Placement & Travel Call

When I first heard real voices talking to me... telling me/us what to expect in the near future- I broke down and started crying ( thank goodness is was via telephone and they couldn't see me). This is all so sur-real. I cannot wait to begin our life with Lil. After the first 10 minutes (48 min phone call)- my sail began to deflate. It was a "reality" call --->the good, the bad, and the ugly. What to expect. "THEIR" predictions, etc. Basically, we are to expect Lil to hate us. You know we are faith built people- so this was hard to agree and listen to. THANK YOU- Tammy & Cory- for building the sail up and letting us know all things are possible... and we CAN do this! Back to very excited- and prepped. Lil will be taken out of her foster home she has been in for over 2 years ( the family she has grown to love) a week before we get there- and tossed into a "institute/orphange" to prep her?? Trying to grasp that one. We get her our 2nd day of 13 there. Got her eating, sleeping, diet, etc. So.... the words we are ready for ... MOVE THAT BUS in the way ( a few more legalities) and let us begin!

Have a great weekend!!!

One step closer... ;)

Every day is something new. Some come with great anticipation--- others-- disappointment. But, we have learned to be content in all situations! At when we expect nothing--- waa laaa.... Notification today that we have a conference call (China consult, Washington adoption rep, social worker and us) next Thursday as to "what to expect on our upcoming China trip". Ok,so it's soon. Real soon! I should have questions ready. Any ??'s for me to ask? Question 1- Is there ANY other way to get up those 3000 steps at the Great Wall... cuz this big butt isn't going for that?? Others....?

Meanwhile, we ask that you say a prayer for little Lil. Her recent pics (which we don't look at anymore) showed a VERY sad, sunken eyed baby girl. We KNOW that will change- it is always darkest before the dawn, Lil. We ask that our good Lord wrap His arms around her- and feel all our love! "Til the next call....

Poem for Lilly.. from Uncle Bob

Lilly~

A tiny pair of shoes sits lonely on the bed
A closet filled with outfits hangs silently in wait
Every piece of cloth every single thread
Waiting for this child God has made
To come into our home
And find the love she’s never known

Lilly is so far away and we want her so
Soon our faith will be met with promise
We want the world to know
She is priceless and precious
No matter how her life began
She will never be without love again

How many days we have waited for the day
Hours of work here and across the world
All so that someday we may
Share our love and life with this little girl
Knowing that God will take us through
Everything He has brought us to

Those that know us and those that love us too
We pray that you will always be
There to pray and support us in all we do
From the moment we cross the sea
And always in accordance with God’s word
So that her faith will never be deterred

Lilly you will always know of joy and peace
And a love that will only increase
As you grow in your years
We will guide you through all your fears
We will always be there for you
In everything you learn and everything you do

Holy cats!!

We crossed a MAJOR hurdle today! Our letter of acceptance is confirmed and sealed delivery to us by the Chinese Consult. { little misty eyed as I write this...}

What does that mean? It means:
1. We can now start sending our baby girl packages, letters, pictures, scents from "home". Lilly's caretakers will now start prepping her for her new home, family, and Mom (mama) and Dad (baba) ;)

2. China has accepted us into their country- and found us to be the perfect fit for Lilly ;)

3. We are 3 steps from traveling. Though the agency kept stating JANUARY- we KNEW in our hearts it was November. Todays phone call " Rarely do things ever progress so smoothly- you are looking at ... uhmmm... November?" or sooner. Thank you, Lord ;)

OK- Since September is next week- my heart skips a few beats now.....

HUGE milestone!

So... how does one sleep between now and then? Printed off the "to pack " list- suitcases come out this weekend. Literally- the call comes and we could be traveling the next week ;) Yikes!

I sometimes wonder how crazy it is... to fall soooo in love with a little girl I have never met? Yet, I believe in destiny- I believe in God's will- and I KNOW why we love her so very much. She is our daughter... and a precious gift! We ARE Blessed!

Are we ready? I think so. I will be rapidly updating the blog ( esp as we travel- you will be the first to see pics and video of our baby girl. -From here on in- we pretty much "overnight " express send finalized documents. The race is on ;)

Sending all our groupies- family n friends- giant hugs! Love ya's!

Inquiring people wanna know....

Why is your adoption taking so long?

There is speculation that the child match process has slowed down considerably this time due to the increasing popularity of Chinese adoptions. We don't know for sure. We do know that 100,000's of children are waiting in China for loving parents. Because of the nature of any international adoption, the time frame may change... and the journey seems like forever. We know "His" timing and hand is in this, so we patiently wait for our Lilly. Oh, how precious the uniting of our addition to the family will be!

Why are there so many babies in China?

Millions of baby girls and boys are abandoned each year in China. The Chinese government allows parents to have only one child. If the mother is found pregnant, they are fined a year's wage. If the first child is a girl, they will abandon her in a safe place with hopes of having a boy in the future. Sometimes, the couple will keep the baby girl until they have a baby boy, then abandon the first child. It's very important to have a son to carry on the family name. It is the son who takes care of his parents when they are old and will carry on the family business or farming. Thousands (95 percent girls) live in orphanages and foster homes in China. If a family already has a boy and they are pregnant with the second, they are not allowed to keep that child. If they do, they will be fined. The child will not be "registered" and will not be able to attend school or get jobs as an adult. Because of the one child policy we are seeing more and more boys being referred to families as well.

We also learned that children with disabilities are viewed as a "curse" to the family. Lillian Grace is all BUT that-- she is so precious and priceless. WE feel Blessed to be called to be her family!

Why does it cost so much to adopt an orphan?

Good question. We figure Lilly's adoption will end up costing around $27,000 . We are within the final $10,000 .. and somehow, someway... it has always worked out. I can remember initially going to MANY banks and applying for a loan ( DENIED- no loans for children. Cars? Sure. Home? Sure. Yikes!) We exhausted our resources and spent nights awake wondering how on God's green earth we would do it. Now, we give thanks! It has been a trust builder, and a humbling experience. We are better people because of it! Maybe that's why it is so expensive ;)

What? No pics?

Because of our travel date(s) being in the very NEAR future- we have had to remove any personal info re: Lilly... ie: pics, location, identity, info, etc. It is against CCAA rules and regs to post them. So...thankfully we can still see that sweet smiling face daily in our pics... but we ask you to please remember that same face... she is very real- very deserving of a family and home... and please keep her in your prayers ;) Thanks !

Another 2 weeks, and.....

We feel a little heavy hearted with today's update....

Ultimately, we hold firm to our faith, and KNOW it is HIS perfect timing...

Hi Bill and Lisa!

How is the beginning of the school year?

I followed up again with the update request, again, but still have not received any information. Things are still moving through the process. Based on other families timelines receiving their Letters of Confirmation, I anticipate yours will come early to mid September. That is my best guestimate, so it could be quicker or it could take longer. Once we have your LSC, there are several smaller steps along the way. Most families feel more like they are making forward progress as they are able to check steps off every few weeks, and the list of remaining steps gets shorter. Although you won’t be able to give specific dates until you actually have the confirmed consulate appointment, it is likely you will be ready to travel early next year. I know waiting is hard, especially when you have so little information. Hang in there!

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Sincerely,
Heidi

Again- we will see.

Bill & I still feel November.... with our good Lord... ALL things are possible!

Holding tight to the thought of each day that passes being just one day closer... each and every day ;)