MOTHER TERESA

“It is a poverty to decide that a child must die so that
 you may live as you wish.”
― Mother Teresa


“We must know that we have been created for greater things,
 not just to be a number in the world, not just to go for diplomas
 and degrees, this work and that work. We have been created in
 order to love and to be loved.”
― Mother Teresa


“People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them
 anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives.
 Be kind anyway. If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be
 honest anyway. If you find happiness, people may be jealous.
 Be happy anyway. The good you do today may be forgotten
 tomorrow. Do good anyway. Give the world the best you
 have and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway.
 For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It was
never between you and them anyway.”
― Mother Teresa

MONDAY

I did not write down Rohana's next eye doctor opp.
But I did receive the reminder via voice mail yesterday.
Hey that is when I go to moms Bible study :(
Today the dentist called to say they had a cancellation
 and could fit me in Monday at the same time , ha, ha.
So my only option was to reschedule both so I can
go to Moms Bible study. :)

HOW MANY TIMES ?

Just want to know how many times can you see a door
open, move towards it to have it close on you?
How many times can you tell yourself, It was just not
meant to be. Not in Gods plans for me.  Just  Frustrating !

Now that I think about it... I must be on the right path already.
Do not stray from my path.
 
As far as I know our I-800 has been mailed ?
We wait for our government to ok us then CARA needs
to ok us. Then on to a court date (12+ months to go)
I think we started this process in June 2011. And we will
have to update our background checks in June 2012.
And of course our home study will need the annual update.

CASTING CROWNS

Jesus, friend of sinners
We have strayed so far away
We cut down people in Your name
But the sword was never ours to swing
Jesus, friend of sinners
The truth’s become so hard to see
The world is on their way to You
But they’re tripping over me
Always looking around but never looking up
I’m so double minded
A plank-eyed saint with dirty hands
And a heart divided
Oh Jesus, friend of sinners
Open our eyes to the world
At the end our pointing fingers
Let our hearts be led by mercy
Help us reach with open hearts and open doors
Oh Jesus, friend of sinners
Break our hearts for what breaks Yours
Jesus, friend of sinners
The One whose writing in the sand
Made the righteous turn away
And the stones fall from their hands
Help us to remember
We are all the least of these
Let the memory of Your mercy
Bring Your people to their knees
Nobody knows what we’re for
Only what we’re against
When we judge the wounded
What if we put down our signs
Crossed over the lines
And loved like You did
You love every lost cause
You reach for the outcast
For the leper and the lame
They’re the reason that You came
Lord, I was that lost cause
And I was the outcast
But You died for sinners just like me
A grateful leper at Your feet
‘Cause You are good
You are good
And Your love endures forever
And I was the lost cause
And I was the outcast
You died for sinners just like me
A grateful leper at Your feet

FORTUNATE

I am fortunate to have another child sick. Our Austin
has a cold and double ear infection. Fortunate that
I have children at all. Trying to praise God in any situation.

I am also sooo  fortunate to be bringing another daughter
home from India. As tears roll down my cheeks I am
thinking about how God has already blessed us with
3 grants for this adoption that has totally left us in awe.

It would be such a blessing if we brought our daughter
home debt free.

DOOR AJAR

The blue door did not open for us this time but we will
keep the door ajar (maybe next time). It is just awesome
to  realize God is giving you other options.

Referral paperwork was signed (in two different states)
and Fedex to our agency.  Lets see how the timeline will
be with new guidelines in place. Maybe I should start a
timeline page on this blog. 

 Praying for a fast process.

HIPPOTHERAPY

Rohanas first day of Hippotherapy.   Horses name is Dee.
 She was a little afraid of the big horse but she did great

YESTERDAY

Nate said "mom you have something from UPS?"
"YES, I said loudly" (two boys looking at me like I am crazy)
me explaining..It is the referral packet for HOPE, finally !
Sorry, we are not allowed to post anything.
This is when you get more paper work that makes you 
realized there could be more/different medical needs for
the child. It also helps you understand more reasons why.
When asked by my husband"does any of it scared you?"
    "NO, none of it changes my mind."
I will sign everything here and Fedex it to dave.

I just realized I can send HOPE a care package !!
 Timelines says it will still be at least a year if not longer before
we get to bring her home.

EVERY LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL

EVERY LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL

Which one of us who have been touched by adoption is not stirred by these words from Psalm 139:16,

"You saw me before I was born."

 it is a celebration of life, and a real look at one girl's struggle with the shocking surprise at finding out she was adopted. You can check out the October Baby website and watch the trailer to find out more. Hannah, "bewildered, angered, and confused, turns for support to Jason, her oldest friend. Encouraged by his adventurous spirit, Hannah joins his group of friends on a Spring Break road trip, embarking on a journey to discover her hidden past....and find hope for her unknown future. In the midst of her incredible journey, Hannah finds that life can be so much more than what you have planned."

This movie is a wonderful expression of God's heart for adoption, for birth mothers, and for life. 

UPDATE

Guess what is coming to me soon ? 
Child referral papers were mail from India yesterday.
First they will go to my agency and then they will be
mailed to me, since Dave is on a trip.......ha, ha,
We also need more documents for the Court because of
the changes over there...... Notarized, Apostilled, yep ...

I wish I felt better so I could get excited. oh, this cold.

One month after referral papers signed we should have
I-800 approval, DS-230, then Article 5 (2 month), then CARA 
can issue NOC (1-3 months,if their license is good) then all
 our paperwork  goes to the court (2-12 months, some Courts
close for a month or two in the summer) short trip to India 
(3-4 days) then come back home and wait for her visa, then
7-10 day trip to bring her home.  I think, wishful thinking !

“I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him.” 1 Samuel 1:27

2 NEW HATS

                                   Mrs Ladybug  and  Mrs Bumble Bee
                                                             or
                                   Mr. Ladybug   and  Mr. Bumble Bee
                                                 you choose the names

BIZZY WEEKEND

Friday we totally enjoyed an Indian Banquet.
Hosted by Comforter Missions here in Maine.
Again, I was reminded how fortunate we are when
they talked about villages that do not have clean water,
no food, no medical care. I want to go on this missions
trip but not this time.
Saturday, I enjoyed time at the doctors office with Rohana
(cold and ear infection) and a little too long at the pharmacy.
Then off to Glow Bowling and loud Christian Music with the
teenagers from our church. They had a great time.
Today, my body is telling me that I am an hour behind but
 the clock does  not  agree.
Church then a first birthday party for little Tyler.
My husband will be getting ready for a work trip.

ADOPTION UPDATE

Yesterday, we were told the orphanage is waiting for CARA to
move us to the next step and unfortunately that could possibly
take a month or two. We also needed to be aware that We will
be required to make two trips to India.  :)

Today, we were told that our dossier was sent to India today
because we have been moved to the next step by CARA.
 DTI = Dossier To India.

Don't know weather to  :)  or  :(

Tomorrow, I celebrate my oldest daughters birthday with her.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY GIRL !

ATTITUDE

What a weekend..I have an ear infection and need to get  two
 wisom teeth removed. Still trying to get caught up on my sleep
but meds are working. I pulled my sleep deprived body out of bed
 yesterdayto get the kids to their schools. Almost forgot about
mom"s Bible Study. rushed to get Rohana, get her fed and off
to her Hippotherpy Assesment (she loved it!). I opened a email
hubby " GOT THE TRIP", then the computer crashed,  yay
Two computers down (luck?)
I am sitting here laughing at myself for my bad reaction to
everything that has just overwhelmed me the past 4 days
Lord, please forgive me for my attitude
From the date that the CARA website has listed the
Orphanages license expires next week. Which means another
2+ years adoption,again. She is a waiting child, waiting for
medical help, therapies and all the unknowns that come
with waiting children. Now she will wait longer. NOT FAIR
And with my husband out of town NO paper work
can be signed by him

GOOD / BAD ?

A family that is adopting from the same orphanage is leaving shortly
to go to an unscheduled Court Hearing (must appear in person)
I am so excited for them. They get to meet their daughter on the first
day,go to Court the second day and then fly home the third day and
I am sure the hardest part will be leaving to come home without her.

What does that mean for us ? I am guessing we will be told when the
time is right that we too will also have to make the unscheduled
Court Hearing in person, Which means we need more than the amount
listed to the right of this post.  thinking and praying.

SNOW, SNOW AND MORE SNOW

These are the days i enjoyed the most..... Snow and no school !!
Having two brothers and three sisters there was always someone
to fight play with. I think we got up earlier on snow days and mom
would make us corn (can) pancakes, oatmeal, or maypo before we
got ready to go outside and we stayed outside until we were numb
from the cold and snow. WE would dig tunnels in the snow. Make forts,
throw snowballs at cars as they went by  Sledding in the road,
maple syrup on snow, Angels in the snow.... Ah, The simple life.
So i am enjoying the snow today and tomorrow because spring
is coming soon.  And praying that we will get to share the excitement
of snow and no school days with another child next winter.

BLESSINGS,