5 Year Referral Celebration Day!

5 years ago today my life changed in the most amazing, wonderful way!  I was blessed by God with the title my heart had longed to hold for as long as I could remember, ‘Mom!!!’  After waiting (im)patiently for the 3 1/2 years that my file was in China, Deborah called to share the news!  I am forever thankful that in the 30 minutes from her initial email that she was preparing to call until the call came, I was able to gather my parents and my ‘mother-in-love’ in one room so that we could get the great news together!

August 21, 2009 ~ Hannah’s Referral Call!  (Hannah and I watched this together last night.  A huge smile filled her face as she saw and heard our reactions and I once again cried ‘happy tears’ as that amazing day was replayed once again!!)

I still pinch myself often to believe that I am blessed to call this most amazing girl my daughter!!

2014 – 5.5yo

2013 – 4.5yo

2012 – 3.5yo

2011 – 2.5yo

2010 – 17 months old

2009 – pics taken when she was just 3.5 months old!

Hannah, before God created the world He knew that you and I would be Mother and Daughter and I am forever grateful to Him!  I love you Xiao Xiao!!  xoxoxo

Alisha’s Walkathon

Saturday Hannah and I met a walking, talking miracle!  1 year ago now we were praying for my co-worker and friend’s daughter, Alisha.  1 year ago she was in a tragic tubing accident that almost claimed her life.  She was air lifted from Muskoka to Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto barely clinging to life at the time.  After spending 6 weeks in a medically-induced coma she needed to relearn many of those things we take for granted.  Her right arm had been crushed and she sustained sever head trauma.

Now, only one short year later she is walking, talking and more!  She has started dancing again which is her first love and what she had graduated from college doing only weeks before her accident.    She spent 2 1/2 months at Sunnybrook and then 2 additional months at a rehab centre.  She shared Saturday that when she went to the rehab centre there were over 200 patients there and she was only 1 of 3 who were able to walk!   Part of that is why she decided a walkathon was a great way for her to raise money to support Sunnybrook Trauma Emergency Critical Care Program!

Hannah and I had fun visiting Alisha’s fund raiser and contributing to such a worthy cause!  Alisha was so sweet with Hannah and encouraged her to try the children’s stations that they had prepared. 

Alisha and Hannah at the ring toss.

Trying out the duck pond.

Mmmm…cotton candy!  A favourite of Hannah’s for sure!!

Alisha, we are so thankful that God answered the prayers of many and that your recovery has been so amazing!  Your outgoing, positive personality will take you far and I know you will be an amazing encouragement to many throughout your life as you continue to share your story with others.  Your fund raiser was a fun way for us to spend a Saturday afternoon and a treat to meet you in person and hug the gal Hannah and I prayed for so often last summer.   All the best as you return to school in January!  You will be a great social worker who will truly be able to relate to those you are working with!

Praising God for Answered Prayers!

I am excited to tell you that the US government has granted the necessary visas for Sandi and Hannah and that they are on their way home this weekend!

Praising God for answered prayers!!

Sandi's agency has also set up a fund for any who might care to contribute financially to the 'Hope for Hannah' fund.

Thank you for all the prayers you have offered up and will continue to offer on behalf of this family. God has answered our prayers but we also know that Sandi's journey has just begun. Still praying for she and Hannah as they deal with the death of Sandi's husband and Hannah's new daddy.

Calling 'Open Arms'

Well, today I made 'the call' to Deborah at my agency, Open Arms to International Adoption. Open Arms

Deborah was happy to hear that I've decided to go ahead with the adoption and told me that my spot is still available just as she said it would be! I'm so excited! There is 1 other single ahead of me who is also working on her homestudy. Deborah also told me that she has 4 dossiers for singles that she will be sending to China shortly! Just think, in a few short months it will be my dossier that is ready to go! I can hardly stand it!! Until then I have a lot of paperwork, studying and preparation to do. Let the paperchase begin!

God's Timing is ALWAYS Perfect!

Today was one of those days when God reaffirmed to me that He is in control and is leading me in this process. Why is it that I'm 'surprised' when He shows Himself in the small details of my life? He knows the number of hairs on my head (and that I'm not a natural blonde!) so why should I be shocked when His timing is perfect?

What I am going to share may seem like a small thing to some, and some may think it purely coincidental, but I know it's all God's timing!

A few of the details to help make the ending understandable:

• Monday, 9:15am I called and requested a Line of Credit to assist me with the adoption costs
• Monday after work I filled up my car and was shocked when it cost $52.00! My little car had never taken more than $42.00 to fill so this was a shocker...oh yah...also seeing $1.02 on the sign caused my heart to beat a little faster! Yikes! Who would have thought a year ago that finding gas at $0.90 would feel like a bargain and have people rushing the pumps?

At this point my small dilemma began. I had offered to help out at the MBC bookstore one of the next 2 weekends if they needed my help, but I was beginning to question what was a wise use of my finances? Should I be driving 4 hours in a day to volunteer for 8 hours at a cost of $30+ for gas as well as wear and tear on the car? Not sure. I mulled this over for a few days, waffling between keeping a commitment that I'd made (which means a lot to me) or being wise with my finances and staying home.

Finally deciding that I needed to honour my commitment I called JoAnn at MBC. When I asked if they needed my help this weekend I was told they were ok for staff and I didn't need to come. I was thankful and very happy with that answer. I felt I'd done what I'd needed to do yet at the same time God had answed my question.

Little did I know at the time, what God really had planned that I was not aware of! Less than an hour after talking with JoAnn (and 4 days after my original call) I received a call from someone at PC Financial. He wondered if I'd be home at 11:00 Saturday morning so that he could come over and we could sign the Line of Credit papers? Too cool! God knew all along that He needed me home on Saturday and He directed everything in His timing.

God's timing is always perfect!!!

New Beginnings

After much prayer, crying out to God seeking His Will, I can now share with you that I am moving ahead with the adoption of a precious baby girl from China! I am totally at peace with this decision and believe that to do anything but move forward would not be what God's plan is for my life right now. It feels so good to know that this decision has been bathed in prayer both by myself, my precious parents, my family and many, many friends! Thank you for praying and laying this before the feet of Jesus.

'In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice;

in the morning I lay my requests before you

and wait in expectation.' Psalm 5:3

It is wonderful to know that I have prayer warriors along this journey; uplifting and supporting me along the way. The fact that people take time out of their busy lives to pray for me and the adoption is both ans awesome and humbling experience. Please know that you are appreciated more than you know and that I covet your prayers. This precious baby girl who is probably not even born yet, will wonderfully change my life forever and she will also be a part of your lives too! How precious it will be to share with her someday about the many, many people who prayed for her before she was ever born and before we became a forever family!

Thank you for praying.