He knows the plans He has for you!

October 28, 2005 we began the process to adopt from China!

It's amazing to realize that five years has gone by since we applied to AWAA and began the process to adopt Marisa.  So much has happened since then.  Most notably, we went to Rwanda and adopted Kieran!  God knows the end from the beginning.  He put us on the path to China knowing that it would also lead to Rwanda.  One of our favorite verses is: " 'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you. plans to give you hope and a future.' " Jeremiah 29:11 There are always going to be things in this life that don't make sense.  Trust God that He will bring good out of the hard things.  Waiting five years was hard.  God has done a lot of character building in us during that time.  He's also blessed us with a son.  We are so grateful for God's timing and His blessings.  

October 2010.  Older and maybe a little wiser.   

Finally!

We've been waiting for an approval from the USCIS to arrive in the mail.  It came today!  Now our case is being sent to the next government agency for review and approval.  Then they will send our approval on to China.  After that, we get approval from China to travel.  It's complicated.  Simply put, 7 to 13 weeks from now, we should be getting on a plane to China!  Getting one step closer to that end goal is so encouraging. We went out to dinner tonight to celebrate.

Enjoying the beauty of fall

I told him to crack up for the picture, and he did!

Our backyard colors...I love this time of year!

Kieran and Mommy had fun playing in the leaves today.

What's new with you?

I've been feeding the ducks and geese

with Mom

and Dad

while we wait for my sister to come home.

What's happening?

Everyone is eager to know what's happening with our adoption.  Paperwork... lots of it.  I've been compiling packets of paper, signing forms, paying fees, and shipping things to various agencies ever since the referral arrived.  Just when I think I've finished the last round of paperwork, there's more to do and I start all over again.  I have already been to the UPS store three different times and spent about $80, and I'm going back tomorrow with another set of vital documents to send off.

Meanwhile, the main document we are waiting on is from the US customs and immigration office.  Once they approve our paperwork, they send it on to another office.  That office sends it to a third office in China.  Communication between all these organizations has to be finished properly in order for us to get travel approval.  We've done everything on our end as quickly as possible.  Now, we just wait and pray that they will have a similar sense of urgency to get our forms completed.

Boring news, but now you all know why I haven't been posting much lately.  I'm too busy running around making copies and visiting UPS.  We've been told we'll travel in about 14 weeks.  That means we'll most likely be going to China in January.  Honestly, I'm praying for December.  I'll close with a verse that God has encouraged me with since 2005 concerning our China adoption: "But these things I plan won't happen right away.  Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled.  If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass.  Just be patient!  They will not be overdue a single day!"  Habakkuk 2:3 (TLB)

Marisa LiAnn, you are loved!

Our boy turns 3!

We started the day with pumpkin pancakes that Mommy & Kieran made together.

Daddy surprised us and came home early from work.  We all went to the pumpkin patch together.

Kieran & Mommy rode on a tractor ride.  Brutal on the backside!

We went on a hay bale ride too, narrowly missing pumpkins as we rode through the patch.

There was also a petting zoo there.  These piggies were too cute!

Our boy is getting so big!  He's very pleased to be three now.

So far, we've had a great day celebrating Kieran's birthday.  It's been so fun to observe his enthusiasm throughout the day.  He really understands birthdays this year which makes it so special for all of us.  He woke up at six a.m. too excited to sleep anymore.  He opened his first gifts, clothes from Grandma & Grandpa, at 7:30!  We still have more festivities this evening with some family coming to join us for dinner, cupcakes, ice cream, and more presents.