Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Vietnam Update

Don't get too excited. I won't usually post 2x in one day but, I have news to share. Well, atleast a prayer request. I heard rumors today about Vietnam and US suspending adoptions as of September 1, 2008. That means if you haven't been referred a child by that date, then, your adoption paperwork will be sent back from Vietnam to your agency. The adoption door will close. The reason for this is what the US says are irregularities in adoption, corruption, and unethical processes. The adoption system is a mess that is going to take quite some work to fix. (You can read details by clicking on any of the links under Vietnam Adoption Websites on the sidebar.)

I called our agency today to get some answers. I am not panicked or really even anxious yet, I just needed to get it all straight in my head. See, we are not even on the waiting list for Vietnam, yet. We must file with CIS and wait approx 10 weeks to get a form that states we can adopt internationally. Only then can we be put on the waiting list. And, we are a few weeks out from filing. Potentially, we have, let's say 14 weeks/3.5 months. That puts us in August before we would receive acceptance and can even be put on the waiting list. In the meantime, there is supposed to be an official visit from Vietnam head in June to discuss the adoption conflict. My prayer is something can be worked out during that visit, so, when our acceptance rolls around we will know some answers.

I know God called us to adopt and I have felt so drawn to Vietnam and it's orphans. I also know that God is in control and sometimes He takes us down one path to lead us to another. Sometimes, God closes one door only to open another. I don't know the answers, but, I know we are staying the course set before us.

Please pray for the orphans in Vietnam and all over the world. Daily, they miss out on the love of a mom and dad and a family. Pray for the 2 governments to come to an agreement that benefits these precious children. Please pray for us as we continue this journey.

Thanks for hearing me out.

Monday, April 28, 2008

A few campaign memories...


















As promised, I wanted to show a few pics of our adventures on the big LANKFORD FOR CONGRESS bus. It was very fun ,but, I now have a new appreciation for politicians and fundraising and bus tours. It's alot of hard work! Luckily, this family loves to meet new people and make many friends. Honestly, I hope we get to do it again before the election in November. Remember to pass the word... VOTE LANKFORD FOR CONGRESS!!!!!

Hope I go
t the sizing right on the pics. As hard as I tried - some wouldn't enlarge anymore or they'd blur ,so, you'll just have to break out the old magnifying glass:) Remember, I am still new at this posting pics game!!








































































Thursday, April 24, 2008

Got to start somewhere....



Hey Friends,
How does one start a blog? Where do you begin? There's just so much happening around here.

So.....Here it goes...

Today my sweet baby boy is SEVEN MONTHS OLD.... I can't believe it. My they grow up way too fast! His personality is coming out in full force. He loves to share his smiles and to yell and he couldn't get any more nosey! Check out that cute face!

What a week it's been ...

We have been on the campaign trail with Poppi. My father in law is running for US Congress for the 4th District in Tennessee. The fam spent a day on the big tour bus cruising east Tennessee small towns. My crew loves meeting people. Briley has the gift of gab...she passed out more flyers and stickers than I could count...it's hard to turn down a toothless beauty wanting votes for her Poppi. We even got to visit with some of my extended family that I don't get to see often enough! (LOVE YA'LL)

Campaign pics to follow when I get them all together.

More Big News...
We had our Home Study on Tuesday. I am so excited about adopting. The process is very long and always changing but, the reward, a sweet baby girl from Vietnam, is worth it all. For those of you who didn't know we were doing this...surprise! Joey and I have always known we would adopt, just not when. Well, God laid it on our hearts heavily back in February. So we prayed and prayed and felt like God was leading us to start this journey. With even more prayer we chose Vietnam, a country that at the current time is in having some adoption issues with the US. We are hopeful that everything will work out and trust God is in control. I have learned I just have to turn it all over to the good Lord! Which is hard for a girl who likes to know all the answers now , but, I am learning to be patient.

The next step is getting our reference letters turned in, then the entire home study packet including interviews, fingerprints, actual in-home study, medicals, police record, etc will be turned in and we wait approval from the US government. Once we are approved we are finally put on the waiting list which is 2-3 years. I can't believe it will take that long. I just can't imagine. Maybe, just maybe, things will speed up!?! It's so hard to think about all the precious children out there that need love, need a good home, need a family. Yet, it is so hard to get to them. They wait and wait and wait.

The kids are fired up about the adoption. Especially Briley, who can't wait for a sister. Don't get me wrong she loves her brothers but....

I guess I'm done for the day! One could ramble on and on ...

My plan is to share as often as possible the good, the bad, and even the ugly. For there is NEVER A DULL MOMENT around here. Hopefully, whoever reads this life of mine will get some joy, some laughter, some encouragement, and even some occasional good advice.

I leave you with this...it's something to strive for!
"I am an example of Christ, His love, strength, power... to my children, my family, and others. Constantly, I need to try to reflect God. My children (and others) will learn Christ through me. Therefore, I must work on being the best representation I can be!"