Jace's Care Package

Ok, still no home study BUT I did get a picture from the company that helps get care packages to all our China dolls.. The girls that run it are sweet (and Christian) and they really want your child to get the care package-very supportive and compassionate. I cried when I saw the picture~~it made me feel closer to him! Crazy!

Please pray for us that Mei will get to review our final home study so that I can have it in my hands this week!!! Mei has to go to China in the next few days, so as stressful as it is to her, I know it may delay things for us too. I know, God's timing is always perfect...doesn't make it easier to wait!!

Sigh...I am endlessly checking the mail and my email for any news. AND for the UPS guy...lol Thank God my kids help to keep me busy!

I'll be posting ANY updates!! Thanks for reading!!!!!

Blessings to You and Yours,
Shannon

ps....a million thanks to you for prayers about my family's support!!

Thank God for Friends!

Ok, guys.... I could use your prayers. I am feeling VERY discouraged lately. Some of our family aren't supporting us on this adoption. I could say so much more, but it wouldn't change anything, so I am just asking for prayer. Especially this time of year because I will be spending a lot of time with them. I pray the Lord guards my mouth!!!

The final draft of the home study is on it's way. SO, hopefully next week I can start sending out documents for authentication!

I have joined an online forum of dedicated adoptive parents within my agency. It's a wonderful, supportive group of families who are in many stages of adoption. Thank God for them! It's so important to have support! I can't stress that enough. I thank God for all of you too...A LOT!

That's all the news I have this week. May all of you have a Happy Thanksgiving!!!! Blessings to all!!!!!

The Lucky Ticket Winner is Diane Casale!!!

AND THE WINNER IS......

DIANE CASALE from Dundalk, MD!!!!!!  Ticket number 1982....


So the Ravens lost, but let's face it--it could've been worse!!!!  


Thanks to ALL who bought tickets!!!  And to ALL who sold them!!!!!  This raffle has been a hug blessing for us!!!!!  What a cool way to help us bring Jace home.  


I will eventually post the video of the drawing, but it is with Ron who is in the car stuck in all that stadium traffic (AND not very happy about the loss either)!!


Hoping for a win next week!!!!!!!


Ron and Shannon

Blessings that Flow...

Thanks to Barbie and Matt, Chique Studios, and Lisa Allender we are $450 closer to Jace (or Baby Chen Chen in little Nick's mind)!!!  You guys are awesome!  There is a lot of love in those hearts of yours...Thank you!!!


Also special thanks to Harry, Tom, Mary, Addrean, Lauren, Phyllis, Mike and Frank for selling tickets--and ALL of you who read and pray!  Some of you we may never meet, but I want you to know we feel the support!


Sometimes, the weight of the worry (especially financially) really bears down on me~~then I am reminded that sometimes things must happen in stages.  Just when I get scared that we won't make a deadline, it happens!  Again I am reminded that God is in control.  Why I can't keep that in my mind is beyond my comprehension.  


Maybe this is why my house won't sell; or why the property is not selling either...God knows that if we sold the property we could afford to adopt Jace.  Maybe God also knows that we may have somehow taken the glory in it instead of it being a gift from Him.  Maybe I NEED the worry so that i don't become filled with self-righteousness~so I that I SEE the blessings flowing...So instead of complaining about not being able to sell, I should praise God from whom all blessings flow....Flowing from Him~to the hearts and minds of others~into our family.  Thank you Lord for all Your ways and for all Your people....


I decided to change the progress meter to a better one.  Notice it has a ladybug on it!!  Ladybugs are a symbol of good 'luck' in China  ;)

RAVENS vs STEELERS this SUNDAY!!!!!

Just a reminder that the drawing for the Ravens VS Steelers game is this Sunday!!!!!  I'm a little nervous for us against Peyton Manning, but am looking forward to watching the game anyway!


Ron will be drawing the lucky winner right after the game at his tailgate area....Hopefully, he can appoint someone to video while he draws so I can post it here!!  I can't WAIT to see who wins!!!!  I wish you all luck!!!!


No news about the adoption process...all is quiet....


Check back on SUNDAY!!!!!! 

Getting Closer!

Hi Everyone,

I got a call from our home study agency today~~looks like one of our documents never made it to it's location to MD for a child line clearance on Ron and me.  I'll be re-submitting that tomorrow....however, the good news is that the agency actually sent documents to our adoption agency for review.  As soon as this process is finished (and we get MD clearance), I'll get a copy and I can send off a TON of documents for authentication.  The ball will roll after that...I know it's early, but  please, please pray for a swift and smooth transaction in this exchange of IMPORTANT, original documents!  It makes me so nervous to send the very things that took so long to get!

The raffle drawing is right around the corner~~I can't wait to see who wins!!  This will be an exciting game on the 22nd because Ron will be drawing the winning ticket shortly after the game!  Also, I wanted to remind you that we will post the winner here on the blog.  We will also post on Facebook as well as calling the actual winner!!  Good Luck!

No other updates for now...as always, we welcome your prayers...God Bless you all!!

Shannon

Still Waiting...

Things are pretty much at a stand still.  We're still waiting for the rough raft of the home study.  Not much going on.  I am finishing up some things to send with the dossier...


I am reading material entitled Becoming your Child's Best Advocate.  Research like this keeps my mind busy and sets my focus on a plan for education.  Also, while we wait, Brynn has set me up with an outline of words to practice and to teach my family.  We are beginning 'sign classes' here at home...this is fun to watch!  The kids pick up sign so fast!  I love seeing their little hands moving...Alex and Ava know the alphabet so they can fingerspell any word...Nick knows A,B, and C so far BUT he knows a few signs as well.  If you're interested in learning ASL, here is a webite:  www.aslpro.com


Please keep us in your prayers...we feel the support!  We couldn't begin to thank you all!!  Every reader!


With Love and Blessings,
Shannon