Thursday, August 15, 2013

Big Step 1: complete!

Just a little update from the Lazenby family of 4 awaiting to be 5:) We have completed the first big step in our adoption process by completing the home study. We had our last interview this week with our wonderful social worker Sherry, and it was so exciting to hear her say next time I see you, your daughter will be here! 

The next step in the process is for home study to be typed, approved by DHR, and approved by US Immigration Services. Unfortunately the Immigration approval can take weeks to months. You never know. During the waiting we will be compiling documents and doing more fingerprints, etc for our dossier. That's a fancy term that includes a large packet of information of our family to Hong Kong. 

Our sunday school class has been so supportive through this process. We are currently doing a bag order fundraiser. They are so cute and affordable. Also perfect for the "overachiever" Christmas shopper. The online catalog is on my facebook page, message me your email if you are not on FB and want to have the catalog sent to your email. 

I would like to leave you with a few things that have been on my heart about adoption. I daydream at times during the day about what our daughter will look like. I pray for her, and pray that she is taken care of until she can be brought home. But most importantly I hope to publish this blog for her one day to see the journey it took for us to get her here. I know that so many adopted children must at some point deal with grief and loss of their birthparents, but also at times anger with why their parents did not want them. I want my daughter to know that she is WORTH it. Every anxious thought, every extra late night work shift, every negative opinion endured (my most recent favorite included a woman I did not know asking me if I had lost my marbles), every piece of paperwork, fingerprint and interview. She is worth it to us. Every single orphan is worth it. It is so easy to ignore what is not visible to us....but to me her life is just as valuable as yours and mine. ESPECIALLY to our heavenly father....and sweet daughter....you are WANTED. WORTH IT. and we cannot wait to have you home :)  

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Answering the question

Things have been going, but certainly feel slow....we have had three more interviews with our social worker since my last blog. We have a final meeting in August, and I am excited to be completing this big step in our process. There is one answer really on my heart tonight that I wanted to share, because o so often I have been getting this question. 

1. Why do you want to adopt? 

Um, well why not? This is a question with quite a few answers, with many heartstrings. First, we are all born sinners and God adopted us into his family with the perfect sacrifice of his son. What better way to  say thank you than to do the same for someone else which has been done for me. 

Second, I feel called to. I know that can be a vague answer because what does "called to" really mean? It means when I think and pray about it, I am at peace. I truly believe it is something God wants me to do. It is a part of my life that God knew I would choose before I was ever made, and it gives me chills to know that he knows my daughter already.

Third, Adoption is so near to the heart of Christ. And the closer I can be to that, the better! There are quite a few verses in the bible about caring for orphans, being merciful, defending their cause and protecting them. I truly feel closer to Christ, when I am taking steps in our process. That is pretty cool. 

Please pray with me as we complete our home study soon. We still have T-shirts for sale, and our amazing Sunday School class is doing a fundraiser for us in August. (whoop Duo's shout out!). Be looking for updates. :) 


Friday, May 31, 2013

Studyin the Lazenby House

We are officially knee deep in sharing our lives with our wonderful social worker. We have begun the "home study" process, which is a series of interviews, with a tad bit of paperwork and homework in-between;) If everything goes as scheduled, our plan is to be finished in August with this part of the process. 

One step in the process Matt and I got to do today. We went to the sheriff's office downtown. I admit I was dreading it. My experience in government offices in the past involved long lines and cranky workers. The lady who fingerprinted us was fantastic, and had such a sweet spirit. It was so encouraging. It felt like God was giving me a high five! Matt resisted, but I told him we must take a photo and document this day. The federal government now gets to search us:) 




We are still selling T-shirts (if you want one?), but I am beginning to brainstorm other ideas for fundraising. There is so much out there, but being a runner myself I am leaning towards organizing a race. Something fun with a twist. I would love anyone's input. I organized a walk in college, but this must be BIGGER!  Be looking for updates...:) 

I try not to think of the process to getting our daughter in terms of time, but in steps. Until next time...


Monday, May 6, 2013

Not in our timing

For those of you who don't know, we have had a bumpy couple of weeks in the Lazenby house. Our second interview was postponed, as it was the earliest day Rhett could have tubes put in. Five days later, we made a trip to Birmingham to his orthopedic doctor (Dr. Khoury who we love). I knew we were getting a cast, but deep down I was still hoping maybe he would have a different suggestion. He didn't, and the crew (consisting of two very large guys!) came in to cast him. I was proud of my little man. No cries, and I really knew he was doing great when one of the techs said "it usually takes four people to cast a small one." We will be going to Birmingham every week (ouch) for a stretch with the PT and a new cast, hoping this will resolve his contracture. That being said, I know that God is preparing for us to meet our girl in his timing, and that meeting was postponed for a reason. It is now next week:)   Special thanks to everyone who has bought a shirt, or a raffle ticket, or donated to the yard sale. We still have about 30 shirts to sell, if you are interested let me know or there is a box to the right that you can order online. 



I couldn't help but want to blog tonight thinking about Mother's day on Sunday. There is not a more selfless, loving calling. However, I also think about all of the children here and across the world wishing for a MOM....they are without someone to leave notes of encouragement in their lunch boxes, embarrass them with kisses at school, or cheer them on in a soccer game. Children who, did nothing to deserve their position and are yearning for someone to LOVE them.  These children are already adopted by Christ, as we all are, but how much MORE would they understand his love if they could catch a glimpse of it from a mother? Just a thought....

I recently bought a documentary on adoption called Stuck. It was made by an organization called Both Ends Burning, which promotes adoption. Stuck is a moving film of stories of families through their adoption process. Their website is here http://buy.stuckdocumentary.com-- or if you live in my town and want to borrow the DVD let me know. I would love to spread the word, even if just one more child found a home. 


Happy Mother's Day to all the moms, grandmothers, foster moms, mentors, and ladies who will be moms in the future. I would not be the person I am today without Leigh Blackwell! She is my rock, my best friend, and I'm thankful that she has taught me how to give and love. Here is one of my favorites of Mom and I. I have no idea what we were laughing about. Probably my clumsiness with jewelry...I don't wear much:/




Thursday, April 18, 2013

Mother's Day Raffle

I thought it super fitting to have a a Mother's Day fundraiser for our adoption. There are millions of orphans who would love to celebrate Mother's Day...and we are working to make that number one less!! 

For every 10$ that you donate (or 3 entries for 25$), your name will be entered to win an I Pad Mini!! This would make an awesome Mother's Day gift. Of course, if we do not have enough response to pay for the Mini itself, we would cancel the drawing. For those of you Apple Fans, it will be the 16GB, and the winner can pick either white or black color.






We have had our first interview, and working on reading a book that helps detail some of the challenges of adopted children adjusting. We would love your continued prayers as we complete this home study process this summer.

"In you the orphan finds mercy." Hosea 14:3

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Raise it UP!

Over the last two months we have had some success in fundraising. First, we had a yard sale, which included donations from family and friends. This was a great fundraiser. We are blessed to have some great people in our lives who helped. 

While pricing the items for the yard sale, I came across this really cool pencil sharpener in the shape of a clock. While polishing it (I am still not sure what kind of metal it is...) I noticed a sticker on the back titled "Apex Hong Kong". Ahhh....I love moments of affirmation and it came at a time when I really needed it! I have no idea how old it is, why my Memaw had it, but it made my heart smile! 

Our second fundraiser is T-shirt sales. We chose two different designs. One being the symbol for Love in chinese available in three colors, the other is a child's handprint with the Hong Kong available in two colors. These are doing well so far, but we still have plenty to sell! They are 20$, and any size can be ordered. I am going to try to figure out how to put a order tab on the blog:) 




Other things we are doing on our own are cutting out eating out, cutting out my favorite coffee, etc. We are also both trying to do some extra work with our jobs to help, selling on ebay, and selling furniture! We trust that God will provide!!

We are excited about the home study process, as it is one step closer to our baby girl!! Will keep you posted. Until next time.... zoi3 gin3 (bye in Cantonese...our daughter's home language:)! 







Wednesday, March 13, 2013

HICCUP

That's exactly how I feel. Not a roadblock, not a stall, but we've had a little hiccup in our adoption process. A change that I can honestly say I didn't feel coming, but feel blessed it happened when it did.

We received word not a week after we had been accepted to the Korea program, that there were changes about to take place within the country. We have been advised not to share what those changes are over blog--but that is the main reason that we have changed countries (and agencies). Some of you know, that's more paperwork, and could be seen as a discouragement. WE are choosing to see this as a blessing in disguise. Had we been farther along in the process, changing would not have been an option.

SO...back to praying we went. Our hearts are full for a little girl in Asia who is "waiting" for her forever family. Prayers brought us to HONG KONG with Lifeline agency. I didn't even realize, because I am so poor in geography that Hong Kong is not a part of "China" any longer. Therefore, they have there own set of adoption laws. This is a somewhat wealthy country, and there is an active domestic adoption program there as in the U.S.  This country reached out to lifeline for children who were not adopted--they may have a need or needs that the family cannot afford, cannot deal with, or they consider embarrassment or curse in their culture.

We have faith that a little girl will be placed in our home and feel forever WANTED and no longer WAITING. One who will fit well into our family, and with needs we can take care of.

That being said...there are a few ways you can help :)

1) We are having a YARD SALE saturday. Thanks to everyone who has dropped or is dropping stuff off to sale. It is from 7-11 and all benefits go toward our adoption. 9617 Ottershaw Court Pike Road from 7-11.

2) Frazer partners with a non profit organization called Lifesong to help fund adoptions for families. Chick Fil A in East Chase is having a "Spirit Night" from 5-7pm on March 19th.  If you like Chick Fil A (who doesn't?!) Please go to help support all families that may be eligible to receive the matching grant from Lifesong. If you go...tell the counter you are there for spirit night. They are donating 20%!!

3) Be looking for some cool t shirts  (Thanks Adam with AKD for your help) to be for sale soon...

"In you the Orphan Finds Mercy..." Hosea 14:3