I received this story in my email. I found it very touching. We never know the impact that our actions--good or bad--may have on another person.
One day, when I was a freshman in high school, I saw a kid from my class who was walking home from school. His name was Kyle. It looked like he was carrying all of his books.
I thought to myself, 'Why would anyone bring all his books home on a Friday? He must really be a nerd.' I had quite a weekend planned (parties and a football game with my friends tomorrow afternoon) so I shrugged my shoulders and went on.
As I was walking, I saw a bunch of kids running toward him. They ran at him, knocking all his books out of his arms and tripping him so he landed in the dirt. His glasses went flying, and I saw them land in the grass about ten feet from him . . . He looked up and I saw this terrible sadness in his eyes . . . My heart went out to him. So, I jogged over to him as he crawled around looking for his glasses, and I saw a tear in his eye. As I handed him his glasses, I said, "Those guys are jerks. They really should get lives."
He looked at me and said, "Hey, thanks!" There was a big smile on his face. It was one of those smiles that showed real gratitude.
I helped him pick up his books, and asked him where he lived. As it turned out, he lived near me, so I asked him why I had never seen him before. He said he had gone to private school before now. I would never have hung out with a private school kid before. We talked all the way home, and I carried some of his books.
He turned out to be a pretty cool kid. I asked him if he wanted to play a little football with my friends. He said yes.
We hung out all weekend and the more I got to know Kyle, the more I like him and my friends thought the same of him.
Monday morning came and there was Kyle with the huge stack of books again. I stopped him and said, "Boy, you are gonna really build some serious muscles with this pile of books every day!" He just laughed and handed me half the books.
Over the next four years, Kyle and I became best friends. When we were Seniors we began to think about college. Kyle decided on Georgetown and I was going to Duke. I knew we would always be friends and that the miles would never be a problem. He was going to be a doctor and I was going for business on a football scholarship.
Kyle was valedictorian of our class. I teased him all the time about being a nerd. He had to prepare a speech for graduation. I was so glad it wasn't me having to get up there and speak.
Graduation day, I saw Kyle. He looked great. He was one of those guys who really found himself during high school. He filled out and actually looked good in glasses. He had more dates than I had and all the girls loved him. Boy, sometimes I was jealous! Today was one of those days.
I could see that he was nervous about his speech. So I smacked him on the back and said, "Hey, big guy, you'll be great!"
He looked at me with one of those looks (the really grateful one) and smiled . . . . "Thanks," he said.
As he started his speech, he cleared his throat and began: "Graduation is a time to thank those who helped you make it through those tough years--your parents, your teachers, your siblings, maybe a coach . . . but mostly your friends. I am here to tell all of you that being a friend is the best gift you can give them. I am going to tell you a story."
I just looked at my friend with disbelief as he told the story of the first day we met. He had planned to kill himself over the weekend. He talked of how he had cleaned out his locker so his Mom wouldn't have to do it later and was carrying his stuff home.
He looked hard at me and gave me a little smile. "Thankfully I was saved. My friend saved me from doing the unthinkable.
I heard the gasp go through the crowd as this handsome, popular boy told us all about his weakest moment.
I saw his Mom and Dad looking at me and smiling that same grateful smile. Not until that moment did I realize its depth.
Never underestimate the power of your actions. With one small gesture you can change a person's life for better or for worse.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Friday, May 6, 2011
Please PRAY!!
Since Toni told me that our paperwork should be in the court by the end of next week, I asked if she could give me an estimate of how long until we actually have a court date. My goodness, I am getting so anxious (yet nervous) to see Abby again!
Here is what she replied:
"It completely depends on the Chairman of the court how soon he will assign a judge and then it completely depends on the judge when to schedule the court date. Sometimes it takes a total of two weeks, sometimes - much longer. There is no pattern. Please, pray for a fast process and, most of all, for a nice judge! You can't imagine how much the whole process depends on the kind of the judge we get."
I would appreciate so much knowing that we have a whole team of people interceding on our behalf.
Here is what she replied:
"It completely depends on the Chairman of the court how soon he will assign a judge and then it completely depends on the judge when to schedule the court date. Sometimes it takes a total of two weeks, sometimes - much longer. There is no pattern. Please, pray for a fast process and, most of all, for a nice judge! You can't imagine how much the whole process depends on the kind of the judge we get."
I would appreciate so much knowing that we have a whole team of people interceding on our behalf.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Updated Paperwork Apostilled
This is our new message from Toni:
Hi Joy,
Just talked to the MOJ. Your dossier is on the Minister's desk. Tomorrow is a holiday so most probably it won't get signed by the end of this week, but it should be signed in the beginning of the next. It should be in the court by the end of the next week. I know it is not a lot of progress, still, I wanted to let you know.
Blessings,
Toni
Also Kevin, James and I went to Boise today. Kevin had to be finger-printed. We ate tacos and burritos in honor of Cinco de Mayo and then headed to the Sec of State for apostilles. At the UPS Store, Kevin was able to get a 15% discount because he is an employee (he was even wearing a shirt with the UPS logo) Can't beat that!! So our paperwork is on its merry way to Joy who will personally escort it to AbbyLand.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Well, today didn't go exactly as planned. Just as I was getting ready to head to Twin, my sweetie called and said it is likely he will be driving to Boise tomorrow. He has to get fingerprints in Boise for his truck-driving job. (Of course, the 3 sets he's had per international adoption are not sufficient . . . smile) So we may as well wait and hand-deliver the documents to the Secretary of State for apostilles in person. Okie dokie.
I still got my photo copies made, picked up Billy's med for which we've been waiting for nearly 2 weeks to get the necessary pre-authorization from our insurance company (this is the one he takes at school and thankfully he still had 1 1/2 tablets left in their bottle when I showed up with reinforcements) , and headed to Wal-Mart so James could select a gift for a birthday party this weekend.
And this evening our silly washing machine didn't seem to want to drain. Unfortunately, my clothes-wringing skills aren't overly fantastic but hey, nothin' that 3 or 4 hours in the dryer won't fix, right????
I still got my photo copies made, picked up Billy's med for which we've been waiting for nearly 2 weeks to get the necessary pre-authorization from our insurance company (this is the one he takes at school and thankfully he still had 1 1/2 tablets left in their bottle when I showed up with reinforcements) , and headed to Wal-Mart so James could select a gift for a birthday party this weekend.
And this evening our silly washing machine didn't seem to want to drain. Unfortunately, my clothes-wringing skills aren't overly fantastic but hey, nothin' that 3 or 4 hours in the dryer won't fix, right????
4th in the Row--Still Waiting
Just got an email from Toni. She said we still don't have our 2nd signature on our dossier from the Ministry of Justice. However, she personally saw our file at the MOJ yesterday and was assured that it is the 4th in line and will be signed the next time the Minister signs documents.
I was able to pick up my updated medical forms yesterday from my doctor, so last night Kevin and I took another excursion to the notary. Today I'll run over to Twin Falls and get the medicals and local police clearances on their way to the Secretary of State in Boise for apostilles. Since our previous documents expire this week, I was concerned about getting them overseas as soon as possible. However, Toni says we're not in that big of a rush so I can send them with a fellow-adoptive Mom (whose name is also Joy) next week.
You know I have been pretty mellow in the wait up until about a week/week-and-a-half ago. It has felt so good to think that Abby would be 'ours' this month and that we could go get her next month. Now I'm wondering if court will come together that soon. Once our paperwork gets submitted to the court system, I don't know how long it takes to get assigned to a judge nor how long until a court date is set. And apparently some judges ask for additional paperwork--thus slowing the whole process--while others routinely do not.
As the saying goes, I am just feeling D.U.N. DUN. (Smile)
I am reminded of the song (based on the Scripture verse) that says, "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up on wings like eagles. They shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Teach me Lord, teach me Lord to wait."
I remember posts like this when we were waiting and waiting and waiting for a court date for Steven. I remember the song from "Fireproof"--I believe it is called "While I'm Waiting"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3b2jw1rjBc
Lyrics to While I'm Waiting :
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am hopeful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it is painful
But patiently, I will wait
I will move ahead, bold and confident
Takeing every step in obedience
While I'm waiting
I will serve You
While I'm waiting
I will worship
While I'm waiting
I will not faint
I'll be running the race
Even while I wait
I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am peaceful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it's not easy
But faithfully, I will wait
Yes, I will wait
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve you while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting on You, Lord
I was able to pick up my updated medical forms yesterday from my doctor, so last night Kevin and I took another excursion to the notary. Today I'll run over to Twin Falls and get the medicals and local police clearances on their way to the Secretary of State in Boise for apostilles. Since our previous documents expire this week, I was concerned about getting them overseas as soon as possible. However, Toni says we're not in that big of a rush so I can send them with a fellow-adoptive Mom (whose name is also Joy) next week.
You know I have been pretty mellow in the wait up until about a week/week-and-a-half ago. It has felt so good to think that Abby would be 'ours' this month and that we could go get her next month. Now I'm wondering if court will come together that soon. Once our paperwork gets submitted to the court system, I don't know how long it takes to get assigned to a judge nor how long until a court date is set. And apparently some judges ask for additional paperwork--thus slowing the whole process--while others routinely do not.
As the saying goes, I am just feeling D.U.N. DUN. (Smile)
I am reminded of the song (based on the Scripture verse) that says, "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up on wings like eagles. They shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Teach me Lord, teach me Lord to wait."
I remember posts like this when we were waiting and waiting and waiting for a court date for Steven. I remember the song from "Fireproof"--I believe it is called "While I'm Waiting"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3b2jw1rjBc
Lyrics to While I'm Waiting :
I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am hopeful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it is painful
But patiently, I will wait
I will move ahead, bold and confident
Takeing every step in obedience
While I'm waiting
I will serve You
While I'm waiting
I will worship
While I'm waiting
I will not faint
I'll be running the race
Even while I wait
I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am peaceful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it's not easy
But faithfully, I will wait
Yes, I will wait
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve you while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting on You, Lord
(Thanks to Carol for these lyrics)
I'm waitingI'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am hopeful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it is painful
But patiently, I will wait
I will move ahead, bold and confident
Takeing every step in obedience
While I'm waiting
I will serve You
While I'm waiting
I will worship
While I'm waiting
I will not faint
I'll be running the race
Even while I wait
I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am peaceful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it's not easy
But faithfully, I will wait
Yes, I will wait
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve you while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting on You, Lord
(Thanks to Carol for these lyrics)
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am hopeful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it is painful
But patiently, I will wait
I will move ahead, bold and confident
Takeing every step in obedience
While I'm waiting
I will serve You
While I'm waiting
I will worship
While I'm waiting
I will not faint
I'll be running the race
Even while I wait
I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am peaceful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it's not easy
But faithfully, I will wait
Yes, I will wait
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve you while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting on You, Lord
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Journey of a Thousand Miles--Looking Back
This journal entry is taken from the one I originally posted on May 10, 2010 on our private blog. Almost a year later, it was very fun for me to take this stroll down memory lane:
They say a journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step. Well Kevin and I have taken the first steps on the journey of several thousand miles to a new daughter in a Eastern European country--NOT Ukraine this time. :)
I'm not sure yet what this country's rules are about posting picture or specific country on our blog so you'll just have to take my word on it that she is a cutie-bug. Or better yet, you can go to http://reecesrainbow.org/familysponsorshipnew.htm and you'll see "Stephanie for the McClain's" [Our page there isn't totally set up yet but that is the same site that anyone interested in donating to our adoption can go. Two really good things are (1) that donations through Reece's Rainbow are totally tax deductible and (2) all funds stay with "Stephanie"--so if for any reason we would have to back out of the adoption, the money stays there to help another family adopt her.]
Hey, wait a minute, this IS a private blog, isn't it?!!! Perhaps that opens up the possibilities a bit as far as posting a picture! I'll have to find out.
There's so much I want to say but right this second I want to just lay out what's been happening so far.
January 31 Pastor preached a sermon about Macedonia. (See May 12 post) Found out later in the week that (Abby Land) used to be a part of Macedonia!!
February 16 Had emailed several concerns to Victoria at About a Child and found out we do qualify for adoption from (Abby Land)
March 26 Praying about adopting Stephanie
March 27 Email from Shelley that a family has stepped forward to adopt Stephanie
Mid-April Stephanie's adoptive family had to back out. Only few days to find another family before file has to be returned.
April 18 Inquiring about Stephanie with Shelley and Andrea
April 20 Mentioned Stephanie again in my journal
April 22 Trying to figure out if we qualify financially for her country.
April 23 Advocating for Stephanie on Reece's Rainbow while also asking a lot of questions to the adoption agency. Finally sent pre-application and family picture to About A Child, the agency that is handling Stephanie's adoption.
Monday, April 26, about 1:15 AM, Kevin and I finally agreed to try to adopt Stephanie. Extremely busy day but kept having a feeling like I'd just had a positive pregnancy test--just this little interior smile that says I'm having a baby and no one knows it. Just my own special private secret.
Tuesday, April 27, the line from the Bible "Sing oh barren woman" just kept playing over in my mind. With some hunting found that biblical line in Isaiah 54. Another insanely busy day. I believe it was this day--but perhaps Monday-- that I spoke on the phone with both Carla and Victoria from About A Child and printed off documents from About A Child, from Toni and from Reece's Rainbow.
Wednesday, April 28 in Boise airport on way to Christian Alliance for Orphans Summit VI in Minneapolis, Kevin tells me about how God was working in his heart concerning adoption over the weekend both through the Men's Fellowship lesson that he taught (David and Abigail--the FATHER is my source of joy) and Children's Church lesson about providing for the needs of a little orphan girl. Kevin's main objection to another adoption was concerns about job stability.
Thursday, April 29 Met Tammy from RR at the Summit. I knew she was specially interested in Stephanie's well-being so I told her our special secret.
Saturday night, May 1- home
Sunday afternoon, May 2 worked for several hours--like 6-- on document for Toni about our family and finances. On Monday May 3 found out the financial part was way too detailed--she only needed a couple lines :) Emailed the shorter version.
May 4 Notarizing documents didn't work out
May 5 Kevin and I went to City Hall and had the 3 initial documents for Toni notarized. Put pictures of our family into a document. After little boys went to school I hurried over to Twin to pick up a printer cartridge. Back home to take, download and print pictures of our house plus print pictures of family. Took documents and pictures back to Twin, copied them and tried to fax copies to Victoria--kept getting answering machine. Gave up. Across town to shipping store. Over-nighted the 3 documents by Fed Ex to Boise for apostilles and also paid for shipping on to Stephanie's country. There was $60 difference between Economy and the faster one but didn't seem like the more expensive one was THAT much faster. Afterwards I was feeling I shouldn't have chosen Economy. Back to pick little boys up from preschool.
May 6 Documents arrived at Secretary of State office at 10:13. By the end of the day they were in transit to Tennessee and expected in ------- on the 16th or 17th. Faxed documents to Victoria at AAC. Kevin and I started formally reading through the 26 page service contract from AAC
Friday, May 7 Documents are now in Paris. Arrival date now listed as the 12th. (Toni is out of the office for holidays until the 10th anyway) Signed the AAC service contract--mailed it with two accompanying checks. Finished Family Sponsorship Profile application for Reece's Rainbow--took me forever to write up the little ditty about our family--mailed it with the two accompanying checks. FINALLY got to make the announcement on the Reece's Rainbow yahoo group--so fun to receive so many excited responses.
Tried to contact A New Beginning Adoption Agency. Didn't see our social worker Dixie listed on their site. Concerned that she isn't working for them anymore and we'll have to start with a new worker.
Monday May 10
Paperwork arrived in ----! So glad I used economy rate.
Dixie called from A New Beginning--she IS still with agency. There have been several changes in the agency's policies/procedures since our last adoption. Now all paperwork comes from Boise, goes back to Boise and then they let Dixie know we can set up for subsequent home study. Will need new physicals, references, background checks and financial info
They say a journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step. Well Kevin and I have taken the first steps on the journey of several thousand miles to a new daughter in a Eastern European country--NOT Ukraine this time. :)
I'm not sure yet what this country's rules are about posting picture or specific country on our blog so you'll just have to take my word on it that she is a cutie-bug. Or better yet, you can go to http://reecesrainbow.org/familysponsorshipnew.htm and you'll see "Stephanie for the McClain's" [Our page there isn't totally set up yet but that is the same site that anyone interested in donating to our adoption can go. Two really good things are (1) that donations through Reece's Rainbow are totally tax deductible and (2) all funds stay with "Stephanie"--so if for any reason we would have to back out of the adoption, the money stays there to help another family adopt her.]
Hey, wait a minute, this IS a private blog, isn't it?!!! Perhaps that opens up the possibilities a bit as far as posting a picture! I'll have to find out.
There's so much I want to say but right this second I want to just lay out what's been happening so far.
January 31 Pastor preached a sermon about Macedonia. (See May 12 post) Found out later in the week that (Abby Land) used to be a part of Macedonia!!
February 16 Had emailed several concerns to Victoria at About a Child and found out we do qualify for adoption from (Abby Land)
March 26 Praying about adopting Stephanie
March 27 Email from Shelley that a family has stepped forward to adopt Stephanie
Mid-April Stephanie's adoptive family had to back out. Only few days to find another family before file has to be returned.
April 18 Inquiring about Stephanie with Shelley and Andrea
April 20 Mentioned Stephanie again in my journal
April 22 Trying to figure out if we qualify financially for her country.
April 23 Advocating for Stephanie on Reece's Rainbow while also asking a lot of questions to the adoption agency. Finally sent pre-application and family picture to About A Child, the agency that is handling Stephanie's adoption.
Monday, April 26, about 1:15 AM, Kevin and I finally agreed to try to adopt Stephanie. Extremely busy day but kept having a feeling like I'd just had a positive pregnancy test--just this little interior smile that says I'm having a baby and no one knows it. Just my own special private secret.
Tuesday, April 27, the line from the Bible "Sing oh barren woman" just kept playing over in my mind. With some hunting found that biblical line in Isaiah 54. Another insanely busy day. I believe it was this day--but perhaps Monday-- that I spoke on the phone with both Carla and Victoria from About A Child and printed off documents from About A Child, from Toni and from Reece's Rainbow.
Wednesday, April 28 in Boise airport on way to Christian Alliance for Orphans Summit VI in Minneapolis, Kevin tells me about how God was working in his heart concerning adoption over the weekend both through the Men's Fellowship lesson that he taught (David and Abigail--the FATHER is my source of joy) and Children's Church lesson about providing for the needs of a little orphan girl. Kevin's main objection to another adoption was concerns about job stability.
Thursday, April 29 Met Tammy from RR at the Summit. I knew she was specially interested in Stephanie's well-being so I told her our special secret.
Saturday night, May 1- home
Sunday afternoon, May 2 worked for several hours--like 6-- on document for Toni about our family and finances. On Monday May 3 found out the financial part was way too detailed--she only needed a couple lines :) Emailed the shorter version.
May 4 Notarizing documents didn't work out
May 5 Kevin and I went to City Hall and had the 3 initial documents for Toni notarized. Put pictures of our family into a document. After little boys went to school I hurried over to Twin to pick up a printer cartridge. Back home to take, download and print pictures of our house plus print pictures of family. Took documents and pictures back to Twin, copied them and tried to fax copies to Victoria--kept getting answering machine. Gave up. Across town to shipping store. Over-nighted the 3 documents by Fed Ex to Boise for apostilles and also paid for shipping on to Stephanie's country. There was $60 difference between Economy and the faster one but didn't seem like the more expensive one was THAT much faster. Afterwards I was feeling I shouldn't have chosen Economy. Back to pick little boys up from preschool.
May 6 Documents arrived at Secretary of State office at 10:13. By the end of the day they were in transit to Tennessee and expected in ------- on the 16th or 17th. Faxed documents to Victoria at AAC. Kevin and I started formally reading through the 26 page service contract from AAC
Friday, May 7 Documents are now in Paris. Arrival date now listed as the 12th. (Toni is out of the office for holidays until the 10th anyway) Signed the AAC service contract--mailed it with two accompanying checks. Finished Family Sponsorship Profile application for Reece's Rainbow--took me forever to write up the little ditty about our family--mailed it with the two accompanying checks. FINALLY got to make the announcement on the Reece's Rainbow yahoo group--so fun to receive so many excited responses.
Tried to contact A New Beginning Adoption Agency. Didn't see our social worker Dixie listed on their site. Concerned that she isn't working for them anymore and we'll have to start with a new worker.
Monday May 10
Paperwork arrived in ----! So glad I used economy rate.
Dixie called from A New Beginning--she IS still with agency. There have been several changes in the agency's policies/procedures since our last adoption. Now all paperwork comes from Boise, goes back to Boise and then they let Dixie know we can set up for subsequent home study. Will need new physicals, references, background checks and financial info
Monday, May 2, 2011
Updated Adoption Paperwork
Today I was able to pick up our updated local police clearance forms and Kevin's medical forms. Unfortunately, my medical forms had small errors the first two times I picked them up; the new and revised editions are due out tomorrow afternoon. Rats! I really wanted to have them TODAY so I could get them apostilled and in AbbyLand by the end of the week. Bah humbug! In case anybody is wondering, these two things--medicals and local clearances--have to be renewed every 6 months while we are in the adoption process with this particular Eastern European country.
I haven't heard anything from Toni so I am assuming we don't have the 2nd signature yet from the Ministry of Justice. I have so counted on court being about the 3rd week of this month and our travel to FINALLY get our girlie being about the 3rd week of June. But I'm beginning to think that isn't going to happen after all.
We decided to adopt Abby on Monday, April 26, 2010 -- over a YEAR ago. I feel like this process has taken forever.
I haven't heard anything from Toni so I am assuming we don't have the 2nd signature yet from the Ministry of Justice. I have so counted on court being about the 3rd week of this month and our travel to FINALLY get our girlie being about the 3rd week of June. But I'm beginning to think that isn't going to happen after all.
We decided to adopt Abby on Monday, April 26, 2010 -- over a YEAR ago. I feel like this process has taken forever.
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