On the cusp - it's been almost 15 days :)

Well, almost 15 days since our Article 5 letter - (not that anyone is counting)....so we're on the cusp of whether or not we get CARA approval to proceed....or if we need to provide more or updated information. The earliest timeframe is 15 days ....but this stage could take a few months. I pray they have everything they need....and we get this approval very soon. We are soooo ready for our little girl to come home. A few weeks ago, we took our friends to the zoo and they have a little girl about 1 1/2 years old. She rode in the stoller most of the time and Joshua "helped" push her around - he was so sweet - I could totally imagine him pushing little Lauren in a stroller. He's going to be a great big brother. Before we left for the zoo - he hopped out of the car, ran inside and grabbed a few toys and say, "Daniella will need toys to play with in the car ride to the zoo"... sometimes he has such a sweet thoughtful heart. Don't get me wrong...he has his challenging days... but when it comes to loving others -- he's usually surprisingly sweet. It goes to show, we were made to be relational beings -- true joy is through connecting with one another (and our Lord). Yesterday at the YMCA during swimming lessons, an Indian family sat right next to us on the bench...and of course they have two beautiful little girls with matching swim suits ... one about the age of Lauren, then other maybe closer to Joshua's age. We started talking to the mom.... who was so kind. Her younger child looked so similar to Lauren's picture with her little pixie hair cut... it brought me great joy just to see them and talk to them. She said sometimes in India parents will shave their babies head to make the hair grow back in thick... I found that interesting... these little girls had thick and beautifully black hair. She also said in the winter months Dec-March-- it is a little cooler in India (except for Mumbai...she said is an island, so it very hot and tropical). When swim lessons were over, I showed Joshua the little girl and he seemed very excited, .. his comment, "you know, she doesn't have very much height". LOL (she was tiny). You know I will post for sure if we hear anything from CARA - meanwhile... we wait "patiently" - the motto of adoption. :)

What great way to start the day -- Article 5 letter!!

I couldn't sleep last night - so I got up and read the news. I'm saddened to hear Mumbai experienced what is being called a terrorist attack. The whole city is on high alert - and I'm sure the people are filled with fear and uncertainty. Of course I prayed for Mumbai and the children at BalAsha and caregivers - to lean heavily on each other for comfort and strength and to rely on God for hope.

Then this morning I awoke to our Article 5 letter from New Delhi in our email inbox! And I'm reminded that when God is at work .... things happen. We are thrilled to have this step completed, like all other steps before this because it brings us one step closer to Lauren.

At this point documents go to Cara (the Central agency for adoptions) and we await other documents and court - I think a 5-6 month process in total. Then I think after that, we travel in about 3 weeks later... these are rough estimates, but this is generally the timeline. I believe if all is in order - Cara can issue their document within 15 days - but it is said that rarely happens and they often ask questions or require further information.... that's ok, we trust they do their job well for all orphans, so whatever it takes we'll provide.

Pray for the people of India. Pray that Lauren remains safe and healthy... and can come home soon.

What's "Lauren" up to????

Woke up this morning to either a dream / or thought... that Lauren was getting a bath... Indian style. I saw a video clip once of a child in India at an orphanage getting his bath - basically they wash from head to toe while the child stood there - then they poured water over his head and rinsed him off. He didn't seem to mind - and the caregiver was talking and having fun while pouring over the water. It was cute. But this serves as a reminder that little Lauren's world is going to be so different... even something as small as a bath. I hope she likes the water.. and of course, the added bath toys will likely make a difference.

We play this game as a family ... Brad, Joshua, and I take turns saying what we think Lauren is up to.... it's starts with... well, what time is it in India right now? Then we each take a turn saying what we thing...usually it's "waking up eating cereal", "playing with her friends", "being held by her caregiver"... things like that. It's a great way to talk to Joshua about Lauren and also connect with this little one so far around the world. (Joshua likes to show people on the globe where she lives...it's so cute - they he goes into the flight path that his daddy showed him that we will take when we pick her up)... too funny.

I still race to the mailbox - and now also to the email - looking for our next step (Article 5 letter)!! Expecting this sometime before July is up!! ~Renae

When God is at work.......

I find it interesting how this year of adoption processing has quickly went by.... but when God is at work....things happen.

I find it amazing that after a fund raiser designed to help us finish with our adoption fees and travel costs, we raised JUST the amount of funds we need to complete the adoption from this point forward....but when God is at work....things happen.

I stand in awe that in searching for the perfect part-time daycare for little "Lauren" when I eventually have to return to work a few days a week, that we found a location we loved and THEN found out her teacher is Indian...but when God is at work....things happen.

I'm intrigued when our son... you know the only child who has been in the center of our world since he was born...has a growing and loving heart for a sister he doesn't know....but when God is at work....things happen.

I am ever convinced she's ours when her little face pops into my mind each night before bed as a reminder to pray for her health and safety....but when God is at work....things happen.

I am stunned that we've been given a referral of a child so young, and so healthy even though we opened our heart to whatever God would give us...even up to an older age...but when God is at work...things happen.

I'm blessed that our friends and family understand our desires to raise a child so different from us...yet fully support and vow to love her unconditionally....but when God is at work...things happen.

I am privileged to be able to adopt because it not only expands our family, but it also gives us opportunity to testify for the Lord...but when God is at work....things happen.

I am blessed to continue to meet families and build relationships with others who care as much about adoption and we do....but when God is at work...things happen.

I am amazed to learn that our small private school has an Indian Art teacher in middle school...just the perfect timeframe she may need someone Indian to provide support for her questions of identity...but when God is at work...things happen.

I am impressed with the level of experts on adoption, bonding, attachment, medical issues, etc. for children of international adoption right in our own town and region...but when God is at work...things happen.

I stand in wonder how a woman can yearn for a child that is not of her blood, how a woman can nest in preparation of this child, and how love woven in her heart is so strong that at times the process seems unreal and the joy may just cause her to burst...but when God is at work...things happen.

With all these blessings.... I wonder why at times I just don't "take my hands off the wheel"..... His plans are better, His provision is greater, and His timing is perfect. We are coming sweet baby girl...when God says it's time.... we are coming. ~Mommy.