Staying Positive

Today's open house was uneventful.  We had ONE couple come through from Baltimore.  They said our house was 'nice' but they didn't like the fact that we didn't have a deck. Oh well.  It's only been a month.


I needed to keep my mind positive today, so my girls and I made a poster to take to my work, and we also made some ribbon pins in red and gold, the colors that represent China.  Red is for good luck, and gold represents wealth and happiness.  My intention to give out the ribbons is so that people will see it and remember to pray for him and all the kids that need homes.  I have a picture of Nick holding the poster--it is almost as big as he is.  If I get permission from the agency, I promise to post it here.  It has pictures of him on it and I need permission first--I can't afford to be be breaking any rules!


I was reading Listening With My Heart, by Heather Whitestone today.  This book is SO inspiring!!  She became Miss America in 1995 despite her deafness.  It took her 3 hard years of blood, sweat and tears, but she did it!  She did it to prove a point to herself.  The most important accomplishment that she has made is that she ALWAYS followed her heart.  She was always in step with God's will.  She stood for Him, no matter the cost.  He carried her through, and as a result she helped build an organization to detect early diagnosis of deafness.  She will leave a legacy.  I love to hear about women like this.


In her book, she tells that the average age of detected deafness is at thirty months, and by that age the most critical period of development of speech and language skills has NEARLY PASSED!  This is why I am so anxious to get this little one here.  He is almost 3!  I am told through the agency that he probably hasn't had any sign language training at all yet, and that he is pretty good at understanding gestures from his care givers. That's a plus...but even if he had sign language training, it isn't universal!  To me, deafness isn't so much a disability.  Some may call it a blessing!  But he needs training and encouragement.  He needs a mom by his side every day to do just that-and to help get him through the sweat and tears!   I am more than willing to be her, but I HAVE to wait for God to provide the means and make it happen.  Sometimes I have perfect peace while I wait, and sometimes I am restless.  Today I was restless.  


Some friends have sent me messages of encouragement after reading this blog.  If you want to, please post your comments here.  You never know how your thoughts and experiences may help someone else who may be reading!  I love your feedback AND your encouragement!  

Be Still, Be still, be still...

Well, tomorrow is open house for us from 1-3 pm...I HOPE we get a buyer.  We scrubbed, painted, polished, and organized...Surely SOMEONE will like our house.  But it's just like me to be anxious and impatient.  I would LOVE to be that wife and mother that is always calm and of a quiet nature.  My life verse is Psalm 46:10 "Be still and know that I am God".  I am really trying to be still, but it is so hard when we want to bring home this little boy now!  But this boy and our house are out of my control. If we do get a buyer I can have enough money to start the adoption process.  I try not to think about the 'lump' sum. I need quite a bit to actually 'claim' him.  I just want to concentrate on the beginnings.   Thankfully, there are hearts out there dripping with love and encouragement.  Those hearts are trying to help us bring Chen Chen home.  Perfect strangers wanting to help.  I never realized there was that much hope in this world anymore.  That is encouraging! Not only am I encouraged by financial support, I love to hear others' stories.  I love to hear advice from people in similar situations!  It makes me feel like we're not alone in this.  And believe me, I love prayer and feedback.  So if you feel inclined to send a comment or a prayer--please do!!

We were brainstorming on fundraiser ideas.  Ron was thinking of a raffle for the Steelers tickets this year.  My mom and sister mentioned and multi-family yard sale/bake sale.  My boss said I should sell candy bars at work.  Any other ideas out there?  I'd love to hear your ideas!  I hate to feel like I am 'begging' for money.  But then I try to remember it's  NOT for me.  It's for a little boy who is probably just waking up as I am ready to go to bed.  Waking up without a family.  Waking up hoping his diaper will be changed soon.  That he will be fed soon-even held.  See?  This is what my mind does to me....Be still, be still, be still!!!

Sigh.....

Gentle Nudging

I went to work today just to pop in and pick up my paycheck.  Gina tells me there is a panicked bride-to-be in the reception area (tomorrow is her wedding) that needs a practice updo (something bad happened at the salon where she was supposed to go) and suggested that maybe I could help her.  So I did.  After a few moments we started getting to know each other, and of course we got on the subject of our kids.  Now by this time Gina had a break and was sitting in the chair adding to the conversation.  I told this woman about Chen Chen and she thought it was nice, etc.  Gina tells her he is deaf.  Well, it just so happens that THIS bride works with special needs kids---knows sign language too...I looked at Gina and her mouth was opened from surprise.  I stopped curling and said "See?  This KEEPS happening! THIS IS WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT!"  Gina felt her arms and said "I just got chills!"

Now, I am quite sure that some of you may think this is coincidental.  It's not!  I know this is God speaking to me.  Gently encouraging me-gently nudging me.  And I know this is so because he is using so many people to do just that!  I am not a trusting person by nature.  My Aunt Paula told me that God must be saying "That Shannon sure is stubborn, look at all I have to go through to convince her." This is a woman with a pure heart.  She knows her God.  

People I don't even know are praying for me because of the friends in my life.  Friends I haven't seen in years!  It means so much to me!  You know who you are!  I don't have to name them all.  Lord knows I have already thanked them....but they will NEVER know the depth of my gratitude-not in this life!  People who can't afford to donate are donating.  THIS is what breaks me.  THIS is what God is using to humble me.  We all know (hopefully) the story of the widow who tithed all she had in Luke 21: 1-4 (yes, I had to look that up!).  These are the people that touch me.  Please, please don't think I am asking for money as I write this.  Honestly, that is between the reader and God!  I just want the people who are following this life journey to KNOW that I am thankful!!  Thankful that you even CARE to read it!  Thankful that you care about my family!  Thankful that you CARE...in general!

I said to Ron tonight, "You know, this time next year we may be the parents of a deaf child.  Does that scare you?"  He said, "No.  Being a parent doesn't scare me."  Not the normal "Yes, it scares the hell out of me" that was expected.  All I could do was smile.  Who is this man?  Certainly not the man I married...but a man that just may be getting a gentle nudging, as well.