Another step checked off...

Today's email...

Please pray for us- we are working through the final pushes and labor pains !

Hi, Lisa & Bill!
I was notified that because of the holiday, your article 5 was not issued until today. It was picked up and sent to the CCAA, so you should receive your travel notice in about 2 weeks. I apologize, we were under the impression that the Article 5’s would be processed in the typical timeframe, and they did not inform us otherwise until now. I will be calling when we receive your travel notice from China! I understand this is one of the most difficult parts of the wait because you are so, so close and just want to be there. Hang in there, and you will be traveling very soon!

I’m glad to hear you received Kelsey’s passport! Please send your Chinese entry visa applications and passports and fees directly to the courier service you choose to use. There are a few suggested in the attached instructions, but you can use any service (or a family member/friend you trust) to walk in to apply. I suggest you contact them to compare prices and get their specific instructions. You can either print the forms and write the information in or you can type it and print it.

Please let me know if you have any questions! Only a few more steps!
Best wishes,
Heidi

Baby steps...no more :)

It's THURSDAY! I opened my eyes at 4:17 am. I had to think hard on what day it was. All of a sudden.. I realize IT'S THURSDAY!UP I am !!!!

Today a major document ( our Article 5) is complete. Yesterday, my heart felt overwhelmed thinking of all the costs coming up. I have no anxiety for Lil.But all the costs - and everyday letters/emails stating "And don't forget- you need xxx amount for this, and that, etc" Then we get the mail- and some guardian angel(s) send us a check to put towards the adoption. It is a small portion compared to where we need to get.. but friends~ it was God whispering to me "My child, have I let you down yet??" So, I cast my worries... and celebrate one step closer. He moves mountains in so many unspoken ways!

So... the next step? IT'S OUR FINAL STEP ! They will be sending certified delivery of our travel date(s). The next step is the light at the end- knowing exactly when our little girl comes home. Some of you may remember my prayer from the beginning. Dear God- we just want her before her THIRD Birthday on Dec. 8th. Even when man told us it was impossible- we knew all things would be possible w/ God! Wooo hooo!!!

So... there is only one thing left to say...
MOVE THAT BUS!

We leave tomorrow for Chicago. 5 of the 7 of Bill's biological siblings will reunite. What a Blessing.... so many emotions running high in the Madsen household.
God IS GOOD :)

Have an awesome weekend :)

'Lil News Update...

One day, one moment in time can change soo much...

First bit of news, we now have a new traveler going to China with us. After many prayers, God clearly spoke to Bill and I on bringing Kelsey along. We called our case worker, social worker, emailed other families who traveled-- and every one of them gave us the major green light . It is truly an opportunity of a lifetime for all of us. So, off to the courthouse we went- expeditited the little girl's passport- and shared the news w/ her. Guess it was the right call when she stated , through tears, "This is the best day of my life!"

Secondly, some near and dear people to us have offered us the last $5000 in a loan (to be repaid when we are set) to give to Lilly's orphange . We were heavy hearted on how we could swing that along w/ the final costs of the adoption. Again, He moves mountains ... and He has. The donation is a requiremeet (does that qualify it has a "donation" ??)- not a generosity thing. We again have to say- what we felt was impossible- is possible with God. God is soo good.

We are now 5 weeks away ( say our hearts) from boarding that big plane and starting a new chapter in our book of life. Ohhh.. we are soo Blessed!

We await the 2 week requiremnt to receive our Article 5. Then the 3 of us apply for our China entry visa- and then... the travel date! All in Your time---- it is good.

Have a great weekend my friends! We love you!

Junk mail?

So, I get home and immediately send Kels to the mailbox. I prayed waaay too hard today for NO answers :) She comes in and says " We didn't get any mail today!" What?? Then my hubby gets home 2 hours later. He says "So, was that the letter we have been waiting for??" "What letter??" The one on the bed... he came home and got the mail today! And YES- it IS the letter. Little white envelope- looks like junk mail. In it is the letter stating we are requesting a VISA to bring Lil home. Woo hoo! Ya Hoo! So, I immediately call our adoption case worker- in which she says "Well, more than likely- you will be traveling in the next 6- 8 weeks. 6 weeks being more real . We WILL have the biggest, best 3rd Birthday for little Lil ( Dec 8).

So, you may ask... how are you feeling? Today... scared. Worried. Yikes?? Seriously?

That also means we have to come up w/ $5,000 to give to Lil's orphanage before we get her. THAT remains a big obstacle for us. We already have 2000 left for our adioption agency, and another 3000 for travel. OK... remember-- HE can move mountains! An extra prayer or 2 would be awesome!

Good time to pray hard and worry about nothing :) God is good!

Next update = Article 5 (???) issued in 2 weeks ! Yahooo to Article 5 (whatever that is???)

Have a great week!
Love ya's!!

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