Funding Green Light!

Well, the adoption account was emptied out last month and we were not sure where this month's expenses were going to come from, but the Lord has made a way! In order for us to send our dossier to China before the October deadline, we needed to have over $3000 in agency and filing fees. We are in the process of applying for grants, but that is a lengthy process and we have no idea how much, if any, funds we will receive. Scheduling other adoption fundraising events was proving difficult with the start of school, so when we got a credit card application in the mail promising no interest for 18 months, we were very hopeful. Many times these offers sound great, but have only a $500 credit limit, which wouldn't do much for us in this instance. But since we didn't have any better options, Jeff pursued it and found out that we were approved and that the limit was more than enough to cover this phase of expenses. This was the equivalent of securing a no-interest loan without collateral or closing costs! Now to complete our family photo scrapbook page this weekend and put the dossier in the mail on Monday--China or bust!

Dreams Becoming Reality!

Thrilled today to put my hands on a completed dossier with authentic Chinese certifications! Found out dossier filing fee has been reduced due to Isabella's special needs status. Instead of owing $3500, we only need $3100. I have $250 left in the adoption fund so we just need $2850. I hope to be able to send off the dossier packet by Friday. Since we are on the clock to get everything to China before September, we are considering "floating" the next round of expenses on a no-interest credit card offer until we can do more fundraising and apply for more adoption grants. We are so close that I feel as though we have made it over the hardest part and can sense that our hopes are becoming a reality. My heart melts looking into those big brown eyes, knowing that soon they'll be looking at me with the recognition that I am her "Momma!"

Approved!

Received our USCIS approval today! I'm off to the capital on Friday for the notary certifications. Then sending everything to DC for Chinese Embassy authentication before our dossier (fancy word for paperwork) is sent to China. Once approved there, we can start booking our travel! My mom may be coming with me to China. It is amazing how much you can "miss" a child that you have never even held in your arms. This process has been delayed for too long. I am ready to bring home my baby girl! Hoping for favor and speed with the remaining steps on this journey.

Memphis Fingerprinting--Mission Accomplished!

The fingerprinting trip to Memphis was an adventure to say the least! We outran the tornadoes to get to the hotel, endured the storms all night, then up early for the 8am appointment. On the way, I discovered that my license had expired the day before on my birthday and we had to show proof of ID to get in. I was all prepared to give a big sob story if they said anything, but favor was granted and we were admitted (only after Jeff returned his pocket knife to the car). The last few weeks I had given Jeff a hard time about how rough his hands were and that he needed to pamper them with lotion so that his fingerprints would be clear enough for the scans. When he went back with the agent she asks him if he is a construction worker when she examines his hands and is not sure she believes he is an Engineer! Despite the wear and tear on his hands, he has no problem with the printing. I, however, who use lotion quite frequently and do most of my work indoors, had to scan my prints 5 different times before one was clear enough to work! In spite of all the drama, we accomplished our mission! We hope to have our approval in the next week, then on the certification and authentication phase.

Next Step. . .Fingerprints!

We received our notice from USCIS that we are scheduled for fingerprinting on April 26th in Memphis. We also received instructions to start pampering our hands so that our prints are not compromised by cuts and blemishes. I will try to sneak a picture of Jeff wearing his nightly white glove treatment!

What Is Spina Bifida?

Before birth, while the spine is developing, one or more of the bones
of the back, called vertebrae, fail to develop properly leaving a gap
or split. The spinal cord pokes through this gap. It forms a bubble
or fluid-filled sack covered by a thin layer of skin. This spinal material
includes protective tissue, the meninges, that surrounds the spinal
cord. It also include cerebrospinal fluid which bathes and protects the
brain and spinal cord.

The type of Spina Bifida Isabella has is called lypomeningocele.
Lypomeningocele is a mild form of spina bifida. There is a
fatty tumor over the spine. There may not be much nerve
damage, but there may be urinary and bowel problems.

Third Day Adoption Video

This video brought me to tears! It is a beautiful expression of the adoption relationship both in the physical the spiritual. Take a peek into my heart. . .

INS Approval is in the Works!

We didn't have any partakers in the "Hairdos For Hui Qian" fundraiser, but God provided just enough for us to move forward. I cleaned out the adoption account today and scraped together the remainder to be able to pay for the INS application for Isabella. The processing can take anywhere from 20-60 days for approval. God is in control and He knows how long He has to come up with the rest of the money we need for the next phase of the adoption. It is out of our hands, for our hands are empty.

Hairdo's For Hui Qian!

If we can get our friends and family to commit to giving the amount of just 1 hairdo this month, then we will cover the cost of the next phase of our adoption of sweet Isabella (Hui Qian). The average cost of a complete hair salon service in Conway is $60. So if just 13 of our friends would forego 1 hairdo, we will be able to fund the INS application and fingerprinting. Pass it on! Thanks for your help!

Homestudy Approved!

We just got word from the agency that our homestudy has finally been approved! Next step is to apply for INS approval, which could take between 30-45 days. In the meantime, we will now be able to apply for various adoption grants and loan programs to help with the cost of the adoption. We may be taking slow baby steps, but we are steadily getting closer to bringing Isabella home! We'll keep you posted.

Exhale!

Great news, today! We got word that Isbella's file was, after much delay, approved by the CCAA and she is now officially available for us to adopt! After four months of holding my breath, now I can finally breathe! Please pray that things will go smoothly from here on out and we can make up for all the lost time. I am ready to bring my baby girl home!