Feb 25th DTC !!!

WHOOOHOOO..That's right...we are Dossier To China !!

All this hard work...piles of paperwork,endless signatures and notaries,done..our Dossier was sent to China! Here is what is left..our waiting isn't over yet..

LID..Logged In Date (China logs in your paperwork)..about 2 weeks out
LOA..(Letter of acceptance)..about 60 days
1800 approval...3 weeks
Article 5...4 weeks
TA ((TRAVEL APPOINTMENT)) 2to 4 weeks....

We are about 19-20 weeks from getting our girls !!

We just cleared #7...

Goodbye Paperwork !!!!

We WONT miss you !! With a mix up on our Home Study,we once again had a set back..not to worry tho..Our God straightened it all out and we are full speed ahead.We have our USCIS approval in hand.WHOOHOO!
I was able to talk with our worker at AAI,Ky Bower <she is wonderful by the way> and we are a couple weeks from DTC <Dossier to China> We will at that time be LID <Logged in Date> what does all that mean you ask ? It means we are 5 months from travel..we will be traveling in July or early Aug...Praying for July !!
It will be HOT in China at that time..that's okay..the kids will be out of school..making it easier to find friends to watch them when we are gone...We will be gone 14 days..Im excited and Rick is as well...having done this before,we know what a precious time of bonding this will be..

On another note..please be in prayer for all of the children and foster homes in Henan Province..there is alot happening there and many of the foster homes are being closed...the children are being moved to orphanages,its a very sad situation as many of the kids are indeed special needs and need one on one attention.Some,this is the only family they have known and they have thrived there...going into a big orphanage under staffed is a death sentence for them..Also please pray for the Nanny's..how sad it must be for them..they have dedicated their lives to care and love on these precious angels...not they must let them go..Both of our girls are in this province..it does effect Peyton..she was taken out of a large orphanage just 7 months ago...she was bed ridden and sad..in 7 short months this child has come back to life...

Please pray for God to intervene ..Thank you
Rona

Our very precious,beautiful,worthy of love and a family,
                               Peyton Reese.

USCIS Approved !!

We got approval...its been a roller coaster ride for sure..Alittle mix up with how our Home Study worker stated a few things but we now have that all straightened out..God is GOOD ALL the time.
Next step is DTC > Dossier to China...we are about 5 months from traveling to China..Looking at Summer time..it will be a nice time to be in China,and our kids will be out of school too..
Thank you everyone for your prayers along the way...We are done with Dossiers and Home Studies..
WHOOOOHOOOO.....now we wait !!! 

.........................................GREAT NEWS Part 2................................

We have more great news to share...we have been given permision to adopt a second child..

Her name is Peyton Reese,she is 6 years old and she has mild CP..she is a ray of sunshine and we love her so much already.

Below are our precious girls...we are beyoind excited to be traveling to China to bring them home..please pray with us thta God will continue to keep them safe until we get there..

Carrington Sophia age 3

Peyton Reese age 6

To God we give ALL the Glory !
Rona

Celebrating Jesus Birthday 2012

Burrrr,it was a really cold Christmas this year-We started Christmas Eve by going to church-meeting Daddy there,because he had to work.We were all dressed in our new Christmas clothes and by the time we got there our church was PACKED ! We ended up sitting in the lobby and helped fix coffee and cutting cake for everyone when service was over.We came home to eating supper then opening two gifts,our new jammies and ornaments-
Tyler and the babies came to spend the night..Alisha and Brenner were here as well..Connor and Linda were also able to make it for a couple hours ... I was up most of the night baking pies..I think I finally fell asleep at 3 am..making Christmas morning come,oh so much faster.

We started a new tradition this year.We have always made a Birthday Cake for Jesus,trying to encourage our children to remember "The Reason" we celebrate in the first place...how often I find myself reminding them ..this is a CELEBRATION ..a Birthday Party for Jesus..this ISN'T about you or what YOU want my dear !!! In following that theme...we also give 3 gifts to each person..representing the gifts the three wise men came and gave on that very first night..Our children were thrilled and no complaints were made-I loved making this switch-I found myself each year trying to out do the last...we had created selfish ungrateful children...it was time for a change !
Here are some Steinhoff moments as we Celebrated the birth of our Savior,Jesus Christ !

Love Rona

Tommorrow is Christmas Eve,

I love this time of year,its when all of my family members come together and we spend "quality" time as a family,playing games and watching movies and sharing stories .. our house gets pretty loud and its WONDERFUL ! We WILL have a white Christmas,so add to the list snowboarding and sledding too..oh and don't forget the hot chocolate and mini marshmallows !!

Some precious family members will be missing and missed for sure!
Justin-you are in our hearts and we are praying for you my son!!

Shawn and my dear DIL and grandson Isaac...you are missed so much more than you will ever know...I cannot wait to come and see your new house and spend quality time together..Isaac Meme loves you to the moon and back XXXOO..

Connor/ I love you..unconditionally, and we will miss you this year..I pray you will change your mind and come home for Christmas..I pray for you son, that you will know Jesus and follow his plan for your life!

To all the rest of our precious kiddos...get ready for some feasting,fun and family time !!!

Love Mom

Carrington turns 3 !!

Happy Birthday sweet girl !! I hope you got your gifts from us..we also received new pictures and updates on your weight and height..you are growing a wee bit..please not tooo fast Lord,we have already missed so much ! Carrington,Mommy-Daddy and all your sisters and brothers cannot wait to hug you and kiss your sweet cheeks! We are praying for you sweet girl...this WILL be the last Birthday you spend in a orphanage precious!!! As we draw closer to Christmas,life is so so so busy..you are always in our hearts and you are always on our mind...we look forward to NEXT year because you will be home here with us...our family will be complete as we celebrate our first Christmas together...Happy Birthday Baby girl !!!

Love Mommy

Gods timing is ALWAYS perfect !

Sometimes I really struggle with this..and this is one of those times.Why me Lord...why us? Are you sure ?
As I watch some of my older children struggle with their choices..I rejoice and PRAISE JESUS they are learning their way, is NO way..they need Jesus...and in order for them to see that..I as their mom, must watch them fall. I was on the phone the other day with a dear friend..sharing with her my mommies heart and how hard it was killing me to see my Connor live with the choices he has made...how I want to so badly to run and rescue him and hold him tight and make everything okay again..You see .. my son is CHOOSING to live on the streets with his girlfriend..he could come home..but he chooses NOT too..And because he is 18,I cant do anything about it..This has been one of the hardest things this mom has ever done,to let go and let God!! Connor has learning disabilities...he has FAS. Safety nets have always been in place for Connor...social services and programs for him..special school setting and curriculum...the day he turned 17 1/2..its alllll gone..done...there is NOTHING to help him anymore...

I love my son dearly..more than he could possibly know..I would give my life for his..Oh how I pray he finds Jesus and knows how much he is loved by his heavenly father... God has a purpose for his life..a plan..a WONDERFUL plan ... and living on the streets isn't one of them!

My friend shared with me that God also watched Adam and Eve,His children, sin,He let them choose,and He let them fall ..oh how that must have hurt His heart deeply...knowing what the consequences would be...I'm reminded that guilt isn't from God but from the devil and I'm holding onto God promise that if I raise my children up in the way they shall go..they will NOT depart from thee !! Thank you God for your promises. Lord please watch over my children...all of them..I understand they have free will, and as much as I wish that could be changed..maybe until they are 30...that it cannot! God please grant them your favor, keep them warm and safe...Father I trust in YOU...draw them near...let them know YOU, as their Lord and Savior,its not their mom...Use me as their mom to show them that !!! In Jesus name I pray !
I love you Connor Lee Samuel....God loves you even more !!!
Amen.
Mom