Rest Stop, "On the Journey"

Rest Stop, "On the Journey"

November 30, 2009

I'm back at it. I have been on a bit of a Sabbatical from writing my notes, and I am really sorry about that. But I must be inspired, the inspiration that comes from the heart. The language of the heart that will touch the reader and then in turn inspire them to reach out to God with their hearts.This Sabbatical I have been on has been one of marrying two boys off to two of the best young ladies. Their weddings were three weeks apart and both of them were wonderful events! And this fall there has been alot of traveling and conferences.So what about 'The Journey?' Now that the busyness is over, I'm back at it! This adoption journey is picking back up again. It's kind of like a really long road trip. If you've ever driven through Kansas or Nebraska you'll notice how flat the landscape is. It is incredibly flat! And during those times, I always take a really nice long nap. Because there really isn't much to see. Well, that is how it has been on this particular leg of the jouney. Not much to see! But we are approaching the mountains I believe. When we would travel from Wisconsin to Colorado, I could always see the Rockies from far off! Hundreds of miles actually, and an excitement would start to stir in my heart!I am starting to see! I am starting to see something or someone materialize! Soemone is in our sight, on the horizon! God is so good! In the last 6 weeks I have asked again and again for confirmation, and again and again He has been faithful!One day, this fall, at church while I was praying, I cried out to the Lord, "What is going on here, Lord? Let me know if we are on the right track!" Two days later, from a person I have never met a check came in the mail for our little girl in China. Confirmation? I think so! And the following week we were given another check! Which was a good start, and knowing God was moving in this arena was even greater, because we need a financial miracle, but He was beginning to move!But the following week we heard from our adoption agency that we had until the end of January to come up with 8000$ or it was over, because of Jerry's age. My husband and I decided at that time, to wait and see if the money would come in. Devastating news, after being on this long journey with God! It was turning into a trip, I was crushed. I cried out to God with a broken heart, knowing He is near the broken hearted, "What has this been all about?" No real answer right away, but then it began to dawn on me, if nothing happens, the best thing that has happenend is I am not the same person I was when this whole thing started! As much as it hurt, I made a quality decision to realize it has been so worth taking this trip! My heart has His cause in it! The Orphan!Before this I had begun dreaming in September of 2009, to start doing women's conferences to help women get mobilized and pick up God's causes. I beleive God is raising up women to make a difference for good in the earth. And the big idea behind the conference is to get us all out of Me mode and survival mode and to get activated and believe we can really do something great for God.A portion of the finances from these conferences will go to God's cause, The Orphan. I began to rationalize, well, maybe this was all so this would become such a deep conviction and passion that I would start a movement to help women realize their God given potential to help others.But Lord there were so many detailed confirmations! So one day, as I was praying, "I prayed, Lord? I need to know today what direction this is going, so first of all I can really get focused, and second of all, it is so emotionally expensive! That I don't know if I can afford this anymore!" Later that day actually at night, I checked my facebook, and a friend of mine sent me a YouTube video. It was of adoptive couples from America, going to pickup their children from China! Pretty remarkable right? This girl did not know, what a hard day I was having!So back to the adoption story, because it is settled. I am part of a website called Rainbow Kids. They email me pictures and profiles of children from China. I have been on this site for over a year and looked in the faces of hundreds of Chinese orphans. My heart goes out to all of them, but I was looking for someone in particular, with the sense that they belong in the Dahlke family!A little over a week ago, I was on this site again, and same thing, looking for the one, that would become a Dahlke. Well, the last little girl I found, jumped off the computer and right into my heart! There is just something about her. She belongs to us I beleive. So after some emails, and a preapplication we have been sent her medical files and a video of her. Her picture messed with my heart but to hear her voice and see her expressions stole my heart away! And Mr. Dahlkes too! And everyone in my family that I show her to, falls in love.Her name is Jiang Jing and she is 10 years old and has a smile that literally lights up a room! She has maybe mild cp {cerebral palsy} which we have had experience in dealing with. So tomorrow I will call the caseworker to see what the following step is. There is a nice grant that comes with her and some of the application fees are waived, because of her age. And there is a strong possibility that our ages will be fine bacause they really want to place her. We still need a financial miracle, but just a week ago I was handed another check. Praise the Lord!God is so good, and His Glory is His goodness. I will try to post a picture of her, so you can see what I mean! She is beautiful and I pray she becomes a Dahlke! And her name will be, someday soon, Kynda Lei Grace Dahlke!