Any news??

"So, any news??"

Yes, we have news, but not the kind we were hoping for, at least most of it anyways. We did receive word that our dossier paperwork was logged in on 5/24 :) We are now waiting for our LOA (next paperwork step) and I suspect we will be waiting much longer than we initially thought or hoped. Our agency does not expect our LOA to be issued anytime soon. We started this process hoping to do a medical expedite. We had good intentions, but from the very start we have hit delays. Unfortunately the delays are not over.

 I am honestly just heartbroken over all of this.

A couple weeks ago Ch*na implemented a new system for their adoption paperwork. Unfortunately, the system is not quite working as we all hoped, and Ch*na has not been able to accept or process a majority of the adoption paperwork for 2 1/2 weeks now. It has delayed many families and caused a lot of heartache. We also received word that the US Embassy in Ch*na is moving in July. They will be closing for a couple weeks to do so and will not be processing any paperwork either. Since Ch*na is not processing paperwork and the Embassy is slowing down due to the move, there is a big backlog.

 There has also been a lot of sad news in the adoption community lately...lots of sweet babies that never had a chance to meet their moms or dads, or children that only experienced the love of a family for just a short time. My heart breaks for these families and just makes my heart hurt even more for our  waiting daughter. We know "Hope's" health is fragile and all this sad news just makes me panic even more.  I have done a lot of praying and way too much thinking. I am taking a break from FB and all other adoption sites. As much as I love and cherish all of my adoptive friends, and as much as I love cheering them on in their process, my heart is just too heavy right now. I have selfishly decided that I really just need to focus on my family and enjoy the summer with my beautiful kids. Trusting in God's perfect timing is incredibly tough sometimes.

I know that these delays mean nothing to my God.... I am trusting that He will bring our sweet girl home when it is time. Sometimes, I can feel His peace, sometimes not so much.... I am so thankful for those moments when I do. I am so thankful that His presence can still be felt. I am so thankful that He is continually working in my heart and guiding me with His grace. He loves our "Hope" more than I can imagine... and what a blessing that is.

         

Isaiah 40:31                 

But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Fudraiser- Benefit dinner

We had an amazing night, and so much fun too. A special thank you to all you came out to support us and our precious "Hope". We have been blessed once again!

 

Fund-raisers...so not my favorite thing to do, but we must, so here we are.
I know we have been doing a lot of these lately, and you may even be sick of them. It is so hard to ask for help; it is quite humbling actually.

Our next fund-raiser is coming up quickly! We are having a benefit dinner at our local church. It is on Friday, May 31st, from 5-7:30pm. Dinner will include a BBQ sandwich, beans, chips and a drink, and is donations only. This event is family friendly so please bring your kids, invite some friends and join us! We hope to have some great items up for grabs too. If you cannot make the dinner, but yet still want to help, you can donate an item, gift card or products for our giveaway. Or you can donate via the Paypal donate button right here on my blog. If you have any questions, you can email me at jbwachter@frontier.com.
Every dollar will go towards bring our Hope home! If you are not familiar with our adoption story, you can read about our sweet girl and our journey to her here.

We could not do this with out the generosity of our friends, family and even strangers. Please know that we are forever grateful for the outpouring of love that we have received.

Every person that has donated, prayed, emailed and offered to somehow help is making a difference. Not for our family, but for a beautiful little girl that we are lucky to call ours. 

"Why her?"

Romans 8:37-38

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

This reality hit me the other day when I was asked a very direct question.

 I am not so sure why it took me so long to understand this, but it did.

 

 

"Why her?"

 

It kind of took me off guard.

I really wish that I was really good at getting my thoughts together quickly so I did not fumble my words so much. I know why her, but when I tried to explain it it did not come out like I wanted it to.

 

Driving home I got to thinking...

Why me?

Why did God choose me? 

 

I cannot cook or read a map. I get lost just going around the block...it's true.

 I cannot sing or sew or do anything crafty, and my math skills, well...I don't have any.

 

But really,

I am broken. I am a sinner and totally not worthy of any of His love. I have screwed up, and do screw up every.single.day. I have made so many mistakes.

 

"Why me?"

 

For the same reasons we chose her, He chose me...only His love is perfect.

 

God does not care what is in my "file" or what others have labeled me. He does not care what I can or cannot do, or where I come from. He does not care about a diagnosis or  prognosis.
 He sees me through eyes that are not tainted by this world.

 

He loves me. Desires me. He wants me to be a part of His family.
This is true for all of us. We all are made in His image...
We all are desired.

 

Wow.

Love is amazing. It changes lives.

Our God is so good.

 

 

 



DTC!

 

Well, we finally have all of our paperwork off to Ch*na! This is big step in getting Hope home!! I honestly thought we would never get to this point. This adoption has been the hardest and most challenging so far, for so many reasons. But yet, I have seen God work in some pretty awesome ways already.

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't scared to death when we said, "Yes!" to our darling Hope. Dane's adoption was safe, or as safe as adoptions come. He was in Korea with great medical care and we received a fair amount of background history. He was in a foster family getting loved on and cared for. His needs were minor and correctable...

Aliyah's adoption had a little more risk, but was still incredibly "comfortable" for us. Her needs, to us, were minor. She was thriving and developmentally on target. She came from a wealthier area...all good things, right?

Our little Hope is hanging on, getting sub-optimal treatment. I gave God one hundred and one reason why we could not bring her home. Cried many, many tears. Lost hours of sleep battling this decision. Yet, He kept asking and working and doing what He does best- we could feel it in our hearts and the word "Hope" kept ringing in our ears. I clearly remember Joel asking me late one night,"Do you think she will be OK?" She being Hope. I did not even know what to say. My heart was pounding...I honestly did not know.  How in the world do you adopt a child not knowing if they would be okay? How do you adopt a child when every earthly part about you says, "Whoa, what are you doing?!"

 

I wish I could put it into words...it really would make things so much easier. The peace that came with saying, "Yes!" to Hope was incredible. We knew without a doubt it was right decision.There is tons of risk. Tons of questions. Tons of anxiety and doubt. But it is right...so, so  very right.

 

Sadly, I have never been in position like I am in know...clinging to ever ounce of my faith that God will see us through. If God does not continue to show up and follow thru I do not know what will happen... But, yet, I know this is right where he wants me...He wants us here. Clinging to every ounce of faith, asking Him very single minute to help us... needing Him to show up big time. This is His specialty.  And as emotionally exhausted, and worried  as I am, all is well. God is at work and it is amazing to be a part of it. It is actually an honor to have front row seats to His power. His faithfulness and His goodness.

So, today we celebrate God's awesomeness! We are so thankful to Him and all who have supported us so far. Today we are one step closer! We have been so blessed! And soon, we will be bringing our precious treasure home.

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

iPad mini giveaway- bringing "Hope" home!

And the winner is....Stacey C.!! Congrats!!!
Thanks to everyone who donated! We have been blessed!!

So, here we are! We are heading back to Ch*na for another beautiful blessing, and we could not be more excited about it! You can read about our precious "Hope" and our decision to adopt her here.
 

As we start our journey to "Hope" we find ourselves very short on the funds we need to bring her home. Due to "Hope's" medical needs, we may very well be in Ch*na sooner than later. So, we are graciously asking for your help.

 

We have an iPad mini to giveaway! 100% of the profits will go towards our adoption expenses and will help bring "Hope" home from Ch*na.

All entries for the drawing need to be in by Sunday, April 28th, at 5 pm. We will notify the winner later that night.

 

Just click on the PayPal donate button on the right. Please specify "donation" on PayPal. You can also pay by credit card on the donate button. For those that rather not pay via the website but want to enter please contact me at jbwachter@frontier.com

• $ 5 for 1 entries
• $ 10 for 3 entries
• $ 25 for 10 entries
• $ 50 for 25 entries

Thank you for making a difference for our family! We could not do this without the support of our friends and family!
If you are not able to financially help us at this time, that is OK, we just ask that you keep us, and "Hope", in your thoughts and prayers.

House pics

Sorry for the delay in getting the house pics up. I have had several ask, so here they are.

 

front of the house

back of the house, last summer

 

These are the upstairs pics 

Boys' room



Laina's room



Upstairs full bath room in the hallway



Girls' room



Master bedroom. We do have a master bath that I forgot to take a pic of



These are the main floor pics 

 

Front door entry way

 

Living room

Another view of the living room



Dining room



Kitchen and eat in area



Another view of the kitchen

  

1/2 bath that is in the small hall that leads to the family room

 

Family room
As you can see we need to do some updating at some point

3 season room off of the family room

 

Back yard this past summer

 

We do have a full basement. Half of it is finished (and was finished in the 70's). The kids LOVE the play space, despite the decor. The other half is unfinished with a workshop, laundry room and an additional storage area that we hope to turn into a 5th bedroom...hopefully next year. We still have a few finishing touches to make,like curtains, and some walll art, but they will come in time!

 

God has truly blessed us with a house that we love and an amazing neighborhood too!

 

 

 

 

Pictures anyone?

Hope is in foster care with Grace and Hope for Children. The Ch*na staff of Grace and Hope is run by Christians belonging to a home church in her province. I have heard that they genuinely want what is best for the kids. Not one of their kids with Hope's condition has survived, up until now.

 

Please continue to keep Hope and our adoption process in your prayers.

 

 

Ephesians 3:20-21

²⁰ 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