When it rains..... the roof leaks!

Well, a twist on that old saying, complements of Hurricane Isaac.

We were very thankful to be spared the brunt of this storm.  However, we would have been even happier if we had not looked up from our bed before sleep last night to see this:

See it? That little brown spot?

You know what that means....

At the same time, we are still fighting with this:

The other Beast.  

Yep, we can't seem to housebreak our air-conditioner.  It's still piddling all over the floor.  Hence, we had to punish it and turn it off for the day.  No air in muggy South Florida.  (Love those nice cool libraries though.)

But I'm not complaining.  No, really!  I am praising God that He never leaves us to handle it all on our own.  I have no doubt that He will provide, in whatever way He wills, a new roof (very much overdo), a resolution to the air conditioner situation.  And....  most of all on our hearts right now, funds for the remainder of our adoption expenses.  That's how I feel, really.  And it's not just the nice caffeine kick of my morning coffee!

While talking to you about fixits, I have to tell you that my husband, who has been updating this blog faithfully while I did "other stuff", is the most awesome guy around.  My dad was pretty awesome also - but unfortunately, he's not around - he's "Heaven-bound".  

Anyway, my husband is the best fixit man I know.  Don't think that these pictures I posted are in anyway meant to disparage his care of our home.  We have not given a penny to service men in the 20+ years that we've been married.  Yes, sometimes it's not just a service call, but a whole new roof or air conditioner overhaul that might be needed.  But MY HUSBAND does not pick up the phone every time there's an "issue".  I just had to tell you that.  Yup - just had to brag on him.  Not only can I tell you that, but my aunt and uncle can, my mother (who is without her fixit man), my godparents, my brother and his wife.  He handles it all!  

"Big B"

So, to wrap up this entry, just want to say:  "Thank you Honey!  You're the best! -- and that's no "Hooakey" (little inside joke).  You have a heart to serve those in need.  What a wonderful heart.  I thank God for you - and that He took two wayward twenty-somethings, had them meet in a college town jazz bar, meshed them together in marriage, and then undertook to transform them into His, while rescuing their marriage and their souls.  Now He's using them to rescue Jonah Xiaohua, placing him in a forever family, where his beautiful little soul also can be rescued and redeemed for God's glory.  And it will go on.... just watch Him work! 

Leaky roof? Leaky air conditioner? Leaky bank account?  "Hooakey!"  Our God provides!

Hamburgers and Ice cream cones......

Brian Posting.............


Our special envoy has made a connection............If you look a few posts back, I had mentioned the circumstances of how my wifes' friend happened to have a foreign exchange student staying with them........From China...........Shenzhen China..............Longgang to be exact........... Her name is Jennifer (well her American name anyway). She was traveling back to China from the U.S. to spend time with family prior to starting the next leg of college in Paris.

She was kind enough to hand deliver a package to Jonah at the orphanage..........She took her father with her to deliver the package and letter we sent........... yesterday we got an e-mail from her. They were able to take him out to eat and spend some time with him.

What kid doesn't like ice cream?

  Too cool...............

  That's the face we all love.....

More pictures? I'm trying to eat my fries........

Special thanks to Jennifer and her father............Thanks for lovin on our Boy...


Jennifer had mentioned that he is "He is very polite and loving." Apparently he's not top of his class in academics, but, he loves sports and is a fast runner............Also, he's outgoing and gets along well with the other kids in school and in the foster home................

He's got a great natural smile and I for one can't wait to see it in person.........

Hang in there Jonah we're coming soon.............

L.O.A. and HOW LONG HAS IT REALLY BEEN?

Brian again..........


Finally, Finally, Finally  The Leidy's have their LOA.................

We received notice from CCAI that it had come and we received the actual document via FedEx on Tuesday July 31, 2012.

Now that our LOA is under our belt their is nothing left to do but................... more paperwork....
Yeah, that sounds like fun.....Exotic and unusual......


Oh wait that's what we've been doing for how long already?

Paperwork......wait..........paperwork.......wait.........paperwork........ wait...........

Don't get me wrong.

This is really exciting and a true milestone in the whole adoption process, but patience is not one of my strong suits. God has other plans....

Let me share a little secret with you about how long the "birth " of Jonah has really taken.


A few weeks ago. I looked in my notebook / prayer journal. Out of curiosity, I flipped to the front and started to skim some of my notes and prayer requests from 2008. I remember praying for an unknown unnamed child to come home to our family.

I simply noted to pray for "baby Jonah". That first "baby Jonah" entry was somewhere  around the first week of March 2008......That is almost 4 years ago.  Then out of the blue is the entry on Easter Sunday of 2008 "Lord bring Jonah Home" and right underneath that is the beginning of the sermon notes that say two very prophetic things................Both apply to to the orphan..........."Sorrow will be turned into Joy" and " Beauty from Ashes".

It amazes me how long we have been waiting, yet when I hear 10 to 12 more weeks my initial reaction is "oh, please let's get this over with". In hindsight  10 to 12 weeks is a drop in the bucket next to the initial prayers of  "Lord bring Jonah Home", 4 years ago.

Thank you God for answered prayer.

If their is one thing I want to make sure Jonah knows, it's that he is loved and wanted and we can't wait to have him with us.