Perspectives on Patience

I used to say, in jest, “Don’t pray for patience, or the Lord will give you something to be patient about.”

Have you ever prayed for something, only to not have your prayer answered? We begin to wonder: Why isn’t God letting me have this? Am I not praying hard enough? Am I not saying the right prayer? How long to do I really need to wait? We begin to fear: What if God’s answer is, “No.”

Sometimes, the answer is not “No”, it’s more like, “Not yet.” Perhaps God is not ready to answer that prayer. Or, more likely, we are not ready for God to answer that prayer. We may think we’re ready, but God may be planning the perfect time and perfect place to bless you abundantly.

After 16 months of trying to get pregnant naturally, and then not-so-naturally (there’s nothing more unnatural than infertility procedures), I really felt that the Lord was telling us, “I have something different for you. I will bless you abundantly, but not in the way you might think.” I knew in my heart the baby that God had planned for us was in China. In June 2006, we began collecting the documents required by the Chinese Government to adopt a baby girl. In January 2007, all necessary paperwork was complete and had been translated and delivered to the Chinese Center of Adoption Affairs in Beijing. During that span of seven months, the government officials slowed down the process considerably, making the waiting list lengthen from a ten to twelve month wait to a twenty to twenty-four month wait!

As I search for answers as to why this is taking so long, I am forced to exercise my faith and my patience. Perhaps that alone is a possible explanation. But what I try to remind myself is that The Lord doesn’t make us wait for no reason. His will for me is perfect. The baby that He has chosen for me is perfect. …And the time that He has chosen for her to join our family is perfect. Sometimes, perfection takes time. During that time, we can pray for patience.

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; Ps 37:7
Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Ps 27:14

Panda Blanket

As you may know, I've decided to decorate the baby's room with a "panda bear" theme. Of course, standard baby design at places like "Baby's R Us" does not include panda bears. I've been hunting for a panda bear blanket that I could use in the baby's crib, but have been unlucky. I even have been searching (and google/ebay searching) for panda fabric that I could make a blanket with. Not that I know how to make a blanket, but I was going to worry about that later. After all, I would have plenty of time to learn.

I was doing a random google search for a cute clip art picture of pandas when I came across a picture of a panda blanket on a website for a lady that makes custom blankets. I FOUND MY PANDA BLANKET!!!!! I can't wait to post a picture. It's light green and has little pandas and dragon flies on it. The backing is satin and she will add filling to make it quilt-like. She will even embroider the baby's name on the back (Grace). I'll post pics as soon as I get it!

PS - if you happen to see other cute panda "things" for a baby's room, let me know!

Article from "China Daily"

Family planning rules tightened
(China Daily)
Updated: 2007-09-15 08:32


People who violate family planning policies will be fined according to their income level, the National Population and Family Planning Commission said on Friday.

The move follows increasing public concern that some wealthy people violated the policy because fines weren't high enough to be a deterrent.

A statement issued on the commission's official website said that 11 ministerial-level administrations including the Organization Department of CPC Central Committee, Ministry of Supervision, and the commission, have jointly lined out a series of tightening measures to enforce the country's family planning policies.

"Party members, cadres and social public figures should take the lead in following the population and family planning regulations and policies," the statement said.

The statement said that public figures who severely violated the policies would be exposed and punished in accordance to law.

As a deterrent, urban residents who violate the policy risk having a black mark against their bank credit standing.

It is estimated China's population would be about 400 million greater than today, if the country did not enforce a nationwide family planning policy in 1973.

The world's most populous country currently has a population of more than 1.3 billion.

Zhang Weiqing, head of the commission, said at a symposium in July that the government will remain committed to controlling population growth and improving quality of life.

"The huge population has always been a major problem that restricts the nation's economic and social development," he said.

Camping 2007

Our end of the summer celebration was a camping trip with some friends from church. We had great food and fellowship. We almost got rained out the second day. Reydon was our official mascot. He's quite the camping dog!

Summer trip to Chinatown

Hello friends and fam,

I got so busy over the summer and getting ready for the new school year, I never shared our summer fun with all of you! My mom and my niece came for a visit from Michigan the last week in July. Along with Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm, Santa Monica, and Long Beach, we also spent a day shopping and eating in LA's Chinatown. We had a SUPER YUMMY lunch at "Hop Louie", bought pasteries at Wonder Bakery and shopped and enjoyed taking in some culture.

I can't wait until the end of this month for the mid-autumn moon festival.

Getting ready for Baby.....(even though it's going to be awhile)

Hi there,

Just a little update for those of you who are checking in on our blog. We've started getting the baby's room ready. My mom and my niece are coming to visit next week and I really wanted them to see it painted. I'll post more pictures when the blue painter's tape is off and the blinds are up. I'll be decorating the room with panda bears. Hopefully, that will go with the gold and sage green walls......

The new Cesena!!!

Please welcome the new member of our family....Reydon

We adopted him from a greyhound rescue called "Hemopets". They rescue retired greyhounds who are no longer able to race on the track. They have a program where the dogs donate blood to save the lives of other dogs (greyhounds are universal donors), then they find loving homes for them. Although he never actually made it to the professional track, Reydon was bred and trained in Arizona for racing.

Reydon is officially the first dog that little Leo (our 4 lb. Chihuahua) has been able to get along with. They have each been minding their own business and going their separate ways. However, when it comes to "outside" time, you can't take one out the door without the other! You should see me with a chihuahua on one leash and a 70 lb greyhound on the other. I'm sure I'll be getting some interesting looks!