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!