Got a few minutes?

So many things to share and catch up on. So here we go.

August 22-12. This was the day I spent packing up the car and sending my son Matthew off to College. I tried very hard to prepare for this day but how can you? I tried every last trick in the book to squeeze in extra time before he left but when the day came to move him, it felt like there was not enough time. I am so proud of Matthew, as he has made the decision to become a missionary. Even though I know this career choice will only put more distance between us, I can not say he is wrong. He has decided to follow what the Lord has told each of us to do: Matthew 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit. When we dedicate our children to the Lord when they are small infants we have no way of knowing where that child's path will go as they grow. When Matthew was dedicated and anointed with oil and my husband Bob and I prayed over this small baby that we would raise him to follow our Lord Jesus Christ. That we would show Christ love to him through our actions and teach him about Jesus. When we prayed Lord this is your child and we give him to you to do in him as you please. I could not have even imagined that this would be the direction the Lord would have one of my children follow. So, as I sit here even now,  crying  I mean tearing up. I shed tears that  sting of one child moving far from my home. Far enough that I can not see him at the ring of the phone. I also cry tear up with a feeling of being proud. I am proud that Matthew has made this choice. Proud that he is only 18 and is willing to eventually (4 years from now) leave his country and serve the Lord where he does not speak the language, will have no family, and basically will not be welcomed by most people. All to fulfill his part in the Lords plan for his life. Yes, I am a proud ma ma. I love you Matthew.

Going away dinner with family and friends. Sweet Tomatoes.

Traveling to Sacramento. Traffic, Traffic, Traffic!

Sign in front of the school

New home in the dorm. Matthew 6 feet, ceiling is 8 feet, top of mattress 6 feet off the floor, hmmmm..... hope there is no sudden need to sit up in a hurry!

Love that boy! I know, let go mom people might be watching! Thanks for humoring me son.

And the apron string has been cut!

 OK now lets move on to the next order of events..........

Some of you may know that my first round of immigration paperwork was put on hold at the end of July. The USCIS worker read my home study as to once I had Blossom (Annabelle) home I would be supporting 5 people. They concluded that I did not meet the income requirement and put my case on hold for 45 days. AUUGGGGGGG!!!!! They wanted an addendum made to the home study. When I tried to contact my SW, I found out she was on vacation and would not be back for a a week or so. ERRRRRRR!!!!!! When I did get a hold of her and I explained everything, I was asked to refill out paperwork explaining everything again. I tried to explain all of this in the first home study. Erica supports herself, Nathan lives out of the house and Matthew would be leaving to attend collage in the summer. So I would only be supporting myself, Jessica and Blossom (Annabelle) when I brought her home. But the home study states how everything was in the home at the time the study was done. I guess they were not allowed to project the future in the study? Finally, after 37 days my addendum was completed and I received it in the mail on Friday, August 31- 12 PTL!

I am so happy and put it in the mail Saturday, Sept 1 -12. Wouldn't you know it it was a three day weekend so the return information to USCIS would not reach them until Tuesday, Sept 4 - 12. Now I again sit and wait for my Golden Ticket. A letter saying "YES you may bring your daughter Blossom (Annabelle ) home." I can only pray that it will not take the standard two to three week wait. So I am left with a choice, to wait and see if I get approval then send in my dossier paperwork or go ahead and send in my dossier documents along with a lot of $$$$ in hopes that once I get approval my dossier paperwork will already be either sitting on my SW desk waiting or maybe even started and just waiting for that one little final piece of paper work. Think, Think, Think........... Choices, Choices, Choices...........  so I decide I am sending everything off in the mail tomorrow in hopes that I will get a head start. Well, I have to tell you, I already know my SW at the adoption agency is on VACATION!!!! She wont be back until Sept 17. Believe it or not, during this whole process I have had my home study SW out on vacation twice and now the adoption agency SW out on vacation. LOL.  

I can prove I have been born, married, lost a dear spouse, have two jobs, I want to adopt Blossom (Annabelle), have a guardian, I have the ability to support Blossom (Annabelle), been to the Doctor, that I am single, that my family has a life and we have pics to prove it!, I am not a criminal or ever have been, that my dogs have been vaccinated, my children are great students, more reference letters then I know what to do with, three of us want to go to China to bring Blossom (Annabelle) home, and I give consent for all of these documents to be translated. Whew! If this does not prove who I am and what I am seeking then nothing will. I have nothing left to show. So off it will go along with all of these...........

6 very important checks to get all of the above paperwork authenticated and translated for China!

As you know my sister in law Diane and her DH Keith, DS Nicolas and DD Lilly are in China adopting two more blessings. I introduced Kylie in an earlier post. I would like to introduce Bobby. He is 8 years old. What a handsome little boy. Here are some pictures of the kids.

Both of the children are adjusting to their new family. I love doing SKYPE. When Kylie hears the computer chiming that we are calling she will run to the computer. When she sees me and her new cousins she starts laughing and saying Hi aunt Pam, Hi Jessica, Hi Erica! She now knows us by our faces! Both children are writing their names in English. And both are beginning to speak English already! Man, I wish I was there with them picking up Blossom (Annabelle)! Yes, I am a little Jealous but trying hard not to be. I know it is not becoming but it is hard if you know what I mean. When you see this face and you desperately want to give it a kiss and hug her it is hard. Soon hopefully.

Enjoying the blossoms on the trees

Getting out and about with my friend

 Now you are all caught up on the business around the Bean home. Please keep praying that this will move along at light speed. My hopes and prayers of bringing Blossom (Annabelle) home by her 7th birthday (Dec 20 ) or Christmas is quickly fading away. It is still not impossible but highly unlikely unless the Lord moves mountains to do so. In his time not mine. Trying hard to be patient and wait upon the Lord. Also prayer that my sister in law and her family will have safe travel back to the US on Saturday, Sept 15.

Galatians 6:9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

I love my Sister and Brother In Law!

I think I have mention this a few times that my sister in law Diane and her family are also adopting from China. Well that is where they are right now. They have already had gotcha day for their first little one Kylie and will have their second gotcha day next Monday Sept 3rd. So anyway Diane had always planed to go to Harmony House and visit with Blossom and the children but when she found out that our agency does not follow the typical plan that most agencies do and start your time in Beijing it threw a monkey wrench in her plans. Our agency starts your journey in your child's province. So with that being said Diane had to make a critical decision.  Does she fly straight into Chongqing and skip Harmony House all together or does she choose to pay extra $$$$$ to start her journey in Beijing. She desperately wanted to go to Harmony House but with the added expense of flights, hotel, private guild, car, etc for four people I think you understand where she was coming from. Oh, I forgot to mention that her stay in China is going to be 24 days to adopt two children. 24 days! Can you say $$$$? As I talked with her the days before she made her decision I told her I would understand if they were not able to go to Harmony House. My face and voice were confident but in my heart I was full of sadness. I did truly understand but secretly I was hoping she would go. You see, Diane is a Physical Therapist and I was looking forward to her giving Blossom a evaluation and she would also be able to give some ideas of exercises they could do with Blossom. I also had bought some hand splints for Blossom so she could avoid getting permanent contractures in her hands. But most of all I wanted Diane to hold my little girl and send some love her way from me. I wanted to hear all about Blossom from someone I know. Well the decision was made and I am happy to report that Diane decided that she was not going to miss Harmony House even though it cost a lot of  $$$$$$$$. You can read her story here
holsworthhaven.blogspot.com

Here are some of the pictures she sent me.

This is Diane, Keith (DH), Nicolas (DS), and Lilly (DD adopted 5 years ago)

Aunt Diane and Blossom meet!

This one I love. Our running joke has been Diane had very few pics of her children throughout her process and I have been super blessed with pictures. As a waiting parent the thing you cling to is the hope of an updated photo of your little one. She never received updated photos until just before she got TA! Diane said to me jokingly one day  "I am going to visit Blossom and I am taking a picture of me giving her a kiss" It's all good cause without Diane listening to the Lord this picture would have never even been  a thought. She loves her Aunt Diane!

Hand / wrist brace to help control contratures. Size XXS and a little to big!

Her little leg. We will be working on this little foot contracture when she comes home.

Lilly meets her new cousin Blossom. I heard she did great. Nicholas is not in any of these pics because he was taking them. I heard he did great also.

Blossom meets Uncle Keith

So cute!

Don't worry Blossom he is a push over for the little girls. He is a big softy, but don't tell him I said so. Just ask your sister Erica. She was the original little girl who softened his heart and it hasn't been the same since.

Some little kiddos enjoying a snack

Medicine, blankets, bibs, and booster seat that was brought over for the kiddos at Harmony House.

So ya see I am blessed once again. And Diane was so happy she went to Harmony House and would have been sad had she not gone. Harmony House seems to make an impression in peoples hearts. I can not wait to go.

As I said earlier Diane had her first gotcha day on Monday 8-27 and her is a picture of my newly adopted Niece Kylie Gail Xiewen Holsworth age 5.

How beautiful is she? Wow! I hear she is doing amazingly well. Nicholas and Lilly are helping her fit right into the family. Next Monday I will have a newly adopted Nephew. I will pass on pics of him when that day comes.

So Diane and Keith thank you so very much for spending that extra $$$$$ and going to Harmony House to visit Blossom. I really think in her own way she understands and will love to see you again when she comes home.

May He give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed Psalm 20:4

谢谢 Xie xie, Thank you

How many ways are there to say thank you? I have know idea. I have just spent 20 minutes searching the Internet with that question and it keeps coming back with "Thank you"  I suppose until someone comes up with another way then I will just have to leave it at that.

So, I guess you are wondering what I am so thankful for. The question should be where do I begin? The beginning seems to work. 

This is the Nichols family. They bought some hats from our fundraiser for Blossom back in February 2012. This is a picture of their family wearing their Bring Blossom Home Hats.

On May 14, I received an E-mail from this family telling me that the Orphan Care Ministry at their church would like to have a car wash fundraiser and donate all of the proceeds to help Bring Blossom home. I was amazed at this offering to help Blossom. This family had never met me, and not only did they buy some hats, their church wanted to help. I was so amazed at this. I replied and said yes, thank you, I would feel so blessed by this. Time went on and the car wash was set for July 14, in Concord CA. I decided to ask if I could travel to Concord with my kids and meet the people who were doing this for us and Blossom. I was so happy to hear YES! 

Yesterday my children, nephew, niece and I, all piled into a van and headed to the Bay area. We arrived at Mountain Mikes Pizza excited, nervous and ready to go. We were greeted with about 30- 40 people who were so excited to have us come.  This was the most intense car wash I had ever seen. When we arrived there were already 4 cars being washed simultaneously and another being pulled in. People were every where. I began meeting people I have only E-mailed with and also meeting new friends. The energy that was buzzing around this event was so intense. People were talking with me and it seemed as though we were old friends who have not seen each other in years. I am usually one who is not real comfortable just striking up a conversation with people I don't know, but this was different. All of these wonderful people were here working to help bring my Blossom home. WOW!!!! 

I can not describe the feeling of comfort, love, compassion, friendship, and unity I was feeling at this time. Yes, I kept getting choked up each time I spoke to people and told them how happy I was for what they were doing. I couldn't help it. The Holy Spirit was alive and having His way with this car wash. It seemed that as soon as one car pulled out another took it's place. The children here were absolutely amazing. When a car pulled in they would run over to in and begin washing it down with soap, when that was done some one else would hose it off and then people began drying the car and then off the car would go.  I have seen so many car washes in my time and they will have at best two maybe three cars in at a time. Truthfully they a great deal of the time stand empty waiting for someone to come in. Not here, it stayed busy the entire time I was here. Here are random pictures of the car wash event.

Matthew and Lilly Rose (niece)

Nathan

Erica and Jessica

Me

Nathan Nicolas (nephew) Lilly Erica

The gang who brought them coming!

So cute!

We had a blast. After the car wash we headed over to the Nichols families home and rested for a little while. The kids were able to jump in their pool and cool off after all of their hard work.

Then we headed out to a local park with several other families that have adopted children from Harmony House. One family came from Fresno that also has a daughter they adopted from Harmony House.We had the most wonderful food. I still want the recipe for those BBQ baked beans! The children who had worked so hard at the car wash began running around the park climbing everywhere playing with each other. Where does that energy come from? And where can I get a supply? I again began chatting with everyone hearing their stories and telling mine. Time just seemed to fly by.

New friends

These 2 hit it off from the get go!

Everyone gathered to hear the final total that was raised at the car wash. So again the Lord amazes me with His goodness. This whole event would have been worth it to have just met these new friends who care about Blossom. I would have considered it a huge success and amazing blessing if we would have raised 300 or 400 hundred dollars. These two things alone would have made my day for the longest, but you all know the Lord by now, He likes to pour out his blessings upon those who delight in doing His will. So here we go, check this out!!!!  #1. An anonymous donor tells Christine "if you can raise $1,000.00 from the car wash I will match it." WHAT!!!!! $1,000.00? No one brings in $1,000.00 doing a 4 hour car wash.  Then another anonymous donor tells Christine "If you bring in $1,500 dollars I will give you $500.00 on top of that." WAIT, WAIT, WAIT A minute is this for real? Bring in $1,500.00 dollars doing a car wash? Impossible! Welllll.........maybe not. When the car wash was over we had raised $1,168.68! I still get choked up every time I think of it. So the first goal of $1,000.00 had been met. A 4 hour car wash and some really fantastic people came together and raised $2,168.68. Are you sad that we did not meet the $1,500.00 mark? Well, do not shed a tear. Christine had told me that all of the baked goods that they were not able to give away during the car wash would be sold after church today and the money would be added to the total. OK, so we have a car wash that was able to raise $1,168.00 before a matching gift was added but a bake sale that needed to raise $331.32. That's a lot of cookies my friend. Well take a look at the E-mail I received tonight. And know that our Lord is just sitting there giggling at how excited we all are. I can imagine him right now. Without further ado here is the grand total......... E-Mail please!

Dear Pam,

Totals just in...

Car Wash                            $1,168.68
Late Car Wash    Donation    :-)            $125
Bake Sale at Church                $1,205.55
Matching funds                    $1,500

Grand Total        $3,999.23

Praise God for such an out pouring of love for Blossom and your family!

Thank you for coming out to the Car Wash...what a blessed day!

With love to you and your family,
~Christine & family

Getting this E-Mail

 

So if anyone has a new way of saying Thank You please let me know because it just does not seem like enough! Seens how that is what I am limited to at the moment THANK YOU EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!! Our God Reigns! 

P.S. Just a reminder to the Folks that brought this whole thing together, I said it in Concord and I am saying it again we will be back and next time Blossom will be with us!