the end of a book, in our life series...

Think about it, you've just finished say the 2nd book in a series of 5-6.  You know it's the end of a journey and you know where it's leading to and why that book was written and that it was coming to an end eventually.  It's a GREAT ending but it's also a little bittersweet.  It's sad to say goodbye to those characters maybe, or that situation, or the location.  That book was a huge part of the much bigger series and you never want to forget it because of where it started, how it ended, and where it's leading.
That happened in our series of life stories today.  We ended a "book" that started 4 years ago September.  We never could've imagined why it started, where the journey was going to take us, how it would end, or where it was leading us next.  God's awesome like that!  Just be willing to be along for the ride and He'll lead you to some SCARY things, with a few heartwarming turns along the way, and ending with something more amazing than you could've ever imagined.
It all began 9/09 when John John began being in excruciating pain.  The next 5 months would include, doctors appointments galore, physical therapy, X-rays, MRI's, constant pain, a lot of medicine and CONSTANT prayer; also meeting a handful of people that went above and beyond to do what needed to be done to help my son!  Fast forward to February 2010.  We were told by the surgeon that John John was going to need rods from his neck to his pelvis.  We didn't know what to say or do.  We had been told he didn't need that.  We had been told how it could be fixed.  We tried to tell the surgeon what we knew.  We had been told by everyone we talked to that said surgeon was the best in the southeast.  We struggled desperately with his plan but didn't know where to go next, BUT GOD!!!!  We were told it would be at least 6 months until he could be put on the schedule, BUT GOD!!!!  We were told he may never have full range of motion, BUT GOD!!!!  Five days after this appointment we received a phone call to put him on the schedule, it seemed there had been a cancellation  in 10 days and they'd like to have him take that spot.  Thirty minutes before surgery was to begin, on Feb 19, the "best pediatric back surgeon in the southeast" came in to discuss with us that after extensive research over the last 3 days he had found in the late 80's a procedure where he didn't have to rod his entire back, just the bottom 8" where the injury was (why he is the best, never operates without extensive research).  Three weeks after surgery we went for John John's first check up and he could almost touch his toes.  Some serious BUT GOD's going on in our life about then!!!!!
We had about 3-4 check ups over the next 18 months or so.  John John was having pain again.  Nothing like last time but very consistent.  The surgeon kept saying put some weight on him, unfortunately that's not nearly as easy for John John as we hoped (still!).  In the midst of all of this my heart was yearning for the orphans.  God had laid it on my heart fast and hard and I couldn't let go.  John was not hearing it.  Kept assuming it was a phase and would pass.  Kept hoping I'd find another way to help the least of these.  I let it go, to him, and just prayed and talked with friends that knew my heart.  In April 2012 we found out John John was going to need surgery again.  Nothing like last time, just a removal of some hardware (needed in less than 8% of these cases) and at the worst replacing it with a different style.  We had complete peace this time.  God had provided so much bigger than we could have ever imagined last time that we trusted Him in all of this this time.  Surgery was scheduled for Dec 18, nearly 3 years from the first.  Surgery was scheduled to last 2-4 hours.  Two and a half hours in surgeon came out, said he was done.  Not only was he able to take and leave out the hardware causing the issues he was also able to take out ALL of the rest of the hardware.  This was a  HUGE blessing.  We knew that there was the potential of him being in pain on and off for the rest of his life with all that metal in such a skinny body.  He'd never have that possibility again, and we were very thankful.  Three weeks later we went for post op check, things were looking perfect.  Nothing to be concerned with.  One month later John came home from work to announce...  WE ARE GOING TO CH*N@!!!!  As the last 6 months have passed we have talked many times about how he would never have had the courage to say yes to God and adopt if we had not been through the last nearly 4 years of John John's back.  Trusting God in ALL of that, and sometimes just being plain SCARED TO DEATH, and watching God's story unfold for His glory!  He led us through the heartache, the joy, the tears, and today the conclusion.  John John was released today (1 year early) from orthopedic care!!!!  It was such a bittersweet goodbye.  The people that we've met through the last 4 years have done more for our family than anyone would ever expect.  They've gone above and beyond to care for our son, to comfort us and to share joy with us.  We were unbelievably blessed to have met each of them.  I wish there was some way we could show them, they will always be a huge part of God's story in our lives!
Now, we are on to the next journey, the next book in our series that God is writing.  We are prepared for heartache, joy, hard times, and easy times.  We are along for the ride now, trusting God to lead us where to go and knowing He will provide and bring to fruition to His story!
Thank you to ALL of you who have prayed for us over the last 4 years!  It's a big day for all of us, to thank God for all He has done in and through this book in our series!!!  You are all true blessings!

52 marbles...

I recently attended a conference where I learned that we have about 936 weeks of real influence in our children's lives (from birth to 18).  It's amazing how quickly you watch that pass if you have a jar full of marbles and each week you transfer one into an empty one.  It puts a whole new perspective on time spent with your children.  You become very intentional as you watch the weeks pass, much quicker than you expect.
Well, our time is almost up.  We have 52 weeks left to train up our oldest.  (Well, technically 50 and 6 days as of today).  God gave us an unbelievable treasure to care for and to train up to honor and glorify Him.  John John is truly becoming a man of God.  An honest, hardworking man, full of integrity and honor.  He has turned from an inspiring, vibrant, joyful, boy to a man that loves God, his family, and others.  He has been through so much already in his short life.  The past almost 5 years have taught he, and us, what he really is made of.  These years have shown us that God has equipped us completely with what we need in our life; we just have to dig deep, find it, and trust Him.
John John will be an amazing husband and father one day.  I can't wait to see what God has in store for him.
I really don't know what else to say except where has the time gone?!
John John, I love you!  I'm so proud of you!  I can't wait to watch your next 17 years!

Proverbs 22:6

⁶ Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.


HAPPY 17TH BIRTHDAY JOHN JOHN!!!!

What's in a name...

So, one of the most common questions we get is "What are you going to name her?"  Well, if you only knew how hard that is to decide!  We know 3 things...  Her first name has to start with a "J". All of our first names start with "j" and we don't intend for her to be different. Second, we want it to mean something!  Our 3 other children we just kinda picked what we liked, but we feel like with her we should put more thought into it.  She is a gift from God and we plan on her name saying that (not that our 3 biological children aren't also but we feel like this is a part of us that we are giving her).  Last, we fully intend to use part of her Chinese name. We can't wait to see how that fits into the names we have narrowed it down to. We are not 100% on what we've chosen yet so we are not ready to share but we have a few options. Maybe next update will be about that (though I hope not, I hope it will be that our paperwork is being sent to our agency!).
Anyway, please keep praying that things continue to move smoothly and quickly.  We are still praying for God's glory to be shown in this process.  We believe this is not about us; this is a part of God's story and we just get to enjoy the ride!
Til next time...

A tree update!

So, it's been a little while and our tree now has some leaves!!!!!
Thank you so much for all of you who have joined our "family". We can not wait to share with her the people who have loved her and hoped for her before we even saw her face!  Her tree will be a true culmination of love!  I've added a link to the sidebar of the blog to make joining her family easier, it's labeled "her family tree".
Anyway, on to the pics...

Checking the list...

WOW!  We are really making some progress on our paperwork!  We had our last home study visit last night and we have 2 more things to do for that and our part of it will be complete.  I think we have 3 more things to get for our dossier and our part of that will be complete!  Holy Cow, it's moving fast now!  We were told to be prepared, that things would move quickly and then it will seem like we are just waiting again for a little while.  I'm fine with both, as long as it's leading us closer to our precious girl!
We are so excited and anxious to see her face.  We talk often of how much we can't wait to see her laughing and playing with her brothers and sister.  We can't wait to see her sweet face and watch a smile come across it.  We can't wait for every part of this journey, from the tiny insignificant things to the amazingly huge things!  We are trusting God through this whole process and are learning so much while watching Him move.
After our home study is finished and approved and we have all of our dossier approved our agency will begin the matching process.  We can not wait to receive an email with a precious little girls face on it!!!
We are so looking forward to that moment.
Also, because our paperwork is moving so much more quickly than we had expected we are going to move the close of the fundraiser up.  We are hoping now to have her tree full by the end of June.  If you're not quite sure what that means go back a few posts and read about our fundraiser - her "family" tree! To those that have already become a part of her "family", it means more to us than you'll ever know!
Well, until next time, please keep praying for God's glory to shine through.

A pic!!!!

This is the amazing piece of art that has begun to form for our precious jewel's "family" tree!  We hope to fill it with all of our friend's and families' names!  If you're interested find the fundraiser post in the blog (I believe 2 posts before this) and the details are there.  Thank you so much to those who have donated.  I will post pics probably every month or so so you can all see the progress!  Remember, we want to fill this tree by the end of July!

(By the way, the little girl in the pic is my friend's (and the artist) 3 year old daughter.  I couldn't resist that AMAZING grin!!!!)

Another offer from a friend!

First, let me say that it is amazing all of the support and encouragement that we are getting through this process.  THANK YOU so much, friends and family, for loving us!

Awesome news....  Another amazingly talented friend of ours has offered a portion of her earnings to be a part of our new treasure's story!
April of Ric Rac Ribbon has a true talent in sewing and she has an etsy shop which she sells her creations from.  If you're able/interested PLEASE check out her shop.  She truly is gifted in creating boutique looks for a fair price!
https://www.etsy.com/shop/RicRacRibbon
In purchasing, you will also be joining in the story of our new little one.  A story that is so much bigger than us that it can only be a part of God's story.

Thank you so much April for being a great friend and for loving us and supporting us through this journey.  Thank you to all who purchase from Ric Rac Ribbon for helping to bring our precious girl home!