Update!

We heard from our agency today and our dossier (all the important papers that we have been working on, homestudy, immigration, birth certificates, employer letters, etc. etc. etc) have been received in China as of December 22nd.  Our next step is waiting for the letter from China seeking confirmation (LSC/LOA) that we have been approved by China and want to adopt little Lily.  This usually takes 1-4 months.  Hoping for a fast LOA so we can get to China.

Psalm 39:14 "Give thanks to the Lord for He is good: His love endures forever"

Day 83 and our I800A is FINALLY approved!!! The average wait is approximately 30 days but for some reason, ours was 83 days!!!!  Nevertheless, we are approved. There have been other blogs talking about how some Christian adoptive parents may be under attack (spiritually).  Could it be that Satan does not want us to succeed?  He does not want a child to have a Christian home?  But as Bryan said, if God wants us to adopt, it will happen, Satan cannot stop it!! Pray that Satan gives up, because he will not succeed.

Now for the next steps, we have to take these documents once they arrive, to the Secretary of States Office, and the Chinese Consulate in Chicago to get certified and authenticated.  Once this is done then ALL of our documents go to China for approval.  I am hoping to have all documents ready and sent to China by Dec 1st (because of the Thanksgiving holiday).  It usually takes 4-6 weeks to be approved by China.  Then on to the next  batch of paperwork to officially bring her home (Petition to classify adoptee as an immediate family member, travel approval, consulate appointment, etc.)

Verses from 2 Corinthians:
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. ⁸ We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; ⁹ persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed....... ¹⁶ Therefore we do not lose heart.

I have not posted for a while because we are day 70+++ of waiting for immigration approval to adopt.  We have been fingerprinted and should hear anytime.  Now that Zach has turned 18, it set us back a little because we had to have him fingerprinted and a new report for our homestudy because he is now considered an adult member of the household.  Today, I had to post because I saw the cutest little girl who is waiting to be adopted and her name is Tonya!  She is so cute.  3 years old.  Here is her picture. 

Now for my sister Tonya, you know, you never had a girl.  You could go to China with me and we could bring home 2 little girls.  Lily and Tonya!

I800A Filed today!

Our agency, WACAP, filed our I800A today!!  In approximately 4 weeks we will be fingerprinted again by the government,and then wait on approval from them.
 Haven't been on for awhile because so busy, busy.  Between work, school, & adoption paperwork, it's hard to keep up!  On a  Praise note: Mom has been sick but praise God she didn't need surgery and she is doing well.    I love you Mom!
  Next is some more beautiful kids from China! How I wish I could adopt them all!

Girl  BD 1/12/08

Boy 6/2008

Why China?

Many question "Why China , why not here?"  Although there are many personal reasons, one thing, for sure, is every child deserves a home.  Whether " red or yellow, black or white, they are precious in His sight" and they all deserve a loving home.  There are over 163 million orphans in the world and each one is deserving.  God has placed on our heart the children of China.  Why China? maybe because some in China will never hear about Jesus and He is using us to change one life.  Maybe God had this little girl picked out for us before the beginning of time.  All I know is God has a plan and someday we will see the bigger picture!
"God is....Hope for the hopeless, Power to the powerless,  Victory for the defeated, Healing for the sick,  Peace in the storm, The fourth man in the fire, Restoration for the broken, Strength for the Weary, Joy for the Grief Stricken, Love for the unlovable, Compassion for the hard hearted, Father to the Fatherless, Seed to the sower, The wind beneath your wings, Friend to the Friendless, Savior for the lost, Light in a dark world, & A Refuge for the homeless"(Unknown)

Homestudy approved!!!

DCFS of Illinois finally approved our homestudy!! After a couple of follow-up questions that our social worker had to submit, DCFS finally approved!! Thank you God!! We had been praying hard.  Now on to the I800A.  This is the "Application to determine Suitability to adopt a child from a convention country".  They will now approve our homestudy.  Now that the state has approved us, pray that our federal government finds us suitable!  This should take approximately another 4 weeks and upon approval will then  be fingerprinted by the Dept of Homeland Security.
Cast all your worries on Him, because He cares for you. (I Peter 5:7)

Waiting children

I am going to start featuring weekly, some of the waiting children in China.  If you are interested in learning more about adopting one of these sweet children, let me know!
                                                    

Little girl, will turn 2 in November ! So sweet!

CHD

Little boy just turned 3! How cute is he?

CL/CP

To catch you up to date...After deciding to adopt Lily and receiving Pre-approval from the Chinese Government, we started our homestudy visits in March, 2010.  Our last homestudy visit was in May, after fingerprinting, background checks, physicals,  final approval from our agency, our homestudy was finally sent to DCFS in Illinois on July 13, 2010.  The wait for approval from DCFS varies, but according to a  China adopt chat group, the wait right now is 8-12 weeks!!  This is only the first step in a long process.  We hope to get her before she turns 10!! LOL.  Praying for a quick approval from DCFS.
In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. (Philippians 4:6)