Jacob

Today...so many emotions.....

We were up very early this morning...even before our alarms were set to go off at 5 am.  We did the morning thing of getting ready, headed down to breakfast and being ready for our translator to meet us at 6:40.  We headed to the orphanage.

We arrived early.

The sun was shining brightly as we walked into the front room.  We were met by an official who led us into another room to complete paperwork.

It was pretty quick and she tapped me on the shoulder and then he was there.  He is a ray of sunshine...he was smiley.

We hugged, gave him presents and took pictures.  We finished up more paperwork all with my red fingerprint next to all of my signatures...there were lots!

We presented our gifts for the children and workers.

It was amazingly fast...we then headed out the door to head to Civil affairs to do more paperwork....

He walked out with all of his worldly belongs in two small backpacks.

And then....

Our poor little guy cried and cried and cried some more....

Everything.  Everything he has ever known was left behind.  Our hearts were breaking....his grief was intense.

When we arrived at civil affairs, the guide encouraged him.  He told her it was hard leaving everything behind but he really wants to go with us.  It was hard.

We completed more paperwork... all sealed with both of our red fingerprints....He is official....he is OURS!

We then headed for lunch...he is way faster with chopsticks than his mama!  Lunch was yummy....chicken, rice and spicy green beans.

We headed to the old part of the city called the Hutong.  Long narrow streets....we learned the history of it.  There is no secret that I love history...it was awesome.  But the coolest part, our translator, Grace, introduced us to the cricket man.  

I

Humble is NOT a word used to describe this man but he sure is quite the showman!  He showed us the many magazines he has been featured in.  He is called the Cricket man because....

Wait for it....

He raises fighting crickets!  Yes, fighting crickets!  He has summer homes, bowls for food, fighting rings, tools to clean after them, feed them...well you can imagine we got quite the education....and then he asked us where we thought their winter home was.... 

He showed us his belly...yes, he wears his crickets on him so that they can use his body heat to keep them warm.  He is quite the devoted cricket tender...he showed us his prize fighter ...they only live for 100 days and are sometimes referred to the 100 day bug.

It was intriguing sitting in this home that was over 500 years old, surrounded by beautiful traditional items from a family heritage listening to the cricket man.

We then got to visit a tea room....that was something I had hoped for but never imagined...it was quite spur of the moment....we were able to taste several teas.  The pots and tea cups were beautiful....it was spectacular if tea can be called that!  It was an amazing gift to this tea loving mama.  

We then headed back to our room...naps, the Boonie bears, and snacks were up next....we are tired....really tired.

The amazing thing...he has had a hard day of grieving but did amazingly well....he is checking everything out....I mean everything.  He is sweet...can say two English words..."thank and  you" but boy does he have a sunbeam smile.

On to new adventures tomorrow...picking up more paperwork and getting to know our boy more!

Planes.....

It has been a long day with many emotions in my heart....it was hard walking through the TSA lane....looking forward to make sure we were paying attention to instructions of the agents and looking towards our purpose of bringing home Sara and Jacob....

And looking back to see my sweet family peering through the dividers in the signs to get a last glimpse of us....waving each time we looked back.

Although this plane ride is long...crying babies, narrow seats and isles....I look forward to what is at the end of the ride....tomorrow.  Good company as I have great travel buddies...Michaela and Brandon.

We meet our Jacob.  The one with the unforgettable smile....so recognizable from so many waiting sites.  Excitement in my heart plus thoughts about getting the gifts 'presentable', exchanging orphanage donations to the correct amounts, paperwork.

Sleep is elusive.... for I  have been up since 5 am....it is nearing midnight in USA time but still 6 more hours to Bejing.  

Many prayers today as I think of the people that put us here on this plane as a fully funded adoptive family...a miracle in itself!....we are so grateful for each and every one of you.

God loves the orphan....he is his defender, protector and the true father to the fatherless....He builds families, knits their hearts together in a way that can only be called a miracle.

Praying God is preparing our hearts tonight as we travel towards our treasures!

Tomorrow....just a few hours away....there will be one less orphan in the world....and one more sweet treasure in our family....family is forever, no matter what ...and it is a blessing to all of those who are connected by it.

Today IS The Day

I woke up with a start because I can't remember checking the crock last night that holds our traditional Sunday fare....wipe your mouth BarBQ....relieved to find it on and cooking.  

The house is quiet....as I check on the kids, the soft sounds of sleep from a flurry of activity yesterday claims the last moments of the night.  

In the last week we have walked through what normally takes most adoptive families 6 weeks to prepare.  Checking documents, sending wires, packing, gathering last minute things, making lists for dad of school things, making countdown chains for the kids to visibly see when their new siblings are returning, planning surprises to keep it fun with dad home (and who also will continue to work from home ---I am married to Superman), appointments, filling Oma in on things to watch for when littles are struggling, and the most important....lingering over little ones who will stay home with dad trying to fill their tanks with mommy time before I leave.

We also celebrated birthdays for 2 of our treasures....that was one of my mama prayers to be here for them to celebrate.

They will wake soon to more flurry.

Today is the day....today is the day where we travel across the world to meet and claim our treasures...ones that have waited  for a family for SO long.

We've packed and repacked our bags...gifts for the people who have taken care of them, the children in the orphanage, the officials and of course for our newest treasures.

Packed in those bags amidst clothes, medicines and such are birthday cards, balloons and streamers for Sara.  We've discussed over and over what to give her for her upcoming birthday ....we keep re-asking ourselves....how can we top giving her a family?  Not that we are extraordinary...no we are as ordinary as you get for a family of 15....lots of noise, shoes on the floor, stepping over toys, dishes in the sink and lots of laundry.

But also...encouragement, fun, love,......a place to call home and a place to belong.

All orphans over 10 have to agree to be adopted...we have prayed over this because some kids are fearful of the unknown, some have heard crazy stories of what happens to them when they get home ....so, to ease my own fears, I asked Ben what he recommended.  His response? 

"Mom, just be yourself."  

Oh, this boy who has been in their shoes ...a month away from losing his chance of family...the one who knew we were coming and thought we had given up on him and was beginning to become hopeless...he melts my heart.  He has walked with tears in his eyes all week...he said he is afraid for me.  I tell him to be like Joshua because parents who love their kids will literally go across the earth to claim them...or in our case...over the North Pole!  (We have a direct flight from Boston to Bejing right over the North Pole)

Last night at family Bible time, Darrell had the kids come and lay hands on Brandon and I....they surrounded us with their little selves all squished together...it was a beautiful thing as they prayed for Sara and Jacob, our safe travels, and for God to go before us.

So many people have told us they are praying for us.  A dear friend reminded us that this is so much bigger than our family.  God has used so many people to bring these kids into our family.  That is not lost on my mamas heart.  

The evidence of God in their story and our story colliding is amazing.  For that, we give Him the glory!

So...today it is!  We board a plane and land in Bejing on Monday night.  We will meet our first treasure bright and early Tuesday morning on Gotcha Day for Jacob.  That boy with the incredible sweet smile.  I am so excited to actually go to his orphanage.  It takes quite awhile to finish up the paperwork in his province.  

We will leave on Friday with his paperwork in hand and fly to Nanning.  We will meet Sara for her Gotcha day on Monday the 13th....yes, of course this makes me nervous being so close to her birthday on the 15th.  We will celebrate her birthday there and then take the bullet train to Guangzhou where the US Consulate is for a flurry of medical exams, testing and review of documentation.  Hopefully, that will go quickly and we will be home.

I know there will be many tears today when we part....some of the kids have already told me they will cry.  My heart will miss them immensely but is excited for the days ahead.

I can't wait to share our story in the coming weeks.  So many things to take in and see and savor...two children waiting to become a part of a family....how incredibly amazing  is that?  

As we say in the Lowman family....

Let the adventure begin!

He is IN

In the midst of all that has happened in our family on the adoption side....something else has been happening.

This boy, this boy that we love so dearly has been working on his application to the Alert International Academy for their Basic Training.

He also had a birthday yesterday!

In the fall, Darrell and I started praying over what might be next for Jason.  The Lord made it very clear.

We continued to pray and presented it to him in late November.  We asked him to pray over it.

We all made a decision in December to start pursing it.

In January, amidst tons of other things going on, he began to train for the physical part of the challenge ahead.  He also began the application process.

On Monday of this week....he was interviewed and accepted.  

A huge answer to prayers.  He is SO excited.

His one concern, bless his dear heart....was seeing his newest siblings and me before he left.  We told him to pray about it because God is in the details of our lives.

God is good because he had our backs on this one....we arrive in the US on Thursday afternoon and he leaves early Friday morning.  How is that for details?

So, in addition to finishing up weeks of adoption errands this week for our adoption that normally take 4 weeks....I've been trying to help Darrell knock out some of the details of Jasons preparations.  He has a huge list of things to gather.  The cool thing, his aunt called yesterday to say she was sending lots of items on the list from her Army days to give to him for Basic.

God has been working overtime for our family...and we are thankful for ALL of his provisions!

Amazing....Truly Amazing

WE ARE FULLY FUNDED!

God IS amazing....we are humbled, amazed...and speechless!

We give HIM the Glory for what HE has done.

He loves the orphan and He has provided.

We are preparing for our trip....focusing on the next few days of wrapping up details, and preparing our hearts for these tw treasures!

Thank you

The Final Numbers Are In

Today we were able to get the bottom line in what we owe and what we need....so here goes.  

We owe $2320 for the rest of our fees, and travel.  

But we were also thrown a surprise a bit ago....we were told when we first talked about Sara to the agency that held her file that her orphanage fees would be waived.  That agency then switched her file to our agency.  When our Letter of Acceptance came, we were able to officially apply for that fee to be waived.  The original agency who held her file refused to step in for us.  Now, we were offered a $500 reduction by her orphanage which we are very grateful for.  But, the remaining money due on her orphanage fee is $5,000.  

So, the remainder for us to be fully funded is $7400.

This is what we know as truth....

This was NO surprise to God...We chose to Trust HIM on this matter.

We leave on Sunday to travel to get Sara and Jacob...we are walking forward in faith!

Look at What we Received today

We have new pictures of Jacob!

This is his going away party with his friends....he has such a wonderful smile.....

And a delicious looking cake!

We get to hug this sweet boy next Tuesday....

It is getting real!