"Crickets...."

That's all we seem to be hearing right now. I know several of you have been screaming for an update but there has been nothing to update. We have had our paperwork completed for over 1 month but we are STILL waiting on USCIS (a.k.a. immigration) to process our application. Unfortunately, we are not the only ones in this precarious and frustrating situation. Several families are in limbo due to USCIS. So, we wait, which is traditional with international adoption anyway, but we always hope our country isn't the reason we are waiting. I promise to let you know as soon as we have something new. We have been told an update will come as soon as we submit our dossier to China so we are at a standstill with that too, but we still pray our little man is safe and happy and that our Lord and Savior will continue to watch over him. Thanks for your prayers and support!

Sunday Snapshot {Sadness}

I did not plan to post this week. The computer was off and snuggling with hubby had commenced. It was then that I received a text from a dear friend and fellow student of Liberty University. The text was simple "Dr. Jones was killed this morning in a car accident with her son. They were hit by a drunk driver."

I sat for a minute...Dr. Jones...couldn't be THE DR. JONES?! You see, I was a doctoral student at Liberty University prior to all of the adoption journeys. Due to everything adopting an older child requires, I chose to stop for a while after taking my last class with Dr. Jones. I knew she would be disappointed, but once she found out my choice was based on faith, not the devil, she was totally supportive of my adoption and wanted me to make sure to finish when the time was right. I really hadn't thought about her in a while, but she is the one who pushed me out of my comfort zone and into the God Zone! She prayed - on her knees - at the beginning of every CLASS. This wasn't the privacy of her own home - this was a doctoral CLASS. Who does that? She made me uncomfortable. She made me cry. She made be see I had a choice to believe or to pretend I was still in control.

Our stories were similar in regard to our childhood and our trials and tibulations, but she had overcome all of that and had become this amazing woman who placed GOD at the forefront and center of everything. I truly believe that it was her faith that allowed me to have my faith. I know where she is...I have no doubt she is basking in the light of our Father along with her son. I have no doubt she is fine, but I am not... I realize even more now what an amazing woman and inspiration she was and will continue to be for all who knew her. I only wish we had more time, but I guess that is how it always is. I feel even worse that I had an email in March that I never responded to because I had stopped checking my school account. Ironically, she was asking me to pray for her because she was releasing a new devotional, her first. I did not pray for her then...but I am now. Dr. Jones, may you find the peace in our Savior that you tried so often to share with all of us. Your influence will forever be in my life. Amen