Next!

Yesterday, we received our homestudy report to review and make any corrections before Judy presents it to "the panel", which I believe she said she is going on June 2. Panel is just another stage of approval before everything goes to Fredericton for Provincial Approval. 

Anyway, it was really strange to have our whole lives summarized into 21 pages, but the most amazing and wonderful thing I read was:  
After carefully considering all information available during the preparation of this report, Chris and Kim Rayner are recommended to adopt from China a female child as young as possible and under age two at the time of referral. 
EEEKK!!!!  This absolutely brought tears to my eyes.  Sometimes I can't believe that this is actually happening and that some day in the not so far away future we will have a Daughter, Noah and Isaiah will have a mei mei (little sister) and our parents will be grandparents to a special little girl. (Other than Cass)lol

Did you know: In China there are more than 40,000 orphanages with an estimated 3 million orphans.

 2 out of 5 babies entering the system die.

Matthew 18:5 "Anyone who welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me."

~APPROVED!!!!!!!!!~

 

There has always been a special branch on our family tree just for you!

I know this is a few days late, but things have been very busy lately with me starting a new job at Sailer's Landing and a number of other things.

So last Wednesday, May 12th; the day after our 14th wedding anniversary; I picked Judy up at the ferry at 11am.  Well it was supposed to be 11 but the wonderful crap ferry was a half and hour late.  No worries though we had lots of time, she wasn't leaving us until 3.

Our last meeting was very casual, I showed her around our house and she loved our view.  She finished up with Chris's last interview and then just basically asked some more questions.  I can't even really remember what questions actually, so it was nothing too serious.  I had made us a little lunch, and then Chris went to pick up the boys from school.  They were quite upset as you can imagine.(NOT)  If I have talked with any of you before this you knew I was a bit nervous about her talking with the boys, because after all kids will be kids and you never know what they may come out with.  With our boys being almost 12 and 9 they know how to freak you out.  A few different nights while trying to get them to have showers or go to bed at a decent hour, they would threaten us, yes threaten us!  "You wait till Judy comes, I am going to tell her you beat us".  Well you know what it didn't work, I know better and I assumed so would Judy.  Worries aside though the meeting with the boys went really well, as usual they were kind of shy, so they really didn't say much until she started talking hockey with Noah. 

Around 2:30 she started to pack up to head to the ferry.  It was killing me to know whether she had approved us or not, so I said "when will we know if we are approved".  She said, " I would have never went this far with you if I wasn't going to give you my approval."  PHEWWW!  So in a week or so we should be receiving our dossier to proof read and then she will send it off to the NB government.  It should take about a month or so to "officially" get government approval.

I contacted the agency we will be using in Ottawa, Family Outreach International, and had a really encouraging chat with a guy about the waiting child program.  He really can't give us a time frame, but it really might not be that long of a wait. I really hope this will be the case!

So all of my doubts and stress thinking we may not be approved for some reason, was well rediculous.  I feel so priveledged and blessed to be given this opportunity.  Thank you to everyone who prays for our adoption and please continue to pray for a speedy adoption and for our daughter and her caregivers.  I pray that if she is born that she is being well taken care of and if she is not born that her birth mom is healthy and is taking care of herself.  Amen

Now more fundraising!! Prayer for that would be excellent too!

~ BLesSed ~

So I had my GIANT yard/bake/quilt sale on Saturday, and was completely blown away by it.  I went into it thinking I possibly might make around $600ish, but didn't want to over estimate and be disappointed.  I had so many people donate a lot of great stuff, that it looked like it was a 3 family yard sale.

So that morning as I was getting ready, I had a little conversation with myself and God.  I thought: wouldn't it be amazing if I actually made enough to pay for the rest of the homestudy!!  Oh really Kim, it is a yard sale!?  As then I continued to say to God, "I know it is possible with you", but I still didn't want to get my hopes up.(Oh ye of little faith!)  God had a plan!!

So at 10am we opened the doors of the hall and the people came.....A Lot of people came!  I was quite overwhelmed and basically in a panic as people piled up to pay for things, but thanks to Joy and Kim Cruikshank they were great at handling the madness.  So I took care of the food aspect and was perfectly content to do so.  Thanks to Jenni and Terri Parker who also were amazing help!

So as it slowed down, Joy counted the total, she looked at me and smiled and said, "you did really well!! You have over $800 so far."  And this was maybe an hour into to the sale.  I was completely shocked and very happy!  One o'clock came and she totaled the rest and it was over $1200!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us. Ephesians 3:20

Got it God!! I knew or I wanted to believe that I knew that God could do this, but He wanted me to KNOW that He could do this!!  So I officially have enough to pay the rest of the homestudy fee!  Praise God, that is such a huge relief.

Oh really Kim, it is a yard sale!?  I am sure God laughs at our lack of faith sometimes and gets really excited at the chance to show Himself to us.

Thanks again to anyone that helped in anyway, and to those that purchased, prayed and donated.  Especially God!XO

MAY 12th!!!

  Officially have a date set for our last meeting with Judy and it is on May 12th.  I was hoping it would be a bit sooner than that, but it is what it is I guess.

   I contacted Family Outreach International today and they said we can officially register with them now that we are just about done our homestudy!  YaY!!!!  So I am heading off to the mail to mail our registration form.

I am having a giant yard/bake/quilt sale this coming weekend to help with the remaining homestudy fee.  So hopefully we can get that taken care of before the other fees come flying at us. I am so thankful for all of the people that have offered to bake and to those who have donated items for the sale.  Now hopefully a lot of people will get out to the sale and buy it all!LOL (Really though I hope!) =)

ALMOST DONE!!!!!

We had our last visit with Judy in St. George yesterday, and now she will come to us at our home.  Still waiting for her to call to let us know what day works for her.  I am assuming it will be sometime next week.  Then we will be officially finished our homestudy!!!!!!!!!! 

Yesterday, we had seperate hour long meetings, basically about our childhood and family life.  I feel a lot more confident that we will be approved with no problems, than I did at the beginning.  Overall, I feel these are necessary steps to ensure that the homes that children are placed in are safe and loving enviroments.  It is unfortunate that only adoptive parents have to go through such scrutiny to have a child, it should be made manditory for anyone in child bearing years to do the same.  There would be a lot less frustrating/sad situations if this were the case.

Anyway, our next visit will be about 4 hours since she is coming over on the 11am ferry and heading back on the 3.  Our boys will love her because on that day we will have to pick them up early from school so she can chat with them.  I am hoping they are in a good mood that day, but who knows??

VISIT #2 DOWN - 2 MORE TO GO!!!

We went to St. George yesterday to meet with Judy.  Today we talked about our marriage, faith, discipline and adoption.  The two hours flew by and I left feeling confident and so thankful for the man I am married to and our life together.

This process so far has had many ups and downs, and has been eye opening and fulfilling.  Talking about our marriage, faith and discipline, helped me to realize even more why Chris and I are together.  We are definately on the same page in life.(Minus my dislike of sports)  I am so thankful for that!

Talking about adoption and how our community will react, also helped make this all more real.  As a parent of kids already I never want my children to have to go through discrimination, judgement, or knowing that they are stereotyped a specific way, etc.  But for our future daughter, unfortunately this will be a common occurance.  NOT only for her, but for all of us.  As we learn and grow through this process, we have to prepare ourselves, the boys and our daughter for situations that may arise.  I love our community and I know we have a lot of support, but somewhere, sometime a situation will arise that will be heartbreaking and appauling, but we will be prepared!!

So we have one more visit in St. George and then Judy will come to our home.  I can't believe we are halfway finished our homestudy!!  This is very exciting and hopefully the rest of the visits will go just as well.

*The Joys Of Living On An Island*

Well this sums up our day:

~  Wake Up at 5:30 a.m.
~  Get to the ferry at 7
~  Sail for an hour and a half
~  Drive 45mins. to Saint John
~  Wait until 11a.m. for our appointment with Judy
~  Have our appt., which was overall pretty good and only 1hr long.  I hope we answered everything "right".  It basically is in God's hands now if we didn't.
~  Walked to Cora's for lunch(YUM) by the way!
~  Went to look for shoes for Noah, which took maybe 1/2hr.
~  Drove around Saint John and went into furniture places, just to basically look.  Trying to kill time until 3, when we would have to drive back to the ferry.
~  Went to the Super Store and bought a Chinese Money Tree!!(Hoping it works)lol
~  Drove to St. George to get a sub from Subway.
~  Went to the ferry and got home at 7.

It has been a long day and apparently we have to do this 3 more times before she is coming to us in our home.  Hopefully she will combine 2 visits in one, especially considering our ferry is going off for 6 weeks and we will have the "crap" one.

I guess this is another time that I get to practice patience! So here we go....... I am glad this is one step closer to where we want to be.

Chris said to me on the ferry, "This is the part, like pregnancy, where you just wait and enjoy the journey.  There is nothing you can do to speed it up, so just enjoy it and don't stress."
He surprises me sometimes and this was definately one of those times, but I have to admit he is right.

It Begins Next Wednesday!!

Just an update, we got a call from Judy yesterday, who will be our socail worker for the homestudy, and she would like to meet with us in Saint John on Wed. April 7th.  Then in her St. George office on Tues. April 13th.  She is leaving the homevisit to the last in order to save us paying so much mileage.

So very exciting!!!!

Waiting For The Call!

I finally got our paperwork and first fee sent off on Thursday, March 25, 2010.  The paperwork had been done forever, but coming up with the $1350 without using any of our regular money was a bit challenging.

We have wonderful friends that stepped up and donated the profits from her bags towards our fee and others who bought more quilts.  So slowly but surely we got the money.

I guess when you asked God for patience, he demonstrates ways that you have to be patient.  I am sure this will not be the only time during this journey where we will need a truck load of patience.

So now we are waiting for a phone call from Judy Urquhart to set up a day to start the homestudy.  Also, working on coming up with the rest of the money to finish the homestudy.

Sometimes, I can't even believe we are actually in the process of international adoption.  It has been a dream of mine for so long and NOW IT IS HAPPENING!!!  Wow, somebody pinch me please!!  Can't wait!!

Dave Ramsey Would Be Proud!

My youngest son Isaiah, has been saving, working, saving and working to buy his very own dirt bike.  He has been collecting recyclables, cutting wood with his dad and grandfathers, and saving $ from his Birthdays and Christmas.

The day came yesterday that he had enough and the bike he wanted was on sale so..........through much hesitation on his mothers part, we brought it home to him from Saint John.

I am soooo impressed with his determination to save for and work for something that he wanted. It is funny how a nine year old can teach you that if you want something bad enough, that you can get it through hard work and saving.  Dave Ramsey Jr. lol

 Isaiah has a list made already of the things he is saving for next: A New Xbox, A Chainsaw,(yeah I know, not sure what to do about this one!!!!),  A Flat Screen for his room.  I have no doubt in my mind that he will achieve this, minus the chainsaw until he is 25!

Anyway, I love my boys so much and can't wait to bring another beautiful child into our lives through international adoption. Here is Zay on his hard earned dirt bike.  Noah too, because he wanted people to see him on it!Haha

A Little At A Time!

 I did our local market yesterday, my mom and good friend baked some goodies, my sister made some kiddy grab bags, we cooked hot dogs and of course there were my quilts.  I was a little disappointed that I didn't sell any quilts, but then again I wasn't really expecting to.  The hot dogs were a big seller and we did sell most of our baked goods.  So now we are down to $409 dollars left of the $1350. 

It seems this part is taking the longest to get going and it is somewhat frustrating, but I have to stay positive and believe that everything is in God's timing and it is all going to work out.  Here is a pic of my wonderful helpers:  Also thanks Joy, I so appreciate you!  Here are some quilts that are still for sale as well.......

Just About Ready!!

The paperwork is done, record checks done, autobiographys done, just waiting for Chris's medical to be filled out.  Have $560 more dollars to get to make up the $1350.  I am working on a couple more quilts that may possibly already be bought if the people like them so that will be another $300.  I am thinking that I may get some things ready for the farmer's market next weekend (Mar.6).  Will plan on some baked goods, quilts, baby beach balls, hot dogs and some place mats.

 So now I just have to figure out who can make what and how to get a lot of stuff made, while taking the kids skiing and to a hockey game for 3 days next week.  Hmmm, I am hoping I can pull it all off.  Sure I can!!!

I am sooo excited, nervous and impatient about getting this Homestudy done, this is the initial step that will officially put us full fledge On the Road to China.  It is nerve racking to know someone is coming into your home and judging you on your parenting, relationship with your spouse (in every intimate area), finances and I am sure there is a lot more that I am missing.  I keep thinking maybe there will be a reason that we won't be approved, I am not sure what that may be, but it is always a thought that nags at me every once in awhile.  Could it be that same annoying voice that tells us we are not good enough, smart enough or worthy enough?........... I think so.  So I have to choose to think positive, and believe we are worthy enough to raise another child, whether it is biologically or from half way around the world. 

We are reading, 'If You Want To Walk On Water, You've Got To Get Out Of The Boat' in our Sunday School class, and I find it amusingly appropriate at this point.  It talks about Peter having faith enough in God to get out of the boat, and walk on the water.  Peter knew the joy and freedom of experiencing God's power after taking an enormous risk.  That is my desire throughout this entire process, to experience God's ultimate power, feelling the joy and freedom of relying completly on Him.  Now let me be the first to admit that I am still working on this and learning, and it is not always easy, I know I need to spend more time with God and get to know Him better.  As I am obedient with this, God will reveal himself to me more clearly than ever......so why don't I do it?   Good question right?  Yeah I thought so, but unfortunately I have no excuses.

I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of Him.  1 Samuel 1:27

One Step Closer.......

This past weekend we had our info/training session in Saint John at the Fort Howe Hotel.  Brent and Joy traveled with us and despite our husbands harassing each other all weekend, we had fun.  It is so awesome to know we have such great friends that have the same strong desire to adopt from China.

The Friday night session was very informative and we had guest speakers that had adopted from Russia and it was quite an adventure for them.  The next day we started at 9am and went until 3:30pm.  We met some really awesome people whom also are starting their adoption journeys.  I think it is so neat to meet so many people that have the  desire to adopt and have so much in common.  You definately feel a connection to each of them. 

Now we have to finish up our paperwork and a couple other things before our homestudy can start.  Oh yeah and come up with $2700+.  So hopefully before spring we will have started or finished our homestudy and will be approved.  Yay, then I guess we will start the waiting, and waiting and waiting......  Hopefully we won't have to wait too long, but we are thinking it will be at least 3yrs.  Good things come to those who wait!!!  I am not sure if that means waiting patiently or impatiently though!!! 

~My Boys~

Paperwork and More Paperwork!

The paper run has begun, and let me tell you what it is a lot.  I am not complaining because I actually don't mind filling things out and writing an autobiography on my existence, but Chris may say different.  He made fun of me because he thought I basically wrote a novel for each answer, but I just have more to say I guess. 

I am really getting anxious for the training session on Feb 5th and 6th in Saint John and have a lot of questions that hopefully I will get answers to.  I was a bit discouraged the other day when I looked on Children's Bridge adoption agency and they said the process right now is going so slow that families that have been trying since 2006 won't get their babies until 2015.  I can't even imagine why it would possibly take that long, but I am praying they get in gear before we get going.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAu6OM6l0Yg

Happy 2010......Expecting Only Good Things!

     Well the new year has begun and I am filled with many different emotions as we begin 2010.  I always, for some reason feel a bit sad when Christmas is over and we ring in a new year.  I think it is partly because time goes by soooo fast and the older I get it seems to go by a little more quickly than I would like.  On the other hand the new year has soo many possibilities, opportunities and it seems like as good a time as any to reflect on the past year to see what changes we may have to make whether with ourselves or situations we may be in.
     This year I am especially hopeful and excited to be starting our adoption journey.  Last year this time you probably couldn't convince me that it was actually going to happen this soon, but that is how wonderful and amazing God is and he works when we least expect it.  I am soo thankful for the support and well wishes from all of our family and friends.  Love you all!

Starfish~

I read a little story last night that moved me to tears, and thought I would share it.  It is so simple, but makes you realize how important it is if you can help or influence one person in a positive way.

     Thousands of starfish washed ashore.  A little girl began throwing them in the water so they would not die.  "Don't bother dear," the mother said, " it won't make a difference."  The girl stopped for a moment and looked at the starfish in her hand.  " It will make a difference to this one."

I believe God has put us here on this earth to make a difference in some way or another.  A smile, a hello, a gift, an adoption.  For that one little girl that is somewhere in China, maybe she isn't even born yet, but God knows her and she is his, and he is graciously granting us the priveledge to become a forever family to her.  It will make a difference to this one!!

The Journey Begins!

"The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide that you are not going to stay where you are."  John Pierpont Morgan

I guess this is where it begins for us all at some point in our lives, realizing we have a dream or a goal and then deciding how determined we are to achieve it.  Do we take those first steps or do we stay put because it is easier and less intimidating.  Well, I am moving past fear, easiness and comfort, and embarking on a journey that will be like none I have ever taken.  This journey is called international adoption!

This is the very beginning stages, so forgive me but you will be hearing a lot from me over the next while.  This is not something, one day I decided out of the blue, for the past six or seven years I have researched and researched about international adoption, mainly China.  Because of it being sooo costly it seemed totally our of reach, but after reading a friends blog about how she made purses to help get the funds for their adoption, I was totally encouraged and inspired.  So I decided to start taking steps to raise funds for our own international adoption and what can I do, I can make rag quilts. 

My first goal to reach is $300 for the Info/Training Session.  I have made two quilts and some table mats that thanks to my wonderful friend(who bought them all for Christmas gifts) I have pretty much reached that goal.
The next goal is around $2800 for the first home assessment, so if anyone is in need of really awesome rag quilt you know who to call.

I truly believe that this is God's desire for our family, just talking about it the kids get very excited and willing to do whatever.  Isaiah last night wanted to put together his own quilt, so he picked out the fabric and helped me cut it.  He sat down on the floor and started making a pattern of how it was going to look, so cute.  He then kept asking me to sew it because he wanted it done that night.  It turned out cute and would fit very nicely on a little boys night stand....any takers? lol

My true desire is to make God first through this whole process and not try to do things in our own strength, but to totally lean on God for direction and wisdom.  Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1