Mama Sheep

For many of you, when you read this, we will already be in the air heading toward China. It is so hard to be a mom and leave your kids behind - I can not even tell you how it hurts, as I let quiet tears fall for the 4 blessings that I leave here while we travel. But I know what we've been called to, and I know God will give grace to all of us. However, it is words such as these, shared by a dear friend today - that really resonate with me. I want to share them with all of you -

Reflections of a Waiting Mom
I've got three of my four children in my fold, but my heart says it's time to go get my lost little lamb.

You know, I used to wonder how Jesus the Good Shepherd could leave the 99 behind (although He never really leaves us) to go and look for his lost lamb. I think I have a better idea now. A few years back, we were given the opportunity through B's job to go to Australia. I couldn't do it. I had no desire to leave my babies that far behind. Granted, they were littler then. But it didn't even tempt me.

Now, in order to bring my little lamb home, I can leave my other 3 lambs in the fold without me. I can go halfway around the world. This time is different. I need to go. I won't hesitate. For this little while, the one needs me more than the 3. And I know God will be with them when I'm gone.

That was said so much better than I could have said it myself, and it echoes my heart right now. (Adoptive moms must be heart like-minded!) Chloe told me today that tomorrow will be a hard day - I wholeheartedly agree with her!! So thank you my dear friend for sharing these words with me - as we go to find our little lamb.......

God At Work

I posted yesterday on Facebook that we had received the call a little before noon that WE WERE ON OUR WAY!!! (Can you tell we're excited!?!?) God moved mountains - we feel so blessed to be told that in a few short days we are on our way. Our agency is gracious and keeps asking if this is ok to be such short notice - like we'd ever say NO!!!

But one of the neat God-things that we just found out is that one of the families with our travel group is also going to Nanjing. So when we go to Nanjing to get Jada - we won't be all alone like we thought we might be. God provided a family for us to travel with - a family that is also adopting a three year old, a little boy, BUT (here's what I love) their little guy has some eye special needs just like our Jada. How awesome is that of God!??! Two little three year olds - both with eye conditions - He couldn't have done it ANY better in my book!!! He is going above and beyond for us. I am seeing it so clearly in scripture where it says that just like our earthly fathers, he also longs to give us good gifts.

We can't wait to meet this wonderful family (we are both teachers too - gotta love that - we might have to talk books!!!) as well as a few other kindred spirits we have met online that will be in Guangzhou when we get there - it will just be one big party! God simply amazes me sometimes!

Leaving Our Friends

We had such a great time with our friends - we hardly wanted to leave - I know, they were ready to push us out though!!! They provided us with such a wonderful weekend - we had a great time together. We are blessed with dear friends.

Our Chinese New Year celebration was such fun - this is just a taste of the fun...more to come!

Not All Play

Ok, lest you think we are just PLAYING - we are also working - HARD at work - getting ready for the Iditarod!!!

See where we are this weekend???

Chloe and Mya (one of the families we travelled with to China) are having TOO much fun this weekend - oh yes, and Noah !!!! :)

Home Again, Home Again, Jiggity Jig!

Here I am - safe and sound at home - that is amazing - I was all the way across the U.S. and now I am home. Nothing too exciting on the trip - thankfully no more loose handles, etc. I tried to act like a seasoned traveller - hope I fooled them all!!! My favorite part?? When I came down the escalator into sight of my family - Chloe looked up and took off at full speed running to me yelling, "Mommy, Mommy!!" She nearly knocked me over but who's complaining?!?! It was so cute and left Daddy in tears - quite the moment - I love my family - what blessings!!

Here is the ham - hammin' it up!! I got this crazy hat to use in Story Hour and look who's claimed it already???!? Of course one has to get the camera out for moments such as these - it's all memories!!!!!

The Travel Queen

Here I am - it may look like I'm in my hometown with all those TULIPS, but NO, take a second look - I am in Portland still. The gal I am traveling with,Sonia, just thought I needed my picture taken by these TULIPS that are not even from my home!!! (Since we live in Tulip land!!)

We had a day - we had meetings all morning and then decided to venture out on our own again. To all who know either of us - that is a surprise that they even let us out without GPS units attached to us, but yes, we may only be in Portland once so we go out venturing. Today's venture - the Chinese Gardens!! So we get on this tram/bus thing and off we go - we just listen for our stop - hey, we are good!!! The gardens were gorgeous - I am SO glad we took the time (and BRAVERY) to go. It was on the way back though that our traveling courage was tested - we already STICK OUT LIKE A SORE THUMB around here - everyone takes one look at us and KNOWS we hail from Iowa!!! We get on the train and grab a hold and get ready for the jolt we know happens at every stop and start (see, we are getting seasoned, aren't we?!?!). Sonia, she's smart, she grabs the iron pole, Me - I grab the leather handle hanging from the ceiling - I've seen people do it, I figure I can do it too. I am holding on for dear life as we are jolting forward and my strap breaks - I AM NOT KIDDING - totally comes right off the pole and I am just praying I don't land on the floor OR in the bum's lap next to me!! Thankfully, I find another pole to grab onto - I AM NOT KIDDING AGAIN - people are laughing from three train cars in either direction and one lady looks at me and says, "You will have to pay for that - See that camera?? You were being taped." I was dumbfounded - I thought - You have got to be kidding!!! Then, thankfully, she busts out laughing. I am SURE I was three shades of red - needless to say - we got off at the next stop - nope it wasn't even our stop, but we were getting out of there!!! Enough free entertainment for the people of Portland!! Hmmm, I'm thinking tonight it's room service and it's a good thing we're leaving soon - Portland can't handle too much more of us and I doubt we'd ever leave our room again anyway!!!!

See you all in SAFE Iowa!!!! (If our city even talks about putting in a tram thing, I will have a word with the city - those are DEFINITELY NOT SAFE for travel!!!)

Not Home

Well - in case you had missed my presence in bloggerland - I am in Portland at a library meeting - or that's what they'll tell you anyway - shhhh, don't tell that they have GREAT shopping here!!! (Just kidding Joe!!!) So - I haven't been able to post regularly nor do I have any great pictures to share - so I'll share an old one with you until I can get out and take some photos around Portland - it is beautiful here - everything is blooming - which, from what I've heard, is MUCH nicer than my hometown at the moment!!! Did someone say SNOW and I'm missing it?!?!?

So - I'll be here for a few more days and then I'm back again - but now that my internet is working, whew, I feel better already!!!! :)

I saw another blogger that had done this and I loved it - it's Chloe on Gotcha Day holding her referral pictures!! Is that even the same little girl????