Thursday

Our dossier is in Aaron's country.  It sits.  Probably in a pile with a bunch of others.  It represents one child.  One life.  Hope.  Today is Thursday and each week, on Thursday, the dossiers at the top of the pile are submitted to the governmental agency that processes adoptions.  Today Aaron's paperwork could be submitted.  Maybe.  Maybe not.  I will find out sometime today.  Waiting and hopeful but trying hard not to get my hopes too high.  If not - well, next Thursday is only 7 days from now.  Sigh!

Please continue to pray for Aaron.  Where he is living is lonely and dark.  He desperately needs our prayers!

Wizard

Since I am backstage manager for the Wizard of Oz - I don't have a lot of time to take pictures.  I did get this one though with my dear family members!   Rob is the Tin Man, Elijah is the cute Witch's guard with the red hat on and Ben is the Wizard (wearing green)!  The rest of the characters all live in our county so this picture is going in our local newspaper!!!

Mother's Day

     Sorry.  I'm not joining in the chorus of 'Happy Mother's Day'.  Don't get me wrong.  I love being a Mom.  It is the highlight of my life apart from being married to Rob.  But this day is not my favorite day of the year.  It stopped being my favorite when nine years ago colon cancer robbed me of my Mom and it robbed my kids of their Grandmom. This weekend Ben played the Wizard in the Wizard of Oz and she didn't get to see him.  Elijah was serving breakfast pancakes for Boy Scouts this morning and he didn't get to serve her.  In a few months Aaron will sit around our table and she will not get to love on him and watch him grow.  I miss her.  I am sad that my Mom is missing my boys grow up.  I'm sad that she doesn't get to be a part of our adoption of Aaron.  Mother's Day is a bit sad for me.  I miss my Mom!

A needed encounter...

It's been a wild week for the Wizard of Oz.  I woke up exhausted this morning and in need of a diversion so I went out to do my favorite activity - hunting for bargains at yard sales!

My first stop was at a charity sale for AN ADOPTION!!  The family is adopting a little girl from Guatamala.  I shared with them Aaron's picture and they showed me the little one and smiles were shared all around.  When I left, I gave them a 20.00 dollar donation.  It was one of those Holy Spirit shouts in my ear that I needed to donate to their adoption.  I bought 20.00 worth of stuff so this was on top of the donation.  I drove away wondering how we are ever going to raise 10,000 if I keep having Holy Spirit shouts like that.  It isn't the first time in the last few weeks that I have felt compelled to give.  Each time I have obeyed and wondered.  Today I wondered the most.  I began to weep and pray as I drove to the next yard sale.  Wondering.  Worrying.

The next sale was a church sale and they are the best.  The sale was winding down so bags were being handed out to fill for a buck!  I love those kinds of sales.  I was happily filling up my dollar bag with books when I heard a 'hello' from across the table.  I looked up and saw a lady I hadn't seen in five years.  We greeted and shared info about our kids.  I told her about Aaron and pulled his ever-ready picture out of my purse to show her.

She gasped.  She knew him.  She had been praying for him for months.  He was on the board at her child's Christian school and each day the children pray for him.  I stood there in shock.  A Holy Spirit moment.  Tears came and still do.  Out of nowhere, God reached down and touched my spirit.  He is in charge of this adoption not me.  He has raised up an army of people to pray for Aaron that I know nothing about.   He is orchestrating this concert and our family is just along for the ride.  Oh what release.  The Holy Spirit, in His infinite wisdom is not only touching my heart to encourage a family in THEIR adoption, but is touching other hearts to pray for our little guy!  

What wonderous love is this!

What a loving God we serve! 

What rest.

Puzzle Time!!

We are in the home stretch for our 500 piece puzzle!!  We are adding 47 pieces to our puzzle....

THAT MAKES A TOTAL OF 441 PIECES CLAIMED....

Only 59 puzzle pieces left.  If you want your name on Aaron's puzzle.... you had better hurry!!

Longing

     We are on a crazy schedule this week!  It is 'Tech' week for the Wizard of Oz production and each night we are doing 3+ hours of practice.   We are all a bit exhausted. 

     I am the backstage manager for the shows.   I do a little bit of everything and then some.  Tech week is especially crazy for me but overall quite fun.  My greatest pleasure in the week is working with the kids.  We have over 100 children of all ages in the shows (split into two casts) and I oversee all of them. 

     One night this week one dear little Munchkin was herded backstage with the other 40 or so Munchkins to get set to go on stage.  Unfortunately, in the confusion, she ended up unable to find her 'spot.'  When I realized she was missing, I went and found her and placed her where she needed to go but it was just too much for her little heart.  Sobs erupted and she cried out "I want my Mommy."  I knelt down in front of her and tried to console her but it just wasn't enough so I picked her up.  She immediately threw her little arms around my neck and held on for dear life, crying out the stress of being 'lost.' 

    As I held that dear little Munchkin and felt her tears and whispered soothing words in her ear I was hit with a longing that poured from deep within my soul.  I wanted it to be Aaron in my arms.  I wanted to be soothing his heart, his cries for a Mommy when his world was too much for him.  I want to be his Mommy.  I am so longing for the day to be his Mommy.

The little Munchkin's Mommy was not far. She was probably out in the hall or sitting in the car waiting for her little one's practice to be over. In a short time her Mommy would come in and see her and hold her and be there for her.   Her 'lostness' would be over.

I'm so far from Aaron right now.  He's in Europe, far away, 'lost'.  Yet each day I am one step closer.  One step closer to being Aaron's Mommy.  Oh how I long for that day when Aaron will be 'lost' no more.



    

What Can Brown Do For You...Part 4...

What can Brown do for you?????

BROWN CAN DELIVER YOUR VERY IMPORTANT PAPERS INTO THE HANDS OF OUR REECE'S RAINBOW'S VERY GIFTED FACILITATOR IN LESS THAN 48 HOURS! 

Freddie and Aaron's papers have been delivered.  Safe.  Sound. Wow!

I'm SO Grateful they didn't use this.... to deliver our precious documents!!

What Can Brown Do For You...Part 3...

OH MY GOODNESS. 

This morning at 6:00 am Rob and I ran down to the computer to track Aaron's papers. 

THEY ARE IN HIS COUNTRY!! 

Dancing a jig or two...

They have already passed through customs and are, AS I TYPE, being delivered to our facilitators house!!

Happy Day!  Praise the Lord...

Aaron - your Mommy and Daddy are coming soon!

What Can Brown Do For You...Part 2...

     OKAY ALL YOU PEOPLE WHO ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT THE BEST WAY TO SEND YOUR DOSSIER OVERSEAS...

Our papers left yesterday and tonight...

THEY ARE ALREADY IN GERMANY!!  

GO UPS!!!

What Can Brown Do For You...

The UPS truck is on the move.....

Yesterday afternoon Aaron's precious papers left Charlottesville and arrived in Richmond.  Unresting, they  traveled through the night to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, arriving there at 2:00 am.  We wait with great anticipation to find out where they are going to 'land' next!

Letting go...

I didn't want to let Aaron's papers go today... I drove to Richmond to get the last two papers certified and now all the papers contain a golden seal from the State of Virginia... Don't they look beautiful???

It was so hard to let them go.  To place them in the hands of UPS and walk away.  They represent a lot of sweat, tears, frustration and anxiety.  A whole lot of prayer.  Aaron's papers. 

They leave tonight for Aaron's country.  We are going to track them as soon as they get in the system.  Riding along with Aaron's papers is a precious document for this beautiful boy - Freddie.

His parents are watching our package with as much love and concern as we are.  Their adoption blog is here. 

I have this to share about dear Freddie.  Before we ever saw Aaron's picture, we saw Freddie's.  We read his story, his need and our hearts ached for him.  We prayed that Freddie would find a family because at that point we were not looking to adopt.  A few weeks after we saw Freddie's picture - we found Aaron.  I believe that having our hearts yearn for Freddie was one of the many small ways that God was preparing us to see Aaron's picture for the first time.  When Freddie found his family we rejoiced.

Knowing how Freddie touched our hearts, I am thrilled to be able to have a small part in his adoption journey

So... Please pray for our papers that they will have an UNEVENTFUL trip across the ocean and into the hands of our able facilitators. 

The next phase of this amazing and scary journey is beginning.

Happy Day

OUR GOLDEN TICKET ARRIVED!! 

SMILES, JOY AND PRAISES TO THE ONE WHO HOLDS AARON IN HIS LOVING HANDS!

Laugh of the day... the Congressman's envelope arrived... WITHOUT the copy of the Golden Ticket!  The envelope contained a letter telling us that the 171h was enclosed but the envelope was empty! 

We got a big laugh out of that one. 

 But, we hold in hand, and have already made copies of the PRECIOUS piece of paper that approves us for the adoption of one special needs boy between the ages of 2-7! 

PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW...

The other needed paper arrived in the same mailbox so on Monday afternoon - barring unforseen difficulties... our dossier will head for Aaron's country!

To add to our joy.... We were given a partial list of all the people who donated through Reece's Rainbow into our account since the middle of April.  We had NO IDEA who you all were and we just stand humbled and overjoyed at your outpouring of love for our family and Aaron!  If you wondered why we didn't say thank you... it is because we have only seen the list today... Some of you we don't even know....

So...Jacque, Asher, Ken, Margaret, Phil, Jennifer, Marilyn, Richard, Laura, Tracy, Joshua, Kimberly, Rusty and Katie - THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF OUR HEARTS!!

We've been told that this is not a final list and there are other names to be added.... Boy do we feel overwhelmed right now!

My dad, who is the one who writes names on our puzzle is away until Tuesday but just to let you know... We have less than 65 pieces left on our puzzle!!! 

Postal prayers...

So... 171h is still enroute to my house via of a very slow postal system!  BUT... the Congressman's office mailed their copy of the 171h to our house and we can use THAT copy in our dossier without waiting for the official paper.  BUT... we are waiting for THAT copy to arrive via of a very slow postal system!  HOPEFULLY BOTH will arrive in today's mail.  I'm planning on a trip to Richmond on Monday if either paper arrives today! 

Yesterday I checked and re-checked our paperwork to make sure everything is correct.  I was being so careful... checking off every form, every paper, planning my trip to Richmond if the 171h arrived in time, planning the trip to the mailing center to send off the dossier etc. etc.  I was prepared and feeling quite please..

Then I realized that I DIDN'T HAVE THE ADDRESS FOR AARON'S COUNTRY!  Too funny!  I don't think that putting "Aaron's Country" on the box would work!  A quick e-mail to my wonderful Reece's Rainbow facilitators gained me that wonderful address and so I can now check that important detail off my list.

On a note and to add prayers to our list... Another family in the Reece's Rainbow world has sent a paper that was missing from their dossier in the mail to us so that it can ride along with Aaron's paper.  That paper is SUPPOSED to arrive today!  Please pray that their precious piece of paper and our precious piece of paper arrive today!  

Final state-side jobs..

We are waiting for the 171h (Golden Ticket) to come in the mail. 

If it comes today then Rob will meet me at the notary and I will run to Richmond to get our last two papers certified.  

 THEN WE GET TO MAIL THE ENTIRE PILE OF PAPERS TO AARON'S COUNTRY! 

That will be a load off my mind!

Will definitely keep you posted...

So much..

So much in my head. 

It's been a wild 24 hours. 

The fear that we would be rejected, followed by the ultimate high of finding out we were approved. 

 The shock of having my computer crash and burn.  Ouch!  Watching my dear Rob jury-rigging it late into the night after a long grueling day at work.  Fortunately, after some tense hours, everything I have been slaving on for the last 3 years saved to Elijah's laptop.  

Off to the local Community College today to register Ben for college classes.  Scary thoughts.  He's too young. I'm not ready.

Last night  someone put on my Facebook that we could be in Aaron's country within six weeks.  Oh my goodness! How overwhelmingly wonderful is that thought?? 

So much to do.  

Aaron's room to paint, a house to clean, a massive amount of writing to do for the new Medieval book, preparations to make. 

The list goes on...and on... and on...

Laying in bed this morning long before I needed to be awake, praying.  Thinking.  Grateful.  Trying to trust.

So much in my head..... 

SCREAMING AND CRYING!

WE HAVE BEEN APPROVED!!!  The quite indifferent lady from our Congressman's office just called to inform me!!  PRAISE GOD!!  I am shaking, weeping, crying and my boys think I am off my rocker and need to be committed!!  WE HAVE BEEN APPROVED!  Thank you for the so many prayers that have gone out on Aaron's behalf!!  We are one MAJOR step closer to getting our son!

Continuing with the no news story

I just got off the phone with the Congressman's office.  I'm convinced his secretary thinks I'm a raving lunatic.  She was totally unfazed by my pleading.  She didn't feel that Aaron's case needed more than what she has already done (made an inquiry a week ago without hearing anything).  She agreed that Virginia is the slowest state and seemed to shrug her shoulders at the thought.  What can I do?  She didn't want to 'bother' the immigration worker too much for fear that our file would be rejected.  Talk about scary!  I'm on my knees.  My fear level has risen ten-fold.   Please pray!

On another note - I have had some fun responses concerning who was praying for Aaron before we found out about him.  One response sent me on a chase.... one of the pictures taken of Aaron was placed in a newsletter back in August 2009.  You can find Aaron sitting in a bumbo seat here on page 4 of the newsletter (it takes a bit to load so be patient).  I totally went nuts.  We have that picture but had no idea when it was taken.  So I am trying to hunt down the photographer.  If anyone has more info... please let me know!!  We would love to talk to a person who has actually seen our little guy!

Please keep the stories coming!  We are saving them - We want to know who was praying for Aaron and why!!  It is such an encouragement as we wait, pray and plead.

Reminders...

     This morning in my e-mail I received a letter from one of my blog 'lurkers", the Patterson family.  They had been praying for Aaron BEFORE we knew about him and were thrilled when they found out we had committed to adopting him.  She took the time to share this with me.

      It is so refreshing in my spirit to be reminded that the prayers of the righteous were lifted up for Aaron long before we knew him.  What a mighty God we serve.  What a neat reminder that I can rest in the knowledge that my God has cared for our little guy long before we knew he even existed.  It is so easy to get discouraged in the here and now.  This morning's e-mail reminded me that I serve a God who is orchestrating this adoption.  He moved in hearts long before we had any thought or idea that we were going to adopt.  What a great way to start my day!

So here's my challenge... If you were praying for Aaron before we knew about him (December 29th) - please tell us/remind us who you are.... I want a list to show  Aaron one day!  I want him to know that God has had His loving hand on His life.  I want him to know just how special and precious he is.  I'm going to give it a few weeks and then will post the list on our blog for everyone to see!!

Molly... don't worry - you are going to be at the TOP of the list!!

Monday...

It's Monday and I have been up for hours.  I'm caught between needing to get a tremendous amount accomplished in the next month before we head off for Aaron's country and feeling frozen in place until we get our immigration paper.  It is SO HARD to press ahead when there is this constant fear hanging over our heads that something is going to go wrong and immigration will reject us.  Until we hold that Golden Ticket in our hands, I know that all the words of comfort I've been given will soothe, but not completely ease my terror. 

I called our Congressman's office on Friday to see if they had heard anything from immigration.  I was told that the Haitian adoptions are taking precedence over anything else.  I didn't know how to respond on the phone.   I didn't want to say anything disparaging about the Haitian adoptions but at the same time my heart gave way.  

I understand that there is a great need to save the Haitian orphans.  I know that things need to move quickly to get those children processed and in homes. 

I also know that my little guy is alone, across the world in a MENTAL INSTITUTE!  He is not in an environment that is nurturing and loving. He is ALONE!  He needs us to get him OUT!  When he was transferred out of his baby house orphanage he left everything that was familiar to him behind.  He was moved into a place of sickness and sadness.  Only a tiny portion of those transferred ever leave.  Many of those institutes do not allow children to be adopted out of them.  Aaron is blessed to be in one that does keep the door cracked open.  But he needs out before the crack closes. 

PLEASE PRAY THAT IMMIGRATION STAMPS 'APPROVED' ON OUR PAPERWORK!

 PLEASE PRAY!  

Weekly Puzzle Update...

22 MORE PIECES TO ADD TO OUR PUZZLE

THAT MAKES A TOTAL OF 394 PEOPLE LOVING AARON HOME!!

UNBELIEVABLE!!! 

Our yard sale today didn't generate a lot of money (rain did NOT stay away) but it did provide an opportunity to share with quite a number of people about Aaron and the plight of the orphans in his country!