"Crickets...."

That's all we seem to be hearing right now. I know several of you have been screaming for an update but there has been nothing to update. We have had our paperwork completed for over 1 month but we are STILL waiting on USCIS (a.k.a. immigration) to process our application. Unfortunately, we are not the only ones in this precarious and frustrating situation. Several families are in limbo due to USCIS. So, we wait, which is traditional with international adoption anyway, but we always hope our country isn't the reason we are waiting. I promise to let you know as soon as we have something new. We have been told an update will come as soon as we submit our dossier to China so we are at a standstill with that too, but we still pray our little man is safe and happy and that our Lord and Savior will continue to watch over him. Thanks for your prayers and support!

Sunday Snapshot {Sadness}

I did not plan to post this week. The computer was off and snuggling with hubby had commenced. It was then that I received a text from a dear friend and fellow student of Liberty University. The text was simple "Dr. Jones was killed this morning in a car accident with her son. They were hit by a drunk driver."

I sat for a minute...Dr. Jones...couldn't be THE DR. JONES?! You see, I was a doctoral student at Liberty University prior to all of the adoption journeys. Due to everything adopting an older child requires, I chose to stop for a while after taking my last class with Dr. Jones. I knew she would be disappointed, but once she found out my choice was based on faith, not the devil, she was totally supportive of my adoption and wanted me to make sure to finish when the time was right. I really hadn't thought about her in a while, but she is the one who pushed me out of my comfort zone and into the God Zone! She prayed - on her knees - at the beginning of every CLASS. This wasn't the privacy of her own home - this was a doctoral CLASS. Who does that? She made me uncomfortable. She made me cry. She made be see I had a choice to believe or to pretend I was still in control.

Our stories were similar in regard to our childhood and our trials and tibulations, but she had overcome all of that and had become this amazing woman who placed GOD at the forefront and center of everything. I truly believe that it was her faith that allowed me to have my faith. I know where she is...I have no doubt she is basking in the light of our Father along with her son. I have no doubt she is fine, but I am not... I realize even more now what an amazing woman and inspiration she was and will continue to be for all who knew her. I only wish we had more time, but I guess that is how it always is. I feel even worse that I had an email in March that I never responded to because I had stopped checking my school account. Ironically, she was asking me to pray for her because she was releasing a new devotional, her first. I did not pray for her then...but I am now. Dr. Jones, may you find the peace in our Savior that you tried so often to share with all of us. Your influence will forever be in my life. Amen

Where we are in the process....

Home study update - complete.

I800 A paperwork complete - should be mailed soon to USCIS with our home study update.

Dossier paperwork - we have all of it completed. All of the GA docs have been authenticated at the local level and should send to the state this week. One TN doc left to have authenticated at local and state level. After that we will send everything to the Chinese consulates to be authenticated there, then our dossier will be sent to China shortly after.

Things are moving along well and God is leading us closer to our little man! Thanks for all of your prayers and support.

S4 (for now)

A MUST READ in regards to Chinese adoption

http://chinaadoptiontalk.blogspot.com/2010/07/amy-eldridge-of-lwb-speaks.html

2nd Donation...

Just when we thought maybe we had misread God's plan...our neighbors, God love their precious 90+ souls, gave us a donation of $250!!! Although we are still miles away, and we know the stress - because we are human and have trouble with giving it fully to God 100% of the time - will continue. We have been reaffirmed in the plan He has for us.

We have also started our "Baby Bucket" which, in conjunction with our new monthly budget (cash only baby - no check cards), will be the gathering spot for all of our change at the end of each day. We saw this on a fellow blogger's website and thought it was a wonderful idea.

And, my boys...my precious boys have also started their own change fund for their little brother.

Stay tuned for future fundraising efforts including photography sessions for you local yocal readers and custom welding with a western style via my wonderful hubby. We are also investigating candle sales as well as flower bulbs to add to our product list. We will keep you updated. As always, prayers are welcome on this journey to our third son.

S4 (for now)

First donation...

We have received our first donation!!! Thanks Teresa!!! We are so blessed to have friends who want to support our journey any way they can. Can't donate? That's ok...prayer is even more useful. We are still raising funds to pay our first set of fees to our agency.

Please pray that God will continue to find ways to bless our lives. Scott has begun teaching night classes at a local college. This is a God send in itself as the college called him just after we received the 2nd adoption call from God.

Please pray that all of us will continue to be in good health, especially our youngest man who has limited care.

Pray that we continue to listen to God and follow is word no matter how difficult it can be.

Wordless Wednesday - Summer