Update on Willow

We received this email from the agency:



Dear Families,

Thank you for your overwhelming interest in Willow!  Since posting her story last week, her story has had 3,000+ shares on Facebook and I have received 150+ individual emails inquiring about her. Amazing!!

At this point we have been able to identify a number of families who fit the eligibility requirements outlined by the Thai government, which is important so as not to have delays in seeking approvals.   We are hopeful that we will be able to match her with a family soon, and will be sure to share this exciting news on our Facebook page when this happens.

I realize that each of you sent me individual questions regarding Willow, the adoption process, fees etc.  Due to the large volume of inquiries regarding Willow,  I want to apologize in advance for a generic response to your emails.  You can learn more about the country programs that we are currently working with, sign up to attend a free webinar to learn more about adopting a child through Holt, request an application packet,  and view other children like Willow whom we are currently home finding for on our Waiting Child Photo listing by visiting our website here: http://www.holtinternational.org/

I would be more than happy to answer any questions that your family may about adoption, please feel free to contact me. 

Thank you once again for your wonderful support in helping Willow find her forever family!

Erin Anderson

(previously Erin Mower)

Waiting Child Program Coordinator

Holt International

541-687-2202 ext 150

888-355-4658

Fax 541-683-6175

erinm@holtintl.org

Praise the Lord !

Willow

URGENT UPDATE ON WILLOW

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Willow Will be Returned to the Orphanage in One Month!

 URGENT UPDATE ON WILLOW (February 21): For the last 3 years, Willow’s story and beautiful photos have graced our blog and Facebook page. We had hoped that in that time an adoptive family would come forward for her, and provide her with the loving home she needs and deserves. But, still, she waits. We at Holt recognize that adopting an older child isn’t for everyone, but we still hold onto hope – still pray – that a family can be found for sweet Willow.
Just a few hours ago, we were informed that Willow has exactly 1 month to find a family in the United States. If a family can’t be found for her by March 21st, she will have to leave her foster family and return to a government-run orphanage. We can’t let this happen! If Willow returns to the orphanage, finding an adoptive family for her will prove almost impossible.
We have just one month, and we need your help! Please share Willow’s story and photos with your family and friends, on your blog and Facebook page, and at your church! We know that a family is out there for Willow, but we are running out of time – Willow is running out of time. So please do all you can!
Adoption eligibility requirements for Willow may be flexible regarding parent age limit and number of children in home.  Willow will need specialized attention upon coming home, so we are seeking an adoptive family with 0-1 children younger than Willow currently in the home.   A family that has parented past her age is also recommended.  There is a $5000 Special Blessings grant available for the adoption fees. Please contact Erin Anderson at erina@holtinternational.org if your family is interested in adopting Willow.

In 2011,  Jessica Palmer, director of services for Southeast Asia, traveled to Southeast Asia to meet children living in Holt-supported foster and institutional care.  Here, she reflects on her visit with Willow*, whose referral is posted as G10_8 on Holt’s Southeast Asia photolisting.
Date of Birth: October 13, 2002
The smell of incense wafts from the front porch of Willow’s foster home – a small, wooden house that sits beside a river. The incense is especially important this afternoon, as the thunderstorm that came through this morning has caused some flooding in nearby areas.  The incense keeps the mosquitoes away.
For over six years, Willow has lived in this house, patiently waiting for her forever family. In a house nearby, a close friend of Willow’s once also waited.  But she has since left to join her adoptive family.  When a post-placement photo came in, Willow eagerly asked to see it, no doubt missing her friend.
And wondering, when it will be her turn.
Found as a newborn in a rice field, Willow spent the first 4 years of her life in an institution.  She knew nothing else.  So when, in July 2006, she went to live with a foster family, her adjustment was not exactly smooth sailing. But time has  passed, and the change in Willow is visible.  She is thriving as a member of this family and has learned productive ways of handling frustration, such as walking away from a situation.   As we sit on her front porch, we talk with Willow and her foster mother about her friends at school and in the neighborhood, how much she helps her foster mother around the house, and about her most recent interest – jigsaw puzzles.
As we hear more and more about Willow’s personality, I begin to notice pieces of myself in her foster mother’s descriptions.  When Willow finishes a jigsaw puzzle, she loses interest and doesn’t want to do the puzzle again – she’s already solved it!  Sometimes she needs to be reminded to make the bed.  She is quite helpful to other people and is a very patient girl.
In September 2012, Willow met with a psychiatrist for a regular follow up visit.  The psychiatrist determined that Willow is doing well both in school and at home.  Willow also regularly meets with a speech therapist and is now able to clearly recite short stories. Her foster continually encourages Willow to tell longer stories, with more complex sentences, and Willow is improving in this area.   Willow always works hard in school and gets along well with other children.

Willow in August 2013.

Willow and I are so similar in personality, and so different in circumstances.  I wonder what I would think if I were in her shoes – what hopes and dreams I would have for my future.  Would I ever go from foster child, my information posted on a photolisting for over a year, to the permanent daughter of a loving adoptive family?  If I were her, I wouldn’t give up on that hope.
As we walk down the porch steps, away from the incense and back down the muddy path to our vehicle, I see Willow, quietly blowing bubbles and watching as they float to the ground.
For more information about Willow, contact Erin Anderson at erina@holtinernational.org.
*name changed



Some pictures that have been awaiting an occasion. . . . 

Lost my britches, what'll I do. . . I'll walk around with one red shoe. . . .



Ezekiel and Myah with Harold and Charlotte

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Let brotherly(sisterly)love continue.

 

Here Zeke, let's comb out this tangle right here.

You peel 'em and I'll cut out the bad spots.

Look at Graydon's amazing cake.

Me? Snitchin?. . . how did you know?

No more cryin' over the onions, mama.  We've got it covered.

 

Maybe there's room for one more gumdrop on here.  And another. . .and another. . .

 

It's squeaky clean , mama !

Also, thanks so much for the comments!  It is so fun to see who is reading!  Love to all!  Joyfully His, Lanita

How is it going?

The question everyone wants answered is, "How is it going? "  Well, pretty much like life with 7 children normally goes!  When I look at circumstances it seems like a lot of work!  When I look at the Lord, it seems like heaven!  I know this will sound strange to someone with fewer children, but truly it doesn't seem much different than 6 children, or 5.  Once you reach a certain noise and chaos level, there doesn't really seem to be much increase!  Unless some are with their papa.  Then you notice it is quieter!  We are really enjoying Cenya being a part of our family.  I would say the honeymoon is ending for sure!  However, there has not been anything at all that we haven't dealt with in one of our other children.  Seems pretty much like a rowdy eight year old boy to me!  The children love having him around and he seems to enjoy having so many to play with.  At first, he found some of the littlest members of the family to be kind of messy and gross.  They also didn't understand personal space!  And I don't think he was used to a two year old cuddling in real close with a runny nose or messy hands!  And let's face it. . . it usually takes mama love for that anyway! !  He really enjoys the little ones now and thinks they are hilarious.  His laughter encourages them when they are being naughty "(  Maybe we do need to work on that!  We went to co-op yesterday and that went really well.  He was very attentive and followed directions.  I made sure I was in all his classes to make sure, but I don't think we will have problems. 

Thank you all so much for your acts of kindness and for your prayers!  Things are going swimmingly! 

In Christ,
Lanita

Christ is ALL

Thank you Lord that I am free from me!  My weakness is my greatest strength.  For only when I am weak can you live through me.  Only when I acknowledge my sinfulnes without you, can you serve and love others through me!

Look at who God says you are IN HIM, and thank him for it!  When we live conscious of sin, we continue to sin.  When we start believing what he says about us instead of what we feel or experience, our feelings and experiences will change!  SATAN DOESN'T TREMBLE AT ALL WHEN WE THINK ABOUT SIN ALL DAY.  He knows when our mind is on our failings, it is actually our pride in what we thought we could be without God.  When we come to Jesus broken, only then will Christ live through us, instead of us trying to be like Christ! 

Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.  As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.  And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.   John 17:17-19

Jesus uses sanctify and sanctified as past tense here.  It's already done.  John says that he sent us into the world, JUST AS the Father sent him into the world.  If we are in Christ, we have everything the Father gave Jesus to live sinless here.  That is not blasphemey, his word says it.  We have the VERY  Christ living in us.  We can live it now, not just in eternity.  How can we live sanctified now?  Through truth it says.  It's only by believing his word, the truth.  Not by believing what we or everyone else has experienced, or what we feel.  We believe what his word says.  It is finished.  We don't pray for the qualities of Christ as if we have to beg him to give them to us.  We thank him that he has already given it to us.  He gave us peace, hope, love, etc.. . 2,000 years ago.  It is accomplished.  There is no more work to be done.  He gave us ALL we need for life and godliness.  We just believe what he has said, and HE  will live it out! 

But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life!  ! ! Romans 6: 22

Serve the Lord with gladness today!  Love In HIm,  Lanita

adventures in Meadorville

     O.k.  So it was a very interesting day! 
     We decided to go to Indianapolis to look at this van we were interested in.  We  had to leave one unfortunate tiny member of our family behind, as we could not all fit in our current van.
      So, we get there to look at this dream vehicle we hoped we would be driving home, and it turns out. . . it was a rusty white hairball!  I try not to snort or laugh out loud as Arlyn makes disgusted faces behind the man's back while he is busy explaining about a pet something or other .  And going on about how he couldn't really get the hair cleaned up very well, and sorry, etc. . . . Arlyn very politely takes it on a test drive, while I call up the Ausbans , who were already in Indy for the day, and tried to arrange where we would go.
      We decided on the State museum.  After our hour and a half at the museum, we decided to go look for something to eat.  Jim is in the lead, and Arlyn is saying something about buffets, and I am panicking about the price of buffets for this many children, and trying to keep silent, but not doing so very well!  We drive around and end up on Lafayette Road.  We pull around the front of this shopping center, and there she is in all her glory. . . .NEW TASTE BUFFET!   O my, now I really panic :)  I mean, why is it called New Taste?  Do you leave the restaurant saying "wow, that was sure a new taste?"  Arlyn reassures me that it will be fine, but then hops out of the car and says "hey dude, what is this? "  To which Jim replies, " who cares, I'll eat anything!"  And to which I retort,"my fears exactly ! " 
      But, in we went, and it turned out to be the BEST china buffet ever!  The children had so much fun down at the other end of the table where they could eat all the desert and drink all the sodas they wanted !  At one point, one of the boys came and said they were sick, and upon confrontation admitted to 5 glasses of soda!  E E E E E . . . . seriously?  That makes ME want to throw up ! 
     After leaving the restaurant we head for home amid cries of "papa, i need to go the bathroom."  No duh, really?  I mean you only drank Coca Cola out of business!  We convince him to wait until we get to 47.  We pulled off the road, very random like, and told him to get out and go.  He doesn't argue, and hops out of the van.  Arlyn politely turns off the headlights for privacy sake.  But, still, in the moonlight or starlight or whatever light it was, we see him wandering. and wandering. and . . . wandering.   By this time it dawns on me. O. I bet they don't teach you to potty outside in Los Angelos!  So how was I to know city kids don't potty outdoors?  He finally comes back to the van very disgruntled and says "where is it? "  :)  Arlyn explains that he is to go outdoors, and THAT does not go over very well!
      Finally, convinced, he finishes the job and is just climbing in the van when Arlyn says "Look at that oppossum!"  "No, that's not a oppossum, WHAT IS THAT? "  Arlyn suddenly realizes what it is and jumps out of the van saying "it's a rabbit! "  And a rabbit indeed.  Unfortunately it happens to be a pet rabbit.  So he catches it and comes running towards the van.  He opens the door and shoves it in at the children!  So great were the squeals and thank yous, that the poor rabbit probably got so frightened and made even more pebbles on the van floor for us to clean up! 
     The rest of the ride home was pretty uneventful.  That is if you call hauling around a free range rabbit uneventful! 
     And now, drumroll. . . . the cherry on top. . . .
We pull in the lane, and there, in the headlights, plain as can be is Arlyn's muffler on his truck.  A rather innocent-looking, ordinary muffler.  Except for one small detail.  There was exhaust coming out of that muffler!   And I, yes I, was the one to drive it last!  At 1 o'clock I pulled it back in the lane, jumped in the van with the rest of my family.  Not to return until 8 o'clock.  Yes my friends, that was 7 hours the truck sat in the driveway running !  And my husband was so kind. He only said one word. . . DUH!
      
 P.S.  It would be so fun if you would at least sign your name in the comment box!  Then I would know who I am writing to!  If you don't have a profile already, I think you just choose anonymous at the bottom of the list. 

    

THE Bunkbed of all Bunkbeds!

Due to some requests to see the finished bunk bed, here you go! 

I can't figure out how to rotate the pic!  Sorry !



Here is the new bed next to it's neighbor. . . bunkbed number 1.  ( And yes, those angelic lumps you see on each bed are my 4 boys.  Sleeping ! )

  It's true,  adult bodies do have to turn sideways to fit in the alleyway between the two neighbors.  I am very thankful that the closets are all in the laundry room, because not much is gonna happen in these tight quarters besides sleeping!  Well. . . and jumping off beds, wrestling, pillow fights, etc. . .! Elijah, my 4 year old informed me that it was fine for him to climb back and forth between the top of the bunk beds.  He said, " I'm supposed to do dangerous things, I'm a boy ! "  Well, put me in my place!  Things are still goingly smoothly here.  Arlyn went back to work today and we were all a little sad!  I am trying to keep them all on a schedule so we don't have too much idle time.  That really seems to help.  It is so hard to always be two steps ahead though.  I have to be very proactive, and I am not always so good at that!   We will keep plugging along and being faithful each moment!  Thanks for your prayers!

A Trip(s) To Town

  Yesterday  was interesting!  A little more "normal?".  Definitely more opportunities for chaos, but we sailed right through. 
     I had to run to Frankfort, so I took the 5 oldest with me.  I told them I would take them to the library after we went to aldi and walmart.  Well, I was assuming that they would behave appropriately in those stores.  My children usually do very well in town and get lots of compliments.  However, having an extra along, whom they were all trying to impress, made things interesting.  Someone was always touching something, someone, or complaining that someone else wasn't in their proper order in the "train."  At one point (at least they were being well behaved then!) this couple walks past us.  She stares at my "train" of people behind me, and snarls a vicious "O.My.God.!"  To which I sweetly replied, "yes, he is your God, and he loves you very much! "   Then I looked behind me to make sure no alligators or space aliens were aboard the "train".  After all, I wasn't sure what would provoke such a reaction ! ! ! You would think there were twenty of them or something! 
     After we left and headed home, I heard lots of whispering and mumbling in the backseat.  Then one son pipes up, "Mama, you know that you told a lie? "  Really ? !  Then he continued, "You said we were going to the library. "  I explained that when I made plans to go to the library, I assumed that they would behave in a way that was appropriate for a library.  How could I take them, loud, complaining, and touching everything into such a quiet place with so many books to grab?  Needless to say, they were a little disappointed. 
     Then last night, Arlyn asked me to run to Lafayette and get some bedding for the new bunk bed.  He told me I could go by myself, but I thought it would be a good opportunity for "practice."  So I rallied the troops, gave my little pep talk, (sermon) and off we went.  On the way there, I noticed something.  This addition did not make our home quieter!  I have never heard so much laughter in all my life. ( Except maybe when the Ausban family comes over !!! )  I told Arlyn in bed this morning about my observation, to which he replied, "maybe not quieter, but definitely more beautiful! " 
     So, upon arriving at Target, I do another run down of my expectations.  This time I throw in the clencher.  If you obey ALL of the rules, you will receive a reward when we leave.  The poor dears really did try, in fact, they got lots of compliments from passersby. (Most of whom stood with their mouths hanging open waiting for us to pass.)  However, unfortunately only two out of the five obeyed the rules.  I wanted to recant, because they really tried, but I knew I must keep my word.  I waited until the tears were over, and tried to point out all of the good things they did do, and all of the rules they remembered!  Of course they begged to go to another store and try again, but I was very tired, so we just went home. 
     On the way home, there was a little pouting and sniffling coming from one of the short people.  And then it grew to mumbling "I am not happy."  To which I sickeningly, sweetly commented.  " That is too bad, because the rest of us are having a happy party, and I think it would be really terrible to be all alone while we are having a party!  Then I belted in my loud, obnoxiou voice. . . . "There is a fountain filled with blood. . . ., and every other song we could think of.  Thankfully the other children joined in, and let me just say. . . I would not have liked to be missing out on that party!  Apparently said short person did not like missing it either.  As soon as they could find a break in the singing, they said, "hey, I know one. . . " and then started singing "Hark the Herald Angels Sing"  They continued to stay at the happy party all they way home!  I realized I do not enjoy sulking and pouting, and hopefully they realized it also!!
     I am looking forward to growing more as a family.  I know we will have challenges ahead, but I am enjoying the time we are having now!  It still catches me off guard when Cenya calls me "Mama!" 
     Our ICPC was approved yesterday, and now we will just have to finalize in court!  Then he will be our son forever!
     Please keep praying for us.  My prayer is that I would constantly keep my eyes on Jesus and not on the waves!  HE IS ABLE!

. . . and we're off!

. . . . And they glorified God in me.  Galatians 1:24 

     That is our prayer.  That through this adoption, and through raising our other children, through the way we walk out our lives before the world, That Christ would be glorified!

    

I am by no means a writer, or a photographer.  But due to the high volumes of curious comments,  I decided this would be the easiest way to update you all! 

                                           This is Cenya, and he is 8 years old.

    Things are going well so far, as can probably be expected!  Arlyn and I always called it the "honeymoon phase" when we fostered.  They are obedient, easy to get along with, and very quick to please! 

     Cenya arrived here last night around 4:30.  His previous father brought him, and is staying in Lafayette until a little more paperwork is finished.  Cenya was appropriately bashful when he got out of the car, but it wasn't 5 minutes until all of the children, including him, were running around exploring!  They gave him a tour of the place and he immediately lost all cautiousness!  When it was time for his father to leave, he just said "see ya!" and kept on running.  Absolutely no sign whatsoever of attachment or sadness. .  He is already calling me "mama," which seems strange to me, but I am thankful! 

     The evening went very smoothly.  We ate dinner and cleaned up.  Then, during devotions, he asked Arlyn to read psalm 121.  When we asked him if he liked that one, he started quoting it!  He said it so sweetly !  After that we got them all in bed, and realized it was only 7:15! !  Talk about an easy first day!  When we checked at 7:30, they were ALL asleep ! 

                                     

                                                                Day 2

 

First time to hold a hammer!







Making Bunk Beds with Papa

Graydon's Birthday Today!  He was very thrilled to decorate his own train cake!



 





From Reasonable and appropriate. . .







To. . . . Porcupine?



  

And now. .. . the fruit (er, i mean candy!) of his labors!

And a little dose of reality :)

     Thank you so much for your prayers and support!  May the Lord be magnified, and may our children be loved!