PLEASE PRAY FOR ORPHANS EVERYWHERE!!

.In my own little world...... I had no idea this is happening right now......Please read the following letter from a Sudan orphanage
With the howling winds of rainy season blowing gale force in the background, Lual Atak just called me from the north-south border of Sudan, home of our 550  orphans called New Life Ministry. He has been on the phone alternately with generals in Abyei or Juba all day long  tracking the war.
Our children have watched wide-eyed and anxiously through our chain-linked  security fence as thousands of southern soldiers (SPLA) have trekked past, on  their way to the front line this week. More than 15,000 SPLA troops gathered to  protect Abyei, the oil-rich town only 40 minutes away.
 The radical Islamic regime who has seized control of northern Sudan unleashed a  furious attack this morning, flying in Antonovs, gunships, and helicopters to  attack and bomb Abyei. After a futile day of fighting (we do not have a death  toll as yet,) the 15,000 southern soldiers have been defeated, and Abyei is now  completely controlled by the Islamic North.  The GOS (Islamic soldiers) are parading in the streets screaming, Allah Akbar! Allah Akbar! (Praise Allah!) Meanwhile, Lual Atak continues to work with the  SPLA as to if and when we should evacuate our children. We have a large lorry of food and supplies ready to go, but if we are forced to evacuate, our children will have to literally run through the bush. If this happens"the very painful reality is we know we would lose some.
 I am asking you to pray a hedge of protection around them, and for wisdom for  the MWP’ leadership team as we discern our next steps. I will keep you abreast of any developments as I know them.
Kimberly Smith
> President
Make Way Partners
 PO BOX 26367
 Birmingham, AL 35260

PLEASE PRAY NOW!!

I800 approval!!!

Another major step in our journey to adopt Lily.  We finally ( after 76 days) received our I800 approval today. (This is the Petition to Classify Adoptee as an Immediate Relative).  The I800 usually takes about 3 weeks to be approved but again we have had some snafus.  We have exceeded all timelines in EVERY way and not in a good way.  It will be interesting to see why God has made us wait this long!!  If everything goes according to plan we should travel in June! I just recently read a prayer about patience and waiting and Gods perfect timing. Here it is if you need it today:

Dear Heavenly Father,

I have been waiting for ________________ for so long now, and I come before You today to ask your help. I pray that You will increase my faith and patience so that I will put my whole trust in your perfect timing and plan for my life. I will put my complete trust in You with confidence and eager expectation of Your answer, whatever that answer may be and whenever that answer may come.

Thank you that you are always with me.

Thank you that You hear my prayers and will answer in Your time and in Your way. You, Lord, are without limits.

Thank You for Your unfailing word and that You always keep Your promises to me.

I believe with my heart, mind and soul Your plan for my life is the best one possible and I thank You for Your answer.

Being in Your will is the safest place I can ever reside.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL!

On Wednesday, we received an update on Lily which was quite disheartening.  It seems that she may have a diagnosis that was not listed in her initial paperwork or mentioned on an update from July.  When we received this new information we were sad and frightened.    What if we couldn't take care of her?  How would this affect her future and our future?  We did not sign up for this!!  After crying and praying,  I talked with Mom, I went to RQ (china adoption forum) for education and support, and I educated myself regarding her new diagnosis.  I asked God for some kind of sign to let me know what to do, and shortly after He reminded me of this song I had not heard for quite a while....
"When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul."
I feel that whatever my lot.... Lily is going to be alright, we are going to be alright....It is well with my soul!
So Devil...you are still trying.....but We are still going to China!!  It is well with my soul!!
(Thank you Mom for your support and guidance... I know it is well with your soul too!)
(Thank you RQ for your uplifiting stories, education and info!)

LOA!! LOA!! LOA!! LOA!! LOA!! LOA!! LOA!! LOA!! LOA!!

 I am so excited!! Today we received our LOA (letter of acceptance/letter seeking confirmation) from CHINA!!  What does this mean? China has approved all of our paperwork and we are approved to adopt little Lily!  So on to the next steps.....Petition to classify adoptee as an immediate relative, VISA application, Travel approval and then Consulate appointment in China....This should take approximately 3-4 months.  We are finally going to China! Celebrate with us!  God is good all the time..... Please turn off music on player at bottom of page before watching below music! Celebrate! Our God is an awesome God!

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!