It's a Party!!! A Pampered Chef Party!!

I guess, while I'm just waiting for the time to be able to send in the next stack of papers, I can be productive in raising the funds needed for Little Bear's homecoming.  It's hard to simply 'ask for donations', so I like the bracelet selling the L's uncle has been doing and the purchasing of puzzle pieces to hang in her room.  This fundraiser fits right into that category.

Welcome to the online/catalog Pampered Chef Party!!  The goal...orphanage fees.  (Hey, what can I say I think BIG!)   The way to reach this goal....Buy awesome Pampered Chef items!!!  How great is that, you will get great items to use in your house and my Little Bear will get to live in a house!  It's the perfect combination!  

To join in, simply click the link below and start shopping!!!  You can shop for the entire month of JULY!!!  Just put my full name (Sarah Meyer) in when you are ordering and that way I will get credit as your host which will help bring us a little closer to covering those orphanage fees...

And Little Bear will get a little closer to....life.

Strong Enough

     We're two days into July.  And I really don't have much to share. It's hard to post with no new good news.  I'm still playing the waiting game. Waiting until I get word that I can send in the next round of paperwork and then onward we will go. 
     It's a good thing I'm a patient person.  Not to say I don't get frustrated, I definitely do!  And sometimes I vent those frustrations to people who just happen to be the ones to ask, 'How are things going?' and sometimes I just simply vent to the dog while sitting out on the lanai. 

But there is really nothing better though, going around the corner and ending up here...

It's good to vent, to let out those frustrations of waiting, of being around people who don't understand, of not having enough money or enough time, of sometimes not feeling strong enough...

This is my new theme song. (or at least theme song for the moment) It says all the words I feel and I wonder if Little Bear feels it too...because I picture the words in her head.

And then...peace...for the time being. I know I'll be frustrated again, but for that moment, I can look out here....

...and feel so blessed. Blessed to be able to be in this position, to know that in His time the waiting will be over and I will be posting while Little Bear is in the next room, asleep in her crib, in her bedroom, in our house.  Blessed to know that, even when we don't realize it, He is strong enough for ALL of us.

One World One Love Puzzle Fundraiser

Alright, things are moving along, I'm about to send in the next set of papers and will soon after be getting my first travel date.  Which so OUT. OF. THIS. WORLD. EXCITING!!!  

But, as exciting as that sounds, it is also a bit scary because, this whole process costs a pretty penny!  And though my brother has been rocking the town selling bracelets (and is still going...seriously, we're talking energizer bunny when it comes to raising $$ for his niece!)  there is still A LOT to be raised.  

So, as with the rest of the process, the fundraisers are moving along as well.  

This is a puzzle that was purchased to hang in Little Bear's room. 

 It's pretty perfect if I must say so myself!  

The puzzle fundraiser works like this...

You buy one (or more) puzzle pieces for $5 a piece.  I write your name (or a word of encouragement if you chose) on the back of the piece(s).  Then as pieces get purchased, I put the puzzle together.  

Once all of the pieces have been purchased, there are 252 by the way,  the puzzle gets framed in an open frame (so you can see both sides) and goes in the Little Bear's room.  That way, she has something to forever remind her of all of the people who helped her be free from that rotten orphanage!

Sounds pretty easy right...right!  

So, let's get to it.  

$5 buys you one puzzle piece.  

Pretty simple task for such a big reward...

You can use either the chip in button or FSP link on the right, to make your donation.  And, if you would please leave a comment with the name or word of encouragement that you would like on your piece, that would be helpful.

Baby Dolls

It has officially begun....  

She has a collection of baby dolls. 

 Not just one dolly because she's little and well, not even home yet...but no, a collection!  

I am a girly girl. For those of you who already know me, you are aware of that. For those of you who didn't know that, well, now you do!  So, I am in HEAVEN filling my life with pink and sparkly and all things GIRL!!  

 Her first 'baby' is from Grandma.   It's so soft and squishy and 'looks' like her.  (Plus it's pink and green so coordinates perfectly with the nursery...Mama likes that!)

Her second 'baby' was also her 'first souvenir' from my boss's recent vacation.  It came from Italy! (And is also pretty soft and squishy) It's not pink and green and has a different hair color but we'll ignore those facts because it was handmade in ITALY!!

And the third baby was made JUST FOR HER!  It will have to be 'sisters' with baby no. 1 as it has the same hair and eyes, is also squishy and pink and green.  And really kind of is, her.

AND...I am patiently waiting until I have time to go through it thoroughly, but there is a big box of 'hand-me-down' babies, that this Mama played with as a little girl, and that have just been waiting for another little girl to love and hug!

Oh and I'm sure there will be more to add to the collection...

one can never have too many baby dolls! 


 As I said...more to add....

 Another brown haired baby...with... pink cowgirl boots and her FIRST PONY!!!!

I'm so happy she's a girl...and WILL be a girly girl (at least until she's old enough to have her own opinion). =)  

(That being said, this girly girl still climbed trees and played in the mud, it was just a tree house, stocked full of baby dolls and mud cake ready to be served after family dinner.)

One Month

    It has been one month since my first post.  And though a lot HAS happened in that month, I also feel like it's been the LONGEST month EVER!!!  And I know there is still so much ahead.  I missed a few weeks of blogging because, honestly, I was a bit overwhelmed with how quickly everything was moving at the beginning of May and then...waiting, and waiting, and waiting... It's quite a frustrating roller coaster sometimes.

     Anyway, I promise to be better.  I'll post more often to let those of you who are checking in know how things are going. =)

     I have made good use of my time waiting, though.  I am simply waiting for the final draft of my home study to be ready to send in my USCIS paperwork and send all of my dossier paperwork to be apostilled and then on it's way!   One little piece of paper, a letter from the psychologist, is holding EVERYTHING up. UGH!!!  

     

     But there is an end in sight. I will have that paper in 3 days!!!  Then my SW can finish the final draft of my home study report and then that report can finally go to USCIS and then I can get fingerprints done and then I can get shiny stamps on the rest of all that paperwork and then I can send that puppy off to it's destination and then I can get a travel date and THEN I can kiss this sweet face for the first time.

This face is just waiting as well.  Waiting for someone to love her.
(Or, waiting to find out how very much I already love her, really!)

And so we wait...3 more days...(for now)...

Bracelet Brigade

      My little brother, who falls on the autism spectrum, has declared that he is 'on the front lines of fundraising' for the Little Bear.  He makes knotted bracelets (and key-chains & necklaces) and has decided to make a TRUCKLOAD of bracelets for L. This is our first 'official' fundraiser.  Lots of Love for Little Bear.  My little brother's friend is helping in the endeavor (and my mom has been brought in for reinforcements).   We are asking for a goodwill donation for the bracelet, $5 or more will ensure free shipping!  

All proceeds go directly into Little Bear's fund. 

      You can use the Chip-In to the right to order your bracelets.   

Please remember that donations through the chip in are not tax deductible, but all gifts go to help in the cost of bringing L home!

     Colors vary.  You can either request the color of your choice or simply be surprised.  All bracelets also have a small charm as a reminder of the love that is shared for all orphans, especially Little Bear.  
     Please remember to leave your name and address so we can get your bracelet to you and a proper thank-you, for showing "Lots of Love for Little Bear".

You are Loved...

     At the bottom of this blog is Josh Groban's song, You Are Loved.  It is a song that I have always enjoyed and find meaning in.  (Of course, Josh himself is pretty enjoyable!)  I can't wait for this little girl to meet all of the people that have shown such love for her already.
     I work weekly with the youth at my church.  This is such an amazing group of kids.  Over time they have 'adopted' two children from foreign countries through a children's mission organization.  They frequently pray for these little girls, (both from different countries and in different social situations) and they raise money to send for their care.  They give their tithe, spare change, extra dollars here and there.  They are given updates, and an occasional photo.  They have asked over time if they'll ever get to meet either of these kids and it was even attempted to look into setting up a Skype meeting, but so far, no luck. =(
  
     Our youth fellowship is on Sunday evenings.  We met this past Sunday and Little Bear's story was shared with these wonderful kids.  It was decided (not by my doing!) that the finances they raise from now until the end of June will go toward bringing Little Bear home.  Needless to say, I was in tears.  As the Youth Director shared about Little Bear and what needed to happen, the smiles and cheers and clapping was overwhelming.  One of the youth actually pulled out the one dollar bill she had her in pocket and passed it forward right then and there!  They had lots of questions.  "What does she look like?" "When will she be here?"  "You mean she's actually going to live with Miss Sarah?"  "She's really going to be your daughter?"  Honest quotes from those kids that I love. The SUPER exciting part is that they WILL get to meet this child.  They will get to hold her and hug her and play with her.  And even though they don't realize it yet, they will be very important role models in her life.
    
     After the excitement settled, the lesson was wrapped up, announcements were finished and it was time for prayer requests.  Hands shot up and the first request was for Lizzy.  The next comment "Uh, that's what I was going to say!".  Have I told you how great these kids are?  There were other requests as well, and of course I will be adding those to my list.  As we stood in our circle, arms crossed, hands held, over and over I heard "Please keep L safe", "Please take care of L", "Please keep L healthy".  I, on the other hand stood there silent with tears in my eyes, praying so deeply with my heart, the same prayers that these what these kids were sharing with their voices.  And adding, "Please provide what is needed to bring this little girl home...and help me be patient".  The promises of prayer and support from these kids, and they are, just kids...just continues to show...

You are loved...more than you could even imagine!

Those Eyes

   I know I posted early this morning, but there is just so much to share!  As I'm headed off to bed, Little Bear is probably just waking up (or will be very soon)!  It's about an 8 hour time difference.  I frequently find myself doing the math and wondering if she's eating or playing or sleeping soundly, at any given time.  (Especially while laying awake at 3 o'clock in the morning!)

 
I got some more pictures.  Earlier, younger pictures.  And of course, the scrapbook as been started.  I'm mesmerized by those eyes.  I can not wait until I can actually look into them and see the little girl that is in there.   

       And the hair.  =)  I have little bows in her basket that are just waiting to be stuck in that hair.  Most orphanages cut the girls hair.  A majority of them have very short hair (nearly shaved).  I can't wait for her to come home to see what happens as she grows and hopefully her hair grows with her!

     And the one thing that I would still love to see and cant wait to kiss, are those little feet.  Is it odd to want a picture of your child's feet?  But that is what I want to see, 10 little piggy toes!  I promise to post piggy pictures after I get to visit her for the first time. =)

     One of the many great things about this process is the amazing people that I am 'meeting' along the way.  Sharing stories, worries, joys, prayers, pictures...I love having this new 'family' of people and I am overwhelmed by how much they are in love with Little Bear (though it's hard not to fall in love with ALL of these sweet little ones!)  We are all so greatly blessed!      
    
  

Rainy Days

  
    The Little Bear got moved to the next 'step' today.  Every time I think I have it under control, I read a post or get an email or see a comment and I end up in tears (of joy) or skipping around the office like a 10 year old! Or wanting to throw up from the anxious feeling of waiting and waiting some more.  Ugh, these next months are going to last FOREVER! On the other hand, the social worker will be here in a week.  In 10 days, we will be moving forward yet another step.  

     10 days, I wonder what you'll be doing in those 10 days.  What toys you'll play with, what people you'll interact with.  It's supposed to rain in your city over the next couple of days.  I hope your not afraid of the storms, and if it does scare you, and you cry, I hope they'll hold and comfort you.   I actually hope you love the rain (like your mom). I hope it calms and relaxes you.  
     The first rainy day that we have when you get home, I will probably have to be 'sick' and we will spend the day in our pj's, snuggling and playing (and sleeping) and simply enjoying the warm, dry world inside our house, while the world outside is getting soaked.  And then, when you're a little older and it rains, we will most definitely go outside and jump in the puddles.  That's a promise.

The First Promise

"By adopting a child and helping them reach their potential, they help us reach ours. An adopted child is not an unwanted child; to the contrary. They are a child who was searched for, prayed for, cried for, begged for; received by arms that ached, making empty hearts full. Love is meant to be shared."    

Author unknown

    

Those eyes, asking for someone to love her.

Lizzy, derived from 'Elizabeth' meaning:

"God's Promise".  

   How can such a little face carry such a powerful name?  God promises unconditional love.  And He does, love her unconditionally.  Extra chromosome, positive antibodies, wandering eyes, fuzzy hair, chunky cheeks, button nose and ALL!!   And He loves her so much, He's given her a home.  A family.  Someone to love her here on earth.  He loves her mother, too, so much, He's given her a daughter, chosen just for each other.  My heart is so full!
   God promises eternal, unconditional love.  I promise, Lizzy, to follow in His footsteps and also love you unconditionally.  To love the gift that I have been given.  I promise to provide for you, to care for you, to hug you and kiss you, to hold you and snuggle you.  I promise to read to you before bed, to play in the park, to swing on the swings, to give you everything you could ever need.  I promise to help you grow and learn.  To teach you.  To be a positive example for you.  I promise to love you more then I have loved another soul.  And you, Lizzy, are a promise of hope.  

Cheeks just waiting to be kissed!

   
    For 18 months she has been confined to a 'Baby House'.  A place where she sits all day, in a room, with little stimulation, little contact.  That's not how a baby should start life, BUT in less than 6 months, she will come home.  To HER house.  A place where she'll learn that there is so much more.  I am so blessed to be able to be a part of her life as she experiences everything new, as she grows and learns.  I will be the one that she learns to love, the one that she'll trust, the one that she'll depend on. I will be her promise for a life.


     God's Promise.  How can such a little face carry such a big name?  Because when He created her, He knew she would have a big impact on many lives.  He knew she would be loved and would also share love.  He promised unconditional love and He always keeps His promises.