It's Never Not Time to be Thankful

Well, I'm not sure what to say. I suppose "Happy Thanksgiving" would be appropriate, but the current aura in our house says something different. It doesn't feel like Thanksgiving, and quite frankly, the Bennett household is not in a particularly celebratory mood. Our family has been on extaordinarily high stress levels all week. One of my close relatives is now in a treatment facility for depression/anxiety/insomnia, etc, which is adding emotional turmoil to the family. I love this individual so much that I share in his suffering. Granted, not nearly as much as my his parents, but the mutual burden remains. If you get the chance, please pray for him. He just went through an emotional break-up, and is now being housed in a treatment facility (unfamiliar to him) away from his family during the holiday. (I don't release all information simply beacause it is not necessary. God hears us when we call, and he knows our hearts. You don't have to know someone's name to pray for them.)

Beyond the constant reminder of this individual's absence, my family is very excited about the adoption. We are incessantly reminded of God's divine plan for us, Yang Yi, and our relative in need. We know it is not our plan, but God's and we know that He fulfills His promise for our own hope, benefit, and future (Jeremiah 29:11). We don't understand everything that's going on right now, and we don't know how treatments will go for our loved one... all we know is that a sovereign, loving, all-powerful, all-knowing God is watching and holding onto us for our dear lives. (And we will always remember to have H.O.P.E.)

It seems that there's never a dull moment in the Bennett household. Theres always some sort of drama, stress, or waiting. Then again- that's life. God promised us that we would suffer. Life is not all "honky-dory". We are sinners in need of the cleansing blood of Christ, and being constantly reminded of this is something to be thankful for. I never want to go a day without being reminded of Christ's steadfast love and abundant mercy.

So, on that note, I want everyone to know that amidst the pain and suffering, beyond the yearning and waiting, I AM THANKFUL for Christ's love and mercy, and I am thankful because of it. I am thankful for the beautiful ways that He's touched my heart (and used other's hearts to touch mine). I AM THANKFUL that he made this treatment opprotunity so clear and gave his parents wisdom. I am thankful that Carson, my brother got to come home for Thanksgiving, I AM THANKFUL for IHOP, where we ate Thanksgiving dinner (no one really felt like cooking or cleaning given the circumstances). I am thankful for God's beautiful creation and the people He's used to further our knowledge of it. I AM THANKFUL for so much in my life right now! Yet the cool thing is: I will never be able to appreciate all of what God has done for me. never. and for that: I AM THANKFUL. I am so thankful that I will never be too thankful. I am so thankful that God will always be more than enough for me. I AM THANKFUL.

I want to encourage you all right now, that even if you're not celebrating Thanksgiving in the typical way, it's never not time to be thankful.

In Him,
Chelsey :)

PA!!

So it turns out we were going backwards for some reason, and we got our LID before our PA. However, my mom recieved an email this morning confirming that we have recieved Pre-Approval! So basically- we've got her!!! ;) Karla sent us the care-package information today. How exciting is that?!? I am so thrilled to see God work through this process. I dare say we wouldv'e gotten PA sooner if the agency had not been on vacation the past week. When we got the care-package information my mom couldn't help but choke up. We are so close!! This is day 14 from our LID (log-In Date). To set high hopes in the knowledge that God can work through all things, lets say our goal is 60-90 days... that would be by New Years!! Woah! :) As you can see, I and the rest of my family, are very excited! We have already considered names, and we know it must be a "C" name, because all of the kids in our family have "C" names. We have favorites, but I won't reveal them yet.:) Thanks for your support! Please pray for continual hope and trust in God's ultimate plan! This has been a crazy, challenging process, but it is so very worth it! Can't wait to meet Yang Yi!

Love In Him,
Chelsey :)

REFERRAL! (for real!)

For the past month my mom has been highly anticipating a call from Karla, hopefully saying that we recieved a referral. At 8:15 this morning, she got it! Karla told my mom about a 6-year old girl that she thought would suit us. My mom was overwhelemed, and she called my dad, who was equally enthused. They spent the morning getting informaton about Yang Yi, a non-special needs (we believe) healthy little girl. My mom said, "It was perfect because Tim had to do all of the calling, which meant he was committed." At about 1:15 in the afternoon, I was in my independent language class, learning Chinese (Rosetta Stone), when my teacher said, "Chelsey, you're wanted down in the office." I shut down the computer, packed up my stuff and headed down casually to the Upper School office. Until- I realized why I was probably being called down: a referral??. At that point I nearly dropped my bag and started running down the hall, and down the stairs. I tried to tell myself not to get my hopes up, but I had a feeling. When I got to the door of the modular (yes, my school has trailers) I saw my sister beckoning me in, with a grin on her face that answered every question in my head. Yes, a referral. I was so excited. Together we darted to end of the hall to the officeto see my mom opening up a file on the computer showing a picture of the most precious little girl. We spent the next few minutes staring in awe, hugged as we hurried back to class, and smiled the rest of the day.

I can't explain how exciting this is for us. I know we still have a ways to, and it could take a while, but it's an answer to prayers to have something like this happen. We needed the push. Now we have rejuvenated hope. Please pray for us, and that the rest of the process would go smoothy! I'll try to put a picture on here as soon as we get a confirmation.

In Him,
Chelsey :)

Father's Day

It's Father's day and the same thoughts that I had on Mother's day are cycling through my brain. Once again, I can't help but imagine Xian on the other side of the world without a father. I wish she could have the same hope that we do in that her family and her father are on their way and will be there in God's timing. I do wish to tell my dad that he is truly appreciated. This time last year he and I were listening to an English/Chinese sermon in the local church (only for foreigners, passport required at door). I'll never forget that trip and how much we learned and I'm so thankful that he willingly went with me. THANK YOU DAD!

As far as updates from China- The orphanage tried to submit the girls to the CCAA, but it was "rejected" due to insufficient or inaccurate information. This all goes to show that God's plan is not our plan! Our Chinese contact, Lily, says this has been a recurring theme recently. The orphanage director seems distracted. Honestly, I am willing to bet that he is tired of us contacting him from so many different angles. He must think we have so many connections! (well, I guess we do...) Anyways- no REAL news.

Just a small update about Tigi- for those of you who were praying: We have reason to believe that she is safe, althoug the best way to know for sure is to hear from her, which has not happened. We are pretty sure that she is in Atlanta. However, because she is a legal adult and there was no "foul play" (in otherwords she disappeared of her own will), the police have discontinued their brief search and she is now one of the millions of illegal immigrants in America. I will continue to pray for her fervently until I know for sure that she is safe.

Thank you all for your prayers!

In Him,
Chelsey :)

FINALLY!!

While I was busily babysitting away last Monday, June 15, my mom texted me saying these exact words, "Just got a call from Karla- says we've been approved! We're off to China!" So, there you have it! Homeland Security fnally pulled through on our second attempt and approved us for international adoption... for two girls... (we're still waiting for guidance and wisdom about Meng).
Truthfully, we expected the approval to take longer. So, this is a blessing. My whole family- my mom especially (although her respectful persistance pays off!) was becoming discouraged. The Lord decided to give us even more H.O.P.E.!!! I'm revelling in God's love right now! Glory be to the King! :)
Our next step is an approximate 10-day process including 3 simple steps. Now, not meaning to be doubtful, but when we heard "just three simple steps", my immediate thought was, "Oh, great." In my mind that was equivalent to a mother leavingher child in the car in the parking-lot at Publix and saying, "I'll just be a minute!" However, I know God is in control and He's been more than wonderful so far... I just can't give up now!! HOPE! Oh, back to the steps- our docier (i think) must be sent to 3 different cities (Montgomery was one, and somewhere in TX). After that, we are off to China! Well, not us- NOT YET! Just our DOCIER. Which, I looked up in the dictionary... and couldn't find it. So it seems I will be forever pronouncing it wrong... or right... I have no idea!
So, its a beautiful day and there is joy in the air! (cliche', I know, sorry.) Thanks for your prayers! It's so wonderful knowing that someday soon I will have a new little sister!

In Him,
Chelsey :)

Un-approved

Yesterday was a very hard day for my family. Tigist, our exchange student, went missing from where she was supposed to be in North Carolina, and was reported getting onto a bus to Atlanta on Monday morning. My family and I have felt very sad, confused, and even abandoned by what has happened. All the while, we know that God has everything under control and he knows exactly where she is and what she's doing. He will take care of her; all we can do is pray for safety and wisdom.

At some point during the day, my mom remembered that Tigist had told her on Saturday (over the phone) that she had sent us a letter. My sister ran out to the mailbox and returned with a letter from Homeland Security- our last US step in our adoption. My mom quickly opened the letter of disappointment. It read that we have not been approved due to a list of things, all of which my family has already completed. My mom immediately sent an e-mail to our wonderful social worker, Karla Thrasher, who said 1) she'd be right on it, 2) no news from China, but she'll ask again, and 3) Be thankful that we are being processed, we're not sitting, waiting, wishing. We're Moving Along. We're cimbing up the mountain, almost there... but we keep falling down a few feet.

Have Faith. Have Hope. Have Joy. Have Patience.

~Chelsey :)

P.S. Above is a picture of Tigist. If anyone sees her please let us know!! (205) 437-9973

Destination Unknown

Alright, so last Friday, my brother, Casey, Tigist (our exchange student, who is leaving Friday), and my dad had their appointments to get their biometric fingerprints. However, when they arrived at the FBI department, they read the looming sign on the door: FBI agncy is closed today, May 22nd, due to technical difficulties and power outage. Seriously, how often does that happen? So right now I am resting (or attempting to rest) in the fact that God has predestined all of this, and there is a reason that they were not able to go in last Friday. However, that reason is unknown. Consequently, they will be going in with my mom, and other brother, Carson, this week. Busy Busy Busy Busy Busy...

Needless to say, this has been rather frustrating, and we need your prayers for patience and HOPE. Please continue to pray for our process, and that it would move along swiftly. Also, pray for financial provision. Our dream is to get the girl(s) by 2010, and bring my parents, and Carli and I. I plan on raising my own support, so please pray that the Lord would provide. Also, please pray that He'd provide money for the other 3 as well. This would be an amazing opprotunity, and I can't tell you how much it would mean to me to go back to China. Thank you for your prayers.

In Him,
Chelsey :)

p.s. As of now I do not appreciate fingerprints.

Easter Hope

Today we woke up with fun-filled Easter baskets by our beds. My siblings and I trampled down the stairs to see each other's reactions. We ate a wonderful breakfast complete with Bran muffins and Breakfast bars. We laughed and made jokes. We went to church and celebrated Jesus alive from the dead... and forevermore! We came home from church munching on fruit to hold us down as we prepared for an exquisite lunch. We thanked God for our food and his ultimate sacrifice, ate together, and shared some memories. Then we cleaned up with positive attitudes and danced to Barlow Girl's "Never Alone". Next we relaxed while my mom hid the Easter eggs. We searched high and low and topped off our already full baskets with yet more treats. At night we all went to bed with new memories playing back in our minds, smiling to ourselves as we drifted peacefully off to sleep.

I cant help but wonder what Shan is doing on the other side of the world. Is she celebrating Easter at all? Is she even aware of God's love for her? Does she have hope? We celebrate Easter nonchalantly and take advantage of the unappreciated goodies. I wish I could be over there with her, or better-yet, she here with us. I keep telling myself: wait. trust God. He has a plan even when you don't. It's so easy for me to be sad, but God is merciful and mighty to save, and I fully believe that. Otherwise, what hope would there be?

Hope: Jeremiah 29:11 "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future.'"

In Him,
Chelsey :)

P.S. HE IS RISEN!!