There has been no more news regarding the adoption but I wanted to post an update on our preparations. We had previously finished painting and putting together Madelyn's bedroom. However, there was one thing that I wanted to do before I considered this project complete - and that was have her name painted on the wall above her bed. This may not sound like a huge "event" but each item purchased, each preparation completed is a big deal and is done with much love and family involvement.

This weekend my sister and my niece, Jena came from Texas to help with this project, as they are the artists of the family. I had purchased some letter stencils in the size and design that I wanted as well as some paint. Jena not only did a fantastic job of stenciling her name on the wall she went the extra step and painted some pretties as well. Jena is so talented, artistically she did not need a stencil for those, as I would have, she just free-handed the extras.... The finished product was more than I had hoped it would be!

When I think about all that went into putting her room together, it was truly a family affair. Elizabeth selected the bedding and the wall color. Suzanne, my sister-in-law, Lizzy and I painted the room. The pictures that now hang on the wall of her beautiful bedroom were painted by Lizzy in the 3rd grade and match so perfectly, as if they were painted specifically to match. Lastly, the beautiful wall decorations were done by my sister and neice.

I feel so blessed to have such an involved family. It is good to be surrounded by those that have the same level of excitement as we do.

Waiting..... blindly.....

Today is like every other day although each day is now viewed differently than before this adoption process. I am having more than a difficult day today with waiting. The wait seems endless and yet I think I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I was able to accomplish something that was positive but it made me all the more sad. Let me explain. In this process, our adoption agency recommends that we put together a family photo album and include photos of ourselves, extended family members, friends, pets and photos of her room/house/yard. I put together a beautiful little pink photo album with some of the best pictures of our family and was even able to include a photo of her finished room that is waiting for her. I also had to include captions of who was in the photo IN CHINESE. This was a fun project as we all got to see how our names looked in chinese. We were also able to include a letter to the orphanage and Madelyn, which we again had to translate. This was definitely out of my realm of capability and had to send the letter to a translator via the internet. I sent the package which included both the photo album and letter today. I hope that she will receive it soon and her caregivers will be diligent about showing her our pictures everyday to prepare her for us. It's great that we can reach out to her this way but I would prefer to skip the wait and be in China with her right now instead of those pictures.

While we wait for China's approval, there is no one we can call, no website we can visit that will provide us any type of information on the status of our file. We just wait.... blindly.....

Although I can say that God has someone in our lives that has a close friend that lives in Shanghai, China that has agreed to reach out to the Orphanage and possibly visit Madelyn and take some pictures for us. I am holding my breath that this endeavor actually comes to fruition. I would love to have some updated photos of her. I will keep you posted and hopefully be posting some new pictures of our little girl soon.

LOG IN DATE - One step closer

Well we have reached another milestone in our journey to Madelyn. For those of you who are not familiar with the China Adoption Process - I will explain the meaning of this latest hurdle. In my last post we were finally able to send our completed Dossier to China. Sending the Dossier to China (CCAA) is one thing, however the most important part of this process is the Log In Date (LID). Sometimes this can take many weeks and until they log your documents into their system the Adoption is at a complete stand still.

We have a LOG IN DATE OF AUGUST 5, 2009!!!!! Just 5 days after it was sent to China. God's hands are definitely intertwined in this process and taking hold. We still must wait - but we are encouraged and we know that GOD is listening to our prayers for expediency. Please continue to pray for both the efficiency of the CCAA staff processing our Dossier and the speed in which they do so. Also, please pray for Madelyn as she prepares for this big transition in her life and and her continued health and safety.

In all of this we know that God is preparing us, molding us and teaching us things that we need to know. For me, Patience seems to be my biggest learning opportunity. I can see that I am growing in the Lord every day.

Good Morning Friends and Family,

I wanted to touch base with all of you and give an update on the progress of the adoption. Since my last email lots of paperwork has been filled out and I mean LOTS! More importantly, we have received our approval from Immigration. This approval was given in record time – 31 days from the time USCIS received the paperwork to approval. There are many more hurdles that we must get over before actually receiving our Travel Dates to China, and I won’t bog you down with all of the details, but we are well on our way. Today, July 31st, our Dossier (packet of approved, certified and authenticated paperwork) is being sent to the Chinese Adoption Authority for approval. This approval is the big one and how quickly it is given will determine how quickly we get our baby girl. The CCAA is historically known for taking a long time to issue approvals – so I am asking that today, as our documents make their way to someone in China at the CCAA, that you pray specifically for the efficiency of the person and/or persons that will receive them and for a speedy approval. Our God can move mountains and I know that through prayer we can again have an approval given in record time.

Since my last email, lots of things have happened in preparing for Madelyn’s homecoming. As many of you know, Keith and I have not had babies or toddlers in many years, so we are starting from scratch. We have purchased a beautiful baby bed, bedding and have painted her room pink. We still have some more things to do to prepare her room but it is moving along. We have bought a few other items, such as sippy cups and clothing items. We have a long way to go to be fully prepared but we are working on it and having a lot of fun doing it. Wow- have things changed and technology improved since our kids were little. I think you now need a PhD to operate one of those new and improved strollers – LOL.

I would like to ask that you continue to pray for our family as we journey through this process. I have had much time to think and prepare myself for Madelyn’s arrival. In praying for her every day, I ask GOD to prepare her for this big transition and remove any fear she may have when she meets us. Please make this your prayer as well.

Again, I want to thank you all for your continued prayers and support! I love you. I will keep you posted as we reach each milestone….