The Gift of a Puzzle

We have a long standing tradition in my family. Every year, around Christmas time, we get together with my dad and work a puzzle. My dad and I LOVE to work puzzles. We have more fun with this activity. We laugh, we joke, we give each other a hard time. We complain about the lighting, the seating arrangements, and eventually, we fight over who gets to put in the last piece of the puzzle.

When Eli was born on New Year's Day, we changed our tradition up a little. Now, my parents come to our house on New Year's for black-eyed peas and cornbread, birthday cake, and (what else?) a puzzle! Ahhh, yes, good times!

Now on to the gift.

When I first read about a puzzle fundraiser, of course, I was intrigued. But when I read about a grandfather who put the puzzle together for his grandson, I knew this was something we HAD to do. And I was not disappointed. Just as soon as I told my dad about it, he jumped on board. He even set up his own website specifically for our fundraiser. He is such a blessing to me! What an awesome gift for Wilson!

(This is the puzzle that was chosen)

So, if you would like to be a piece of the puzzle to bring Wilson home, please visit "Bubba's" website! And be sure to leave me a comment to let me know that you did.

Feeling Behind

I was doing so good. I was relaxed. I knew this process was going to take a while. I was prepared for months of waiting.

Well, guess what? This week I found out that as soon as I get my passport, we can order our visas. But I have to have my passport first.

When I ordered my passport, at the end of January, I chose not to pay extra for expedited processing. I knew that we weren't going to be traveling until at least June. Right? So, what's the hurry. Why spend the extra money?

That's all changed now, isn't it? That darn passport can't get here soon enough!

Of course, just as soon as I get it, I have to wait again. Six weeks to process our visas.

But you know what?

At the end of that six weeks is our first visit with our little boy. I feel like I can almost start counting down the days until I see him. I've been dreaming about him again. I've been thinking of what it will be like to see him for the first time. I've been thinking of all the things we can do together once we get him home.

Praying my passport arrives SOON!!

Learning Self Control

I've realized something. I'm addicted to the internet. My husband and children could have told you that. But it really has gotten bad lately. And now I can hear the Holy Spirit telling me that I have walked into a trap. The internet has led me away from my duties at home. It has zapped me of precious time and, strangely, energy. When I spend my time on the computer instead of doing the things I ought, I am tired all day. I don't have any self-control. Know what the Bible says about that?

Like a city whose walls are broken through

is a person who lacks self-control. Proverbs 25:28

So, I've come to this: I am going to fast the internet for a week. No reading of adoption stories, no checking my yahoo group emails, no surfing for the best deals on this, that and the other. I will check my personal email once a day though, after the children are in bed. I will relearn how to be a keeper of my home. I will joyfully serve my family instead of my flesh. I will delight in the Lord and all His ways. So that I can become a Titus 2 woman:

Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.

This will not be easy. I will go through withdrawl. Possibly, worse than caffeine. But I know that His power is made perfect in my weakness. And, boy, am I ever weak. But I hope to be back in a week and tell you how much I have learned, changed, and how much better my spirit feels.

Hair Bows and Aprons

I'm planning to try to fund raise a little with these hair bows (in varying colors):

and these children's aprons (in varying fabrics):

Please let me know if you have any interest in these items. Thanks!

Reflections

One of my children has some vanity issues. Can you guess which one?

This particular child likes to walk on tip toes, purse their lips, and flip their hair.

I know that last one narrowed it down to two, didn't it? So, it's a girl.

She likes to tell long tales of her "friend's" adventures and trials.

She likes to dance, wear lip gloss, carry a purse, and wear twirly skirts.

She also likes to look in the mirror and make feminine faces at herself.

And one day, I caught her doing just that.

***Please ignore the smudge on the mirror; I tried twice to wipe it off before taking these pictures.***

Really????

I just heard from our placement agency that we need to start the process of getting our visas because "they can take about six weeks".

Six weeks??? Really????

No, I'm not freaking out because that is a long time. I'm freaking out because I KNOW how fast six weeks can go by. This just gets more and more real every day. We really are doing this! Can you believe it? Sometimes I can. But it's just not that real to me yet. Most of the time, I feel like it's all a dream. Just wait until we book our first flight! Then you won't be able to scrape me off the ceiling!

Another Little One in His Hands

Most of you already know this, but many of my family and friends do not. There is an entire page on Reece's Rainbow dedicated to the angels who have gone on into eternity. Some of these children had medical complications. Some died from malnourishment. Some from lack of stimulation.

Just a couple weeks ago, Sandra died.

And just this week, we lost Dante.

Until Jesus returns, we have to be his hands and feet. What can you do to help save an orphan from the same fate as Sandra and Dante?

Immodesty Reigns

Well, at least in a certain part of the house. Which part, you ask? The boys' room. More specifically in Eli's crib. Just lately the boy can't stand to have anything on his bum while he's asleep. Over and over the last few weeks we have found Eli bare bummed when we go to get him in the morning. Of course, that also comes with wet sheets, blankets and bumper pads.

You'd think I would learn. But remember how long it took me to figure out the socks? Yeah, it took me a while. So, last night Max came out to tell me that when he went to bed and stroked Eli on the back to tell him goodnight. . . . . . you guessed it, bare bum! I went in to get him re-dressed and he was sound asleep. So, for your enjoyment, I took a picture.

Isn't that precious?

Inspirational Story

Just what kind of life can a child with Down Syndrome have? Here's a story that might change your way of thinking.

I wonder what Wilson will be doing when he is 22. Will he also change other people's perspective of Down Syndrome? I pray whatever he does, he does it for the glory of God.

Making Progress

Everyone says that the paperwork involved with international adoption is overwhelming. I knew this must be true, but now I am living it.

It's overwhelming!

We've been going here and there having things signed, notarized, and mailed. We've had to go to the bank for money orders and to the post office and Fed Ex offices to mail things. And you know what? We've only just begun! Everything we have done so far was just for the home study, placement agency and Reece's Rainbow. We haven't even started with the dossier paperwork. Yikes!!

Is it really possible to home school AND adopt at the same time? I'm wondering if school can be postponed until. . . . . say. . . . . . Wilson is HOME!!!! Ok, obviously that's not going to happen. (Got your hopes up, didn't you, Max?)

One really cool thing. . . . we just mailed our application for copies of our marriage certificate on Monday and they arrived in the mail TODAY! I was totally impressed.

So, we are making progress. With all your prayers, we should be mailing our I600a in a couple weeks or less. Now, that's exciting!

All About Feet

Well, our news the other day was BIG, wasn't it? But now I have something extremely menial to say. So, bear with me.

I have little feet. Seriously, I am five foot three which means I don't need big feet to help support me. My feet are small. My mom's feet are smaller, but that's neither here nor there. All of this to say, lately, I have been finding my socks all over the house. Every time I pick one up and think "I didn't take my socks off in here." Scratching my head, I walk away to put my sock in my dirty clothes basket.

You've probably figured this out already, but it took me a few days. Yep, my children are wearing my socks! When did they get so big? Weren't they just wearing toddler socks yesterday? Oh yeah, that's right, that was Lillian and Eli. But Max and Ainsley both can wear my socks! So, since they can't seem to get their own socks to their dirty clothes basket (therefore, they never have any socks). . . . . They just come steal some of mine! I'm trying very hard to break them of this habit.

Do you have any ideas for keeping up with socks?

I'm glad I got that off my chest. Thanks for listening.

We're Official!

I'm so excited! We have a family sponsorship page already. How fun that in big bold letters on my computer screen I can read the words:

Wilson for the Wooddell family - TX

That one page makes everything seem so much more real. And I can look at that precious face and remember why I am doing all this paperwork. He is so worth it. Don't you think?

Leap of Faith

We have big news!!!

In December, my sister Ginger posted a link to a fundraiser for a beautiful orphan with Down Syndrome. That one post led me to Reece's Rainbow where I learned of the many, many orphaned children with Down Syndrome around the world. These orphans have NO hope. They are throw aways in their societies. Most areas think these children aren't worthy of life. And, sadly, they are treated as such. So many of these children never leave their crib, they aren't held or loved. They aren't even touched except for a diaper change or to put a bottle in their mouths. And even then, it is minimal at best. Needless to say, our eyes were opened. And what does the Word say about that?

"Once our eyes are opened, we can't pretend we don't know what to do. God, who weighs our hearts and keeps our souls, knows what we know, and holds us responsible to act." Proverbs 24:12

There is just no way that we could see a need and ignore the call to act. Could we truly stand before our Savior on judgement day and make excuses for our inaction?

"But God. . . we were content"

"But God. . . it would have been hard."

"But God. . . we didn't have the money."

"But God. . . people would have called us crazy."

"But God. . . we may have had to parent that child for his whole life."

What do you think His response would be? I know that I am not willing to find out.

So, without further ado, I would like to introduce you to "Wilson".

Wilson is not his real name, it is his "screen name" on Reece's Rainbow. But until we decide what his new name for his new life will be, we will call him Wilson. Wilson is a two year old boy with Down Syndrome and he is soon to be our son. My heart was filled to overflowing with love for this child the first time I saw his picture. When I asked God how I could love someone so much even though I had never met him or seen him in person, His response was, "I put that love in you heart."

We know that with this decision will come many trials and tribulations, but those are part of the sanctification process, right?

"Consider it pure joy my brothers and sisters when you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance." James 1:2-3

We have heard from many other adoptive families that this journey will change our lives forever. We have no doubt of that. I just hope that we prove ourselves faithful. And that we truly learn to "lean not on our own understanding".

We are so thrilled that God has decided to expand our borders and take us into unknown territory. We are humbled that he would find us worthy. If you would like to follow our adoption journey, you can find it here. And if God moves you to donate toward our adoption, your tax-deductible donation can be made here. We appreciate all of your love, support, and encouragement along the way.

One more thing, We are following the will of our Almighty God.

Any questions, doubts or concerns need to be taken up with Him. We are just trying to be His hands and feet in this journey.

Will you pray?

We have some information about Wilson's region that demands a call for prayer. For those of you who don't know, in eastern Europe children born with Down Syndrome or any other special need, for that matter, are thought of as unworthy of life. Before you think of how awful that is, you need to be reminded that most children with the same diagnoses in the USA are aborted. The thought process isn't so different after all. But the Bible says that ALL children are a gift from God. A reward. A blessing. Knit together in the secret places. Fearfully and wonderfully made.
All that to say, adoption of a child with DS is very strange in Wilson's country. They don't understand it. They wonder why anyone would want one of these children. So, I am asking you to pray. Start now and pray everyday for this adoption. Pray that the people of this region will learn the blessing of these children. Pray that we will find favor with the judge. Pray that God will open the eyes of the people in Wilson's country. Pray that we will have just the right words to make a case for our adoption.
I am so grateful for everyone who is supporting us and encouraging us in our journey. You are a blessing to us!