Updates

I posted on Facebook but didn't update this blog. Sowwy!  I seem to be saying this at the beginning of all my posts.  :(   Anywho...  December has been a whirlwind for us, my last post was on the 9th, since then so much has happened.  We received our TA (travel approval) for Elijah on the 9th and then waited and waited for Eva's LOA.  We got a early Christmas gift when we received word that her LOA (final approval to adopt her from China)  was showing in the system on Dec 19th.... YAY! Hard copy was receive by Dec 23, and overnighted to us.  We were ready and sent off her i800 paperwork that same day... it was received Dec 26 at the lockbox, but we still haven't gotten the confirmation text or email.  We included a plea to process her paperwork quickly due to Elijah's TA already being issued and rushing to get hers before we need an extension.  We also included an adorable photo of her to tug at their hearts :). We will see if it helped very soon, it normally takes 10-14 days to get to our officer who is aware of our situation and has promised to get it out as soon as he gets it.  Say a prayer for speedy paperwork processing!  Then we wait to get our GUZ number and PDF from the US government so we can have our Article 5 dropped off in Ch*na.  That process takes about 2 weeks as well, but January has Chinese New Year which could delay us a bit if we don't beat it.  Then Article 5 is picked up and TA wait begins (again another 2 weeks or so).  Once all of that is done we can request a US Consulate appointment and then travel is scheduled, flights are booked and we have a flurry of activity to get there!

Now... I have some specific prayer requests.

1) We still need over 24 thousand dollars and aren't sure where it is going to come from. 
2) We need help, we have used up most of our fund raising ideas, and haven't had a lot of success.  
     We have a couple ideas but need a place to promote them.
3) Please begin to pray for health and safety on our trip for our whole family. 
4) I am trying to get fit (as fit as I can before we go) we cannot use any money for this due to the
     adoption cost so I need to be creative.
5) Please pray for our children in China, that they have a smooth transition, that it will be easy for
      them and that they will feel our love and Gods love comforting them during a scary time.
6) Pray for their health, and especially for Eva's.  We received a newsletter from our agency and part
     of it shared about the great need for basic necessities, please pray God be her provider, that she
     have enough to eat and that she stay healthy. 
7) Pray for our family as we transition into a new church and a new body,  we believe God has led us
     here, to a place where He has placed others with a common heart for orphans.  We want
     desperately to do all we can for these precious little ones everywhere. Pray for direction and peace
     for a quick transition, and for healing for our hearts.  Please pray for Ariana, that her needs will be
     met and she will adjust well.

I want to say thank you to Jason and Merissa Yusko,  you have been such a blessing to us,  thank you for all you have and are doing to help bring our babies home.  your love. kindness and friendship is priceless to us and it means more than you will ever know.  Also thank you to everyone who has given to their fund raising efforts for our family,  we do not take one dollar for granted.  We are blessed beyond words by your generosity.  I love you all.

If I am saying thank you, I must include the most important one of all.  Thank you God for being faithful, for meeting every need as it arises and for loving us and these babies you have led us to more than we could ever deserve.  I love you always.

Kathy