Grace and Gymnastics

We wrapped up gymnastics for the season. Grace loved it! She really learned a lot. I always felt like I got a workout myself!!! We are taking a break for the summer since a lot going on but am sure we will be back in the fall. Enjoy some shots from her last day.



A big smile after she attempts a cart wheel


roll - and yes she has become very attached to the bear here; he goes everywhere. He even participated in gymnastics


fun in the foam pit


got her medal! Yes bear was there to see it all

Grace and bear on the tumble track - her favorite!

So When Will We Have Olivia Home - Part 4 of 4

Okay so I wanted to conclude the update and announcement of Olivia with the most popular question I get.....so when will you be able to go get her?

As you know from the first time around it is a slow process. With that said, NO we will NOT wait as long as we did with Grace. However, we will wait longer then we did from the moment we accepted Grace. The reason is when we accepted Grace all our immigration paperwork was up to date since we were waiting on the call! This time we did not expect to be adopting again so our immigration paperwork is not current. At this point the estimated time we are told it will be when we get her will be somewhere from March 2012-August 2012. Oh we pray it is earlier rather than later. We really want her home for her 6th birthday on May 8! We also hope to be able to enroll her in Kindergarten in fall of 2012 so for this to happen we feel she needs at least 6 months at home with us to transition and catch up on her English. So due to her age, we want her home asap (not to mention we just can't wait because we love her and want her home!)

So we have been completing a whole lot of paperwork let's just say that for our adoption agency and our homestudy agency. That was crazy busy but for the most part is done. Our most important step now is to get our home study updated. We have already completed all 3 of our in home home study visits and our homestudy agency has sent the report to our adoption agency to approve. We hope that happens next week and we receive our final approved home study. This is our current mission and first big hurdle!

From that point we mail off our I-800 which is for our immigration paperwork, wait to get get our fingerprints done and receive our final immigration papers. This will be second hurdle! This part of the process can take a big portion of our wait time - as it can take up to 3 months!!!

So I won't overwhelm you with all the steps it is enough for us who are familiar with the process. But for now,we need your prayers to speed up the process. We know God can do ANYTHING! He can even surprise us and our agency! I mean look at the story already right? Here is how you can pray:
1. That we get our APPROVED home study next week and can mail off our I-800
2. That we get our immigration paperwork very quickly - no where near a 3 month wait
3. Patience and trust in the wait

Thanks folks! Will update you along the way with our milestones and any updates we receive on our Olivia.

The Story Behind the Name - Part 3 of 4

So as you know by name we have decided to name our daughter Olivia Hope-Gao Fisher.

I had felt like Hope was suppose to be a part of our daughters name should God bring us another little girl. I just felt like that would be her story, it would be what she brought people in life. She would be a hope bringer for the Lord. I loved that and thought it was amazing.

At this point we still had not been matched with a child and I thought God are you really bringing me another daughter because you know I don't even have a name for her if you are. I do have part of it, Hope, but what else? I sensed the Lord say you have not asked me her name. You are still not walking in faith and believing I will bring you another little girl. Remember I am never early or late, but always on time. I know Lord but this is killing me, I don't wait well. So Dawn do you want to know her name. Yes Lord. Olivia. Okay folks yes that is kind of how the conversation went with the Lord and how quick he answered. I said I like that name, but I am really about meanings behind names so I said Lord I must go look and see what it means. This is what it means

The name Olivia is said to create an interest in the deeper aspects of life. With a Destiny number of 5 a person with the name Olivia is most likely destined to be a free spirit. They'll grow to have the adaptability, inventiveness, and sense of adventure that allows them to take great changes with stride. A person with this name is said to be an eccentric, introverted thinker who is both analytical and mysterious
In its Latin context means "an olive tree or branch". The name Olivia is a symbol of fruitfulness, dignity and beauty. Extending an olive branch in today's culture traditionally signifies an offer of peace. I also know Olivia coming from olive tree which is where olive oil is made, which is what is used to make anointing oil right...signifying "anointed"

Wow so are you hearing this should would be not just a bringer of hope but an anointed hope bringer, anointed of God! Wow so now you can imagine I was so excited...problem was I still had no child. Isn't it funny though, first I say Lord how could you be bringing me another little girl you have given me no name. Then he gives me a name and I say Lord why would you do that I have no little girl. I am sure God is like really Dawn? I mean come trust me here. I am not a God that teases and taunts, I am a God that brings to pass all I say I will bring to pass. I am a keeper of my promises. Amen right!

Okay so then we get our match and I want to use part of her Chinese name in her name like I did Grace (Fu Gao Jing). So I begin looking at the meanings of the names. Are you ready folks?

We chose Gao why because . It means "tall", "high". Is to "soar", means "mountain peak", means "noble, "honorable".

Okay remember the scripture I gave you of Isaiah -

Isaiah 40:31
New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)
31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

I am about fell out! Of course that was to be part of her name!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

They reference this scripture on her foster care home site too at Eagles Wing

Exodus 19:4
New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)
4 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.

I love that, even in this season as she waits to soar, Jesus has brought her unto himself and carried her o eagles wings bringing her out of where she came and into he own promised land. Amen right?

Pretty amazing name for a pretty amazing little girl we get the honor to be called her mommy and daddy! Overwhelmed....simply overwhelmed! This is more then her name it is her identity in Christ and every time I say it I will be reminded of that!

So Who is This Precious Little Girl - Part 2 of 4

Okay so you have heard our story, let me tell you hers.

Olivia (Fu Gao Jing) was born May 8, 2006. Our precious little one was abandoned and sent to Jiaozuo City SWI (Orphanage) on May 13, 2006. She did not stay here long and has been in the care of Eagles Wing Foster Care Home since she was a baby. This is such a blessing to us. Let me say something here. There are two scriptures for me personally that speak very loud in my life. One of them God used to show me his love and faith fullness with Grace. The other I was blown away to see you used with Olivia. Yet another confirmation in our story that this was our girl!

Isaiah 40:31 Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.

The foster care site has a picture of an eagle flying with children upon it's back!

This foster care home was started the first of a string of apartments under the banner of “Eagles’ Wings” with the idea that the children would rise on “eagles’ wings” high above the storms of life to reach the potential they were meant to, whether by joining a forever family or growing up surrounded by love in a fast developing China of the twenty-first century.This is your story sweetie.

I do believe this will be Olivia's life verse. This is what she has done without even knowing it and what God is going to do for her.

Our daughter has been diagnosed with post operative-spina bifida and hydrocelphalus. Both of these have been surgically corrected while in China and she is living a life just like any other 5 year old little girl. Interesting, more to come on this later in our story, but we really believe it is no accident that she has this diagnosis. Guy's brother, Jeff, has spina bifida and hydroceopalus but a much more severe degree than Olivia. God is doing something big here! I also find this scripture very powerful for her not only as a life that began as an orphan but will be transformed to a beautiful story of hope and the ability to overcome in Christ, but also the healing hand of God with her diagnosis and yet will run and not get tired, and she will walk and not become weak..Amen!

Our beautiful little girl we are told has fair and clear skin. She has long eyelashes on her set of big eyes that sparkle like a doll’s. She is pretty and adorable. She is developing well and they have found no differences between her and other children. Whatever other children can do, she can do. (That's my girl!) Her personality is cheerful. She understands good manners. She is always polite. As soon as she sees someone, she smiles. She really makes people love her. (I can vouch for that already!)

She is in kindergarten and already learning some numbers and words. For example: she knows geometric shapes, numbers, she can write the numbers up to 5, etc. She knows a few simple characters and can also write them, etc. The teachers often praise her for her perceptiveness.

She really likes to play with her doll. She imitates the nannies, changing her doll’s diaper, feeding her milk, etc. She really likes to dance, listen to music, and to repeat children’s songs from children’s shows. When playing with toys, if a child younger than her also wants to play with the toy, she will happily allow him to have hers and she will search for another toy to play with. When the nannies praise her, and the younger child thanks her, she has already proudly and gently said, “Bu yong xie (no need to thank me). Wo shi jie jie (I am the “older sister”), (okay you know this warmed my heart- I knew in this she would be a great big sister to Grace) Wo shi xuesheng (I am a good student), Neng de xiao honghua (now I get a little red flower)”. Everyone hears this and laughs out loud, praising her for being precocious. She is also very diligent. Every day when she goes to school, she takes the initiative to take the garbage down the stairs and but it in the garbage bin. She also often helps the nannies do a few tasks to the best of her abilities. She especially likes to fold laundry, and she does so very neatly and evenly.

As you can see our little one is well amazing! We can't wait to have her home. We just thought we would share and invite you in a little bit to see the incredible picture of our daughter!

I will try to update tomorrow the 3rd of this 4 part update with "The Story Behind Her Name"!

Interruption to our 4 Part Adoption Story For Update on Olivia

Okay so in China, Children's Day is a very special day in ...definitely bigger than Mother's Day or Father's Day. There were Children's Day activities all around the city for several days leading up to June 1. They had a lot of volunteer groups come to bring gifts and celebrate the children for three or four days in a row!

Two of the little girls at our daughters foster care home - and ONE OF THEM WAS OUR OLIVIA put on a BIG Children's Day program similar to our Field Day events in the US. They did all kinds of relay races, played with parachutes and generally got hot and sweaty, but it was a lot of fun for them and a wonderful experience for the kids. Then they had ice cream while waiting for our ride home.

(Yes I got all this from the update on our foster care home's blog) AND......an adorable couple of pictures. To protect the privacy of the other child who it appears has also been matched, I will post the one that just has our daughter in it!

Annoucing our Newest Addition - Olivia Hope-Gao Fisher - Part 1 - How Did We Get Here?

Well obviously our blog will need a facelift and we are working on that, but I could not wait until then to announce our newest addition. So I know you all want details. It is a great story but a bit long. So sit back and get your favorite beverage and enjoy a testimony to the greatest of an incredible wonderful God! He gets all the glory, all of it. We are humbled that he is allowing us to have a part in the story.

September 2010
So as many of you who are part of the adoption world in China know they came out with a program in September of 2010 that said if you adopted a child again from China within a year of the last adoption (for us that would be accept another child by June 2011) you could use your dossier (which is most of your paperwork) that you used with your last adoption. This saves time and money. The children also had to be "special focus" which meant they had more severe needs and/or were older children. I thought about it at the time it came out, but honestly that was about it. Life is busy, hands are full and we continued on.

February 2011
Now we are up to February and I just could not get the thought of MAYBE going back to China out of my mind. It wasn't something that consumed me, but it the only way I can explain it is to say I did not have a peace that we were done. This surprised me because I thought Grace was our last child. I did not know if we were to adopt again or not. I was on the fence. Guy was in the yard (no more children!). So I approached Guy and said I know as a mom I will be sad to be done having children no matter how many I have but that sadness will pass. It is normal for a mom I think. But in the midst of that I should have peace and I don't. I said I think we need to fill out paperwork and turn it in with what WE (hold that thought okay) are open to and than if God choices to bring us a child by June 28 then we know and if not we know. Maybe this is our Issaic (Remember God had Abraham lay down his Issaic but never made him surrender him). Maybe we were just to be willing like Abraham to surrender our will and that was it and I would be okay if that was the case (though I am sure a little sad, but I would have peace). But if God was calling us to another child. If we had a child out there waiting on us, how could we close the door to her or God? What gives us the right? Now I can give you every excuse in the world in the a "natural" of why we don't want any more children, we do have 5 from ages 25 to 2 and lead very busy lives, but I wasn't put on this earth for "me".

Okay so Guy was NOT there. My cynical husband said "God gave Moses a burning bush. If he wants me to sign that checklist" he will give me a forest fire.". I was not happy. But remember NOTHING is to big for GOD! If this was his will IT WOULD HAPPEN! So I about hit the floor the next day at 10:00pm during the news when splattered across the news was this "Forest Fires Out of Control". The were spread from Lancaster, NC to Raleigh, NC. We live between that. I began to weep and hit my knees...oh GOD I cried. He reminded me in his Word of what he would do for "1" lost sheep! Guy was still not sold, SHOCKED yes, but not sold it was God. He said Moses saw the fire with his eyes not tv (of course I reminded him Moses did not have tv). The next day on the radio news on the way home from work was this "debris has caught on fire at Hwy 77 and 85, firefighters are trying to get under control". This happened at exact time Guy drove home through that area...yes Guy saw the fire with his own eyes! He came home and said ok fine...I still don't want this but God does, give me that piece of paper before he burns the whole town up. I asked him for a fire and he gave me many fires all week!

May 2011
Okay so now we are up to May. I would "Stalk" the website. I inquired about a few but it did not work out. Then the day came when I saw this little girl. But there was a problem. She did not meet the criteria we were open to. She was older than we wanted and her need was something we were not open to either. You see she is 5 years old AND she has spina bifida. Guy grew up with a brother with spina bifida and it was very hard to say the least and not something he could endure. But I was drawn to her. I remember Kelly (my sister) asked have you prayed. Uh, no why would I pray she doesn't meet my criteria...as soon as the words came out of my mouth the Lord say "You said you were opening a door to me, but you have only cracked it. Do I have access or not? Things don't always look like you think. But they are better" His word does say that , his ways are not our ways, but are better. Oh did I trust him to this degree? I could not even finish vacuuming my house. The Lord said stop now and inquire about her. I did ....but a family was viewing her file and their was a waiting list. So I pray God take this from me or move these families out of the way and bring her to me. I was in love with her. Only God could do that for a child I was not open to right?

The next day, 18 hours later, I get her file! There are so many stories here of God's confirmation over that week it took us to accept her. But in the essence of time as this already a novel, I will try to be brief without squelching the glory God deserves. Okay so I have talked a lot about me. Well Guy, he is still very,very much closed to this. I cried a lot, I mean a lot, sometimes that kind of cry where you literally cry out loud and can't breath. I went before the Lord a lot. I didn't understand why Guy was not there and couldn't see God in this if God was telling me she was mine. Why was this desire suddenly so strong? Why was I in love, if she wasn't mine. I wavered between walking in faith and trusting and God with Guy and that he would bring her to us AND I am going to lose her God what are you doing? I am going to have to turn her away. Thank God for my sister, my anchor in my life who helps keep me grounded. The call with the doctor was incredible. He gave us so much hope. He said in fact, I know I have thrown a lot at you. I know this is overwhelming for a non medical person. But I want you to hear this. This little girl is not Guy's brother. It is completely different. She can walk and she is in school and goes to the bathroom and many other things. In fact if I would have had her file at 1 0r 2 years old I would have said this was high risk there are too many unknowns. But I have the privilege of 3 years of history since any procedure and have gotten a wealth of information which is not typical from China. She is thriving and doing well. Listen he said, this little girl has had so many bullets shot at her, and she has dodged every one of them and I stand back impress. Okay so folks yes I was in tears. Guy still not sold! Remember he doesn't want any more children. So how did we get to where we are?

Friday the day we had to decide, Guy goes to God and says okay God I don't' feel and hear you like Dawn, I have to see you. So show me today in a message. I am going to go to my devotion today and in that if this is my daughter speak to me so I can't deny it. Are you ready folks? This was his devotion which he came home and shared through many, many tears (and of course I was in tears too as God had shown himself faithful and was bringing our daughter home)

"Christ calls us to welcome the stranger, to look after the widow and orphan, to bring comfort and welcome to those whom society ignores. God challenges us to make a difference in the lives of those near us who are in need"


" to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."- James 1:27

So Guy says, Dawn I know that would have done it for you. But I thought could this be coincidence. So I said God if this is you please confirm. I just can't do this. Our lives are full, crazy and stressed. I am going to go to the other devotional site I visit please speak to me.....hold tight I hope you have bared with me here.

Job replied to the Lord: "I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you." Job 42:1-2

The apostle Paul cheered that he was competent because of the Holy Spirit's em­powering. "I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need," he proclaimed (Philippians 4:13). The emphasis isn't on what Paul can do but on what Christ-the source of his strength-can do. Paul attempted great things for God because he expected great things from God. And so can you, because your com­petence comes from God (see 2 Corinthians 3:5).
When you are empowered with the Spirit, you are teamed up with the God who can do everything. Don't doubt that he's in you. If you believe in Jesus, he is. He will stick with you and do all that he has promised to do. No fooling. And no leaks!
REFLECT: Are you allowing God to do his great work through you?
PRAY: Invite God to change inside you whatever he sees that needs changing.

So with that said, we welcomed into our lives and our hearts our beautiful daughter Olivia Hope-Gao Fisher! Enjoy some photos we have of her, some updated since our acceptance. She just celebrated her 5th birthday May 8 and they sent us pictures of her at her party, with her cake and opening presents, so blessed we are!

Olivia getting ready to blow out her candles at her 5th birthday

Olivia in a new outfit she just received

It wouldn't be China without the "peace" sign, or maybe she knew we needed that!

A little younger here, so adorable! This was in our match file.

Another younger one in our match file. Precious

A Few More Shots at Splash Pad

Have to a laugh at this shot, it wouldn't be a complete day without a little attitude right?