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Updates
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August 17, 2011
Wow. I can’t believe I’m doing this. A year ago, I wasn’t sure if we would ever complete an adoption AT ALL, and so updating this site seemed like a futile, depressing endeavor.
HOWEVER…. God is Good!!!!!
If you’ve read our story and the updates, you know where our hearts were in 2005-2007-ish. But for the past couple of years, our family has been through some pretty serious trials. We began to doubt if the adoption would ever happen, because of the 5+ year wait, and because of the things we’d been through. Most of our difficulties stem from health issues, and we just weren’t sure that we would be able to care for a young child. But, again, God is good!! Kenneth and I are both much healthier than we have been in a long time, and things are looking up. :)
The long, long, long wait is finally drawing to a close. China is about to catch up with the dossiers logged in 2006, and we are getting closer and closer to a referral! It could be anywhere from 3-6 months or so, and we will see the face of our new daughter!! We are getting tremendously excited. We also have to do a lot of paperwork (again!) in order to prepare for finalizing the adoption. We will have a new home study completed, and then new immigration forms. Then some more waiting. (uuuugh!) I hope these last few months aren’t worse than the last 5 years!!!
As for our family, we are all doing well. Lauren is a sophomore in college, studying at a Christian college to become a Christian counselor. We are so proud of her life decisions. Matthew is a freshman in high school. They both continue to be so excited to have a little sister. Kenneth is now teaching middle school special needs classes, and Jami still teaches at a pre-k/K school, also teaching children with special needs. Our hair is considerably grayer, our bodies 5 years older – but our hearts still yearn for our daughter from China. We never stopped loving her from afar.
It is highly likely that she is born already…. And that she is just waiting for us to come get her! Please pray that she is well cared for, and that our road is kept smooth as we prepare to bring her home.
Love to all,
Jami
November 24, 2011
Today is Thanksgiving, 2011. What am I thankful for? I am oh, so thankful for my family, my church, my home, and my God. I am thankful that Kenneth and I are both employed. I am thankful for our health. But I think I am most grateful that our adoption journey is about to reach its intended destination. As of today, our progress toward bringing Savannah home is continuing to inch closer and closer to “Gotcha Day.” Currently, there are rumors among the China adoption online community that referrals have been made through August 7, 2006. That means that we only have 8 more LID days to go before receiving information about our own Savannah Grace! It could be that we receive our referral at the end of December, but most likely by the end of January. Either way, we are blessed!! This time next year, we will spend the holidays as a family of 5!
Speaking of Blessings, we have begun our first major fundraiser for our adoption expenses. Kenneth has compiled a cookbook entitled “Blessings.” It is a huge cookbook, filled with some new and some old favorite recipes. It also contains some interesting tidbits of information about China, adoption in general, and our own adoption journey. We would love for anyone who would like to participate to order a copy. The proceeds will help offset some of our travel expenses, and possibly help one or both of us have more days off from work to stay home with Savannah once we arrive back home. The cost of the book is $20, and there is a “buy now” button on the left side bar at http://livinglaughingloving.blogspot.com.
Perhaps the next time I update this site, there will be a photo of our baby! I can hardly wait. Please continue to pray for us. Pray that Savannah is being well cared for until we can do it ourselves. Pray that we are wise, and that our transition as a family will be smooth. Just pray!
Thanks so much,
Jami
December 2011 Update
Today is Friday, December 2, 2011. In one month, we will reach the 6th anniversary of the date that we entered Open Door Adoption Agency and placed our original application with them to adopt. Six years. SIX. I never dreamed in 2006 that it would have taken this long to complete this dream. But here we are, and God is still in control. He has taught us so much in the past 6 years, most of which simply points to the lesson entitled: Trust Me. So we do.
Referrals that were most recently sent from China included those who were logged in from August 3, 2006-August 7, 2006. We have 8 more LIDs to go to get to our own August 15, 2006. Lately, the monthly referral batches have included 5-6 LIDs, so if this trend continues, there will be another batch around the end of December that includes 5 or 6 days, which will take them to about August 12 or 13. So we hope to see our sweet Savannah's face around the end of January. HOWEVER...The CCCWA can be very unpredictable. Who knows when it will actually happen. Only God. Since 2006 we have prayed that our adoption will be completed in His time, and that His time will be perfect for our family. This is still our prayer.
IT'S TIIIIIIIIIMMMMMMMMMMMMEEEEEEEEEEE!!!
(January 18, 2011)AAAAAHHHHHH!!!! I can't believe it. I am finally writing those words. It's time!!! According to the online adoption community, China has finally sent referrals through our date - August 15, 2006. Currently, the information about our daughter is on its way to our agency. Now, the agency will have to wade through some paperwork, translation, etc., and they are saying we may not actually receive our referral for 10 days to 2 weeks from now. But that's okay! We know our day is IN!!!
I have two MAJOR prayer requests:
1. Pray that the remainder of the funds we need to complete this adoption will be there when we need it. Our expenses are turning out to be a lot more than we planned for. We are applying for several grants, so pray!!
2. Pray that our immigration paperwork is handled smoothly and quickly. We want to be paper-ready when it is time to go!!
Thanks to all who are reading this. We love you all!!!!! Pictures of our Savannah Grace will be posted as soon as possible!!!!!!!
Jami
February 1, 2012
Well, FINALLY. On January 23, 2012, we got our call. The call we'd waited for for 6 years. Our daughter is beautiful. We are in absolute awe of her beauty. She is a tiny little thing - or at least she was when her medical report was done. She was born on January 18, 2011. She weighed 6.1 pounds at birth, and was around 15 inches long. So petite! At her 3 month checkup,she weighed 11 pounds and was about 22 inches long. She seems to be very healthy!! We think she was found just outside the orphanage when she was one day old.
Currently, we are waiting on a fingerprint appointment with USCIS. We should get the document that tells us when our appointment has been scheduled for in the mail any day now. THEN, we wait some more on the I800A with the USCIS to be approved. That could take up to 90 days, but we've been told it probably won't take that long. Please pray for speed!! Once the I800A is approved, then we can apply for the regular I800. These important forms are the ones that the federal government requires in order for us to bring a foreign born child into the country.
IN THE MEANTIME...we are fundraising like crazy!! Kenneth compiled a cookbook a few months ago, and we got great response to the cookbook sales. We raised about $1500 with the cookbook. Thanks so much to everyone who bought one! We still have to have a few more printed in order to fill all the orders.
However, we are still lacking on all the funds we need to complete the adoption. We really, really don't want to have to borrow money to finish up. We are applying for several grants. In addition to the grant applications, we have started a very easy, pain free fundraiser. If you check out http://livinglaughingloving.blogspot.com, you will see a button on the top righthand side. It is a link to an online registry where we can accept cash donations.
We have a goal! Our goal is to find 500 families who will donate at least $20. If you've wandered here and would like to be a part of the "Bring Savannah Home" fundraiser, we would love to have you! If you have friends or family who have a heart for adoption, please share the link with them. 500 families is a lofty goal, but we hope to make it!
Please continue to pray for us and for Savannah. Thanks for visiting!!
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