Doing something

During the adoption process it feels so good to be able to "do" something, anything (paperwork, home study visits, collecting photographs and documents, fingerprints, and on, and on).  When you start the adoption process it feels like you step up to a giant mountain, one you have to scale, knowing all of the uncertainties, but so excited about getting to that summit.  As you chip away at each little step, the mountain doesn't really feel all that big.  Then it happens,  one day, when your climbing, and scaling, and sending in yet another document. You are done, you can't move any further...until you get the "all clear".  Then you have to wait.  Wait for the okay to keep climbing.  That part I am NOT looking forward to....

BUT...right now, I can DO something! So far, we have had physical exams, and blood work, sent in finical documents, and passport photos.  We have written autobiographies.  Mine was 9 pages long....go figure! Ha.  Our poor, poor social worker.  We have had criminal background checks, fingerprints, FBI clearances, child abuse clearances.....lots of clearances.  And we have even started our parent training....Doing plenty.

Tomorrow will be our first home study.  *happy dancing*  And yes, I am currently writing this at midnight.  This week I have cleaned the house upside and down.  Because of course, we can't let the social worker really see how seven people, two dogs, one cat, and a bunch of other little creatures...really live, now can we. Ha!

 As I was sitting on the kitchen floor polishing the cabinets (yes, I was actually doing that)... because you never know if clean cabinets might not pass "inspection" by our social worker.  Anyway I'm sitting there scrubbing...and it felt so good.  Now normally cleaning is not my favorite past time.  It's a necessity, not a joy.  But today was different.  It felt like scrubbing tubs was helping my boy come home.  Yes, dusting, mopping, vacuuming, polishing, and picking up every little toy....felt like it just moved us closer to him.  Crazy, maybe.....but tonight, I can go to sleep and know my lemon/bleach/clorox scented hands helped my boy.

When that awful waiting time begins....I will need prayers and reminders, that's it all part of His plan!!  But for now....I sure am enjoying the DOING!

Introducing.....

Today we received a wonderful call.  Today we learned that Ch*na has officially approved us to bring our son home!!!  We still have a long road ahead....but this is a huge step!  He is the reason we are starting this entire adoption process again.  And now, we can really start.  I feel as if several weeks ago we decided to jump on board the adoption roller coaster.  We climbed aboard, and strapped on our seat belts....then we had to sit in the starting gate....just waiting for the bell.  Just waiting...and wanting to get moving.  Well today we got the bell, and enthusiastically, joyfully, and (a little fearfully) we have taken off.  Ahead of us we see a huge incline.... one filled with home study visits, paperwork, certifications, paperwork, training, and did I mention...paperwork !  But, boy are we ready!!!!  Hang on sweet boy....Mommy and Daddy are finally on our way to come get you!!

Introducing our son "Mushu" Gautreaux......

Now don't worry, that is NOT his real name.  For his safety we will not be sharing his Chinese name.  We are still prayerfully discerning his American name.  Of course we are open to suggestions!!  Until we decide on a name, we will refer to him as Mushu, our little dragon. 

We walk by faith, not by sight (a VERY exciting announcement)

This particular scripture passage has so much meaning for us right now.  For those of you from our youth retreat group, you know why this is such a special theme for our lives right now!

For those of you that are just reading for the first time, or for friends that have returned again...bare with me a moment while I explain the importance of this phrase....

 Ever since we brought Ellie home, over two years ago, it has been part of my prayer time to get on the computer and scroll through the many, many pictures of waiting children.  I pray for each precious boy and girl...sometimes stopping longer at one face searching their eyes for a glimmer of hope or joy.  So many times my heart is saddened with the overwhelming number of children still left orphaned...waiting for their families.   Normally I walk away from the photos, knowing God has a plan and a purpose for each child.  I thank God for the children he has entrusted in our care, and continue on my day.  Well about two months ago, I came to a pair of eyes that looked right into my soul, a sweet smile that captured my heart, and caused me to return to his photo again and again.  I fell in love with this boy.  I continued to pray and think about him.

   THIS boy....that has waited so long.

 This boy, who is a beautiful gift to the world.

This boy, who is loved dearly by our Heavenly Father; 

THIS boy who I hoped was my son. 

I could NOT get him off of my mind....but surely, the Lord surely....could you not really be calling  us??  right??

I knew the answer I was going to get from my husband before I even mentioned it to him....but I had to, I HAD to share his picture, had to ask,  just maybe (wishing, crossing fingers, trying NOT to get my hopes up)...

And of course his initial response was not as I had hoped *blush*.  Let me stop right there... I am married to one amazing man.  A man who loves Jesus, who walks the path of his LORD, a man who is courageous, and not afraid of the "what ifs" in life, a man who loves me and his children deeply and would do anything for his family.  Yet....I wanted him to make the right decision for our family, for this precious boy, for our other children, for our marriage, for God.  When it came to my decision, my mind was already made up, it was one big MAMA heart's "YES!"....but I trust in my husband's guidance, and gave him, uh, tried to give him time!  I'll be honest...I was not hopeful for a long time.  I started to come to the notion that we were just supposed to be his "prayer family".  I committed that no matter what we decided I would forever be one of his prayer mamas.

"We walk by FAITH, not by sight"..... one day as we were talking and trying to come to a decision, and of course I was in tears.... Steve said, "I feel like I'm on top of a bridge, and I'm frightened" (and for those of you that don't know, my husband has a serious fear of heights....serious)

Photo we took at the Hoover Dam (May 2012)

He asked "should we jump"?

"We walk  by faith, NOT by sight".....  We JUMPED!!!  Yes......we did!!

 We are so excited to announce that we are beginning the adoption process again, for our son!! Ever since we made the decision to pursue his adoption, God has lavished upon us His peace.  We know we are following His plan and His purpose of our lives and our son's life.   Looking at our family through the "world's view"...some may ask...don't you have enough kids?  aren't you always busy?  how can you take care of all of those children?   Yet I invite you to look at our life through the Lord's view....He has PROVIDED.  He has blessed us abundantly!!  This year alone, we have received those "things" (house, van, a.k.a. the mom BUS, medical specialist) that are already prepared for our son, who has the same medical need as Ellie.  We have learned so much about Spina Bifida since bringing Ellie home.   We are fully prepared to care for him, just as we care for our sweet girl.  God has provided over and over again.  Without us even knowing it, He has already been preparing our family for this boy.  How could we say "NO"???? How can we say we are too busy...when our precious boy, and so many have never had the opportunity to be "busy" with life activities.  How can we say we have enough children?  God calls us to love sacrificially...to lay down our life for each other.    Mother Therese says....

"We walk by faith, not by SIGHT".... the road to adoption is not an easy one, and we cannot see how the steps ahead will unfold.  Yet we are super excited to watch how the Lord will write this part of our family's story.  We cannot wait to have our son home.   Right now we are just in the beginning stages.  Unfortunately we  are unable to share his photo until we have received official pre-approval from Ch*na.  But have NO fear....as soon as I can.....you will see quickly why our hearts where drawn to this amazing boy!

Thank you for reading.
Please pray for us and follow along our journey to our boy...as we walk by faith, not by sight!