Log In Date

So happy to report that we finally got our official Log-In Date from China! They received in it early February, but logged us in as 2/23/10....next step is just around the corner!!

Keep the prayers coming!! We need it!

Still Quiet

All is still quiet from this end...The Chinese New year is about to wind down, so maybe in a few weeks we'll hear something.

We love our new real estate agent. She is a really great lady and is passionate about her business. I feel really good about working with her. She is driven and leaves no stone unturned. She is always thinking...I love that. I pray daily that our house will sell quickly.

I am to meet with the LIU team in Shrewsbury for Jace's education. This is exciting to me that they want to map out a plan for Jace before he is even home!. His speech therapist will be there too. Doesn't that sound promising?--speech therapist--it gives me much hope that he will someday learn to use his voice properly! Can't wait to watch him develop into the little man God intended for him to be!

I'll keep you updated with changes!

xo,
Shannon

A Devotion of Confirmation

I want to share with you my devotion for today. After requesting prayer, specifically in showing Jace the Lord, this happened to be my daily devotion:

February 14, 2010
They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard. Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world.
Psalm 19:3-4

The apostle Paul referred to this psalm when he explained that everyone knows about God because nature proclaims God’s existence and power. This does not cancel the need for missions because the message of God’s salvation found in his Word, the Bible, must still be told to the ends of the earth. While nature points to the existence of God, the Bible tells us about salvation. God’s people must explain to others how they can have a relationship with God.
Although people everywhere should already believe in a Creator by just looking at the evidence of nature around them, God needs us to explain his love, mercy, and grace. What are you doing to take God’s message to the world?

Now I don't know about you, but the first sentence got my attention. This is just one of the many confirmations I get from God showing me that He is listening. I still am a bit anxious, but not nearly as much as I was before this scripture came. I may not know how I will bring it to Jace, but I know God is before me and this is what calms my anxiety.

In church today, part of the sermon spoke to my heart. It was not completely about my situation, but we have all heard the phrase "....like the blind leading the blind...". Our pastor asked us the question (not verbatim) "We all know where that leads, right? Or should I say where it 'doesn't lead'? " What instantly came to my mind was ...if God's word 'falls on deaf ears' (meaning mine--if I am not seeking Him and listening to him), then where will that lead Jace? That would be 'the deaf leading the deaf'. If I am not hearing what God is saying, how can Jace 'hear' what I am saying? Some have told me Jace will 'see' God through me, or that I will be able to sign scripture verses to him. This is so encouraging, and I pray it will be so. It is a HUGE responsibility but I now KNOW that if I keep God before me, everything else will come.

For those who have been praying, sending me encouraging words, I thank you with all of my heart. It couldn't have come at a better time. Thank you for being part of this blog, and part of Jace's new beginning. Some day he will read this blog. You are also an example to him. God may use you right along with me in showing His love.

Prayer Requests

Not much happening these days..except for some major SNOW!!! The Chinese New Year begins and I am told that all of the government offices close down for two weeks. That being said, I am expecting to hear nothing until March, as far as the adoption goes...However, I am learning some cool things about the CNY in traditions and their culture.

I come to you tonight with a huge prayer request. Please, if you feel led to, pray for me to please the Lord in all of this. Specifically, I am wondering how in the world I will be able to show a deaf child the Lord. How will Jace ever grasp in fullness,--God? How do I communicate and indescribable, incomprehensible God? This prayer request has been on my heart for a long time. Now, I know that none of us can completely understand the fullness of God, but I really need God's provision on this one.

On another note, we have a different real estate agent who is working very hard to sell our home for us. Our original plan was to sell our home so that we could have a real backyard for our kids and for our camper. Now, we NEED to sell so that we can 'downsize' a bit (which sounds really funny when we're adding another child) and have a little extra play money every month. We are looking at some existing homes this Sunday. I hope we find a 'gem' soon! By moving out of this development and into an established neighborhood, we can save quite a bit of money every month. HOA fees are crazy, not to mention the rules and regulations! So you see, we could use prayer on this too!!!

Thanks in advance for this!! I know many of you will pray!!

Blessings,
Shannon

Prayers, Prayers, and More Prayers...

Not much news as far as our adoption goes. Mei did email me that I left out 'some very important statements' on our personal statement. This is a letter in our dossier that gives China our story and our intent to adopt. Now... I am almost positive I had this letter approved before I sent the dossier, but somehow something went wrong. Anyway, she tells me that I can take care of it later, praise God! She was just waiting for the check from the NC office so that she can have it delivered to China. I prayed over all those documents so I am comforted knowing God took care of that! Whew!

I also received an email from a special needs education coordinator here in Shrewsbury. I was very happy to get that. She sounds happy and excited to help me plan for Jace's arrival! She wants to meet with me at our local elementary school about the end of February or beginning of March! She wants to help me understand the preschool program and set up his education plans. This makes me feel like he is really coming! It sounds so silly, but all I have is a snapshot of him from who knows how long ago, and a 30 second video I watch every now and then. It's easy to fall in love with him, but so hard to imagine him actually being here! The kids are always asking me 'WHEN, WHEN ,WHEN'! I wish I knew. Maybe by mid-summer?

Thanks for all your prayers! We still have a long road ahead of us, and with your support it helps make this journey a little easier. I pray that God will work out the financial details--that in itself is a miracle and our testimony! I know I've said this before but it is awesome to watch who He uses to bring Jace home! I am continually amazed by His power and faithfulness.

I am also praying for our travel details...I pray that SOMEHOW we could ALL go to China as a FAMILY! If we do this--if Ron goes--Jace automatically becomes one of us as soon as we land on US soil!!! Can you imagine the bonding we could have while in China? The experience would be priceless. Jace knowing his Daddy AND siblings instantly? His family seeing how he lived? His story? His little life until the moment he is embraced? Lord please, if it is Your will, Your plan, PLEASE make it happen...