There is so much to do and so little time to do it. Our plane leaves Des Moines Saturday morning at 6:30 am and we arrive in Ho Chi Minh City at 10:40 pm their time on Sunday. We will be landing in Vietnam while you folks are heading home from church.
We had good news last night. We expected that we would not be able to see Dong until Tuesday, but we get to go to the orphanage early Monday. They say we will be able to meet Dong. This is most unusual for older children. Parents usually do not meet their older child until the Giving and Receiving Ceremony which will be Tuesday.
We will be sharing our journey with another Holt family. It will be fun to finally meet this family that I have been corresponding with for the past couple of months.
I do not know when I will be able to update the blog because we are not taking a computer with us. Friends assure us that we will have access to computers over there...we will see.
Please keep us in your prayers as we meet our new son...and he meets us. We have so much to learn about each other and so little common language. Please keep Grandma and Aunt Katie in your prayers as they take care of the children left at home.
Blessings to all
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Progress and a poem
We are scurrying to get ready. Our plane leaves at 6:30 am on the 23rd of February and we are to arrive in Ho Chi Minh City on the evening of the 24th. It looks like we may have the 25th off. The mother of some Vietnamese friends was visiting her daughters and new grandson in the US for a few months. We had the family over a couple of times while she was here. She has just returned home to Ho Chi Minh City. We may be able to meet her that day.
Tuesday, the 26th, we will meet Dong for the first time, and he will become our son. I already have his backpack and suitcase packed!
A friend who adopted a little boy from China sent this poem that resonates with me. Kelly did not know who wrote it.
Some would gather money along the path of life;
Some would gather roses, and rest from wordly strife.
But I would gather children from among the thorns of sin,
I would seek a golden curl, and a freckled, toothless grin.
For money cannot enter in that land of endless day,
And roses that are gathered soon will wilt along the way.
But oh, the laughing children, as I cross the sunset sea,
And the gates swing wide to heaven, I can take them in with me!
It's time to get back to eternal things disguised as daily tasks! Have a great day!
Blessings...Joni
Tuesday, the 26th, we will meet Dong for the first time, and he will become our son. I already have his backpack and suitcase packed!
A friend who adopted a little boy from China sent this poem that resonates with me. Kelly did not know who wrote it.
Some would gather money along the path of life;
Some would gather roses, and rest from wordly strife.
But I would gather children from among the thorns of sin,
I would seek a golden curl, and a freckled, toothless grin.
For money cannot enter in that land of endless day,
And roses that are gathered soon will wilt along the way.
But oh, the laughing children, as I cross the sunset sea,
And the gates swing wide to heaven, I can take them in with me!
It's time to get back to eternal things disguised as daily tasks! Have a great day!
Blessings...Joni
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Going for God's Treasures
Hey everyone, the count down has begun. In three weeks we are to be on the plane heading for Vietnam. It has already been quite a journey and we haven't even left the ground. For those of you who don't know our story, here it is...
Adoption has been a quiet dream of mine since I was a kid. I became a school teacher because of my love of kids. We had five biological children because we love kids. The neighbor kids and friends are frequently at our house because we love kids.
Even before our youngest was born, adoption was a topic of conversation in our home. We have tried to cultivate a heart for the world through Scripture, through missionary biographies, and by example. Amy Carmichael, George Mueller, and Mary Slessor are some of my heroes. We would talk about adoption but our resources were very limited.
When "D" was born, there were complications and more biological children were not an option. As I was giving away those things that our youngest boy and girl outgrew, the kids were alarmed. "But Mom, what if we adopt?" My responses came to be along these lines, "Children, adoption is expensive, but we know the God who owns the cattle on a thousand hills. If He wants us to adopt, He will provide everything we need."
Long story shortened incredibly (remember we're leaving in three weeks), God has provided everything need. When I wasn't even looking for a job, God provided a job that I love and doesn't infringe too much on the family...and provided for this adoption. God has provided the support from friends and family. God has provided enough hand me downs to clothe two boys in the same size of clothes...even winter coats for NEXT year. God truly does pave the way for the good works He has prepared in advance for us to do. (Eph. 2:10)
We were looking at adopting a much younger child...under 2 years old...but God drew our attention to the captivating smile of a little boy...Le Trung Dong. He was put in the orphanage when he was six months old. Dong was suffering from malnutrition and they were concerned he had cerebral palsy. Vitamins, extra feedings, and physical therapy revealed he was just weak from his family's inability to provide for him in an impoverished country. They put him in the orphanage to preserve his life.
Dong was placed in a foster home when he was four years old. He has flourished there under the care of a loving family. Last June we were chosen to become his forever family. He is now seven years old. I read nothing but good things about this sweet little boy. He is a helpful, compassionate, and hard working.
We received THE call on Friday. We are to be in Ho Chi Minh City on Monday, February 25th, 2008. The next day we meet Dong for the first time and he becomes our son.
There is so much to do, but I wanted a forum to readily communicate with those people who want to follow us in our journey. I make no guarantees how often this technologically challenged individual will be able to get to updating this thing or even figure out how!!! But I will try.
We are so privileged to be chosen to become his forever family. There are those who are incredulous that someone with five kids would want more. The Scriptures say that children are a treasure from the Lord. Since God's Word is true, there is only one logical conclusion...WE ARE GREEDY!!! Thus, the title of our blog.
Blessings to all from...Joni, Greg, R (18), N(15), A(12), S(9). and D(6)
Adoption has been a quiet dream of mine since I was a kid. I became a school teacher because of my love of kids. We had five biological children because we love kids. The neighbor kids and friends are frequently at our house because we love kids.
Even before our youngest was born, adoption was a topic of conversation in our home. We have tried to cultivate a heart for the world through Scripture, through missionary biographies, and by example. Amy Carmichael, George Mueller, and Mary Slessor are some of my heroes. We would talk about adoption but our resources were very limited.
When "D" was born, there were complications and more biological children were not an option. As I was giving away those things that our youngest boy and girl outgrew, the kids were alarmed. "But Mom, what if we adopt?" My responses came to be along these lines, "Children, adoption is expensive, but we know the God who owns the cattle on a thousand hills. If He wants us to adopt, He will provide everything we need."
Long story shortened incredibly (remember we're leaving in three weeks), God has provided everything need. When I wasn't even looking for a job, God provided a job that I love and doesn't infringe too much on the family...and provided for this adoption. God has provided the support from friends and family. God has provided enough hand me downs to clothe two boys in the same size of clothes...even winter coats for NEXT year. God truly does pave the way for the good works He has prepared in advance for us to do. (Eph. 2:10)
We were looking at adopting a much younger child...under 2 years old...but God drew our attention to the captivating smile of a little boy...Le Trung Dong. He was put in the orphanage when he was six months old. Dong was suffering from malnutrition and they were concerned he had cerebral palsy. Vitamins, extra feedings, and physical therapy revealed he was just weak from his family's inability to provide for him in an impoverished country. They put him in the orphanage to preserve his life.
Dong was placed in a foster home when he was four years old. He has flourished there under the care of a loving family. Last June we were chosen to become his forever family. He is now seven years old. I read nothing but good things about this sweet little boy. He is a helpful, compassionate, and hard working.
We received THE call on Friday. We are to be in Ho Chi Minh City on Monday, February 25th, 2008. The next day we meet Dong for the first time and he becomes our son.
There is so much to do, but I wanted a forum to readily communicate with those people who want to follow us in our journey. I make no guarantees how often this technologically challenged individual will be able to get to updating this thing or even figure out how!!! But I will try.
We are so privileged to be chosen to become his forever family. There are those who are incredulous that someone with five kids would want more. The Scriptures say that children are a treasure from the Lord. Since God's Word is true, there is only one logical conclusion...WE ARE GREEDY!!! Thus, the title of our blog.
Blessings to all from...Joni, Greg, R (18), N(15), A(12), S(9). and D(6)
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