FOUR......(Bring Me Hope)..................44444444444

Four,are we really on day four and I still haven't packed??? Maybe I will start tonight, we'll see. My video for today is all that really needs to be said, it sums up much of Chinese adoptions as it is realistic and touching. The man at the end of the video is from a very large (homeschooling -just had to throw that in) family that has started this ministry "BRING ME HOPE".. I have followed their journeys for years and would encourage anyone ,who feels led, to research their work and support them.
Blessings,
Tammy

FIVE>>>>>>

I have almost let this wonderful Sunday slip by without posting the fifth day of my countdown. Although I hadn't made it to the computer, the thought of it is constantly on my mind. I am getting so excited as it is starting to feel more and more real. With the reality of our soon departure, I have noticed my heart bond getting stronger and stronger toward Breanne. Up until now it has just been so much red tape, that the mother instincts have taken a back seat, but not anymore. My heart is beginning to ache to hold my little girl as I am preparing for her future life and homecoming. Reality really sets in when you are needing to purchase things for a REAL person, no longer a little girl in a picture, but one who will be in your arms in a week's time. Some things that have endeared me even more to her are simple things like purchasing her toothbrush and toothpaste, her pj's, her little Dora the Explorer underwear, her bedding, her hair clips, her tea set, her coloring set, sippy cups, medicine, clothes and little shoes.......needless to say she is truly becoming a reality. Mike and I are so thrilled to become her parents, and it is heart warming to see the excitement in our children. I don't know how to explain it, but I just know that love grows with each additional family member. In God's economy I have witnessed the multiplying of love with each and every addition, not the opposite scenario of love divided as the world may have us to believe. For sure, God's ways are not our ways, He is a multiplier. Since we are on the FIFTH day and the subject of multiplying, I am reminded of the Biblical account of Christ taking the little lad's lunch of Five fish and two loaves, and multiplying them to feed the multitude.... I think that is a lesson for us all, He takes our little and will make much of it..
My song/video choice for today shows a glimpse into the lives of many families who multiplied their love by opening their hearts to adoption....Am I possibly speaking to any of my readers????/
Many Blessings....
Tammy

Six Days......"Thank You Lord"

Only six days left....and my heart is just filled with so much thankfulness. I am so thankful to the Father for allowing us to walk this journey, even in spite of our efforts to quit at times. I could not even touch the surface of all the things I am truly thankful for in this post, but just know my cup runneth over. Want to start your day off great or end it well,,,,,then join me in turning up my song choice for today and shut yourself away from all the distractions of life. Once alone with the Father, do nothing but thank and praise Him. As the old hymn says "Count Your Blessings Name Them One By One."

Blessings,
Tammy

SEVEN

SEVEN*******(I Saw What I Saw)

Seven, happens to be my favorite number in the world!!!! I love that number, maybe because I have always thought it was a special number to our Heavenly Father. So, seven more days to go before we get on a plane to get our SEVENTH family member. Today's thought will once again revolve around a song. This song has been introduced to me just today by a precious friend who, herself, has recently returned from adopting from Africa. She has witnessed the things in this video, and will never be the same. Want to put life in perspective???? then please watch this video. I have often wondered what all our Heavenly Father must see when he looks down on this hurting world.....this is just a glimpse of what He sees on a regular basis.

We are all so blessed, and we are called to share our blessings in whatever way the Lord leads us to. Each one that reads this blog has a special ability to bless someone else...Let's Go For It!!!!

Blessings,
Tammy

EIGHT~~~~~

Eight more days and we are off...Lord willing ( I say that because I must remember He is the giver of each and everyday, we make our plans but He alone grants them).. With that said, Mike and I are planning to leave in Eight days. My thoughts for today led me to the song "True Colors". For some reason I have absolutely loved that song since the 80's. It is such a simple song but reflects what we, as people, all want, and that is to be loved for who we are, our true selves. Mike has recently said something that touched me, and that was that the main thing he is looking forward to is getting Breanne and putting a real smile in her heart and on her face. Most of her pictures have the typical, "mild to no expression" that is found in most referral pictures. Although Breanne's pictures have more expression than many I have seen ( including Brooklyn's), there is something missing, and it seems to be authentic happiness. So, as her family, we are looking forward to helping her discover herself, her unique gifts and talents, and God given personality AKA her "True Colors".... No matter what unique color of the soul she presents, we are going to love her. I recently took a counseling class for children, and the thing that stood out most to me, and I will never forget, was the opening statement of the class, and it went like this.....
"Every Child deserves at least one person who's crazy about him/her"-Fran Scott

Blessings,
Tammy

TEN....NINE

We are now officially counting the days down until we leave for China. Nine days.......did I just type those words? It just doesn't seem real. Speaking of real, there are so many "real life" issues that must be settled before we get on the plane. The first issue is getting Nathan settled into his first year back in school, he has been home schooled for five years. So far things are going great!!! He is loving Evangel and I thank God for guiding us there and providing a peace concerning the timing of it all. Then there are other issues like getting the other three settled in with dance, music, orthodontists...etc. I am sure you get the picture, so there is no time to think too much about what is happening in NINE days. It will be like any other day, it will be here before we know it, we will just wake up one morning and get on a plane and fly half way around the world. Ask me if I have started packing, never mind don't ask. There are many specific things that must be taken on the trip, and no I haven't started packing but I have downloaded the list, and that is a start. If you know me at all, you will understand I am somewhat of an adrenaline junkie. I wait to the last minute and somehow, usually, not always, pull of my task.
I must say thanks to all of my friends and family that are offering to help with my kids while we are gone. These offers are priceless and truly communicate your love. Thanks so much. Well gotta go for now, must get my Eagle (Nathan) to his nest (Evangel).
Blessings,
Tammy

We're Going to China Folks!!!

So sorry I have not updated lately, but up until Thursday evening there really was nothing to update about. We have been out of town so much lately it is hard to know if we are coming or going, and the good news is that on this last trip (which we returned from today) in San Antonio, Texas, while sitting beside The Alamo in our car around 9 pm, our adoption agency calls and tells us we have received permission from China to enter their country for adoption. Such an important step, and now the ball is rolling and I mean FAST! ( I will not even go into detail about the fact that as I was receiving the phone call I have waited months for, fire trucks and police cars surrounded our car and The Alamo, turns out The Alamo had caught on fire- no joke. My parents and brother really got a kick out of that because the Alamo has been a source of jokes "on me" for many years, ok so I thought the Alamo was a shopping mall when I was in high school, but that gives them no reason to pick on me for years. In fact I have reminded them it was their job to teach me, and if you admit it, "The Alamo" really could sound like a fantastic mall. Oh well now the next half of my life will be filled with "The Alamo stood all these years until Tammy and her family visit." My family has already started this line of laughs,,,,) Back to the adoption... we have been told that if all goes according to plan, we should plan to be in China on August the 23rd and we will be united with Breanne on the 24th wooo-hoooo!!!! Please pray for us that we will continue to have the favor of the Lord because we will need it to meet this deadline. We have had some paper work surprises that could be bad news, but we are meeting them head on and those who are helping us are being very aggressive and for them we are sooooo grateful!!!!! Finishing this adoption will take a village, and to all of you who have helped, especially while we were out of town and our hands were tied, we truly thank you. I am walking in peace, I asked the Lord for it and He has given it to me, so pray for us as we continue to let Him move the mountains while we stand in awe of His work, may we always testify to His mighty hand in our lives and the life of Breanne Virginia-Li Jones. Stay tuned, things may be a little more exciting around her in the days and weeks to come.
God Bless ,
Tammy (an adopted daughter of the King)

Breaking News!!! LOSC has arrived!!!

The call came today, our Letter Of Seeking Confirmation, has arrived in New York, we will have it in our hands on Tuesday, in which we will overnight it right back to New York to be received by our agency on Wednesday, who will in turn send it back to China, who, if all goes well will send us our travel invitation within three weeks of receiving our documents, which from then will take around one week to make all China appointments, and then we are OFF ON A JET AIRPLANE!! across the ocean , half a world away to get a little darling who doesn't even know we exist, but we sure know she exists and can't wait to get our arms around her. WHEW!! OK I said it all in the world's longest run on sentence.
In a nut shell: We should be in China around the first week of August.
Swine Flu is still a matter of prayer. A family from our agency has been quarantined this week in their hotel room in China,because someone on the plane over there tested positive. They have their three little kids with them and the grandmother, all in one room for one week, bless their hearts. They will not be able to get their daughter on Monday as planned, they will have to wait until Wednesday when they are released from quarantine.
This is getting pretty scary.
Thanks for checking in with us, things are moving!! Thanks be to the Father!
Blessings,
Tammy

We Received Official Approval !!!

The call came today, we have been officially approved by the Chinese government to adopt Breanne. We know God had already declared His approval on it, but we are very thrilled to have the Chinese government approve it also. Oh I hope she will be home before her third birthday in September. I want to throw that little sweetie pie a birthday party that she will always remember, and you all are invited!! If you know me very well then you will know I mean that too.. I am all about the celebration aspect of life!!!! Thanks for your cares and prayers. Enjoy the pictures of our little one. Listen to the words of the song...God has confirmed to me His care for Breanne, He knows her, and the thing I want my readers to know is He knows each and every one of us too. Fall into His arms of provision, no matter where you find yourself in life. Life is about growing and changing, and hopefully in the direction of Heaven. He wants us all to come home to Him one day. Adoption is packed full of salvation symbolism.
Blessings,
Tammy

One Request Answered!!!

WHEW HEW!!!! and PTL!,
We received our USCIS (finger print appointment) today. That is an answer to one of my three requests. Ok prayer warriors, one down two to go. Thank you friends for prayers, and thank you Lord for answering them.
Hope you all have a restful weekend.
Blessings,
Tammy