An L.I.D., a V.A.N., and some R.E.S.T.

What a month!!  So much has happened in November and it isn't even over yet!

We officially received our LID (log in date) on November 5th!  This means that China has our dossier and is in the process of translating it.  The translation process can take anywhere from 1 to 4 months and will supposedly be the step that takes the longest between now and travel (all the other steps after translation take anywhere from 1-3 weeks each).

We were originally guestimated at traveling around the end of December, however, our paperwork spent about a month longer with the state than we thought.  This moved our potential travel timeline and we could now be looking at traveling somewhere between the first week of February and the end of April.

We also received the news that our van would need a repair costing 75% of what we originally paid for it (yikes).  Based on the repair, the age of the van, the mileage, and future repairs our mechanic foresaw, we decided that it would be best to look for a new vehicle.  Brad and I have never had a car payment so we consistently set aside money each month in a new car fund to be prepared for cases just like this.  Unfortunately, we had hoped to have a much bigger amount saved up before needing to get a new van.  To make a long story short, in less than a week, the Lord provided both a used van and an unexpected financial gift to help us purchase it.  We are beyond thankful 💛

November also had me wrapping up the last of the wholesale orders for Adirondack Peach.  I finished the Monday before Thanksgiving and decided to press pause in lieu of a Black Friday sale.  This month has been marked by frantic hurriedness, cramming Adirondack Peach into every nook and corner I could find.  Things, like keeping everyone updated on the adoption, eating lunch, taking showers (I wish I was joking), and being present, were consistently being overlooked.  The gift-giving season is always a crazy one for handmade businesses but this was a new kind of crazy, an unhealthy crazy.

Over the last three weeks, I've sensed the Lord whispering to me to slow down; that the extra time given to us before we travel to China is meant to be a gift, and not to be wasted.  It's interesting, had I been pregnant, it would be expected of me to rest during the last trimester; and to savor the time with my children before new "baby" comes along.  But this time I seem to have traded the look of a baby bump for one of a chicken with its head cut off (not nearly as cute).

So I'm opting for a significant change of pace.  One that includes less time in the shop for more time in the living room, less texting and email for more face to face, less "in a minute"s for more "I'd be happy to"s, and less granola bars for more homecooked meals.

I'm also looking forward to being more present here on the blog.  I finished book #3 of our required reading and will be putting together a resource page soon with quick links to everything and every organization that has helped us on this journey so far.

Thanks for your prayers and your patience!

Can't wait to talk more soon,
Brooke