Getting Closer

We have had an exciting couple of weeks on the Adoption Journey!  We got news just NINE days after our Dossier was logged in that it was OUT OF TRANSLATION!!!  What?  Yeah, really.  This is getting SO REAL!  It seemed like just a few weeks ago I was trying to tell myself, "Just stay calm, Jennifer.  You still have a LOOOONG way to go."  Well, we are, as my daddy would've said, in the short rows now.  If everything continues to progress, we could be in China in 3-5 months!  Whew! 

We know that if God wants to bring Sadie home sooner than we thought, He WILL provide for our every need.  One avenue, we believe He will use will be through our Both Hands project that we are getting kicked off in the next week or so.  Both Hands is a fundraising project through Lifesong for Orphans.  It puts hands and feet to James 1:27 which says, "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."  As we were praying about who we would serve through this project, the Lord revealed two precious ladies to me.
 Here they are:

Are they not the cutest?

 





We will be gathering a team and doing yard work, minor repairs, painting, etc for these sweet ladies.  I can't wait to get started!  This is going to be such a blessing for those of us who have the honor of helping them.  I just can't say enough about how happy we are to have gotten approved for this project  Want to help???  You can!  A lot of you will probably be getting a letter in the mail about this soon.  If you want to be sure to be added to our list, let me know by emailing me at aucritterdoc@gmail.com and leave me your address.  We would LOVE to have you on our team as we go be Jesus' hands and feet to these sweet ladies.

 

Along those same lines, we are starting a new T-shirt Campaign that we are super excited about.  We have had several people request that we offer more T-shirts, so here they are!

These will be available on MONDAY so stay tuned.  I'll post a link on Facebook when we have everything set up and you can come back here to place your order! 

 

I can't end this post without bragging a little about my grazing that I planted back in the Winter.  It came up!! It really came up.  And we've had cows grazing it!  Y'all, I killed an air plant once.  Seriously, all that it required was AIR and a mist of water like once a month and I KILLED IT.  That's why I'm so excited to have actually planted something and it grew.  (watered by God, of course, not me)  Anyway, here's a pic because I KNOW that you're just dying to see it...

 

check out those straight rows

(I'm glad that you can't see the back side of this pasture...not so straight)

 

As always, God continues to make His mercies new every single morning.  We are so thankful to GET to live this life that we have been given.  We are continually amazed and humbled by your support and generosity as we travel along this adoption journey.  We are nearing the end and we still have a ways to go ($21,000.00 to be exact).  That number is really scary if I allow myself to look at it as one big chunk..  But, when I look at it as puzzle pieces and how God is fitting each piece together, it gives me a peace and assurance that  He has brought us this far and He's not going to abandon us now.  He places the lonely in families.  HE has placed this desire in our hearts.  He loves Sadie a whole lot more than we ever could (and that's a WHOLE BUNCH). 

 

If you would like to support our adoption and help us BRING SADIE HOME, there are several ways to do this:

 

1. Pray!

2. Donate through PayPal (top left of blog)

3. Tax Deductible Donation through AdoptTogether (top right of blog)

4. Give through YouCaring

5. Help with Both Hands project (email me and let me know you want to help!)

6. Buy a really cool T-shirt!! (See above)



 

Thank you for hanging with me this long!  I'm going out to enjoy some Alabama sunshine with the fam :)

We are officially "logged in" in China!  What this means is that our Dossier is in China and it is being translated!  We are one step closer to Bringing Sadie Home!  The next step is waiting on our LOA (Letter Of Approval) which could take 2-3 months.  We're getting closer!  We can't wait to see the amazing things that God's going to do over the next few months to bring this journey to completion and begin a new journey within our home and our community!  Exciting, scary days ahead but we KNOW that the ONE Sovereign God knows all and will bring this to completion.  All Glory and Honor to Him!

DTC!!!!

We are officially DTC (Dossier to China) today!!! What this means is that all of our paperwork that we've been working on since August is on it's way to China. More importantly, it means that we are ONE STEP CLOSER TO BRINGING SADIE HOME!!! 

We are so in awe of how The Lord has given us peace, comfort, provision and grace during this journey. We will be needing A LOT more of all of that in the coming months as we await China's final approval and all that is involved in traveling to get our girl. 

In the meantime, can we ask you to pray? Specifically, pray that the Lord will continue to quiet our spirits and that we will rest in His Sovereignty. He knows. Our job is to trust. Also, pray for sweet Sadie. Pray that the Lord would protect her heart and keep it functioning at full capacity until we can get her home. Pray that she will feel the love that only the Lord can give. Pray that He would prepare her heart for the huge changes that are on the horizon for her. 

Thank you all for partnering with us on this beautifully messy journey as we trust moment by moment in the One "who is able to do immeasurably more than we all ask or imagine according to his power that is at work within us..." (Ephesians 3:20

Only through Grace,

Jennifer

Come and Sit a Spell

It's been a while since I've updated.  As the last post stated, we are in one of the W-A-I-T-I-N-G stages.  I know that I have ZERO control over the process and worrying and fretting won't speed it up.  That nonsense only serves to give me more wrinkles and gray hair.  So, not gonna do it!  We have been waiting on our approval (I-800a) from US Immigration for 41 days.  We got the dreaded "pink paper" yesterday and my heart sank.  Pink is usually a lovely color and brings me much joy...unless the return address says, "Department of Homeland Security." Trust me, you don't want pink from USCIS.  This is a Request for Evidence (RFE) and basically translates to DELAY.  We don't like delays when we are trying to get to our babies!  Turns out, the RFE was a mistake and will be fixed quickly.  Now, we should be receiving our I-800a APPROVAL this week.  EEEK!!! This means that our Dossier (mounds of paperwork) will be on its way to China SOON!  Once that happens, guess what??? We wait again.  Yep.  The waiting. 

It has really been crazy to see and feel the peace that the Lord has placed upon my heart during these wait times.  (of course, I've had my moments of panic and worry and doubt), but the Lord has been so faithful to bring me back to what I know to be TRUE.  A verse that was given to me years ago by a dear friend is Philippians 4:8.  I'm sure you know it by heart, but it's one of my go-to verses when fear and doubt start to creep in..."Finally, brothers, (Paul leaves them with this to chew on) whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable,  - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things."  And Paul goes on to say, in verse 9, "Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me - PUT INTO PRACTICE. And the God of peace will be with you."  These days, I have found myself having to put into practice what the Word of God has shown me through the years.  I have been forced to BELIEVE, truly believe, the promises that He has given each and every one of His children.  I have had to FULLY ACCEPT that He adopted ME into His family and I am FULLY His.  And, the biggie for me lately is that all of those promises that I have read about for year, you know, the parting of the seas and the 80 year-old ladies giving birth to babies that He said He would give??? Yeah, those.  Well, those kinds of promises are still true today and they're true and available for ME (and you).  He has shown me first hand, that He is still faithful to His promises.  "And that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."  Did you catch that?  In ALL things (even waiting, even in the RFE's, even in the tragedy, loss, unexpected expenses) God works it out for the GOOD.  It's all good!  It really is. 

So, all that to say that we are waiting on US Immigration  to send us a lovely piece of paper that says that we are approved to adopt a child from China.  I may or may not be stalking our mail carrier.  But, for those of you who know me, I HAVE to have a little of my OCD tendencies manifest somehow.  :)

We DID receive the most precious pictures on earth of our girl!  Sheri at Gifts to China with Love has been absolutely amazing at getting pics of Sadie for us.  Of course, I zoom in and examine every little detail.  These are pics of her "modeling" her new outfits that we ordered  her for Chinese New Year. 

New PJ's

Seriously?  Too Cute!

Cuteness Overload

Her little Puffer Jacket

Do you not want to just squeeze those little cheeks???? 

 

So, for now, this is what we hold on to.  And, that is OK because we KNOW that God will place her in our arms at the perfect time.  In the meantime, our prayer is that one of her Nannies knows Jesus and is whispering His precious, holy name in her ear and telling her how LOVED she is.  She has been CHOSEN, LOVED, and ADOPTED by the One TRUE King!  It brings my heart JOY to look forward to the day that we can share that love with her.  For now, sweet girl, we rest in the fact that He has you "covered with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart."  Psalm 91:4  (This is her verse.  It has been prayed over her every single day since we first saw her sweet face>)

 

Switching gears to life on the farm.  I know that you all are waiting to hear about our new babies.  Here's a few pics for you to enjoy!

Calves keeping each other warm

Estelle and her new baby

Estelle...in all her glory

Working together.  Mixing Feed.  This has been the coldest winter for us in 50 years!  We normally would be grazing cattle by this time of year but instead we are still feeding.  I'm in awe at Perry's work ethic and drive.  The lines in Jason Aldeen's song that says,

"That's the only way I know

Don't stop till everything's gone

Straight ahead, never turn round

Don't back up, don't back down

Full throttle, wide open

You get tired and you don't show it

Dig a little deeper when you think you can't dig no more

That's the only way I know"

 

This describes him perfectly.  I don't know how he does it other than that's the only way that He knows.  He LOVES what he does.  He LOVES agriculture and working the land and feeding the world from it's fruits.  He is my hero. The one that I look up to, respect and love dearly.

 

And, we can't forget "Snowmageddon 2014".  This is a novelty to us.  In fact, I haven't witnessed snow like this in Alabama since 1993.  I am a warm weather girl, so I wasn't impressed but Harlan and Ellie Grace had a ball!

 

And, I can't forget our little fast and furious trip to Oklahoma and Kansas.  Perry had some work to do and I needed to meet my Soul Sister in person, so off we went.  We had a ball and got some much needed time together on the 14 hour one way drive.  I am always up for some one on one time with my main squeeze.

These girls...

I can't even describe to you how much I adore these ladies.  We all have a common thread that will forever tie us together...CHINA BABIES! (not to mention that I think I share a brain with one of them...you know who you are!)  Love you to the moon and back!

 

Well, if you're still with me, you are a trooper and probably deserve some kind of prize.  Sorry, I can't come up with anything spectacular at the moment, except that I promise, I'm almost done. 

 

Be sure and check out my newest obsession, Haute Handmade.  This is where I have FINALLY gotten up the nerve to offer some of my handmade items up for sale.  Go check it out and tell all of your friends!  All proceeds help us to get one step closer to funding our adoption.

 

Until next time...



 



While We're Waiting

Waiting...
Ahhhh....waiting.  This is just something that has never been one of my favorite things.  You know the song...Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, bright copper kettles and warm, woolen mittens, brown paper packages tied up with string...(you're singing now, admit it)...NEVER does it mention waiting.  But, God doesn't always ask us to do our favorite things.  He asks us to allow Him to mold us so that we can grow to love HIS favorite things.  His teaching me to wait well is part of that process.

Over the last 4 months, the Lord has placed some people in my life who have been instrumental in teaching me to wait well.  ( The term "wait well" is actually stolen from one of these precious people...you know who you are :) )  The waiting period, I have learned is a time for us to allow God to do His thing in our hearts.  This adoption process can be brutal on a mama's heart.  From the first time that I laid eyes on our precious Sadie, I have wanted to jump on a plane and go to her.  But, I know that my heart is not ready and neither is hers.  God's timing is so perfect and He has already orchestrated the perfect time that our baby will be HOME.  In the meantime, my job is to wait well.  To sit with Him.  To glean from His Word.  To grow SO THAT when it IS time, He will have prepared our hearts for such a time as this. So we wait and trust.

                                                              Harlan and Ellie Grace

A while back, I attended the funeral of a family member and one of the pastors who officiated the funeral, while consoling the family, referred to Psalm 46:10, "Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."  He went on to explain that the "Be Still" part in the original text actually means "to take your hands away from it and put them down by your side".  That really resonated with me.  I have always loved this verse, but never knew how deep the original intent of the "be still" part would really cut me.  TAKE YOUR HANDS AWAY FROM IT AND PUT THEM DOWN BY YOUR SIDE.  wHeW!!  I'm trying.  I fail.  But, I'm trying.  When things get hard and I feel the need to lift my hands and take control, I just look to the left of this blog and am completely blown away by the number on the thermometer.  WE didn't do that!  YOU DID!  WE didn't have a dime of that money.  But YOU gave.  It never ceases to amaze me how at each step of the way, the Lord has used YOU to provide EXACTLY the amount that was needed.  I'm not even exaggerating...EXACT amounts!!! One day, I will get my thoughts together and blog about the awesomeness of this.  It will blow your mind.

In the waiting, I'm REJOICING in the fact that SADIE received her bunny and her party for her 3rd birthday.I'm REJOICING in the huge smile on her face as she enjoys her cake with her friends and the only family that she knows.  I'm REJOICING in the fact that this year is her last birthday to be in an orphanage.  Our prayer is that one of her Nannies knows Jesus and is whispering His name in her ear.  She's telling her how much she is loved by Him.  She's explaining to her that God loved her so much that He sent His Son to rescue her.  But, if not, I pray somehow, some way, that she knows that LOVE came down...for her.  In the waiting, we can REJOICE because "being confident of this, that he who began a good work in (her) will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."  Phil 1:6.  I'm confident that the Lord has such big plans for Sadie.  He is placing her in our family and I can't wait to see what He has in the works for this precious child.  In the meantime, we will remain confident that He is holding her.  He is preparing her.  He is loving her and ALL of His children...

                                                                     Our Blessings

                                I LOVE this one...She is pointing to our picture!!! *Heart Melting Moment*

                                                    Sadie's Birthday Party!  Look at that smile!


We are so thankful for any glimpse that we get into our daughter's life.  To see her Nannie's smiling loving on her and these other children just brings such peace.  We are coming for you Sadie!!!! We are coming!  Wait well, sweet child.  Wait well.

Just a Glimpse

 

What's Next?

I feel like its been forever since I blogged.  We are in a "not much happening" stage with our adoption.  We are finishing up our Home Study and hopefully will have our Dossier (mounds of paperwork) headed to China by March or April 2014.  The adoption process, I'm convinced, is another way that God is showing me that I AM NOT IN CONTROL.  The moment that I start to freak out over the unknowns and the lack of control that I actually have over ANYTHING, He shows up and gives me a little "nugget" to remind me that He's still here and He's still in the driver's seat.  Ahhhh.  That's the moment that I can breathe again.

On the farming end, we now have eight healthy calves on the ground.  I love the babies.

Our newest baby and his mama

We're planting winter grazing...and I think I have gotten myself a new job.  My OCD ways apparently make me a pretty good tractor driver and planter.  I don't like rows that aren't straight so I obsess over Every.Single.Row.  Yes, it probably takes me longer than normal, but Hey!  The rows are pretty and straight.  Now, we have to pray for rain so that I can see the fruits of my labor.

My view

Just proof that I'm actually driving this thing

My ride

This life that the Lord has given us is just too much to fathom some days.  As we were traveling to the farm a few mornings ago just as the sun was coming up, I was just in awe of the beautiful pictures that the Lord paints for us every single morning.  Then I realized that He doesn't have to do that for us, but He does.  And how many times have I taken it for granted?  In the busyness of life,how many days have I just overlooked it?  He has slowed me down so that I can SEE.  And, I'm so thankful that He has!  I am seeing first hand that God already knows the plans that He has for our family.  Plans to increase our lives through adoption.  He is lining everything up perfectly and we are seeing HIM in everything.  The adoption journey has changed us in ways that I really didn't even know that we needed to be changed.  It has opened up our hearts to GIVE like never before. Our heart's desire is to one day be able to give to the nations like so many of you who have given to us! We have been amazed at how the Lord has used so many friends, family members and even people that we don't even know to provide for our every need.  I get all choked up just thinking about it.  As I think about that, I am reminded of this verse:

"When you reap your harvest in your field and forget a sheaf in the field, you shall not go back to get it.  It shall be for the sojourner, the fatherless,and the widow, that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands....You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt; therefore I command you to do this."

Deuteronomy 24:19-22 (ESV)

So many of you have been so generous not only through your monetary gifts but also with your prayers and encouragement.  Some days, the wait is brutal.  The unknowns are brutal.  (especially for MISS OCD here) But, through it all, I am reminded that He brought us out of slavery to sin through the blood of Jesus Christ and He commands us to help those in need...the foreigner, the widow and the orphan.  What that "help" looks like may be different for each person but it's still a command to DO something.  Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for acting on this and helping us to get a few steps closer to our SADIE!

Speaking of our sweet Sadie.  We sent her a care package and she should be receiving it this week! YAY!  We are hoping to get some updated pictures of her and maybe an update.  We are grateful for any little bit of information that we can get.  I will share those pics with you as soon as we receive them!

What's next?  We will be starting another fundraising campaign soon.  Our next payment will be around $3500.  I have a dear friend in Indiana who has donated 100 of her All-Natural Body Butters to us!  So, look for it soon.  These will make wonderful Christmas gifts!  I use several of her products and they are awesome. If you want to check out her shop, you can find her here.  She is adopting a precious little boy from Uganda and will be traveling soon.  We also have an AdoptTogether account now so that you have the option of a TAX-DEDUCTIBLE donation!  And, there's our YouCaring page where donations can be made through PayPal.

More than anything we are thankful for your prayers!  They are definitely being felt and seen in tangible ways.  Every single time that we have had to make a payment or pay some unexpected adoption related expense, we have had exactly what we needed.  

I will leave you with the verse that has been going nonstop in my head for almost two weeks now, 

"The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still." 

Exodus 14:14

I'm being still and watching Him do His thing.  It's pretty exciting!