Prayer Request

Now that our paper work is in process and our first large payment has been made towards our adoption, I've noticed (within the last 24 hours) a sick feeling growing in my stomach and heart. The feeling that comes when you want and have to do something, (holy discontent maybe???) but your hands are tied.

I read articles about Haiti. My son is in Haiti. Many children are living in conditions there that are unimaginable to most Americans. Poverty, death caused by curable sickness, child slavery, lack of education...my son is living among these conditions. No parent can or should have to imagine their child in these circumstances, yet those adopting from impoverished countries must face that their children are. It's horror.

I know that God has drawn a line from us to our son. That He will work all things out. I trust Him implicitly. But I am a broken-hearted mother, as I think of what conditions my son may at this moment be living in or being exposed to.

So, my prayer request today, is that God hastens our process. That He works all this out smoothly and beautifully. But also, that if He deems I must wait and be patient, that I can do so with a willing heart. I also ask that if you've been thinking of adoption or even fostering, to remember that even if you think you have little to offer, it is still so much more than what that child may ever know.

God Bless and thanks you to all who have been prayer warriors through this journey with us.
Terry

And We Are Off!

Today, December 6, 2011, my family broke from the starting gates! Our paperwork and 1st initial installation payment to American World Adoption Agency for their Haiti Adoption Program is sent!! (applause, cheers and popping corks in the background, please!)

Here are the kids and I holding all the paperwork I faxed in today. One more step towards bringing home our son:)

God is Working...He just uses my hands and feet

'but you received the Spirit of adoption BY WHOM we cry out, 'Abba, Father!' Romans 8:15 (captials mine)

Well, our first fundraising dinner went down last night. I can't even begin to explain how deeply moved I was to see 150+ people turn out to support the Hendrens and our family on our endeavors to adopt. We had a great homemade dinner, we had a great response to the silent auction, we had great raffle ticket sales for the TV. We got to give the TV away to my good friend Lisa Jensen, who won the TV drawing. We (the Laceys) made a grand total of $1800 last night at our dinner!

We planned, we worked, we did...?

As I reflect today on last nights event, I have to admit that 'we' didn't really do anything. Yes, I made some arrangements. Yes, Angie came up with an awareness speech. But I don't believe those things in and of themselves are what brought people out in support.

People came to support us because God is stirring up something deep within. He is working in the midst of this and I cannot take any credit for what is happening. I can only say that I am receptive to what the LORD wants of me. He has placed a holy discontent within me to care for an orphan in their discontent (James 1:27). He is moving me. Using me. I believe that He is using my entire family. I get thrilled when I think of the future. What does God have planned for our Haitian son, that He has called us to bring him into our home? What great things will He create for us and for him?

Yes, God is at work. He uses human hands and feet like mine and Angies. But He also used a room full of people last night. People who, I believe, want to be used by God to help bring home children who may never know a better life.

So now as I fill out our paperwork and prepare to send in our first payment this week to the adoption agency, I extend thanks to all who let God use them last night. I thank you all who are as excited as I am to bring home our little boy.

I praise God for His goodness and look expectantly to Him to continue to guide us through our adoption journey.

God Bless and my love to you all!

Terry

A Church Family Like No Other

Today I saw firsthand what a church family is. This is not the first time I've seen them come together for a great cause but a wonderful reminder about why I love Shadow Mountain Church and it's peeps:)

I saw my church family unite and come forward with amazing support for my family's adoption process. They had 'secretly' been taking up a collection of loose change into a large pottery 'Haiti jar'. (How 250 people kept this a secret from us, I have no idea!) But they managed it!

When all was counted, it was nearly $300!

As I sat and counted money, I couldn't help but think about our son. The nameless, faceless little boy who we have yet to select, but who is somewhere in Haiti. I can't wait to see his face. I can't wait to visit him. I can't wait to bring him home, love him and give him the best life we can. I can't wait to take him to Shadow Mountain Church. Mostly, though, I can't wait to introduce him to the dozens and dozens of people who are chipping in, digging deep and helping us to finance this adoption. I can't wait for them to hug him and meet him, to see the fruit of their assisted effort. Our church family is as huge a part of bringing our son home as we are in having the hearts to open our home to him.

So a deep and profound THANK YOU to everyone who helped fill the Haiti jar. I look forward to the day, after our son is home, after all is said and done and we can pass it on to another family and offer prayer, support and love to them on their adoption journey.

Blessings to our church family. You will never know how much you mean to us!

Terry

Application Finalization...Say that 10 times fast!

Drum roll please!!

Our application has been finalized and our family has been welcomed into the American World Haiti Program! Yay! It's taken...hmmmm....awhile. But it's done! I was so excited, I got the call at the end of the school day yesterday and just blurted it all out for everyone standing around to hear! I'm officially an 'expecting' mother! Woohoo!

Sooooo....what's next, you ask???

More paperwork! Here is a list of the attachments that was emailed to me yesterday after our finalization call:

-American World Adoption Agreement

-Schedule of Fees-Haiti

-Haiti Pilot Program Disclaimer

-Haiti Presidental Waiver Disclaimer

-Client Grievance Procedures-Updated

-Clients Rights and Responsibilities

-Haiti Program Adoption Overview

-Haiti Program Family Service Plan

-Haiti Program Home Study Agency Agreement

-Haiti Program Post Adoption Agreement

-Privacy Notice

Now I know why they call adoption a 'Paper Pregnancy'!! I am excited to begin filling it out...of course, finding time to sit down and do it all will be the biggest challenge!

So now the 'paperwork' time consumption, financial crunch and real strain on my family begins. It may sound harsh, but it's true. I have heard enough stories to know that this is not an easy process. I'm not naive enough to think that this is going to be a walk in the park....BUT...

But I know that there is joy to be found in trials. There is joy to be found in doing what God wants us to do, even when it is not easy. I know that there is joy to be found in a small boy who God has already ordained to be a Lacey....I am ready to tackle the tough times as well as embrace the good! But mostly, there is joy in being called out to fulfill the Great Commission as we "GO" and bring home a child who will be raised in a home hearing about Jesus and what He did for us.

So a plea goes out for continued prayer to my friends and family. Pray that this next step in the process goes as smoothly as possible. That God opens doors for us, leads us and strengthens us. Prayer for Tayler as he still struggles with not wanting to 'share' his parents and brother and sister. He is working through it, but has trouble understanding sometimes.

Thank you, God Bless you all for all your ongoing support!

Terry

We Are On The Same Path

I feel very blessed to have been able to participate in training through Canyons School District last month. (I am employed at Granite Elementary, working as a Paraeducator to a class full of wonderful special needs children.)

Because of completing the training that the district offers, I was rewarded with a raise. I had decided that because we do not depend on that extra money from the raise to live comfortably right now, I just wanted to give the money away each month. My idea: Sponsor a little girl from Rwanda and add to our tithe at church.

The amazing, God-thing about this story is as follows: I had not even spoken about this to Daniel. Not a word. Not a peep. I was waiting to receive the first check with the raise added in to bring up the suggestion to him.

Yesterday morning, Daniel said the following to me: "I think we should do 2 things with your raise. First, sponsor a child. Second, give more to the church."

Um, anyone else getting chills at seeing God work???? God has united Daniel and I on many fronts over the last few months. It is drawing us closer as a couple and solidified our resolve on bringing home our son from Haiti. We are of the same mindset and on the same path...the one God has laid before us.

Thank you friends and family for continued prayer and support during our experiences! I just had to share that one! (Thanks for pointing out that I should, Angie:)
Blessings to all!
Terry

Glory in the Paperwork and Set-Backs!

So I've finished what is (hopefully) our last financial statement for the application process. Mind you that this is just the application process. We still need to go through home study, prepare a dossier, apply for visas and passport, do background checks...etc. (I will keep posted what we hear from the Agency on the finalization of the application process...)

It can seem overwhelming. It is overwhelming, honestly. But I feel compelled in a way I've never felt before. I pray and God shows me. He shows me that there is a boy, and even though I cannot quite see his face, I see that he needs me. He needs Daniel. He needs a family. But mostly he needs the chance to hear about Jesus. My feeling of being overwhelmed is nothing compared to the fire God has lit for me to pursue bringing our son home. I am tired. I don't know how things are going to get done. I will keep praying. God will send us what we need through grants, fundraisers and hopefully, His people.

I praise God for his goodness. His faithfulness. Things look bleak. The car broke down. Almost $700 later, we have transportation, but back to square one on raising money. The roof started to leak...another upcoming expense, I'm sure. But I still praise God for His goodness. He brought us to the decision of adoption and He will find us a way to succeed.

I just want others to know, keep glorifying and praising Him through diffuculties. We have faced so many in the short time we decided to adopt. It only proves something great is in the works. Satan is fighting hard against God's plan for us but he has no power over those who look to the LORD. Keep looking UP!
God Bless,
Terry