---TA (our Travel Approval) has arrived!

We're officially going to China! HURRAY!
Rachel Qin, pack your bags--your coming home to America.

Everything is not officially confirmed yet but we are going about March 15th and will be back about March 28th. Already called the travel agency to get things rolling.

DANCE WITH US!

Alexander--is almost 2

Hello,
Here is a picture of Alexander. He will be 2 on February 26th. What a blessing! I can't explain to those that don't know me, how important he is to me. They will never understand the prayers, the tears or the joy of bringing him home to our house. We have been blessed to share our lives with Alexander.

His happiness and outgoing personality is such a gift to us and those around us. He could easily become a Walmart greeter. He loves to say hello to everyone he sees. He loves to smile and he loves music.

Sometimes we say "DollyAlex" and "AlexDolly" several times a day. It's nice that they can play so nice together. :)

Valentine's day

Sad to celebrate Valentine's day in bed sick. John went to visit his brother and family and we booked the fancy room at the hotel.....well I had such a terrible pain in my jaw that I just couldn't go. I was in bed with the heating pad on my face praying the pain went away.

Finally the pain went away, and John and Alexander came home from Ma's at the end of Valentine's Day. He bought me some cookies and a DVD--The Corpse Bride.

It came and went. I loved it no more or less than other V-days.

**s**

Olympic games have started

Do you even care? So much going on how could I possibly add watching the Olympics into my day? This was a cool site someone sent me about the Knitting Olympics....here's the website: http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/olympics2006.html

So Valentine's day is fastly approaching...do you plan something special to your sweetie's day or don't you even bother? Is V-day only for young couples and those that have been married a while don't even bother? How do you make holidays exciting (and V-day is a BIGGIE for me)?

Anyways, I am going to try to post more often, I need to make this a priority.
TGIF!
**s**

February --the month of love?