Article 5

We got the official word, our article 5 was recieved yesterday! This just means travel approval is coming in just a couple weeks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ummmm we need to get visas.... Sooooooooooooooooooooooooo very excited!!!!! Now I must make a packing list... ok, what that really means is I have to consolidate all the small list I have everywhere, and make a master packing list!

Information, Accurate or just saving face?

Ok so we got a tiny update on Ariana, it included height, weight, head circumference, and chest circumference.  No shoe size, which we really need, or this poor baby will go barefoot until we can hit the local Walmart type store, and who knows what we will find there. :) Anyway I was trying to figure out what sizes she will wear by this information.  What I found was some of the measurements put her in a 4t, which is good because most of the clothes I bought are 4t, but some of the numbers don't make any sense at all.  So while searching and trying to figure it out I remembered an article I read recently.  It talks about Chinese culture, and how important it is to "save face".  Basically they don't want to be embarrassed in public, or seem they don't know things, so if asked a question to which they don't know the answer, they will make one up.  I read about families being led on wild goose chases by following directions from people on the street in China.  So each person they asked didn't really know the answer, and they made up directions.  This is so funny to me... I don't know why.  I guess I imagine some Lucy type comedy where she and Ethel are running in circles around a foreign country, while a little old Chinese man sits laughing at them as they pass by.  I know, the movies in my head are only amusing to me. Soooo... back to the point, I am now wondering if these numbers were given to "save face"?  She lives in a foster home so I know it isn't as easy to get her information.  I guess we will have to wait and see... waiting... is... not... something... I ... do... well .... grrrr... I guess God knew this about me and figured it would be a good life lesson. Ur... ummm... thanks God. 0:)

We are still waiting for the infamous TA or travel approval.  This part is so much harder than I imagined.  Like I just started the last month of pregnancy, and I know how long I have to wait, but I have no exact day yet,  I feel the nesting thing coming on.  I have to get her room completely ready... or I may go insane.  Ok so I exaggerate, but I am going nuts inside... I can't wait but I know I have to, and I can't rush it.  So I guess what I am saying is pray for my poor family because I may drive them crazy for the next month or so (any maybe for my readers, because I make no promises about the qualiy of posts you may see).

Brief update

I know it has been a little while since I posted. I am trying out posting from my email since I have learned u cannot access blogs in China. So we will see if this works. We have a little news, we did get our loan from Abba fund, and it is such a blessing. Although it is 6000 less than we need, it gets us so much closer. We have had some big struggles recently but I know God is writing a beautiful testimony for us to share. He has brought us so far and we are so close to her. Travel is predicted for September but we haven't received our travel papers yet. We should be getting them soon . Then the mad dash to get things done starts :).

Please pray that our travel approval comes through quickly, and that we can get the last 6000 together in time. Oh we also sent her care package which should have arrived by now and our fabulous adoption agency sent for an update. It could take a couple weeks but I cannot wait to hear more about her. Every tiny detail is beautiful to me, and they give me strength, I cannot wait to hold her... Until next time...

Me
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Status

Ok so we have now filed our I800a (permission for Ariana to enter the USA), her visa paperwork is done and paid for, and we have requested that our loan process be expedited.  The lady we spoke with was very kind and said she would make that request for us.  So prayerfully we will find out about our loan very soon!  Please keep praying that we get travel approval in July, this is very important.  Also keep praying that nothing will happen to slow this process any further, Ariana needs to be home with us, and learning language. :) It feels like we are getting so close.  We will be sending her a care package in the next few days, which is very exciting.  Thank you all again for praying and standing with us....

Needs and victory.

I sit here still in awe of God and His majesty.  A year ago we were unsure if we would even make it to this point, but we stepped out on faith and told God He would have to complete this journey.  We even had one very reputable agency tell us they couldn't help us.  My God knew exactly where my little girl was and what agency we need to use.  Today we have our LOA from China and very shortly we will recieve our travel papers.  I cannot believe how far we have come, and every single step of this journey was God.  He has provided everything we have needed, basically we filled out the paperwork and he did the rest :).  He has just reciently, shortened a process that "could have" taken 7 months into 1 (and a few days). We still have a couple huge needs, but I believe.... I believe.... I believe! Help us pray this process continues to go quickly and that every single need is met on the way.  Thank you so much for walking this journey beside us, for holding our hands and hearts, and for praying for us without ceasing.  We have been blessed with amazing people in our life. God thank you for surrounding us with such love! We still want to beat the August first deadline, for those who don't know China has changed some policies that will cost more money and years added to this porcess, so help us pray get get our travel papers in July.  Nothing is to hard for God.  For any of you that have been watching our journey from the begining, I made a challenge then in my very first blog post (you should go read it again). I believe God has called so many of you reading this to begin your own adoption journey.  I believe you have asked God to confirm it in your heart,  I believe our story, although not yet complete, is the confirmation you need. I believe that your heart has been stirred, and if you will allow Him God can you a miracle in your life too.  There are too many babies out there waiting for a loving home like yours.  My family is praying for you, for all those reading these words, that God will fan this desire into a roaring flame like He did ours... and that you too will catched the "Adoption Bug" and pass it to everyone you know. :)

We are approved!

WE JUST GOT OR APPROVAL FROM CHINA!!!!! We have an LOA!!!!!!! Thank you God, only you can turn a seven month period into a little over a month.

I lift my hands

Be still, there is a healer
His love is deeper than the sea
His mercy, it is unfailing
His arms are fortress for the weak

Let faith arise
Let faith arise

I lift my hands to believe again
You are my refuge, You are my strength
As I pour out my heart
These things, I remember
You are faithful, God, forever

Be still, there is a river
That flows from Calvary's tree
A fountain for the thirsty
Pure grace that washes over me

Let faith arise
Let faith arise

I lift my hands to believe again
You are my refuge, You are my strength
As I pour out my heart
These things, I remember
You are faithful, God, forever

I lift my hands to believe again
You are my refuge, You are my strength
As I pour out my heart
These things, I remember
You are faithful, God, forever

Let faith arise, let faith arise
Open my eyes, open my eyes
Let faith arise, let faith arise
Open my eyes, open my eyes

I lift my hands to believe again
You are my refuge, You are my strength
As I pour out my heart
These things, I remember
You are faithful, God, forever

And I lift my hands to believe again
You are my refuge, You are my strength
As I pour out my heart
These things, I remember
You are faithful, God
You are faithful, God, forever

Let faith arise
Let faith arise