Friday, December 23, 2011
Season Greetings for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Monday, December 12, 2011
Cast aside fear. Move forward to be all that God has created you to be.
This week has been both difficult and joyful.
FIRST: We found out that our I800a was not filed. It sat for 19 days before we found out. I was crazy with frustration, primarily because we are so behind in our timeline. It was not our fault and there is nothing that we can do but move forward. I told God that I trust him and his timeline..
SECOND: The good news, we received pictures back from the birthday cake care package that we sent Kylie Gail. The pictures are wonderful especially the one where she is looking at the family photos.
FIRST: We found out that our I800a was not filed. It sat for 19 days before we found out. I was crazy with frustration, primarily because we are so behind in our timeline. It was not our fault and there is nothing that we can do but move forward. I told God that I trust him and his timeline..
Monday, November 28, 2011
Happy Thanksgiving
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Did you hear the news? Pam has PA!
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Our Home Study is complete
Our home study is complete. We have set no records for how long it took. But, I believe that we set a record for the number of major appliance that have broken down. The summer has turned into Indian summer. It has been both joyful and frustrating.
Ever helpful, I must give you a warning! Before you start the adoption process do these things:
1. Finish you remodeling: remember to put the covers back on the A/C vents, and install the smoke alarms. For goodness sakes, put away the power tools before the social worker arrives!
2. Have the A/C unit serviced and remove any milar balloons or forgein objects located therein.
3. Do some training with your kids and help them understand that when the new dishwasher says "no need to Rinse" that does not include toothpicks, olives or chicken bones.
4. Invest in some rodent traps as I believe they can smell home study and only appear prior to the SW visit.
5. Politely inform your employer that you are not available to start new projects on your own time, take the drive to the middle of nowwhere, or negotiate with the state about whether or not your business should be eliminated from next years budget. And when they mention S-S-S-Strike tell them that "adults negotiate".
Most of all PRAY, as the little things become big things and the big things become monstrous, our hope comes from the Lord. As his hand is in every step, his promises will hold us, keep us and comfort us.
Jeremiah 29:11 I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord. They are plans for peace and not disaster, plans to give you a future filled with hope.
Ephesians 1:12
He planned all of this so that we who had already focused our hope on Christ would praise him and give him glory.
Ever helpful, I must give you a warning! Before you start the adoption process do these things:
1. Finish you remodeling: remember to put the covers back on the A/C vents, and install the smoke alarms. For goodness sakes, put away the power tools before the social worker arrives!
2. Have the A/C unit serviced and remove any milar balloons or forgein objects located therein.
3. Do some training with your kids and help them understand that when the new dishwasher says "no need to Rinse" that does not include toothpicks, olives or chicken bones.
4. Invest in some rodent traps as I believe they can smell home study and only appear prior to the SW visit.
5. Politely inform your employer that you are not available to start new projects on your own time, take the drive to the middle of nowwhere, or negotiate with the state about whether or not your business should be eliminated from next years budget. And when they mention S-S-S-Strike tell them that "adults negotiate".
Most of all PRAY, as the little things become big things and the big things become monstrous, our hope comes from the Lord. As his hand is in every step, his promises will hold us, keep us and comfort us.
Jeremiah 29:11 I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord. They are plans for peace and not disaster, plans to give you a future filled with hope.
Ephesians 1:12
He planned all of this so that we who had already focused our hope on Christ would praise him and give him glory.
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Thursday, July 14, 2011
The word is out, the Holsworths are adopting again
Keith and I are pleased to announce we are again adopting from china. We are pleased to introduce to you: Kylie Gail Xiewen Holsworth AND Robert (Bobby) Tianyang Holsworth. Big surprise, not 1 but 2 special blessings.
I know you are want to hear the story. So here it is:
We really wanted to use the agency that we used in 2007, with Lilly. But, they were uncertain that we could get the waivers that were needed. We looked at many other agency lists. In November of 2010, we took a second look at a file of a boy that we had seen more than a year before. We were shocked that he was still available. This boy is bright and active with seemingly little effect of the spina bifida. (BTW, this was the only boy that Keith and I could agreed upon). Certain that he was the child that God had chosen for us, we actually turned in the first set of paperwork with a letter of intent completed. But, that agency (known for obtaining waivers) was not encouraged that we could get the waiver. Confused and disappointed, but convinced that the Lord was in control, we turned it over to God and waited.
Then, I fell and dislocated my shoulder, weeks of recovery, then a surgery, more weeks of recovery. I felt further away, than ever, from the plan to adopt. But, God has a way of placing us in a position to seek Him :) I finally prayed that the lord would give us a clear answer. I prayed that I would instantly "know" which child he had for us. And in March 1011, when I placed the 3 files in front of Keith, I knew which one was our child. As was his way, Keith reviewed them in private, came back and laid them down on the table. He said, "This is our girl." I walked over to the table, and took a deep breath as I looked down. With A smile I said, "I know, isn't she cute" God is so good.
We applied (filled out a mountain of paperwork) and received PA (preliminary approval) for Kylie in just 4 days. We sat the 2 younger kids down and told them about receiving approval for Kylie. They were excited, but immediately looked at each other then back at us. "But what about the boy?" said Nicolas. "Yeah, what about the boy?" said Lilly. I looked at Keith, knowing we had talked about this issue. He said, "lets see if he is still available."
I called our agency and told them the story about the boy that caught our hearts months ago. I knew that his file had gone back to the shared list, so they agreed to look for him. I received an email with his file and pictures the same day. Cute cute cute. The next morning I prayed about the situation. I knew that I could not go back to China and leave this boy behind, if it was in my power to bring him home. I approached Keith," We need to make a decision soon" I said. Keith was immediate in his reply. "well, I feel like I can not go back to China and leave him behind." This is the best example of "mutual confirmation" ever, so we locked his file.
We wrote the letter of intent and submitted it on a Friday and receive preliminary approval on the next Thursday. It was surreal. We went from being rejected for one child to being approved for two. The reality is that God knew all along. If we had been approved for Bobby from the start, we would not have been able to get Kylie because her file came up on Lifeline's agency specific list. We are grateful to God for his plan for our family and His careful watch over these children. Please pray with us as we travel the long and sometimes rocky path to our children.
I know you are want to hear the story. So here it is:
We really wanted to use the agency that we used in 2007, with Lilly. But, they were uncertain that we could get the waivers that were needed. We looked at many other agency lists. In November of 2010, we took a second look at a file of a boy that we had seen more than a year before. We were shocked that he was still available. This boy is bright and active with seemingly little effect of the spina bifida. (BTW, this was the only boy that Keith and I could agreed upon). Certain that he was the child that God had chosen for us, we actually turned in the first set of paperwork with a letter of intent completed. But, that agency (known for obtaining waivers) was not encouraged that we could get the waiver. Confused and disappointed, but convinced that the Lord was in control, we turned it over to God and waited.
Then, I fell and dislocated my shoulder, weeks of recovery, then a surgery, more weeks of recovery. I felt further away, than ever, from the plan to adopt. But, God has a way of placing us in a position to seek Him :) I finally prayed that the lord would give us a clear answer. I prayed that I would instantly "know" which child he had for us. And in March 1011, when I placed the 3 files in front of Keith, I knew which one was our child. As was his way, Keith reviewed them in private, came back and laid them down on the table. He said, "This is our girl." I walked over to the table, and took a deep breath as I looked down. With A smile I said, "I know, isn't she cute" God is so good.
We applied (filled out a mountain of paperwork) and received PA (preliminary approval) for Kylie in just 4 days. We sat the 2 younger kids down and told them about receiving approval for Kylie. They were excited, but immediately looked at each other then back at us. "But what about the boy?" said Nicolas. "Yeah, what about the boy?" said Lilly. I looked at Keith, knowing we had talked about this issue. He said, "lets see if he is still available."
I called our agency and told them the story about the boy that caught our hearts months ago. I knew that his file had gone back to the shared list, so they agreed to look for him. I received an email with his file and pictures the same day. Cute cute cute. The next morning I prayed about the situation. I knew that I could not go back to China and leave this boy behind, if it was in my power to bring him home. I approached Keith," We need to make a decision soon" I said. Keith was immediate in his reply. "well, I feel like I can not go back to China and leave him behind." This is the best example of "mutual confirmation" ever, so we locked his file.
We wrote the letter of intent and submitted it on a Friday and receive preliminary approval on the next Thursday. It was surreal. We went from being rejected for one child to being approved for two. The reality is that God knew all along. If we had been approved for Bobby from the start, we would not have been able to get Kylie because her file came up on Lifeline's agency specific list. We are grateful to God for his plan for our family and His careful watch over these children. Please pray with us as we travel the long and sometimes rocky path to our children.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Nick is Promoted
It is Official Nick is now a middle schooler! We had my parents visiting from San Diego for 4 days. While they stayed at my sister-in-laws house, most of the meals happened at our house. It was truely wonderful to use our newly remodeled kitchen. There is so much room to cook and serve, it is like a dream. Fun was had by all.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Windy Days and cool nights
The climate has not decided what it really wants to do. It rained yesterday. It is really windy today. Not at all typical Fresno weather for the end of May. Regardless of how it starts, soon it will just be plain HOT. The good news is the pool is a great blessing. Let the summer fun begin!
Monday, May 2, 2011
Micro-manage Mondays
I created this blog today. This of all days, a Monday. I get micromanaged on Mondays. So, I tend to micro-manage others. Going through the list of everything NOT done on the weekend. I give my husband a list and choices for things I need him to do to consider. I run the list of things for each of the kids. (that's a few, as we have 6 at home.) Out they go to work and school. I run the little ones to school and come home. Man, I am tired and ready to take a nap. But of course, I now get ready for work, slug down a cup of coffee and head out the door. I will show up as always, ready for my micro-manage list with a smile on my face and hope for a new week. Thank You God for my family, my job and a new day. Thank you for a new opportunity to give back to the world, mirror the image of Christ, and make a difference.
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