Black Friday turned out to be a GREAT day. We had a great Thanskgiving with family and friends. There were many questions about the adoption and losing our paper work in the mail. We had received many of the needed documents and sent some documents to Kansas and were going to delivery the documents to Misssouri on Monday.
On Friday afternoon we decided to go to Target to look for a new TV. As we retruned home and pulled into the driveway Melissa asked, "what's that in the mailbox?" There was a large package sticking out of the box. I immediately recognized the package and said that's it. Melissa jumped out of the car before we even pulled into the garage.
What a glorious day! It is now Sunday night and we will be sending our dossier tomorrow morning.
Our only worry now is how to pay for the adoption. We have been awarded a matching grant from Hand In Hand and have sent out about 45 letters to family and friends to try and get donations. The deadline is December 7 (one week from tomorrow). Hopefully things will pick up this last week.
Our prayers continue and we hope our daughter is being taken care of. As a family we are also trying to prepare ourselves for a daughter and sister who may be visually impaired. Each day I find myself thinking of something new that I had not thought of before.
God's Peace.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Discouraged But Not Giving Up
On November 18 we realized that I had made a huge mistake and we would be delayed in getting our little girl. Back on October 26 I sent our paper work to the Chinese Consulate. However, I sent the paper work via the US Postal Non-Service. I tracked the package going to Chicago but I did not request this for the return package I enclosed.
So last week we thought the paper work should have been back so decided to call the Chinese Consulate. They informed us they sent the package on November 4. Our hearts sank as we realised it was lost in the mail. This was four months of collecting documents and figuring out the process.
I went to the post office knowing there was nothing they could do (even though I sent the package via priority-two day service and paid extra for this). Melissa called the post office and confirmed the bad news. We also called the Chinese Consulate hoping they could help us since they had approved our paper work and also kept a copy of the information. No luck.
For several days we felt sick about this and wondered if this was God's way of "shutting the door" for us. We continued to pray about this and hope for the best.
Melissa started within a few days of re-collecting the information. We did get a little lucky and we recieved all the needed documents within a few days. As of today we are ready to send the information to the state of Kansas and Missouri.
Looking back I have no idea why I did not send the information via FedEx or UPS. I have had a knot in my stomach for 10 days now. Melissa has worked so hard on this adoption and I am truly sorry to her for this set back.
So last week we thought the paper work should have been back so decided to call the Chinese Consulate. They informed us they sent the package on November 4. Our hearts sank as we realised it was lost in the mail. This was four months of collecting documents and figuring out the process.
I went to the post office knowing there was nothing they could do (even though I sent the package via priority-two day service and paid extra for this). Melissa called the post office and confirmed the bad news. We also called the Chinese Consulate hoping they could help us since they had approved our paper work and also kept a copy of the information. No luck.
For several days we felt sick about this and wondered if this was God's way of "shutting the door" for us. We continued to pray about this and hope for the best.
Melissa started within a few days of re-collecting the information. We did get a little lucky and we recieved all the needed documents within a few days. As of today we are ready to send the information to the state of Kansas and Missouri.
Looking back I have no idea why I did not send the information via FedEx or UPS. I have had a knot in my stomach for 10 days now. Melissa has worked so hard on this adoption and I am truly sorry to her for this set back.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
What Are We Going To Name Her
With a title like this it is obvious we have decided to adopt this little girl. We are so excited and now anxious to get her home. Our lives are now changed forever. I am working hard to finish the remodel of our basement as it needs to be done before she gets home.
Today we went to Grandma Lucille's house to hang out and eat dinner. We showed her and her guests (Betty and Martin) our latest picture we just recieved. Everyone agreed that she is beautiful. Betty and Martin both told us that they are very proud of what we are doing and this makes us feel so good. Betty and Martin are such loving people and we love getting to see them when they visit. They seem to bring a peace where ever they are.
Betty pulled Elliot into a conversation and it was awesome (I was listening without letting him know). They took turns telling each other stories and it was great to see Elliot listening so intently and then telling her something in return.
On Friday we received an email from our adoption agency regarding our request for more information on our daughters vision. The letter basically said there was no eye exam and it would not be done becasue she is too young (will not cooperate or sit still). The foster family provided some information but it as very limited. The foster family says she can only see about 60 cm (two inches) in front of her.
They also included a recent picture of her and she looks beautiful.
We are going to call the doctor tomorrow and see if she will provide us with a letter stating the importance of getting her eyes worked on as soon as poosible. The adoption agency said they would send it to China and see if we can expedite the process of getting her home. She just turned two and the 2-3 years old timeline seems to be important from what we have read. We know the odds are not good for her and we are ok with that. However, time is important with this type of condition and we are going to push as hard as we can.
We purchased a picture frame and put a photo of her in it today. Melissa also purchased her coat and plans to send it over to her for Christmas.
Today we went to Grandma Lucille's house to hang out and eat dinner. We showed her and her guests (Betty and Martin) our latest picture we just recieved. Everyone agreed that she is beautiful. Betty and Martin both told us that they are very proud of what we are doing and this makes us feel so good. Betty and Martin are such loving people and we love getting to see them when they visit. They seem to bring a peace where ever they are.
Betty pulled Elliot into a conversation and it was awesome (I was listening without letting him know). They took turns telling each other stories and it was great to see Elliot listening so intently and then telling her something in return.
On Friday we received an email from our adoption agency regarding our request for more information on our daughters vision. The letter basically said there was no eye exam and it would not be done becasue she is too young (will not cooperate or sit still). The foster family provided some information but it as very limited. The foster family says she can only see about 60 cm (two inches) in front of her.
They also included a recent picture of her and she looks beautiful.
We are going to call the doctor tomorrow and see if she will provide us with a letter stating the importance of getting her eyes worked on as soon as poosible. The adoption agency said they would send it to China and see if we can expedite the process of getting her home. She just turned two and the 2-3 years old timeline seems to be important from what we have read. We know the odds are not good for her and we are ok with that. However, time is important with this type of condition and we are going to push as hard as we can.
We purchased a picture frame and put a photo of her in it today. Melissa also purchased her coat and plans to send it over to her for Christmas.
Friday, November 13, 2009
China has spoken-sort of
After all it is Friday the 13th. Oh well, we got an answer from China about getting an eye exam. They said.................(insert drum roll here)......... "No, she is too young to get an eye exam." However they did feel confident that the health of her eyes is good. How they know this without an eye exam is crazy. So I guess we will go into this blind (no pun intended).
We were lucky enough to get an updated picture of her. That is all I really need. Now we have to lay it at the Lords feet. He has put my heart at ease, so I am stepping out in faith that this child is meant to be part of our family. We are now a family of 5. If we could only figure out her name we would be ready.
We were lucky enough to get an updated picture of her. That is all I really need. Now we have to lay it at the Lords feet. He has put my heart at ease, so I am stepping out in faith that this child is meant to be part of our family. We are now a family of 5. If we could only figure out her name we would be ready.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Sweet child, you are my daughter
My sweet little girl. Every time I look at your picture I fall deeper and deeper in love with you. I definitely feel the pull of that red thread bringing us closer and closer together. The funny thing is that when we first got your pictures Joel looked at you and said, "I think she looks like me, she has my dimples." That is so like Joel to take credit for all our children.
Today I went shopping for you. I plan to send you a care package of a pink coat, dress, tights, and a stuffed hippo. You now have a Christmas stocking and your photos are framed to put on the tree. You will be here with us for Christmas in some small way.
Every night as I am putting Ansley and Elliot to bed, I think about you and wonder how your day was. I hope you are being well taken care of and loved. I wonder if you went outside and played. I wonder if someone is saying prayers with you and reading you a bedtime story. I hope you know how loved you are and always have been. You are a child of the Lord and He has loved you even before you were made. I have loved you since Oct. 25, 2009.
Today I went shopping for you. I plan to send you a care package of a pink coat, dress, tights, and a stuffed hippo. You now have a Christmas stocking and your photos are framed to put on the tree. You will be here with us for Christmas in some small way.
Every night as I am putting Ansley and Elliot to bed, I think about you and wonder how your day was. I hope you are being well taken care of and loved. I wonder if you went outside and played. I wonder if someone is saying prayers with you and reading you a bedtime story. I hope you know how loved you are and always have been. You are a child of the Lord and He has loved you even before you were made. I have loved you since Oct. 25, 2009.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Ours Hearts Grow Stronger
We continue to wonder what the future holds for our family. We pray and think about our little girl from China. We wonder if she can see. Melissa and I have spent the last several days talking about what it would be like to bring a child into our family who is visually impaired. The tough part is deciding if we are making the best decision for her and us.
I spent this weekend at Alpha Weekend in Topeka and it was a great opportunity for me to clear my mind and focus on God. Our group was very spiritual and it was awesome to know the Holy Spirit was with us. I shared our situation with multiple people and received prayer from many.
I had the opportunity to meet Jim who is a retired Lutheran Pastor. Jim was part of the prayer team for the weekend. Jim and I spoke during a few hour break on Saturday afternoon. Jim adopted three kids in the 70s from other countries and it was great to hear his stories. I shared our story and he was a great comforter. He said several things that have stuck in my mind for the past 24 hours. He assured me God would not put something on our family that we could not handle.
So far Melissa and I have been asking that God would speak to us and let us know if this is the child for us. He is leading us to adopt a child who may blind? Are we not listening to him? Is he giving us direction but we are doing to much thinking in our heads?
Jim suggest that we change our approach. Maybe we should decide we are moving forward with this child and ask God to "shut the door if it is not the right thing for us or for her".
Earlier in the week Melissa received an email from a person who has adopted two blind children and has other children with good vision. The email was awesome. She told us how normal their life was! This was very encouraging.
Ansley and Elliot continue to pray for their new little sister. Hearing them pray for their sister is one of the most precious things I have witnessed in my life. Their prayers include healing for her eyes along with things like: safety, food, love, and asking that she has friends to play with until we bring her home because she will need friends to help her play until we can get her eyes fixed. They are both so ready to love and help their little sister.
I think Melissa and I are both starting to feel like we are going to adopt this little girl regardless of any medical exam. We both feel like if we prepare and expect the worst case scenario then we will not be disappointed. Melissa has schedule a meeting with a local school for the blind. We both feel this will be a good learning experience and may help us to better understand visual impairments.
Our family is very supportive and has also fallen in love with our little girl. We all continue to pray for healing. Melissa and I continue to pray for guidance and peace.
I spent this weekend at Alpha Weekend in Topeka and it was a great opportunity for me to clear my mind and focus on God. Our group was very spiritual and it was awesome to know the Holy Spirit was with us. I shared our situation with multiple people and received prayer from many.
I had the opportunity to meet Jim who is a retired Lutheran Pastor. Jim was part of the prayer team for the weekend. Jim and I spoke during a few hour break on Saturday afternoon. Jim adopted three kids in the 70s from other countries and it was great to hear his stories. I shared our story and he was a great comforter. He said several things that have stuck in my mind for the past 24 hours. He assured me God would not put something on our family that we could not handle.
So far Melissa and I have been asking that God would speak to us and let us know if this is the child for us. He is leading us to adopt a child who may blind? Are we not listening to him? Is he giving us direction but we are doing to much thinking in our heads?
Jim suggest that we change our approach. Maybe we should decide we are moving forward with this child and ask God to "shut the door if it is not the right thing for us or for her".
Earlier in the week Melissa received an email from a person who has adopted two blind children and has other children with good vision. The email was awesome. She told us how normal their life was! This was very encouraging.
Ansley and Elliot continue to pray for their new little sister. Hearing them pray for their sister is one of the most precious things I have witnessed in my life. Their prayers include healing for her eyes along with things like: safety, food, love, and asking that she has friends to play with until we bring her home because she will need friends to help her play until we can get her eyes fixed. They are both so ready to love and help their little sister.
I think Melissa and I are both starting to feel like we are going to adopt this little girl regardless of any medical exam. We both feel like if we prepare and expect the worst case scenario then we will not be disappointed. Melissa has schedule a meeting with a local school for the blind. We both feel this will be a good learning experience and may help us to better understand visual impairments.
Our family is very supportive and has also fallen in love with our little girl. We all continue to pray for healing. Melissa and I continue to pray for guidance and peace.
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