Lorenzen Livin' ~ Joyful Chaos

Ironing it out...

2008-09-10T09:09:00.005-06:00

If you've read my last post you'll have a better understanding of the significance of this one. God is definitely working out the kinks for me!
The last month has been pretty intense with change. About a month ago, I began praying about what to do with Kojo and Nyenna for school. We love homeschooling, but what I began to realize is that I just do not have the resources, energy, and knowledge to teach them right now. I really felt they needed some very specific English as a second language stuff(because they are older). Liberians do speak a 'form' of English...but in reality they have no foundation in American English, what so ever. I felt like this would be key for their future in life over all and in education. We are SO blessed that just blocks away is an IB World school with an incredible international program (which means diversity!). I think they have about 70 international kids, and are staffed to handle kids just like N & K. When first contacting them over a month ago...I wasn't aware of the huge blessing and favor that God had waiting for us.
A week before school started, we had ELA teachers come to our house and spend a couple of hours getting to know us. They then spent time with N & K at the school the week before it started just to get them introduced to everything. I've been working hard advocating on their behalf. Mainly because they are international students, but they are also children that have NEVER had 1 day of schooling their whole life(and they come with some unique adoption issues to be sensitive to). I am shocked at the hearts of the staff and school district over all. Many, if not almost all of my meetings with staff, have included very real and open conversations with lots of tears flowing(from everyone) for Nyenna and Kojo. Both are doing beautifully! They are exhausted...but slowly adjusting to the stimulation of even simple things like, remembering where your classroom is. I have a meeting next week with all the ELA people, Nyenna's teacher and the head school district people, to start narrowing down a modified learning schedule for her. I'm so grateful for this community that is totally favoring us and reaching out in love, to invest in these little lives. We are feeling really loved by it all.

2nd Kink getting ironed out...I'm getting help from my own personal chef! Christin(known to many as Boots, or by our children,Auntie Booty:) She has so generously offered to help me with feeding my family. She is an amazing chef. Her gift and job is to cook good food for lots of people and she does it well! Basically she is putting together a month-ish long menu...that we will work on and then we'll be breaking it all down into shopping and then she's offered to help me cook all the yummy things that my family will consume. We've known her now for years, and she's well aware of what she is getting into and basically is giving herself to me in this way for as long as it takes for me to "get it together".
These 2 things are BIG for me...in fact they may just save my life!

In some others areas...it's safe to say I'm still reeling and just making it through another day. Mostly, I'm happy my kids are learning in a loving environment and my people will EAT.

Confessions of an Adoptive Mom:

2008-09-05T14:39:00.010-06:00

That just may, someday, be the title of a collaborative adoption book!

In this house there is stack of books, close to a mile high(we live just N. of Denver...the mile high city:) Anyway, those books are full of advice, expectations, issues, joys, and heart aches pertaining to adoption process and adoption. I think I have read close to ever word in that stack. First off, all these books DO NOT contain those topics in relation to adopting African children. For sure, most DO NOT pertain
to adoption of multiple children at one time.(or spread over 10 mn. in our case) Lucky for me, I've got women close to me that are on this same road, and we can hash it all out, in love.
Disclaimer: Those of you that know me personally, KNOW I have no time or room...to "beat around the bush". I love honesty and I'm an open heart. I have a hard time being in situations where I can't be real in an honest and loving way.Needless to say, I've learned there are some people that know what to do with me. Then there's those that glaze over...because I put myself out there pretty easily. This is just "my" journey. My heart has no intention of dishonoring our children, adoption, or you. I'm only putting this out there because I've thought...I wish someone would have been raw and real with me and told me these things. Everyone has a different story. But I've talked with many of you and with others "out there"...that have said,"I'm in the same place, and I wish I knew others were too or I wish I would of known this was a possibility." I felt totally prepared to meet the needs of my adjusting adopted children. I was totally unprepared in knowing what my adjustment needs would look like? So I'll try to keep it short and save the rest of the words for 'The Book'.

Short back round of our story. We worked hard, fought the fight, fund raised, fought, fought, and fought for our children and the money to bring them home, for almost 3 years. We hit just about every hurdle and snag and then some...that you can encounter with International Adoptions. We lived and breathed these children in their absence. We were usually seconds from tears at any given moment and we grew to know ourselves and God in way we wouldn't know other wise. The battle was real and intense. I'm feeling it again, as we have families close to us that are now in that place. I'm watching them, praying for them, truly bearing the pain of their hearts, and crying out on their behalf and their children's behalf. Having them so close to us, has brought upon much of my revelation. Those labor pains have not left me.

After 2 years of adoption process we were so blessed to bring home Kojo. However, we were still fighting for his cousins, Nyenna & Titus. Adjustment with Kojo, required adjusting for sure, BUT it was doable. There was just one of him, and much of our energy could focus on and meet his needs. Even in the midst of focusing intensely on the adoptions of N & T. Me, as a mom, could still home school, manage our finances, keep up on the house, be a taxi, prepare 3 good meals a day, feel like I had enough of myself and my love to go around and have my time and keep my mind. See, doable. I'm not knocking anyone here when I say...It is totally different when you adopt more than one child and bring them all into your family at once(especially with adopting older children). Whether it be 2 or 12 kids...it's just different. I can only say this, because it's my experience. By NO means am I saying those of you that have adopted one younger child are exempt from what I've been in...or that you're not doing enough. I commend you and you are a hero!
I've had the unique opportunity to do both. Adopt one child and then 10 months later experience bringing home 2 children(one considered older when it comes to adoption) and being able to compare the 2 situations.
Things looked a little like this...Laurie in survival mode. Crawling, fighting, bleeding, broken, and willing to do anything to get these kids where I knew they were supposed to be. With us. Then, they came home. Things looked a little like this...Laurie elated, but still just surviving each day.
Things I didn't know I would have to deal with...
Kojo regressing basically back, 9 ish months. He went back in language...grieving again more regularly, his eating habits regressed and on top of it, problems with him giving up his status as Kojo "King", in the literal sense. This surprised us all.

The noise level. OK I'm not a complete idiot and I realize that more children equals more noise. I think most of you that have more than 1 Liberian child, can relate pretty closely to this. There is normal child noise levels(i'm around many other large families)...and then there's the noise level of children that have come from an orphanage, probably where at lot of the time they have to interact loudly, just because there was so many of them. Honestly, the noise became unbearable for me. Example...Titus and Nyenna 6 inches from each other(in the kitchen) and you can hear every word he's saying if you were are on the opposite side of the house on another level. I'm not kidding. ALL and any communication was at level 10. yes we've had their ears checked...and Kojo is the only one that has questionable hearing issues.

Food issues: I wasn't sure what to expect with this...these issues are waaay evident with Nyenna(to some degree exist with K & T too). She could be anywhere between the age of 7 or 9? So, she has lived the longest, with little to no food. I came to the place where I literally could not have them in the kitchen with me when I was preparing food. The minute I turned my back any food within reach would be consumed. I couldn't cut or chop food in a place where little hands could reach, because they would appear from nowhere to get to the food and I have literally almost cut fingers.(non-intentionally of course). Meals were consisting of at least 2 adult size portions and them wanting more. N was very sweet, carrying all of our plates to the sink at dinner's end. When I watched more closely, I realized she would secretly shove any food left on the plates into her mouth.(on top of what she had eaten at dinner). After each meal she would ask specifically what we were eating for the next meal. I would tell her...then she would ask to see the food (all ingredients) and wanted to know when it would happen, exactly. OK, with this being an isolated thing, it's no big deal...BUT remember I was in survival mode. In my mind(my- we have plenty of food, American, never been without -mind) I found it exhausting! Trying to have my meals(3) planned so specifically for her those first few weeks and on top of it showing her the next meal when I hadn't even cleaned up 'that' meal. But I felt like it was important for her to be reassured of that and obviously it was a part of her adjustment...AND apparently MINE. Things have changed. But it only has happened over time (6 months) and with consistency.

I can do nothing well. This creates big internal stress for me. Somewhere in life, I have believed the lie...If you can't do something well, you shouldn't be doing it at all. By letting this marinate in my heart over the years, the result is usually... me being totally paralyzed in fear of failure. I've dealt with this in the past, but clearly it has popped up again.
What things can't I do well?
Keeping up with the house. Think, if 7 people leave out just 1 pair of shoes...yep 14 shoes, out. If an area is clean, that's where everyone moves to, when you have to clean a different area. Then your left with chasing the last mess, and NEVER having things where they should be. A simple thing like never having boys before. Um why didn't anyone tell me they miss the toilet? That they pee on the walls, around the toilet, on the toilet, through the toilet(when you make them sit down). MY GOSH, what in the world? More than doubling the amount of children you have, will more than double the amount of laundry you do.DUH right. Well who considers this when they are up all night for weeks, trying to just speak to a Consular at the US Embassy in Liberia. Yeah I wasn't thinking...wow, Laurie you better be prepared to have your ears bleed from kid volume, or you should have 3 meals a day in mind and ready to be prepared, because this is very important to your Liberian daughter. Or Laurie you should be prepared to do 45 loads of laundry a day(slight exaggeration). And in the midst of that, you'll need to be on top of your game, because you'll be comforting 3 very precious and confused children, that are with strangers and in a strange place and are having to be told NO, and learn boundaries and test boundaries etc. All the while...you continue doing your "other life". Health Insurance, your own business, doctor appointments, health issues, paying your bills(yeah believe it or not, this has even become challenging), maintaining your bio-kids(who in the midst of this became teenagers, and you have NO idea how to parent them) managing your home, having a plan for just the next day...Oh and Laurie you need to be prepared to not be able to DO ANYTHING WELL...ANYTHING! Yep I just didn't go there in the midst of the fight and so I found myself reeling a bit over it all once I started living there.
There's more but I think I'll save it.
My advice...for what it's worth?
Any of you adopting children, especially those of you adopting more than one child, older children, and even just African children(not that they are harder or worse, there just isn't anything 'out there' really yet, preparing us parents for those specific kids)...surround yourself with people that you KNOW love you, NO MATTER WHAT. I don't mean masses of people. I mean one or preferably two people that you can be completely honest with and show who you really are at your worst and it be OK with them. And they still love you, and they don't try to give you answers or advice or fix you...but they are willing to walk through it with you and go to God with you, on your behalf. If I didn't have those 2 people...I'm not sure where I'd be...but it would not be a good place, I know that much. Maybe some people can go through things like this and maintain themselves with out these types of relationships. Me personally, NO WAY. I believe God designed us to truly carry one another's burdens, and to do it in love without judging each other, and do it to the end. Affirming the truth of who we are to each other and calling that potential out of the people that are this close to us. I would also suggest having these people 'in place' so to speak, before your children come home. If you don't already have them, be praying that God will bring them and that He will show you who they are.
Being honest here. My "2 people" have watched me "lose it" over and over and over again. They tell me they still love me...they even 'still' tell me, that they see Jesus in me. Even at my worst places. Because of their faithfulness to me I'm starting to believe them;)

What would I change?

NOTHING. period. Well.... except, maybe a book that I could of read...giving me practical advice on what to expect after bringing home more than 1 African child...not just covering their adjustments...but also what I might have been facing myself.

The truth:
Nyenna, Kojo, and Titus are unbelievable children. They are wonderful and lovely. I am not worthy to be their mother. I truly mean that. I ask God daily why He has chosen me for such a great and honoring place in their lives. I am overwhelmed and moved every time I think of the incredible responsibility I have over them. I pray that in spite of who I am and my sin that they will know Jesus' love and that they will know HIM. They (like Kiah & Cierra) are a powerful testimony to God's glory and His undying goodness and love. I wouldn't want life any other way.

I'm just a girl that in every one of my days, usually more than once...

I'm lost then found...only because of Amazing Grace.

good nights:

2008-08-25T20:47:00.002-06:00

Our 'good nights' consist of books, prayers, what we're most thankful for from the day, and each 'little' gets their own secret(from mom). I know, sounds like an ordeal. But it can happen pretty smoothly now a days.

Kojo's prayer tonight: " God help all the people that don't have brown children, to get them."

So all you people who are thinking about adopting "brown children, as Kojo says"
Kojo is praying for you!
And if you aren't thinking about it, Kojo is praying for you!

Nyenna gave me the sweetest treat tonight...
My secret from her "Mama I love you, you're so beautiful, thank you for sending for me"
Awwwwww....yes sweaty eyes.

Yeah-

2008-08-16T11:15:00.002-06:00

The fog is lifting...seein' more clear...a new rhythm has almost been established. I see can the light that is coming! For now our family will be relaxing in a nice big hotel suite...

Just some summer fun....

2008-07-25T08:53:00.007-06:00

Days are melting together...we're enjoying summer...and each other. Kids are playing hard...Dono's working his behindy off...Laurie's needing and receiving lots of amazin' grace.
Plan to do some writing. I've had a few fellow and potential adoptive parents request that I write more about "the adoption adjustment stuff". I've got lots in my head and heart, but can't find the time. Been writing follow up stuff for each of the grants we received. Which translates into a lot of computer time, already.
Soooo, just throwin' out some pictures. in no particular order.
Nyenna July 4th

N & Titus first time to the pool

Kiah Cierra, and our "other children"
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Laurie and her favorite 15 yr. old and favorite almost 13 yr. old

This was exciting...neighbors house on fire, N T K were in AWE over the fire truck and personally meeting the firemen

Pool time with Grammy Poppie
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Kojo's transformer Birthday

T's first train ride

Lee Martinez Farm

Historical Museum

Goodbye love to Grammy

Goodbye love to Poppie

Time with Cousins

Yesterday's words...

2008-07-01T10:06:00.002-06:00

The best things I heard yesterday...

TITUS: While having my face gripped in both of his little hands...gazing into my eyes, as they glaze over...lips puckered in expectation he says
"I LOVE YOU, MY SWEET WOMAN"...then kiss.
This is not an unusual statement made by this 3 year old 'OOZING' with love and affections. If Dono is present it typically begins the debate of 'who's sweet woman I really am'. Then it will end with Titus whispering in my ear..."I will marry you!"
(big sigh)

NYENNA: Lights out...said our prayers, and now each of us pick the best thing from our day, so we can thank God for that.
N says, "Thank you God, for my Grammy and Popie...that you gave them plenty of money so they could visit and stay with us." This was followed by, "please provide for us to go and visit them on Your birthday." (um- yeah Christmas;)

KOJO: Kojo rarely goes here but when he does I literally feel joy raise up in my heart. He can laugh, but when he "REALLY" laughs it's the best. Yesterday, I got the laugh. His full, perfect lips split so far apart in the form of a smile that they appear to be on the verge of taring. Then those little, pearly, baby teeth make a full and unashamed appearance...then GUMS...followed up by a laugh that could I listen to over and over again. When he's at his peak...it's almost like you expect his little "inter being" to pop out of his mouth and say, "HEY it's me, Kojo's inter being...let me outta here!"

BEEN AWHILE.....

2008-06-16T08:17:00.011-06:00

I haven't posted in a long time. Summer must be in full swing. This is the season I desperately wait for, here in Colorado. We have about 5 1/2 months of beautiful weather...the rest of the year I'm not overly fond of, but I can deal. So once spring kicks in we pretty much don't mess around, just get right down to living out those 5 1/2 months to there very fullest!
We've done too much to post about, so I'll just add some pictures here and a couple little things...once everything slows down for us, I'll post an update on how the kids are adjusting. I also have a list of people I'll still be highlighting, you know in our "world changers" series;)

Last week....

In this picture there are 4 moms. Jennifer, Katie, myself, and Amanda. 1 1/2 years ago these 4 moms met at a park...with them totaled 8 biological children and 1 Liberian(Jennifer's daughter had come home).

This time the scene was a little different! Because a total of 8 MORE children have now been added to the mix! 7 from Liberia and 1 from Ethiopia. What a beautiful sight we are all together! 4 moms, 17 children...
How do we survive?

Uh-huh....caffeine
ALL of our children enjoyed the afternoon together...I love these moms and I love these kids...it's sooo great to look at each one of them, and remember the endless prayers and cries for them to come home to their families. GOD IS GOOD!

This weekend we built this beautiful bamboo fence. If you've never seen this before, it's a great alternative to killing more trees;) Bamboo can grow at an amazing rate and it's very durable...building a fence- go green, hug a tree.(little inside joke here)

Not only did I marry handsome, but I also married "handy"

Couple random pics.
Daisy stops to smell the flowers:

Little cutie pie

Well for now...I'll be going back to....
Cleaning things that are dirty-
Feeding people that are hungry-
Planting things that are beautiful-
Loving and enjoying those around me-
And intermittently picking up a guitar or a book.

Peace and love to you all!
Happy Summer

Just a band-aid

2008-05-28T09:03:00.007-06:00

I borrowed the following from my friend's blog...it is so eloquently put that I thought why put it in my own words.

"It is easy to sink into the bliss of being an adoptive parent - but it is important to always remember that the bliss comes at great expense - often the heartbreak of a birth parent left without options, or the hopelessness of a child's prospects in their broken birth country, or the death-knell of an incurable disease, or the ramifications of poverty on a small life.

Adoption is not the answer - it is a band-aid and it is absolutely necessary, but something needs to be done about the problems - poverty, disease, war, racism, economic disparity - that leave children in this chasm.

It is imperative that those of us who walk down this road vow to always engage ourselves in solving the bigger problems - the very problems that brought our children home to us. Find an organization that is addressing these problems and send your money, give your time, advocate on their behalf."

Many people have made comments to us like, " These kids are so lucky..." "Aren't they so thankful that they are here with you?" "They must be grateful for all that they 'have' here."
I know these statements are totally not premeditated and are just said "off the cuff". I used to respond to them, but now have realized, people do mean well, they just don't understand. And that's OK.

The truth is years ago our social worker told us we were the "last and worst option for our adopted children" I heard this and really believed it, but had not yet lived it.
When your children come home and they openly grieve the loss of SO much, when they do not attach and love you the way you fantasized as quickly as you thought, when they act like how we are living is not good enough, when they stare straight through you like they are cutting glass, when each day you hear less and less of their "accent and language", and it's crossing over into American English...when your kids beg for food from 'their' country. When you hear their prayers each night, asking Jesus to please provide for their families and friends in Liberia...that they would have water to drink, work for the next day, and plenty of food to eat, you then really start to "feel like the band-aid"
Now that I'm saturated in that living....I feel FAR from being their 'savior'. In fact it's quite opposite. My heart aches for them. My heart aches for their loss. The loss and sacrifice of their families. Living in that realization is quite humbling.

On the flip side, we all need band aids at some time in our life. What an honor it is that God has chosen to make our family just the way He has. Truly, our children's loss is our gain. How selfish I feel in even saying that. But it's flat out truth. We have our lifetime to live together, and so I know God's plan is to turn their loss into their gain as well...it may just take some time.

"How lucky we are that they are here with us." "How wonderful it is that we live the way we do, and can bring them into that."
"We are so grateful they are here with us!"

I can say that with confidence, whether our adopted children feel the same way or not, this is "my truth". I can only pray that, one day, it will be the truth for them as well.

above excerpt from a non-profit "From HIV to Home" (my friend Jennifer) go there to read more!

5 days ~ 5 parties/ tornado

2008-05-27T09:37:00.010-06:00

Feeling worked would be an understatement. However, we looooove all of you people that we got to party with over the last 5 nights! We'll see a lot of you again this weekend;)

Benefit~ was a blast! We had so much fun and had a good turn out. I think we are friends with some of the most generous and compassionate people alive! Over $1,600 came in for Ruth!!!!! This is so amazing, this money will be a huge help to her and her family.
Our Africans wearing their fine Liberian clothes, in Ruth's honor!

Love this man!

Balloon fun!

Happy Birthday Osobie!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KIKI!

Proof that God is real! Ever look at how beautiful your children are, and think "How in the world did that happen?" We do everyday...

PLEASE REMEMBER THESE FAMILIES IN YOUR PRAYERS! CAN YOU IMAGINE YOUR LIFE LOOKING LIKE THIS? THIS IS A TOWN JUST SOUTH EAST OF FORT COLLINS, HERE IN COLORADO. TORNADO!

BE THERE!

2008-05-21T08:21:00.005-06:00

If you live in N. CO. don't miss this benefit concert. ALL funds donated will be going to Ruth and her family. Please take time to read more about Ruth here.
If you can't make it on Friday, you can still donate to Ruth. Email us and we will tell you how....donolulu@gmail.com
SEE YOU THERE!

Time Flies: part 4

2008-05-12T13:53:00.005-06:00

One year ago, yesterday( Mother's Day), I had the most bazaar Mother's Day, one I will never forget. I boarded a plane with my new son, whom I only had known for a few days. That same day, I left my new daughter and son in Liberia. I also had my 2 daughters here in America, celebrating Mother's Day with their Auntie. All in all I was thrilled to be leaving Liberia with Kojo on Mother's Day. A memory I will never forget!

Kojo on the way to the airport. He wasn't upset, just on the verge of falling a sleep.

Kojo in America, meeting his new sisters...

Time Flies: part 3

2008-05-09T08:45:00.004-06:00

One year ago, Donovan and I and Kojo went to the US Embassy, in Liberia to get Kojo's exit visa.

If you are a fellow adoptive parent you know how important this day was, especially in Liberia.

This is Kojo and his friend Rose. Rose was going home with her Papa, who came to pick her up this same week. Here's K & R before the Embassy visit.
Obviously the appointment was a success!

Time Flies: part 2

2008-05-07T08:36:00.007-06:00

One year ago today, Donovan & I finished up our paperwork after breakfast, in Liberia. We then went to Acres of Hope and met Kojo for the first time. We were shocked at how incredibly tiny he was. He was terrified...just shaking. But he was more beautiful in person than I ever imagined. We then went into the orphanage where we were greeted with singing, drumming, and dancing. D & I scanned the room full of children looking for Nyanpu(we had just accepted her and Titus' referral 4 months prior). I couldn't find her anywhere...finally I saw a girl wearing a blue dress, she had it up on her face just wiping away her tears. D & I waived for her to come to us. Drums beating, Liberian children singing at the top of their lungs, some beginning to dance, Nyanpu briskly walking across the room to get to us. All of us looking at one another and weeping. It was very clear that this celebration was not for her. The celebration continued, Kojo went and danced with the friends while clutching his photo album we had made for him and sent to him.

After spending some time there, with Nyanpu, we had to say our first goodbye to her. We hopped back into the car taking Kojo with us, with the echo of her wailing as we drove down to the baby house where Titus was living. The little ones were eating when we arrived. So D & I walked in and scanned the room. After seeing Osobie and Fatu(our friend Jeff & Katie's kids) we finally see this little cutie, leave his lunch and come to me. I picked him up and literally he melted into my arms. He wouldn't eat the rest of his food and only wanted me to hold him for the rest of our time together.

We spent quite awhile there, playing with Titus, Fatu, Osobie, and of course Kojo. This was the day we had prayed for, for 15 years. To pick up the 4 year old African boy, God had laid on our hearts when D & I were dating! One of the most surreal moments of our lives. Then came the goodbyes. Osobie & Fatu asking..."I go wit you?" Titus wailing and off we go, to the guest house with Kojo.
I never anticipated that my heart could feel such joy, and such sadness all at the same time. We were not prepared for this. None the less we knew God would work all things together for good!

This is one of my first and favorite memories of meeting Kojo. This is his first night with us. HE LOVES all things electronic. So he found the head lamp and wore it all night, and then D showed him a pooh bear movie on the ipod. This was Kojo for about 1 hour while D and I got ready for bed.

Time flies!

2008-05-06T13:34:00.003-06:00

One year ago today, Donovan and I landed in Liberia for the first time. Laurie was well rested....a little help from Lunesta, and SN Brussels offers free wine. Donovan is a much better traveler, so he was the guy enjoying the flights with the drooling, catatonic, wife;)
Hard to believe it's been a year!!

World Changers Vol. 2

2008-05-04T17:12:00.006-06:00

MEET MY FRIEND JULIE!!!!

Julie is a fellow adoptive parent. Adopting from Liberia. I met Julie months ago and feel to some degree we have heart connection. She was there through out our ordeal with the end of our adoption process for Nyenna and Titus...and then some things with her case, came up that to some degree we could relate to. Julie has spent a lot of time in Liberia and there are a lot of reasons why she is a world changer. She has made friends with a wonderful Liberian man named Mark. I personally met him and spent time with him. Julie's family has made a choice to invest in Mark's life. He is truly like a family member to them. I have personally seen the love and respect that he holds for her and her family. As well as the love and commitment Julie holds for him. Their personal and relational investment is and will change Mark's life. It was so sweet to see this in person while I was in Liberia with Julie.
Julie went to Liberia just days after I arrived to see and "hopefully" bring home her son Teddy, that they had adopted. Once Julie was there some issues surfaced that would end up preventing her from traveling home with him. She stayed in Liberia for the first round of DNA testing which failed to confirm the relative that came forward. While there she found the relative that she believed could relinquish rights legally to Teddy. This led to another round of DNA testing! She was already in Liberia for 5 weeks with Teddy and could not afford to stay there another month while the next round of DNA was tested. So she left, WITHOUT her son! I know the heart break of leaving your child in Liberia and wondering if they will actually come home or not(by the way this is the second time Julie had to leave Teddy in Liberia). Can I tell you first hand, that this is the WORST feeling and hardest thing to do as a parent. Especially, after they have met you and know that you are "intending" to be their forever Ma or Pa.
In the last week GOOD NEWS has surfaced for Julie, her family, and for Teddy. The DNA test came back positive and she will now be able to go back to Liberia, and legally bring home Teddy!!! THANK GOD!
I've kinda figured out one thing about world changers.....they all need HELP. They are the people that are doing BIG things that require much and it usually turns out to be more than they can do on there own. THIS IS WHERE WE COME IN. Julie's family lived without their mom and wife for 5 weeks, her husband sacrificed much of his income that month, the cost of a 5 week trip to Liberia is thousands of dollars, and the cost of TWO Dna tests also goes into the thousands. AND then she boarded a plane and left Liberia without her son!
What now? Julie has to return to Liberia for Teddy...She needs our help people! Please join us in helping put together our dollars to get her there and back. If 6,000 of you donate just $1....that's $6,000. And I happen to know that wont even cover their expenses. Please consider helping the REDMAN family and Teddy...to be untied together forever.
Go here to donate through pay pal.

Their blog...redman family life

Julie and Teddy together the last week of February!

US with Mark, Julie and Teddy

Sponsor kids!

2008-04-29T13:51:00.002-06:00

Hey peeps...there are 48 children left, at Rapha School, that need to be sponsored. You can donate right here on the donation button to the right. The goal for April was to raise $ for Ruth for a well, and that happened so quickly the funds are now carrying over to sponsor children to go to school. Your $17 will GO A LONG WAY!
Thanks~

BEAUTIFUL LORENZEN GIRLS!

2008-04-24T17:20:00.002-06:00

M'Kay yep she fits right in with this family!

World Changers and GREAT Need! Vol.1

2008-04-18T08:16:00.011-06:00

Here's my first post about some of our friends that have influenced us, first towards Jesus and then also to reach out to the world. I'm combining 2 plus adding in a very special woman we don't know personally, but she has been in our hearts for years now. The reason this is "3 in one" is because they have all overlapped, intertwined, and crossed over.
First many of you know our friends Jeff and Katie. If you've followed along at all with our journey or blog, you'll know they are dear close friends of ours. We've known them for many years now. They have always carried a heavy heart for Africa and have been active in working, serving, and 'sharing the love' particularly in Uganda. They've been there many times for extended periods. And have built some great relationships there with some amazing people. They recently brought home 2 children from Liberia, after a fierce battle for them! In the past 8 months Jeff has spent 4 in Uganda working and researching the plague. They carry countless stories of God's faithfulness and love with them, in regards to their time and friendships in Uganda. I realize I can't make this as long as it should be, so if you'd like to read more about J&K and our personal friendship check out the post on them.
Jeff & Katie have a dear friend in Uganda, Ruth. They have known her for years now and have partnered with her in love, prayer, and friendship. She is an extraordinary woman sacrificing and laying down her life, for the sake of others. (more on Ruth below)
Jeff Katie Fatu & Osobie

Second I'd like to highlight my friend Brandi. I have NO idea how Brandi does what she does? Where she gets the time, energy or ideas. She is literally ALL OVER THE MAP. Her heart is huge and she is a "follow through-er". When she says she's going to do something, it gets done, period. Brandi recently brought home her little Liberian baby, Davis. She is not only an adoptive mommmy but a "World Changer". In 2 months she has raised enough money to supply 2 African communities each with a well. Which means clean drinking water for a lot of people in desperate need. She has joined the cause in assisting Ruth in Uganda along with J & K. They're raising money for 120 of Ruth's students to have school uniforms and school tuition paid. Brandi has a goal to provide a well for an "in need community" each month. Not single handedly, but she has this Jedi night power, that gets people on board and then things happen. In humility, she gives God all the glory, for all things!

Brandi and Davis
HERE'S THE CROSS OVER:
RUTH
Ruth is an extraordinary Ugandan woman. Jeff & Katie have known her for over 5yrs. now. She is in danger of shutting down her 11-year ministry to orphans, due to the lack of funds. She is the founder of Bethesda International in Jinja, an independent indigenous Non- Government Organization, with the goal of supporting vulnerable children, the poorest of the poor.
Bethesda provides orphans with hope and future by placing them in foster families. Bethesda also empowers the foster families to be able to provide for these children and their families.
Ruth founded the first library in Jinja. She established Rapha Community Primary School, which cares for and educates 264 children. Bethesda is in process in starting self-sustaining projects on the farmland adjacent to the school. Ruth dreams of expanding this ministry to areas of Sudan, Botswana, and the Congo.

Ruth has given her all to her family, community, city and country. Every day they battle not having enough to eat. They struggle to pay the bills of their own house and struggle to pay the rent for the orphanage. Their living situation is horrible!! Ruth has sickle cell anemia, which has landed her in the hospital too often. Her husband and daughters have asthma. The bills and school fees for hundreds of children is almost impossible to fund.
Ruth, her husband and their staff at Bethesda are some of the most genuine, honest, faithful and selfless people. They live their lives for one purpose...God's kingdom. They follow Jesus and live serving the poor and vulnerable children in their country.
*Right now, they are in serious need. Ruth is to the point of possibly shutting down areas of Bethesda International because of her inability to raise the funds necessary to feed, clothe, and educate the children. That means 200 orphans, with no family, and nowhere to go. It means shutting down a school where 270 children are being educated, encouraged and are fed one decent meal per day. It means a woman having to walk away from 11 years of hard work and her dream of seeing all her children grow old, know Jesus and change the face of Africa.

Last night Ruth sent an email to Katie. Here’s an excerpt of that.
~Another bad news is that we might lose our house and
money we have deposited on it. The owners are inneed
of money and cant wait any longer. Our money is
paining me ($10000) that we had deposited on this
house. They have given us until the 19th/ 4. Katie we
know this is our house and God has kept them at bar
for since last year so we believe that God will come
through for us again again. There is some people who
are will ing to led us some money but their interest
%is very high. Our prayer is that we could get
something like half the money or all without interest
and pay back in a years time. We are trying to put
something together but it is hard.

It is a hard time for us. Continue praying for us.

Love
Ruth~

WHAT TO DO:
The amazing thing is that Brandi and her well projects, raised enough money in 2 days to provide a well to the Rapha School Community! Because this community is the focus project for April, Brandi and the Borchert’s have decided to carry over fund raising for 120 students. Basically, we ALL have the opportunity to help. You can donate right here, right now (donation button to the right). Uniforms are $7 and tuition is $10. With a $17 donation you can cover 1 student.

However in light of this recent plea from Ruth, I’m requesting that people seriously pray for Ruth. It is obvious that she is in desperate need of funds to just pay for their home. This is an immediate need.

As a family our hearts have been stirred to join in and help Ruth. We have a scheduled a benefit concert with all proceeds going to her financial needs. Unfortunately, we can't put it togther any sooner than May 23rd. We are trusting God to provide the resources she needs in order to care for herself, her family and all of these children. While we are still anxious to see her immediate needs met.

PLEASE HELP HER! JOIN IN! BE INFLUENCED ~ INFLUENCE OTHERS! GIVE OF YOURSELVES~ YOUR RESOURCES~ YOUR PRAYERS ~NOW! TODAY!

RUTH AND AUTHOR MUGA

"Christians filled with authenticity, commitment, and generosity of Jesus would be the most spectacular sign in the history of the human race. The call of Jesus is revolutionary. If we implemented it, we would change the world in a few months."
The Signature of Jesus"
~Brennan Manning

Bethesda International
Borchert's Blog
Brandi's blog

Met the Cousins!

2008-04-17T09:17:00.004-06:00

Last week Nyenna and Titus met 7 of their 8 cousins (on Laurie's side). They are all so sweet you would have never believed there were 12 kids in our little house!

So Cute...Kojo and Elijah are the same age, and Titus and Samuel are the same age.

Givin' the love to baby Levi~

2008-04-15T10:14:00.000-06:00

AWWWWWWWW!

I'M BACK!!!!!! Seriously

2008-04-10T15:56:00.005-06:00

Where did I go? Long story...I'm gonna try and give you the condensed version. I didn't physically leave. Just pretty much "checked out". I've been spending a lot of time in prayer lately and wondering why I "feel" so different. First of all, I'm back doing the things I love. Writing, reading, and researching. These are my narcissistic pleasures. I love other things of course, but I feel like those particular areas were "cut off" somewhere in our crazy life. I feel like I've woken up and am now living 'my' life again. Many people have asked, how hard it's been to add 3 children to our family in 10 months, and if I'm just exhausted and overwhelmed? I answer with "Not so much", I feel like I can live and breathe again. For those that are not aware I thought I'd do a quick re-cap of how we got here...I'll try to spare unnecessary details, even though I personally am a lover of the details...I'm not talking levels of detail loving like say, Jason Vaughn. But I could give him a run for his money!
5 (ish) years ago....to now,

*Dono pastoring full time, Laurie start working to "supplement" income(why does that always happen with Pastors?)
*Kiah and Cierra get enrolled in local Charter school.(no longer home schooling)
*Laurie begins praying about returning to school to pursue nursing career.
*L goes back to school while also working, becomes CNA, name is on waiting list to start RN program.
*Instead of pursuing CNA jobs, figures she can make more money, working less hours at current job.(plus she LOVED what she was doing!)
*Leading from God- to SIMPLIFY our lives. A lot happened to get to this, but like I said, I'm sparing the details.
*After much prayer, we decide to sell our house, and start giving our things away, to people that needed them. Planned to live in our friends basement apartment(which was sweet!) We felt God was preparing us for the "next stage" in life and what ever it was required us to get a grip on our lifestyle, finances, and family life. We had NO idea what was coming?
*The week we sold our house, L's parents bought a second home, one block from the "friend's basement" we were to live in. We would live in their 2nd home, care for it, LOVE IT, pay for it, and when they were ready to retire, we would move on.
*Began praying that God would draw us close to His heart, asking Him to surround us with people that were looking for Jesus, finding him, and doing what He was doing...so that those people would directly influence our lives and hearts. We prayed to be surrounded with "World Changers" and that God would make us those people too!
*Laurie, secretly began to cry out to God for another child...asking God specifically for a son...either through 'natural causes', or adoption.
Within 2 months through a series of events, we became aware of Liberian adoptions and the huge need there for adoptive parents.
*L prayed that God would confirm the direction of adoption through Donovan, That the decision would be clear coming from him.
*Within that week, L was awakened by D getting into bed and laying down, he was crying. His words were,"We have to do this" L-"do what?" D-"Adopt our son from Liberia"...God had spoken to D in a very personal way, with a long list of personal confirmations.
*Begin pursuit of KOJO! We had not $1 towards this journey, but were trusting the one who told us to do it.
*3 months later, Donovan- unemployed. Hmmm. Job change/ all a very big deal.
*Start fund raising for adoption and doing all the necessary "stuff".
*Through much deliberation and prayer we agree that with a "new child" on the way, L would not continue in nursing school and would focus on what was ahead.
*Through various ways money raised for Kojo's adoption things finalized and we begin waiting to travel.
* L remembers Kojo's 2 cousins in Liberia, that still had not been placed in a family. She secretly begins praying that they would be given a family soon, or that God would make a way for them to join Kojo in "this family".
*Spontaneous email arrives from orphanage director, asking if we had ever considered adopting them, or knew of anyone who would?
*Dono cried, and said we will do whatever we can to adopt them, until God completely shuts the door.(by the way L never influenced this,by talking about it to D & only told a few people that she was even praying for this!)
*Start of $1 Adoption...God provides funds for adoption of Nyenna and Titus.
*Laurie quits working, Kiah and Cierra go back to home schooling.
*Trip to Liberia, Kojo home (met N&T)
*Living life adjusting, then feeling strongly we need to start advocating for our children in Liberia. A number of things led to this as there were many bumps ahead of us.
*Began seriously advocating for them from Nov. 2007 until they came home March 1st, 2008...
Now... well see what I mean- I'M BACK.

Some people would/have say or said, we thrive on change, we can't live unless we are dysfunctional and desperate, we love to live in drama, we are attention seekers, we're dreamers, we sabotage our own lives etc. (honestly, to some degree, maybe some of that is true:)?
I say...each one of these BIG changes has come with much prayer and fasting, much consideration and meditation, and the list of things we've said NO to is just as long...but these are the things we've said yes to. It is truly GOD, doing what we've asked. Removing things in our life, that make up "our little Lorenzen Kingdom" and then aligning those areas under HIS kingdom. We welcome this...each day has its' decisions, when we ask ourselves will X,Y,Z...build our Kingdom or is it to build HIS?

So I've decided to highlight those people that God has surrounded us with...you know the "World Changers". So about every week I'll be writing about one of our friends and what God is doing with them and then link you to that. I'll also keep updating with pictures and updates of our lives. But with 20,000 visits to this blog in just the last 6 months, I figure we live a life surrounded by people that inspire us...Hey, maybe they'll inspire you? They are everyday people doing and living extraordinary lives...
Stay tuned for our first post on some friends we know you'll love and be inspired by!

Stuck on Good Friday

2008-04-03T12:29:00.012-06:00

Burdens and body
fastened to a tree
Crowned with humble majesty

A King's love
pledged in blood
In darkness shining beauty

Mocked for lovin'
Mocked for dyin'

His heart consuming
pain and grief
While pouring
mercy and peace

Sweet is His love
Sweet is His love

A mysterious sacrifice,
Death now clothed in Life

A life, lived to the end,
only to begin again

Peace kisses righteousness,
The marriage of love and faithfulness

Life bestowed generously
Grace given to the lowly

Abounding in love To all,
That call~
His name

Sweet is His love
Sweet is His love

So sweet is His love, for me

~Me

Easy to please:

2008-04-03T08:57:00.004-06:00

I love how easy it has been to please our Liberians in the food department. Last 2 dinners sounded like this...
Kids smacking away on Spicy sausage Jambalaya~
T & N saying ,"MMMMM, mama THANK YOU fo' makin' di ri'(rice) soooooo sweet!" (Liberians say sweet, meaning Yummy, delicious, MMM,MMM,good!)

Eating Spaghetti with garlicy meat sauce~
"MMMMM, mama THANK YOU fo' makin' di mac-O-ron-ee so so sweet!"

I now have them convinced that dessert is Fresh fruit...pineapple, mango, grapes whatever we've got...They also LUV peperoncinis so much. If I ask who wants some, I can expect to be hit with a wall of cheers.

Afternoon in Liberia:

2008-03-31T18:53:00.016-06:00

If you've been to Liberia, or are planning to go you've probably heard of a place called "Rock Hill". I'm sure like most small communities in Africa would, it has had a profound effect on me, personally. This is a pretty poor area of Liberia. The amazing part, is that the actual land the community is on, is unbelievably gorgeous. You could almost imagine a "Pacific Palisades" or "Laguna Niguel" community living upon the rich beauty of this land. Green, luscious and views people in America would pay millions to wake up to. The reality of these people living here is about a million miles removed, from that image.
First of all these people have NO clean drinking water. We arrived in 2 vehicles...in our vehicle alone we had 3- 2 liter bottles filled with ice, cold, CLEAN, drinking water. Anytime we got in the car, we could chug down a cool refreshing drink.
The only place to get clean drinking water is FAR away, or these guys push a cart of clean water into the community.

Rock Hill gets it's name, because it's a community of people that literally crush rock. The men (and some stronger women) retrieve the larger rocks(boulder-ish) and then the women and children crush them down to be smaller...and then sell them.

We're talking women like 9 months pregnant crushing rock. They would deliver their babies, and go right back to work the next day. Children of all ages would also be crushing rock.

Now these people could work an entire day (entire meaning sun up to sun down) and only make anywhere between 40 cents to a dollar, depending on the amount of rock that they sold that day. Can you imagine trying to feed your family on that income? Well maybe your family, or possibly more people than your family. There is hope for some of these people, as there are some children attending a local school and not all of the community people are rock crushers...but for those that are, THIS IS THEIR LIFE.
We walked down the main road just when school let out. It was so fun to be holding hands and exchanging smiles with these beautiful kids. I loved talking with them and walking through the place they call home. Their only dirty and tattered school uniform clothes were topped off with sparkling eyes filled with hope.

Hope for their future. One that included a basic education...and now thanks to my friend Brandi CLEAN DRINKING WATER! She has raised enough money to have a well built right there in Rock Hill.

click to enlarge this picture...at the far end of the road you'll see one man pushing in a cart of water. He passed by us and this picture does NO justice to his situation what so ever! First of all Liberia is HOT. This guy was dripping with sweat and working hard to get this cart up a huge hill.
Think about how easy it is for us to have clean water to drink. In Colorado some can and will drink just straight up water from the faucet. We filter it and go through about 2 gallons a day. Used only for drinking. Then think about the consequences to not having clean water. Not only that but these people are living in HEAT and they need drinking water. Trust me, I probably drank almost a gallon a day while there and only 'tinkled' about 2-3 times a day. The rest went to sweat...flat out and a lot of it!
I'm so proud of Brandi for seeing this very simple, practical, and doable need and then going after it! Because of her(and all of the people that donated) these children will soon have CLEAN WATER to drink!

Read more about her vision to provide wells to a number of communities like Rock Hill.

"Well project summary" on the left hand side of her blog.
I love my friends!

MORE ON ROCK HILL

(Julie: you'll notice that I didn't include that awesome picture I have of you at Rock Hill:) I think I'll save it for a more opportune time! speaking of water) You can thank me now!

Kojo- Funny

2008-03-27T09:33:00.003-06:00

The other day we were playing at the park. Instead of "easter" baskets, the "littles" got sand buckets and shovels, filled with the traditional goodies. So the buckets have to go with us everywhere. The buckets were left at the park (alone) while all kids ran wild on the play ground. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a mommy and her 2 small kids going over to play with them. I waited to see the reaction of our kids. Kojo of course was the first to investigate. I was impressed...He said,"it looks like you're having fun playing with our buckets." Then told them it was OK for them to use them. That always makes a mommy proud.
Next I hear the Mom say to her children, "We will have to give these buckets back, they are special because the Easter bunny brought them."
I then hear Kojo question, " What, who is the Easter Bunny? My dad work so hard to buy us presents, for Easter...Mama & Papa gave them to us."
This poor woman had no idea how to react. So I went over and told her, this was their first Easter in America. They have never been exposed to the "Commercial American Easter", and they have only celebrated it for what it really is.
Honestly, it brought a little joy to my heart to know my 3, 5 & 7 year old were not the least bit confused as to what we were celebrating on Sunday...there was no questions like, "Do bunnies lay eggs?" "Why is there a huge bunny, leaving eggs everywhere?" Why doesn't the chicken bring eggs, to your basket?" These are all the questions we got from the girls.
We'll see how things are for next Easter?