DTC!

There are more abbreviations in a Chinese adoption than should be allowed. If two moms get together that are adopting, it's almost like we speak a different language...

"Have you heard from the CCAA?"

"About what, our PA?"

"No, your LID."

"Oh, well we are DTC and sent our LOI so we hope to get our LOA in about 3 months, followed by our TA."

"That's great news! PTL!"

Some of you are cracking up right now because you knew EVERY WORD of that conversation :0) I am proud to announce that we are officially DTC - Dossier to a China. Next up - LID and PA...lol!

Overwhelmed

Hello all...I have been wanting to post some news for a week and a half, but I'm so overwhelmed I don't even know what to say. This will be short and sweet and when I process some more I will give more information.

God has given us a referral! We got the call 2 Thursdays ago in the middle of our math lesson. We have spent much of the past week gathering information and talking to the doctor to try and make sure we understood the child's medical needs. I can't share details yet, but our hearts are humbled and in love already. God's work is so evident to us with the timing of the great news about our matching grant, our dossier completion, and a referral all within a 3 week time period.

It has always been my policy to be transparent on this blog...and so I will be. I cannot wait to share all the details of this journey of faith. For now, please just pray for all 4 of us as we prepare to meet in a few months. And of course, for the Lord's continued grace and provision for each step necessary to complete this adoption.

Love you all...

Prayer

Hello friends! Big things are happening in regards to our adoption. Can't share much information yet but your prayers are needed and appreciated. As I shared in the last post, we have graciously been given a $5,000 matching grant from Micah's Hope/Lifesong for Orphans. We are in the process of sending out support letters and prayer information right now. We are trusting the Lord to provide what we need through this grant. If you want to support our adoption, there is a link on the side of the blog where you can give.

Thank you so much for your prayers and support over the past two years (one year for China). My heart is full as I reflect on all that God has done; and as I anticipate the things to come. Have a great weekend!

Oh My It's Been A While

I cannot believe it has been 4 1/2 months since I updated. With our adoption growing closer, we are going to change up our blog a bit in the coming days. I'm not even sure if anyone is still reading. Anyway, just wanted to give a quick update to what's going on with our family.

Since I last posted lots has happened. I'll hit the highlights...

We had a wonderful Christmas with our family in AL this year. The WHOLE gang got together (I have 4 siblings and a total of 9 nieces and nephews). It was crowded, crazy and fun. Eden ADORES her cousins and cherishes any time she gets with them. Here is a picture I snapped (minus sweet little Camp, Hayden and Savannah)...

Eden turned six in December. Gene and I took her to the American Girl Store Bistro for lunch. She had a blast!

We are in full swing with gymnastics competitions. I am so proud of Eden's diligence to continue to work hard even though she isn't winning many awards. She is improving every meet and this past weekend she placed for the first time for her floor routine. I have to admit that I cried a little when she accepted her medal because her face was beaming with joy. Can I just admit how hard it is to not become a crazy gymnastics mom? You can't help but want your child to place. It's a good lesson for both of us, I guess :0)

We got a puppy. An adorable golden retriever named Daisy. She is 10 1/2 weeks old now. We love having a pet in our family again. However, I did purchase playpen at the pet store the other day...which I call "jail." Daisy is in jail a lot of the time because she is such a stinker. Good thing she is so darn cute!

I became an aunt again. My sister, Kelly, had her second child...a sweet little angel named Ellie Kate. She is 2 1/2 weeks old. She is such a good baby. And her big brother Camp is so sweet with her. He turns 3 in a couple of weeks and LOVES his new baby sister. It is so hard to live 3 1/2 hours apart! I miss them so much!

And last, but not least, an adoption update. Our dossier is complete and is in the certification and authentication process. We sent it off a week ago so it should be ready to be mailed to China within 2 weeks or so. Once it is sent, we will be given what's called a Log In Date (LID), which is the official date of receipt by the CCAA (China Center for Adoption Affairs). Once this is received, we can receive a referral at any time. Once a referral is received and accepted, there will be about a 5 month wait to travel to China to bring our child home. With Eden's adoption, we had a 7-month wait after her referral and it was excruciating. I know this will be the hardest part of our process. Once there is a face and a name, everything changes. Please pray for us and our child waiting for us.

God has blessed us beyond our wildest dreams with a $5,000 matching grant from Grace Fellowship Community Church in Anniston/Jacksonville, AL and Lifesong for Orphans. What this means is that we will be raising support, and they will match every dollar we raise up to $5,000. Money will be sent to Lifesong so all gifts will be tax deductible! When we re-launch our blog, there will be information on supporting our adoption. We are trusting the Lord for every penny...as we have been all along. Your continued prayers are necessary and appreciated as we walk in faith on this journey.

I pray that our story is a testimony of God's faithfulness, goodness, power, and compassion for the needy. He is so good...and I want everyone to believe in Him.

I hope you all had a wonderful Valentine's Day. To me, this day isn't only about your "sweetheart." It's about celebrating all the ways God has lavished His love on our lives through all of the relationships He has given. Saint Valentinus died for his faith in God...and for his refusal to quit worshiping God and honoring marriage. God is the instigator of love relationships. And as I grow more and more excited and eager to see the face of my Chinese child...even if only in a photo...I am grateful for the way He has widened the love in my family's life through adoption. This, too, is a relationship that He created...just like marriage.

Hope you all have a wonderful week! Please keep checking the blog...I will be updating more regularly...I promise!