Merry Christmas..

The wish is a few days early, but I know I will not be on here blogging! I will be celebrating the birth of Christ. I will be visiting with my mom and loving on my children/husband and family.
As I sat in church today, it dawned on me that I hadn't "proclaimed the good news" on this site..
Well, I had to say it that way b/c as the children were in our children's play last week, my oldest daughter's friend said, "S1 you sounded great, you said - la la la" . My daughter said, I did not, I was Proclaiming the good news!". Well, my girlfriend overheard this and I think when she told me this we both about laughed hysterically. Not b/c of what she said, but b/c of S1 and how she says things at times... so matter of fact like. The little girls did get it all worked out and the miscommunication between them is no longer... it was so funny.
S2 is walking around telling everyone, especially D3 "Do not be afraid, Mary, you will have a baby boy and name him Jesus! happy birthday to me!! no happy birthday to Jesus!!"
And D3 is really not aware of what the season is really about yet.. it is his first Christmas: even though he is 3 1/2. Since we went away this holiday, we decided to not decorate at all.. So when grandma has a tree up.. he thinks WOW you mean this doesn't just happen in the stores! Hilarious.
I am sure I will post photos of our Christmas this year. I remember last year.. as I longed for D to be here with us. I would walk by his room and cry. I would go in and sit on the bed and just pray for God to release him from China. But now I know that the wait was very necessary. As I was praying to hold him. As I was praying to see him and hear him and smell him for the first time.. his foster parents, whom had raised him since he was month old - were about to endure the hardest pain of all.. letting him go. I know in my heart that God was allowing them more time to love him. I will have the rest of my life. They will not. I will see everything else. They willnot. So if they received a few extra months, the months that I was in pure agony.. then it was so worth it b/c we both came out better. I grew closer to God and they were able to hold, love and spoil the child we both adore so much a little longer. I praise God that he makes everything work out at once. I praise God for His goodness. I praise God for his love of all nations and people.
I pray for China the people of China. I pray for the Christians in China.
I am reminded this Christmas of what I was feeling last Christmas.. I am sure I am not the only one... I pray peace and salvation for D's foster family...and for his birth family...
This is the season of the birth of Christ. I pray for you and your families. I will be praying tonight for everyone that reads this blog. This is the single, greatest moment in history. The birth of Christ. Merry Christmas everyone. Thank you God for you.
J.

Last update on Sandi..

She made it home when she was suppose to. God did indeed move mountains. Prayer worked and God heard our cries for this woman and her child. He found mercy on her during a most difficult time. Thank you all for your prayers. Sandi needs prayers now, as she is home with her child but with out her husband. Please continue to remember them in your prayers. Bethany Christian services did set up a fund you may consider contributing to - if you so desire you can go to their site and find it there. http://www.bethany.org/
blessings,
j

Just realized...

I just realized that I haven't posted here about Sandi.. I have been posting for prayer on my boards, my bible studies, womens ministry...
Sandi and Dennis are first time parents and they are in China. Dennis went into a diabetic coma and passed a few days ago. They adopted Hannah (17 mos old). China is allowing the adoption to continue however, b/c Sandi and Dennis live in MI -Sandi and Hannah are having problems getting BACK into the states. Our own country is giving them problems?? SO we are asking for prayer for a lot of things right now.
Over a thousand calls have been made on their behalf and Sandi's mom has asked us to stop along with Bethany Christian Services in fear that it might hurt them now.?. So to honor their wishes I will post to not call anyone anymore just yet.
HOWEVER, please keep praying. I know people that have called and written the President, congressman, Senators - please pray for Sandi and Hannah to board planes tonight and for them to arrive safely.
God is bigger than all of this. He can move mountains and paperwork. He can do all things. He is calling His people to pray.
Love J

Info on Sandi and US INS

The US Consulate in Guangzhou has denied Sandi Sheldon permission to proceed with the adoption of Hannah. They want her to fill out a new I-171 and are making no guarantees after that. Sandi, of course does not want to leave China and leave Hannah here because she has no where to go. Sandi needs our help desparately! Please start a massive campaign of calling to her US Congressman and US Senator and urge them to intervene on Sandi's behalf. We have discussed this with Sandi and she wants our help. Please pressure these elected officials to contact the State Department and straighten this out. Sandi should not be denied Hannah's adoption because her husband passed away unexpectedly. The adoption has been finalized here in China. Sandi's congressman is Mike Rogers. His Washington office number is 202 225 4872. His Michigan office number is 517 702 8000, he also has a toll free number 1-877-333-MIKE. Sandi's US Senator is Debbie Stabenow. Her Washington DC number is 202 224 4822 and her Michigan office number is 517 203 1760. Everyone should try to help and call these people until we get final approval. We should continue to pray that her adoption is finalized quickly and that Sandi can return home to Michigan with Hannah. Thanks from everyone here in China.

HAPPY 3RD GOTCHA/FAMILY DAY S2

Today is very special in our family. It marks the 3rd year that my arms wrapped around my second child. It is the 3rd year that my ears have heard her voice, the 3rd year that my nose has smelled her hair, the 3rd year that my eyes have seen her face and the 3rd year that I have legally called her our daughter. I love this day because it takes me to a time when my husband and I were half a world away, anxious and excited, longing and light in our step, and weary and hoping and we felt in total obedience to the Lord. It was an enchanting moment. Time stood still and God allowed us to see the gift of adoption. We saw first hand how God views us in His sight and as His children, we are co-heirs with Christ. S2 and S1 are co-heirs to with each other just as we are co-heirs with Christ. These precious children are one in the same to us. One is adopted and one is biological yet there is no difference in our love for our children. And now this is true for our son that joined our family (also from China) this past January. I was never able to wrap my head around the fact that God loved me as much as he loves Christ. I believed the fact, I accepted the fact but I just couldn't understand why... until S2 came into our lives. Like us, she didn't do anything to 'deserve' to be in our family. She didn't pay her way into our family, she didn't earn her way into our family, BUT she was accepted unconditionally and loved by us. She was and is a member of our family forever and nothing will change that now. SO when we ask Christ into our lives to be our Saviour, we can't buy,earn or pay or deserve our way into Heaven but by the gift of Christ -from God- and the sacrifice of His bloodshed for our sins we are co-heirs with him {Christ}. I finally GOT IT. It was like God was saying SEE.. this is how much I love you. I too adopted you into my family once you received my son and I love you just the same as I love Christ! I make families. I made your family. I am God and I love you.
Maybe I am the one taking the slow boat... but it took my little precious S2 for me to see how much Jesus loves me... all the way in China... :O)
There are 15 other families today sharing this special day (the families we traveled with) and they have become very dear to our family over the years.. God bless you and may your day be special and made of memories and love.

We love you little spice girl. You are a gift from God that we will treasure forever. We pray for your happiness and love of Jesus. S2, you make us laugh and I mean belly laugh and you make us learn what being a parent is all about ;O))))
love you forever
mommy (and daddy)

If you are reading this, will you pray for our family? S2 is having her asthma issues earlier than normal this year. They have already started, including her nebulizer treatments. We usually do not need to start these until late November or early December. S1 and I have colds which usually turn into full blown sinus infections. And I had a pimple right under my nose that became infected and my whole lip was numb! My teeth on the right side hurt from it and my upper lip is swollen.
:O) I am praying and hoping the boys don't get sick!

IF you get a chance check out the side videos!! I downloaded them from "You Tube" and "God Tube".

I want to thank everyone for praying for me when I spoke to my women's ministry group last Monday! It went well. I spoke on our trip (me and S1) to China in August to the orphanage. I said "uumm" a little too much. Thankfully I taped the presentation for hubby to watch and now can be cognitive of that!! I speak again in November to another group. I was trying so hard to speak slowly, that I added a couple uuuuummms... okay.. more than a couple... :O(
However, I have realized that I also do this in my daily life in talking with my children! So that is also something I can be working on!

My family has an unspoken prayer request. Please be in prayer for us. Thanks!!
J-

I am so behind in my posting!! Soccer season started, Awana started, school started, referrals came out for China and I just had to visit all those site to see the precious children and hear the joy in the parents cyber voices!... so now I feel like I can post some more photos of China (missions trip) and get me caught up.. b/c my next two month sare about to get very busy!

S1 started 2 grade. She is doing so well. So far so good. :O) Not pulling teeth yet or hopefully our entire year will go this smooth! I love our ciriculum however I don't love the time constraints that I am under. Next year I will not participate in the "family plan". Too much pressure!! I also strated pulling the little ones up to the table and engaging them for longer intervals ... that is going well.. okay better with s2 than with d1 :O) he just wants to cut and paint.. not color! where are my TRUCKS! heheheh So now I now I know I have to get a little creative with the mr smartie pants. s2 however, is thriving and completely engrossed in what she is doing. She never ceases to amaze me. She has come so far in the 3 years since I first held her scared little body in my shaky, longing heart and hands.
I often think, 'why would God trust me to take care of these three special children?' They are so precious and we are so blessed to be a part of their lives. I am so thankful He chose us to be a family.
Okay this post is a little all over the place... i will write tomorrow when i am rested.

s1 has her first soccer game of the Fall season in the U8 all girls league.. she is no longer in as she refers to "baby soccer".. and she is very exited b/c her team has the coveted PINK shirts this season... hehehe such a girl....