Surprise, we finally received the LOA for Corban!!!! Our agency sent us an e-mail around noon stating they had unexpectedly received our LOA for Corban. I didn't see the email till almost 2pm, boy was I surprised and so very excited. Finally, tears of JOY!!!!
Only setback is Jason left town for business today. I will receive the LOA tomorrow and will have to hold onto it till Friday for Jason to sign when he returns. What's another day after waiting 3 months?
So excited to know that about 2 months from now I will finally board a plan bound for China to bring these precious boys home. I better start organizing, prepping the home front for my time away and gather everything I need to pack. Many checklists to get through between now and then.
PTL, God is so good!!!
Adoption is a faith journey, which consists of many heartbreaks, bountiful blessings, and so much joy!!!!
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Slight glimps of what it must be like...
when our adopted children meet us for the first time.
Immense Loss; Walk a Mile in Baby's Booties
Immense Loss; Walk a Mile in Baby's Booties
Imagine for a moment?
You have met the person you've dreamed about all your life. He has every quality that you desire in a spouse. You plan for the wedding, enjoying every free moment with your fiance. You love his touch, his smell, the way he looks into your eyes. For the first time in your life, you understand what is meant by "soul mate," for this person understands you in a way that no one else does. Your heart beats in rhythm with his. Your emotions are intimately tied to his every joy, his every sorrow.
The wedding comes. It is a happy celebration, but the best part is that you are finally the wife of this wonderful man. You fall asleep that night, exhausted from the day's events, but relaxed and joyful in the knowledge that you are next to the person who loves you more than anyone in the world?the person who will be with you for the rest of your life.
The next morning you wake up, nestled in your partner's arms. You open your eyes and immediately look for his face.
But IT'S NOT HIM! You are in the arms of another man. You recoil in horror. Who is this man? Where is your beloved?
You ask questions of the new man, but it quickly becomes apparent that he doesn't understand you. You search every room in the house, calling and calling for your husband. The new guy follows you around, trying to hug you, pat you on the back,...even trying to stroke your arm, acting like everything is okay.
But you know that nothing is okay. Your beloved is gone. Where is he? Will he return? When? What has happened to him?
Weeks pass. You cry and cry over the loss of your beloved. Sometimes you ache silently, in shock over what has happened. The new guy tries to comfort you. You appreciate his attempts, but he doesn't speak your language-either verbally or emotionally. He doesn't seem to realize the terrible thing that has happened...that your sweetheart is gone.
You find it difficult to sleep. The new guy tries to comfort you at bedtime with soft words and gentle touches, but you avoid him, preferring to sleep alone, away from him and any intimate words or contact.
Months later, you still ache for your beloved, but gradually you are learning to trust this new guy. He's finally learned that you like your coffee black, not doctored up with cream and sugar. Although you still don't understand his bedtime songs, you like the lilt of his voice and take some comfort in it.
More time passes. One morning, you wake up to find a full suitcase sitting next to the front door. You try to ask him about it, but he just takes you by the hand and leads you to the car. You drive and drive and drive. Nothing is familiar. Where are you? Where is he taking you?
You pull up to a large building. He leads you to an elevator and up to a room filled with people. Many are crying. Some are ecstatic with joy. You are confused. And worried.
The man leads you over to the corner. Another man opens his arms and sweeps you up in an embrace. He rubs your back and kisses your cheeks, obviously thrilled to see you.
You are anything but thrilled to see him. Who in the world is he? Where is your beloved? You reach for the man who brought you, but he just smiles (although he seems to be tearing up, which concerns you), pats you on the back, and puts your hand in the hands of the new guy. The new guy picks up your suitcase and leads you to the door. The familiar face starts openly crying, waving and waving as the elevator doors close on you and the new guy.
The new guy drives you to an airport and you follow him, not knowing what else to do. Sometimes you cry, but then the new guy tries to make you smile, so you grin back, wanting to "get along." You board a plane. The flight is long. You sleep a lot, wanting to mentally escape from the situation.
Hours later, the plane touches down. The new guy is very excited and leads you into the airport where dozens of people are there to greet you. Light bulbs flash as your photo is taken again and again. The new guy takes you to another guy who hugs you. Who is this one? You smile at him. Then you are taken to another man who pats your back and kisses your cheek. Then yet another fellow gives you a big hug and messes your hair.
Finally, someone (which guy is this?) pulls you into his arms with the biggest hug you've ever had. He kisses you all over your cheeks and croons to you in some language you've never heard before.
He leads you to a car and drives you to another location. Everything here looks different. The climate is not what you're used to. The smells are strange. Nothing tastes familiar, except for the black coffee. You wonder if someone told him that you like your coffee black.
You find it nearly impossible to sleep. Sometimes you lie in bed for hours, staring into the blackness, furious with your husband for leaving you, yet aching from the loss. The new guy checks on you. He seems concerned and tries to comfort you with soft words and a mug of warm milk. You turn away, pretending to go to sleep.
People come to the house. You can feel the anxiety start to bubble over as you look into the faces of all the new people. You tightly grasp the new guy's hand. He pulls you closer. People smile and nudge one other, marveling at how quickly you've fallen in love. Strangers reach for you, wanting to be a part of the happiness.
Each time a man hugs you, you wonder if he will be the one to take you away. Just in case, you keep your suitcase packed and ready. Although the man at this house is nice and you're hanging on for dear life, you've learned from experience that men come and go, so you just wait in expectation for the next one to come along.
Each morning, the new guy hands you a cup of coffee and looks at you expectantly. A couple of times the pain and anger for your husband is so great that you lash out, sending hot coffee across the room, causing the new guy to yelp in pain. He just looks at you, bewildered. But most of the time you calmly take the cup. You give him a smile. And wait. And wait. And wait.
--Written by Cynthia Hockman-Chupp, analogy courtesy of Dr. Kali Miller
You have met the person you've dreamed about all your life. He has every quality that you desire in a spouse. You plan for the wedding, enjoying every free moment with your fiance. You love his touch, his smell, the way he looks into your eyes. For the first time in your life, you understand what is meant by "soul mate," for this person understands you in a way that no one else does. Your heart beats in rhythm with his. Your emotions are intimately tied to his every joy, his every sorrow.
The wedding comes. It is a happy celebration, but the best part is that you are finally the wife of this wonderful man. You fall asleep that night, exhausted from the day's events, but relaxed and joyful in the knowledge that you are next to the person who loves you more than anyone in the world?the person who will be with you for the rest of your life.
The next morning you wake up, nestled in your partner's arms. You open your eyes and immediately look for his face.
But IT'S NOT HIM! You are in the arms of another man. You recoil in horror. Who is this man? Where is your beloved?
You ask questions of the new man, but it quickly becomes apparent that he doesn't understand you. You search every room in the house, calling and calling for your husband. The new guy follows you around, trying to hug you, pat you on the back,...even trying to stroke your arm, acting like everything is okay.
But you know that nothing is okay. Your beloved is gone. Where is he? Will he return? When? What has happened to him?
Weeks pass. You cry and cry over the loss of your beloved. Sometimes you ache silently, in shock over what has happened. The new guy tries to comfort you. You appreciate his attempts, but he doesn't speak your language-either verbally or emotionally. He doesn't seem to realize the terrible thing that has happened...that your sweetheart is gone.
You find it difficult to sleep. The new guy tries to comfort you at bedtime with soft words and gentle touches, but you avoid him, preferring to sleep alone, away from him and any intimate words or contact.
Months later, you still ache for your beloved, but gradually you are learning to trust this new guy. He's finally learned that you like your coffee black, not doctored up with cream and sugar. Although you still don't understand his bedtime songs, you like the lilt of his voice and take some comfort in it.
More time passes. One morning, you wake up to find a full suitcase sitting next to the front door. You try to ask him about it, but he just takes you by the hand and leads you to the car. You drive and drive and drive. Nothing is familiar. Where are you? Where is he taking you?
You pull up to a large building. He leads you to an elevator and up to a room filled with people. Many are crying. Some are ecstatic with joy. You are confused. And worried.
The man leads you over to the corner. Another man opens his arms and sweeps you up in an embrace. He rubs your back and kisses your cheeks, obviously thrilled to see you.
You are anything but thrilled to see him. Who in the world is he? Where is your beloved? You reach for the man who brought you, but he just smiles (although he seems to be tearing up, which concerns you), pats you on the back, and puts your hand in the hands of the new guy. The new guy picks up your suitcase and leads you to the door. The familiar face starts openly crying, waving and waving as the elevator doors close on you and the new guy.
The new guy drives you to an airport and you follow him, not knowing what else to do. Sometimes you cry, but then the new guy tries to make you smile, so you grin back, wanting to "get along." You board a plane. The flight is long. You sleep a lot, wanting to mentally escape from the situation.
Hours later, the plane touches down. The new guy is very excited and leads you into the airport where dozens of people are there to greet you. Light bulbs flash as your photo is taken again and again. The new guy takes you to another guy who hugs you. Who is this one? You smile at him. Then you are taken to another man who pats your back and kisses your cheek. Then yet another fellow gives you a big hug and messes your hair.
Finally, someone (which guy is this?) pulls you into his arms with the biggest hug you've ever had. He kisses you all over your cheeks and croons to you in some language you've never heard before.
He leads you to a car and drives you to another location. Everything here looks different. The climate is not what you're used to. The smells are strange. Nothing tastes familiar, except for the black coffee. You wonder if someone told him that you like your coffee black.
You find it nearly impossible to sleep. Sometimes you lie in bed for hours, staring into the blackness, furious with your husband for leaving you, yet aching from the loss. The new guy checks on you. He seems concerned and tries to comfort you with soft words and a mug of warm milk. You turn away, pretending to go to sleep.
People come to the house. You can feel the anxiety start to bubble over as you look into the faces of all the new people. You tightly grasp the new guy's hand. He pulls you closer. People smile and nudge one other, marveling at how quickly you've fallen in love. Strangers reach for you, wanting to be a part of the happiness.
Each time a man hugs you, you wonder if he will be the one to take you away. Just in case, you keep your suitcase packed and ready. Although the man at this house is nice and you're hanging on for dear life, you've learned from experience that men come and go, so you just wait in expectation for the next one to come along.
Each morning, the new guy hands you a cup of coffee and looks at you expectantly. A couple of times the pain and anger for your husband is so great that you lash out, sending hot coffee across the room, causing the new guy to yelp in pain. He just looks at you, bewildered. But most of the time you calmly take the cup. You give him a smile. And wait. And wait. And wait.
--Written by Cynthia Hockman-Chupp, analogy courtesy of Dr. Kali Miller
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Another step closer & Day 84
We received our NVC letter via email today stating that notice of US Visa approval has been sent on to the consulate in China. Our agency will have our documents dropped off to the consulate for the final step of "paperwork", the Article 5 letter. Once that is issued we wait for approval from China to travel. The hitch is, we also have to wait for Corban's paperwork to go through all these steps and we haven't even received our approval to begin these steps. We are on day 84 of waiting for this approval.
I'm praying we hear good news today though it has been silent, as far as approvals go, so far this week.
I'm praying we hear good news today though it has been silent, as far as approvals go, so far this week.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
I-800 Provisional Approval for Tegan
We have received our I-800 provisional approval for Tegan dated 8/8/11!!! On to the next step, NVC approval. Should receive the official NVC letter next week. One more step after that and we are on to waiting for travel approval. We are getting there, ever so slowly.
Praying Corban's LOA comes soon so we can get these brothers caught up to each other and bring them home. All in Your time Lord, I know.
Praying Corban's LOA comes soon so we can get these brothers caught up to each other and bring them home. All in Your time Lord, I know.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Update on Noel
Other news from our agency today is that "… It does look like things are no longer touch and go…" regarding Noel. I am elated yet heartboken over this news. She is listed on the shared list; therefore, we pray that she is united with a forever family.
Making progress...
Learned from the agency today that Corban's file is now "in process". We should receive LOA in the next week or so. Praying that is the case! Progress is being made, yay!
Monday, August 8, 2011
Day 17 & Day 74 - Waiting stinks
No real news, we are on day 17 of our wait for Tegan's official US immigration approval. We should have it soon because imaptient me sent an email on Friday to check on it. I received an email back stating it is on our officer's desk so approval notice should come soon!!! PTL!!!
As for Corban, we are on day 74 of our wait for official approval from China. Average wait is about 60 days right now so I guess we got lucky with Tegan's only taking 55 days. Now we get the other end of the spectrum with Corban. I asked our agency about the status of Corban's file and they said China has not reviewed it yet but once his status changes to "in progress" they would let me know and it shouldn't be long after that. We will wait to see if we get notice of the change. Notice of LOA would be even better!
If we would get Corban's approval soon I would speculate to leave the end of October to bring the boys home but if it takes much longer than that it'll be November - praying we don't have to push it off even more. I want to be there and back before Thanksgiving but that appears to be iffy at this point.
Please Lord move Corban's paperwork along so we can get these precious boys home. They need the love of a family and the sooner the better!
As for Corban, we are on day 74 of our wait for official approval from China. Average wait is about 60 days right now so I guess we got lucky with Tegan's only taking 55 days. Now we get the other end of the spectrum with Corban. I asked our agency about the status of Corban's file and they said China has not reviewed it yet but once his status changes to "in progress" they would let me know and it shouldn't be long after that. We will wait to see if we get notice of the change. Notice of LOA would be even better!
If we would get Corban's approval soon I would speculate to leave the end of October to bring the boys home but if it takes much longer than that it'll be November - praying we don't have to push it off even more. I want to be there and back before Thanksgiving but that appears to be iffy at this point.
Please Lord move Corban's paperwork along so we can get these precious boys home. They need the love of a family and the sooner the better!
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