Roadblocks

I spent a few minutes today reflecting on several prophetic words we have received. This excerpt gave me comfort as we await a financial miracle:

"There have been some roadblocks. Some senses of moving forward and moving back. What's going on here? We keep trying to move forward and we keep hitting this roadblock. The Lord says, don't worry about the roadblocks. I'm removing them. There are areas that you are going to enter into that are going to be crystal clear. There's going to be a new clarity to your ministry. Clarity in direction. Clarity for expansion. Forget the roadblocks. Don't let man affect your vision and your dreams. For I've got a new plan. Stand back and be ready because it is going to be incredible." Pure Streams Prophetic Ministry

We've always felt that the main roadblock to adoption was the finances. Thank you, Lord for removing this roadblock. We are excited that you are giving us clarity. We can't wait to see how this incredible journey unfolds. We are humbled by your love for us!

A few more unexpected gifts

After four more financial gifts from close friends and family, we're inching closer to being able to send in our first set of agency fees. Please continue to pray for us in this area. We have a savings for our summer expenses (my husband is a teacher) and we're contemplating whether to dip into that or to wait for the full provision. I'm reminded that nearly every miracle outlined in the Bible required a step of faith.......a step towards God showing that we completely trust Him. It would be a huge step to send in that money. However, we don't need it for today. We know He can provide........We know He will provide.

Gentle Nudge

We received our first gentle nudge from our agency via e-mail.

"When will you be sending in your first fees?"

It's an innocent enough question and something I, myself, would like to know. We've been blessed with a few gifts so far. For that, we are beyond thankful. We've felt that this is God's plan and that we are being obedient to Him. We've also felt that He would provide 100% of the funds needed. Now, we're not afraid of hard work. We're happy to fundraise and sell our stuff. We're happy to ask for help.......we just need Divine wisdom on how to proceed. We also need wisdom on how to answer when inquiries come. So for today, the answer is......

"We're waiting for God's provision. It's coming. We'll send in the fees as soon as possible."

Traveling on My Knees

by Sandra Goodwin

Last night I took a journey
To a land across the seas;
I did not go by boat or plane,
I traveled on my knees.

I saw so many people there
In deepest depths of sin,
But Jesus told me I should go,
That there were souls to win.

But I said, "Jesus, I cannot go
And work with such as these."
He answered quickly, "Yes, you can
By traveling on your knees."

He said, "You pray; I'll meet the need,
You call and I will hear;
Be concerned about lost souls,
Of those both far and near."

And so I tried it, knelt in prayer,
Gave up some hours of ease;
I felt the Lord right by my side
While traveling on my knees.

As I prayed on and saw souls saved
And twisted bodies healed,
And saw God's workers' strength renewed
While laboring on the field.

I said, "Yes, Lord, I have a job,
My desire Thy will to please;
I can go and heed Thy call
By traveling on my knees."

I knew it would happen

Each time my family takes a step of faith, I can feel myself getting stronger........

I knew it would happen. I can feel my ability to trust God growing. It's like I can feel a pressure in my chest in response to our earthly situation. I then whisper through that pressure "God, help us. You have to come through.You said you'd come through. I trust you" I have to admit that the pressure in my chest grows heavier as the stakes seemingly get higher. But, each time my ability to chase that pressure away is stronger, better, quicker etc.

It's simple. Breathe in. Breathe out. Trust the One who created me and the One who knows His plans for my life. Trust that He has my best interest at heart and that He loves me. He's shown me time and time again that I am a precious daughter of His. He will do what He said He would and always Has. I just need to believe and keep breathing and praising and praying and chasing that pressure feeling away!

I knew it would happen. The day when fees are due and I'm still trusting God. It's surprising how easy it was today to chase the pressure away. I almost think it seems too big for me to even worry about. There was too much to be done to even worry for one minute. So, I breathed and praised and prayed (and worked and cleaned and did laundry.......) and somehow that pressure feeling fled in an instant. Fees are still due but I'm not feeling the pressure to do anything. God has to.

I knew it would happen. The day God answered our prayers and we had the provision for this adoption. We're praying for the wave of resources He's promised. That day is coming our way!

Welcome Class of 2022! Huh?

Even when you're knee deep in adoption paperwork, wishing you had more hours in the day to devote to it.....life goes on! Tonight, I had my son's kindergarten orientation. I was surprised to see a packed auditorium full of people. I was even more surprised to hear the cheers, claps, whooping and hollering as the superintendent welcomed us as parents to the orientation for the "Class of 2022." How did that happen?

My little guy is growing up so fast. It seems like just yesterday that we welcomed him home and now he's nearly 5. Where has all the time gone? I need to stop trying to hurry up to the next thing and enjoy each stage of our crazy life......(including the paperwork phase of this adoption).

You Are My All in All

Over the next few weeks/months, I plan to share why we've entitled our adoption "Journey to Our Taiwanese Treasure." We've had many confirmations, impressions on our hearts and even prophetic words that make this the best analogy for our future child. She is a treasure.........as are all children.

The other day while driving home from work a classic praise and worship song (that I can remember singing in elementary school and younger) popped in my head. Once again, my jaw fell open as I reflected on its personal significance. I've always loved it and can remember singing it in praise to God during seemingly difficult times in my life. At that moment I was praying for a financial breakthrough. Saying all the things God already knows about our needs to make this happen. I'm sure I sounded like a broken record. Then (seemingly louder than my prayers), I heard that still, small voice: Seeking you as a precious jewel, Lord to give up I'd be a fool. You are my all in all. I began singing and I had strength to endure for another day..........

Let this song remind you today: To trust Him. To not give up. He is your all in all.

You Are My All in All

You are my strength when I am weak,
You are the treasure that I seek,
You are my all in all.
Seeking You as a precious jewel,
Lord to give up I'd be a fool,
You are my all in all.

Jesus, Lamb of God - worthy is Your name.
Jesus, Lamb of God - worthy is Your name.

Taking my sin, my cross, my shame,
Rising again, I bless Your name,
You are my all in all.
When I fall down, You pick me up,
When I am dry You fill my cup,
You are my all in all.

Celebrating St. Patrick's Day!

Every year we stop to figure it out....I am only 1/8 Irish. BUT I never miss an opportunity to make corned beef and cabbage (or wear green!). We celebrated today with our good friends/neighbors. This is two years in a row that we've been blessed with their company.

Last year, I remember laughing at how in less than a month we'd have baby Caroline arriving. She was born two weeks later. During dinner tonight, I couldn't help but wonder if there will be another Salamone by next year's celebration!

Here's to hoping she'll be wearing green, digging into my interesting fare and as happy as my two (1/16 each) Irish Blessings!!

With the first light of sun---BLESS YOU
When the long day is done---BLESS YOU
In your smiles and your tears---BLESS YOU
Through each day of your years---BLESS YOU

May your warm and lovin' heart
be filled with joy and laughter
And may this little Irish wish
bring you happiness ever after

Unexpected Gifts

I met a long-time friend for lunch last week. She had received our letter and wanted to bless our family with a financial gift towards our adoption. A few days earlier, a co-worker did the same. The gifts total enough to cover what we've spent thus far (homestudy and agency application fees).

The gratitude I feel is immeasurable. We are a long way from our goal but each small sacrifice is a huge blessing. I pray that the gifts are returned 100 fold.

Luke 6:38 (The Living Bible: For if you give, you will get! Your gift will return to you in full and overflowing measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over. Whatever measure you use to give---large or small---will be used to measure what is given back to you.

We pray often: Lord, please keep your flood of provision coming our way. You know our needs and the deadlines at hand. We trust you.

Potential Timeline

Here's the "guess"timate we're working with:

Homestudy: 2-3 months (we should have our completed homestudy in ~ 6-7 weeks)

Dossier (we're working on it simultaneous to the homestudy): 2 months

Referral (including Child Background Study) : 6-8 months

Acceptance of Referral: 10 days

Petition for Adoption submission: 4-6 weeks

Obtain Initial Court Date: 2-4 weeks

First Court Decree: 1-3 months

Second Court Decree: After two week mandatory appeal time

Travel (to Taitung): Minimum of two day stay (to Taipei): up to 4 days

Dare I say it....... we could be traveling next spring-summer. I've read enough journals to know that anything can happen. We need to take one step at a time.....trusting God each step of the way.

A little birdie told me that the first family in our pilot group received their referral within 1 or 2 days of Dossier submission instead of the projected 6-8 months. How cool would that be.......

Need a little help from our friends

We recently sent out a letter to our family and friends both announcing our upcoming adoption as well as asking for their help in three areas.

For some, helping will simply mean joining us in our excitement! We want people to ask about the latest updates, our name choices, if the room is ready etc.

For others, helping us will mean praying for our family. We've asked for prayer as we move through this process, and prepare for the newest Salamone. Specifically that we would remain obedient to God’s will. Please pray for our child (whose probably developing in utero as I write).........that God would tenderly care for this precious baby until we are able to bring her home.

For a select few, it will be in the area of financial support. Some may be willing and able to help us reach the anticipated $25,000 mark either through gifts or loans. We humbly asked that they consider this. And pray for obedience for those who feel called to help us financially. Those who are able to assist would be an integral part of the mandate in James 1:27: “Religion that our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress….

Easy as pie

Our orientation went very smoothly...........

We gulped down dinner, set the kids in front of the TV (Beauty and the Beast), grabbed two phones and piles and piles of paper and headed to the basement. Not sure what we were expecting......but in less than 30 minutes flat we heard every detail regarding potential timeline, fees, expectations of who will complete what by when. Lickety-split and we were done! Now the ball is in our court to return the piles of paperwork with our first set of fees.............

I'm praying that the rest of this journey goes as smoothly!

Orientation

Orient - familiarize (someone) with new surroundings or circumstances; "The dean of students tries to orient the freshmen"

Today is our first real step beyond the application process. We have our Taiwan Program Orientation call this evening. In preparation we were asked to familiarize ourselves with the fee schedule, our service plan, the expected timeframe for the entire process etc. Once we complete our phone call tonight, we then need to have everything notarized and mailed back to the agency with our first set of fees (several thousand dollars). On one hand, this seems a bit overwhelming but, honestly, on the other it seems so small and insignificant. God called us to this plan. He said He’d provide. He knows the deadlines set forth by our agency. Case closed. God doesn’t need me micromanaging His plan.

During church yesterday morning our pastor quoted Hudson Taylor (missionary to China) as saying “God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supply.” God, we believe we’re doing your work; in your way. Help us to be obedient to what you've called us to do. Direct our paths. Direct each and every step. Keep our eyes on you and not on our earthly circumstances. We humbly ask that you bring a flood of your supply.

Matthew 6:25
For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? "Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to to his life?

Small Heroes vs. Super Heroes

My son has this little board book called “Small Heroes of the Bible.” He has just reluctantly passed it on to his little sister! It’s the story of preschool teacher, Mrs. Champion & her class learning about ordinary people who were just ordinary until they were called by God. In that rhyme-y, sing-song way of pre-school stories, they write about Noah, Moses, Sampson, David, Esther, Daniel and Jonah.
We know the Bible has a lot to say on the topic of adoption:

 Psalm 68:5-6; A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families.
 Hosea 14:3; In thee the orphan finds mercy
 Psalm 82:3; Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless, maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed.

I certainly count the hundreds of thousands of families before ours that have made the sacrifice to adopt as Heroes. They took Gods’ word and ran with it. They’re, honestly, just an ordinary group of people that were called by God to grab hold of a vision: a vision of what their family could be like or should be like. They know intimately what scripture says:

 Romans 8:15- You have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!”
 1 John 3:1- How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God.

Since we announced our plan to adopt via letter to our friends and family earlier this week, we have encountered some Small Heroes of our own. Friends e-mailing to say: “we are with you” and “we support you!” A surprise financial gift from a long-time friend who could’ve found 1000’s of other uses for the money……for her own children. Family calling to say they are proud of us and our decision and can’t wait to meet the newest Salamone. Those small gestures are worth more than you know. While this journey may not be logical, it is born in our hearts and matters of the heart cannot be explained. I've walked with God long enough to know that His path is rarely logical.

So, to all the other ordinary people who were called by God to do something seemingly crazy and obeyed: You will be counted along with Noah, Moses, Sampson, David, Esther, Daniel and Jonah…….you are not just Small Heroes you are Super Heroes!

As this silly pre-school book ends it says “Now we’ve met the heroes. They taught us well. The lessons of the Bible both show and tell. Noah, Jonah, Esther and more. Read the Bible and see your spirits soar.” I wholeheartedly agree. Find time today and your weary soul will find rest.

When we wait......

.........we should wait......

With the soul Psalms 62:1 Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation Psalms 62:5 My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him

With earnest desire Psalms 130:6 My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning

With patience Psalms 37:7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass Psalms 40:1 I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.

With resignation Lamentations 3:26 It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD

With hope in His word Psalms 130:5 I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope

With full confidence Micah 7:7 Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me.

Continually Hosea 12:6 Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgment, and wait on thy God continually.

All the day Psalms 25:5 Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.

Especially in adversity Psalms 59:1-9 Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise up against me. Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from bloody men. For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul: the mighty are gathered against me; not for my transgression, nor for my sin, O LORD. They run and prepare themselves without my fault: awake to help me, and behold. Thou therefore, O LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel, awake to visit all the heathen: be not merciful to any wicked transgressors. Selah.

Waiting Upon God

Isaiah 40:31 They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings of eagles, they shall run and not be weary and they shall walk and not faint

o If we wait alone, we will be without strength. We will be faint and we will be weary
o If we wait with God, we will have renewed strength and the wings of eagles. We shall run and walk

Throughout His word, God encourages us to wait for Him:
o Psalms 27:14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
o Psalms 37:7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
o Hosea 12:6 Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgment, and wait on thy God continually

Please pray for us as we embark on a seemingly endless journey of paperwork. We are in the midst of paperwork for our home study and paperwork for our agency. Please pray that we will be focused on the task at hand. SO much paperwork. SO little time......but SO worth it!

12 year ago today....

......my husband and I began dating while in college! I had no real chance of knowing what I was getting into. Only that I couldn't imagine my life without this person. He is an amazing teacher, father, husband and human being. As I sat down to write this entry, I flipped my daily calendar. Today's entry: March 5th: "The man who walks with God always gets to his destination!"

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Rich, I just feel that the Lord has given you a special anointing. I see this anointing over you as a leader and as being the head of your family. God has a special, special anointing on you. Father, we thank you for this anointing that you have placed on Rich right now. We just thank you for expanding this anointing. He's going to move out in you in a special way. He's going to be known in many places. He's going to be known in all the things that he does because that anointing is just going to be flowing through him........I just see God doing some miraculous things in the both of you. I see God bringing people to you and you are speaking into people's lives. I see that there's a call on both of your lives and it's more than you can even think or imagine what God's going to do. I see Him expanding you in so many different ways. In ways that you never thought He would expand you in. I just see you growing, growing and growing in Him. Pure Streams Prophetic Ministry 02/04/07

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Pray for him today. He's on his way to the doctor after work for his official home study physical. He is NOT happy about it. Pain with a purpose, honey. Pain with a purpose.

Story of a Lily

December 18, 2004 is a very important day in our household. It was the day our hearts were gripped by the plight of orphans worldwide and changed forever. It is the day that we ‘officially’ decided to act, we ‘officially’ decided to alter the face of our family forever and we ‘officially’ decided to let God lead us to our future son or daughter.

On this particular day, I was home with my then 6 month old son, hanging out, catching up on laundry, cleaning etc. At nap time, I decided to put on an episode of Oprah that I had DVR’d during the week. Her guest was Lisa Ling and it documented the plight of “The Lost Girls of China.” Never before had something motivated me on such a deep level. I watched it through tears that came from my spirit. I knew God was calling us to adopt; specifically a little girl from China.

It was a long few hours before my husband returned home. I immediately asked him to sit down and watch Oprah. Although, he initially rolled his eyes, stated that I shouldn’t tell his friends he was watching her, he ultimately had the same response I did. We would pursue an international adoption…..

We stayed up until nearly 2 am talking about it and asking God to confirm that this was His will for us. The next morning, we again excitedly spoke of traveling to China. As we arrived at church (tired from staying up late), we honestly were a little distracted during praise and worship. Each of us was separately asking God if we were hearing Him correctly. Our mouths dropped open as from the pulpit they showed pictures of the pastor’s son in China picking up his beautiful daughter! Photo after photo showed smiling faces and a few tears on their “Gotcha Day,” I knew that it was only a matter of time before we experienced the same wave of emotion. God is so good. He is in the details……again and again proving that He wants to make himself known to us.

Within a few days, we had a name. Lily. As we announced to our family our intentions to adopt, we also told them our name. I felt it was so important to have a name…….to prayer for our daughter by name. Lily. What a beautiful name.

In my naiveté, I had it all worked out. I would turn 30 in the summer of 2007 and we would bring our daughter home in 2008 (preferably around the time of the Olympics). We continued to buy presents for Lily and talk to our son about his little sister. We have a dresser drawer full of trinkets and special items……ladybugs galore…..all for our Lily.

As 2007 began and we learned we no longer met the criteria for an adoption from China we decided to have another biological child. We were more than thrilled and super excited about her impending birth. However, I had a nagging feeling. Why had I so clearly felt that we would have Lily home in 2008……...

In November of 2007, I had an opportunity to travel to Hangzhou, China for a Cancer Genetics conference for work. Even though I was 4 months pregnant, it was an opportunity that I couldn’t pass up. God had given me a heart for China and now I had the chance to set foot there. I didn’t yet know that I was carrying a girl but felt in my spirit that I was…….how do all these mothers handle the societal pressure to have a boy……what must it feel like to abandon your newborn daughter? I simply couldn’t imagine. My trip to China was beautiful, peaceful and fast!! There and back in a whirlwind 5 days. We had an opportunity to visit West Lake; the most famous landmark in Hangzhou.

As I watched the world prepare for the Olympics in Beijing, my heart was fixated on what could have been…….and what I felt was supposed to be. I prayed that I would have peace and know that God was in control. On July 30, 2008 just days before the Olympics were to begin, I found myself reading about hundreds of international students looking for host homes for the upcoming school year. I sent a quick inquiry assuming it would be for the following school year. I learned moments later that there was still time for us to host for the 2008-2009 school year……but we needed to act fast.

The agency sent me a few profiles of young women in China and within 30 minutes we had a confirmation that we would be hosting Yarong for the 2008 school year…..and that she would be arriving in less than 30 days. What? How could that be so easy?? Imagine my surprise when I viewed her profile and she was from…….you guessed it…..Hangzhou, China! Her introductory essay spoke about her love of all things American, her desire to be a physician, her love of Art and the joy she has when walking around West Lake. I felt an instant peace and I knew her family would too. They could send her to a family where the mom had been to her home town.

Yarong had been waiting for a family to choose her for nearly 8 months. The deadline to find a family was August 1st! With only hours to spare, she found a home and became our daughter. We began e-mailing a few weeks later in preparation for her arrival. During our e-mail exchanges she requested help choosing an American/English name. She originally chose Cindy and asked that we call her that instead of Yarong. I expressed that we would follow her wishes but were happy to call her by her given name. A few days later she e-mailed again with the news she wanted to change her English name to Susy. Did we mind? Which one did we like better? Again, we expressed that we would follow her wishes. I am very struck by the meaning of names and decided to look up both in hopes of helping her choose. Moments later another e-mail. Susy it was.

I proceeded with my plans but only looked up Susy (or in this case Susan). Susan is Hebrew for Lily. (check for yourself at www.babynames.com)

God had fulfilled His promise to our family. He had brought Lily home and around the time of the Olympics. As my husband says, you can’t make this stuff up!

God is in the details and He desires to make Himself known to you…….

The Butterfly Kingdom

We planned to move forward with an adoption from China just after Caroline’s first birthday. We again set our sights on China; specifically a child from a special needs list. Given my work as a genetic counselor, our family felt pretty comfortable with a variety of needs. Unfortunately, as we approach her first birthday this month, we still do not meet the criteria (our student loan debt prevents us from having a net worth large enough for China to consider us as prospective adoptive parents). After discussing the possibility of applying for a waiver of the net worth criteria, it became evident that an adoption from mainland China would not be possible at this time. However, the agency that I've volunteered with in the past is piloting a program in Taiwan. They were seeking a few flexible families who could begin the process immediately. Here comes the chaos! Thank you God for directing our path. The image above was taken in November at a local children's museum. It was long before we knew that we'd be heading to Taiwan--The Butterfly Kingdom--to find the newest Salamone. Looking back it was odd that I stopped to take such a photo. Little did I know the significance. God is so good!

But why adoption?

Fact: There are between 100-200 million orphans in the world; all in need of a warm home and loving parents. Many have asked “but with a problem so big is it worth it?” The now commonplace but poignant story about the starfish may shed some light: ………… “Sir, why are you taking the time to try to save one starfish when there are thousands lying on the beach? You can’t possibly make any difference!” The older man smiled, bent over, picked up another starfish and flung it into the ocean. Then he said, “It made a difference to that one!” We want to make our warm, loving home available in the hope that we can make a difference to at least one. We already know the difference a loving home can make. We’ve had the pleasure of providing foster care for one of my husband's former students (Gary) as well as hosting a young exchange student (Yarong) from China during this school year. The opening of our home (and the craziness and chaos that it brings), has only strengthened our desire to adopt. We know with hard work and more importantly God’s guidance, we can make a difference. It is nothing short of a miracle that He has entrusted us with Gary and Yarong. Today, we count them as our children and are blessed to do so.

We're expecting!

No, not in the traditional sense, but we have recently begun the initial preparations to expand our family through the miracle of adoption. We are thrilled to begin this journey and can only imagine what lies around the corner for us. This plan to expand our family through adoption has been a work in progress for more than 4 years. We are beyond excited that our time has finally come.
“You’re doing what?”
On December 18, 2004, we made the ‘official’ decision to adopt. We say ‘official’ because we had long talked about it, but this time we decided to take action towards this goal. As our son was only 6 months old at the time, it was something for the future but a firm decision none-the-less. We began immersing ourselves in adoption by reading as much as possible, volunteering with an adoption agency, enrolling in Mandarin classes and generally just being excited about our future family. We began what seemed like an endless wait to finally be ‘old’ enough to adopt from China. Finally, a few months before my 30th birthday, we officially started the process to bring home a little girl. Two short months later, new rules regarding adoptive parents went into effect. Our plans needed to drastically change as we no longer met the criteria to adopt from China. We knew, at that moment, adoption was meant for our future but sadly not for our present. God knew best because in March of 2008, we welcomed Caroline Olivia into our family (the old-fashioned way). What a blessing and a true gift from God she is! Thankfully, there were roadblocks to our adopting on our first try. If not, we would never have known the joy of our sweet Caroline.