LOA misplaced at CCAA

After learning that my dear friend Kim who received her LOA on 8/11 got TA today (YEAH!), I knew for a fact that something was wrong with our case so I called our agency. I was told that they just found out this morning that our LOA had been "misplaced" at the CCAA. It has been on the wrong desk. The story goes that the LOA is now in the right place and should be processed soon.

I am struggling to understand but just realized as I am typing that we do not always understand God's plan, yet we still have to trust and cling to Him. I started reading the book of Job yesterday because I feel as though I really am being tested by Satan. Yes, I trust God when all is well in my life, but have I truly been trusting Him during this most difficult adoption journey? Probably not. Have I asked "why"? You bet! Have I felt forgotten and forsaken by my God? Yes. Have I been angry at God for allowing our adoption journey to be plagued with setbacks while I have watched other families breeze through? Yes, probably so. However, through all of this, I do know beyond any doubt that I am a daughter of the King and that He loves me. I do know that His plan is perfect although it can be mighty painful along the way. I do know that if it weren't for valleys like these, I would not cling to Him so tightly. I do know that there is a mountain after this valley.

Praying for His peace to surround me and for Him to sustain me through it all!

Remembering Summer

It is hard to believe that tomorrow is the first of September and that fall will soon be here. We have had an action packed summer with baseball, a camping trip, VBS, sewing camp, drama camp, science camp, a beach trip, and lots more fun. Instead of focusing on the fact that we are still waiting on TA after 5 1/2 weeks, that we will most certainly miss Ellie's 2nd birthday, and that consulate appointments are now booking into October, I will for now focus on the terrific summer we have had. The following is just a glimpse of all the special times we shared as a family. Enjoy the pictures and please keep praying for God's perfect timing of our TA and for all of us to rest in His plan.



For now we only have Ellie's picture to hold, but we pray that soon, very soon, she will be here with us to make more wonderful memories! I found the children in our den holding Ellie's picture and taking pictures of themselves. Too cute. We all want her home- to hold and to love.

Silliness at home when it was TOO hot to go outside and play. What a hoot these boys are!

Lilly loves gum and ice cream and had plenty of both this summer. Note the wad of gum in front.

Fun in the sun during our annual beach trip. Lilly loved the ocean this year and the birds. This year was extra special because we had friends from home there the same week as us so we got to spend time with them as well, and our LOA came on the last day.

We had a garage sale in July in hopes of getting rid of some of our junk and making a little spending money for our trip to China. The children sold lemonade and cookies to raise more money for Ellie's orphanage. It was hot, but fun and successful!

June 30, we started school in anticipation of Ellie's arrival. We wanted to have several weeks to get to know her without bothering with school. Who knew we would have SO much time. We will have already completed more than one third of the year by the time we get her home. Photo Hint: The number of fingers corresponds to grade level.

Hanging out at home with Wags, our sweet lab. Lilly loves animals. Despite the extremely hot weather, we had fun just playing outside on many days.

Baseball- Fulton enjoyed his second year and improved quite a bit. Lilly was his biggest fan- the candy from the canteen was an added bonus.

Our family's first camping experience - well actually we were in a cabin, but it was a rustic cabin.

We all had fun playing in the very cool water, hiking, and fishing. Shelby caught the only fish!

The TA Wait Continues

This is how I feel yet again during this adoption journey. Today marks 4 weeks since we received LOA and yet we still wait. I can not fathom why we do not have TA because the CCAA is working. People are receiving LOAs and TAs - just not us! Many 7/24 LOAs have received TAs and now even 7/31 LOAs have started getting their TAs as well. Our agency is asking the CCAA about our case, but the "TA lady" is out now until Monday so we won't know anymore until then. I had so hoped to have Ellie with us for her 2nd birthday, but that is not likely to happen now. Consulate appointments are really booking up for September. What can a mommy do but cry and pray?

"He will keep in perfect peace all those who trust in Him." Isaiah 26:3

I have been reciting that verse over and over because I am in desperate need of His peace. I have been so burdened by this wait, and I have not surrendered it to Him as I should have.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, (That's me!!) and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28

"All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." Psalms 139: 16b
I know that God is sovereign, and that He has obviously chosen not to bring us to Ellie until later, but it is still extremely difficult for me to accept.

I'll make it with His help: "I lift my eyes to the hills- where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth." Psalms 121:1-2

Thanks for your prayers and support!

An update on Ellie and Lilly

We received a brief update on Ellie today. Our dear friend who has contacts in China was able to find out that Ellie has been released from the hospital and was "healthy". We assume she had her lip repair surgery and is recovering with her foster family. Thank you so much for praying for her. I have had an amazing sense of peace while waiting and wondering about Ellie, her surgery, and her recovery, and I am so thankful for that.

No word on TA, but we are hoping and praying that it may come later this week. This Thursday marks 3 weeks since we received LOA. TA usually comes 2 to 4 weeks after LOA. Of course, that timeline does not factor in the Olympics.

Lilly's New Bed
We decided a few weeks ago that it would likely be a wise decision to move Lilly into Katie's room so that we would not have 2 toddlers attempting to co-sleep. Katie has always wanted to share a room with a sister, and she was so excited to learn that we had decided to let Lilly sleep in her room. After we received LOA, we purchased a toddler bed and moved some of Lilly's books and stuffed animals into Katie's room. We purchased a Princess sheet which Lilly loves, and it has been remarkably easy so far.

Katie and Lilly both love sharing sleeping quarters! Katie is such a wonderful big sister and has welcomed Lilly into her room. They have so much fun together before falling asleep! We plan for this to be a temporary arrangement until Lilly and Ellie are a little older. Then Lilly will move back to "Ellie's room" as she now calls her room. She only sleeps in Katie's room, but I guess that is just too confusing for her. Hey, it's working and that's what counts!

Lilly's Prayer for Ellie

Our family talks about Ellie often and of course we remember her in every family prayer. Well, just a week or so ago, Lilly prayed her first very own prayer from her heart. She put her hands together, bowed her little head, and squeezed her eyes shut and then she quickly said "Dear God, Ellie. Amen." Very simple but oh so precious! She now says this sweet prayer at least once a day.


A friend invited me to join her in a smocking class several years ago when Ethan was only a baby. Since then, I have managed to find the time to smock each child one special outfit. This is Ellie's dress. For some reason, I think purple is her color, and I am really pleased the way it turned out. Lilly wore the dress I smocked for her as her "Coming Home" dress, and I plan for Ellie to do the same. I can't wait to see it on her!

I have finally done a little shopping for Ellie. My friend Kim and I managed to get away for an evening when we were both still fretting over our LOAs. We had a great time and found some cute outfits for Ellie, Lilly, and her Cate. Lilly is still in a 2T primarily although she can still wear a 12 months in the waist for shorts but in long pants of course the length is too short. I purchased 2Ts for Lilly and 24 months for Ellie. I hope that's right!

We have not heard anymore on Ellie's surgery. We assume that she has probably had it by now. Please continue to pray for her recovery and healing. Also please pray that the Lord would prepare her heart to love us and trust us as her parents. Although we have loved her and longed for her for 10 months, she has not had those same feelings for us. We sent a care package with a picture album in it back in Feb. It was given to the orphanage director (thanks Becky!), but we do not know if or when it was given to Ellie. Kunming SWI is known for not giving the children the care packages until right before they are adopted. We know the transition may be difficult for her and so we also are praying for wisdom for us on how to handle her grief and that we will all be patient and compassionate with her. We'll post as soon as we hear an update.

Update on Ellie

I was hoping that the above "Super Heroes" might could fly to China and check on Ellie for us and perhaps even bring her home!!! They are really cute, but they can't fly! Since that idea didn't work, I'll share what I have learned about Ellie from a very special friend.

As of yesterday, Ellie still had not had surgery. She is still in the hospital awaiting surgery to repair her cleft lip. It seems in China that it is customary to check into the hospital and then meet with the doctor and wait for surgery. Definitely not the American way! She is being well cared for, and we are so grateful to have that knowledge.

Our LOA was finally mailed back today which was 2 days longer than necessary in my opinion, but it is now on its way to the CCAA. Now we wait for TA and then we schedule our flights and go get our girl! It certainly looks like it will be September 5 at the earliest and with the Olympics, that could cause us to be delayed another week or two. Praying hard to have her in our arms for her birthday- Sept. 20!

Thanks for praying for Ellie.

Ellie is Having Lip Surgery Now

We were informed this morning that Ellie is in a hospital now in China and is having her cleft lip repaired. We are relieved in some sense, but we are also concerned for her. We specifically ask you to take a moment and pray for her surgeon- that God would guide his hands as he operates on our daughter. Also please pray for Ellie's pain to be managed well, and that her surgical site would be well cared for after she is released from the hospital and would remain free of infection.

It's difficult to imagine her there hurting without us. We hope that her foster mom can be with her, but of course we have no idea who is with her. Surely someone is. I can not bring myself to even think of her being there alone.

Our God is the Great Physician and a God of comfort to those in need, and we trust now that His will is being done for Ellie and that He will bring her (and us) through this. Thanks for praying yet again!

LOA Today!

No doubt about it, we were all ecstatic to get the call today informing us that our much- wanted and much- delayed LOA was here! We were actually wrapping up our annual week at our favorite beach when we got the call. Boy, did we have yelling and jumping and all kinds of displays of pure joy and happiness from each of us! Lots of praises were lifted up to our Heavenly Father for providing our LOA and for sustaining us during the arduous wait. We are heading out for ice cream for supper- not after supper- tomorrow night to celebrate.

Thank you to our many friends and family who have prayed for and with us during these last several months as the wait dragged on and on and on. (108 days to be exact!) We are so excited to be that much closer to meeting Ellie and giving her the love that has been growing in her hearts since October when we first saw her sweet little face.

Our agency expects us to travel in late August or early September so it looks as though Ellie will at least be with us on her second birthday although we may have to celebrate it in China. She turns 2 on September 20th and my birthday is the 22nd. September should be a great month for our family!

A special message for my dear friend Kim who has endured this long wait with me for LOA. Unfortunately, her LOA did not come today so her wait continues, and being that this is her first adoption, I truly think that makes it even worse. This is for you Kim: "Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:14

Still Waiting for Our Newest Member

Our Team Needs Ellie!!!!"Sermon on the Mound" was our theme for this year's Bible School. Of course that meant a lot of baseball stuff - like the T-shirts- as the kids learned about the Beatitudes from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5). I thought this was a cute picture of our "Team" except that we are missing one key player- Ellie!

No news on our LOA! Where is our LOA?! Again, we know God's timing is perfect and although we wish it was His plan for us to be united with our daughter now, it simply is not. So we must continue to wait and trust Him. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. . ." Proverbs 3:5 I have known that verse for years and sing it with my children, but I ran across it this week and have "seen" it in a whole new light ever since. I don't understand why we are still waiting, but my God does. I know He has it all worked out perfectly. Maybe this week will be the week He has in mind. I hope so!

New Pictures of Ellie

After waiting and waiting, we finally received an update on our Ellie girl. . . We received the update last Monday, and we were all elated to finally receive new pictures of our little girl and sister. The other pictures we have were taken when she was approximately 7 months old. This new picture was taken on May 15, 2008 when she was almost 20 months old. She has certainly grown quite a bit- which is good. That's what babies do, right?

According to her measurements which may or may not be accurate, she is 24 1/2 pounds and is 34 1/4 inches tall. If they are correct, she and Lilly will be very close in size. Her cleft lip has obviously not been repaired and neither has her palate. For those who do not know, Ellie was also born with a patent foramen ovale (atrial septal defect) and a VSD (ventricular septal defect). Lilly also had these 2 heart defects. Ellie was fortunate enough to receive surgical repair of her heart defects last September and was discharged from the hospital on her first birthday. We were so thankful that she did not have to suffer as long as Lilly did with unrepaired heart defects.

The recent update we received only included new measurements and 2 new pictures. We would have loved new information on her development and personality, but we are most grateful for what we did receive. In her original referral information, her personality was described as "outgoing, lively, and full of joy." We simply can't wait to go and meet our newest bundle of joy! When will we go you might ask? Well we have not heard any new information regarding our Letter of Acceptance (LOA). It is really "overdue", and there has been some speculation that the delay may be intentional on behalf of the CCAA in order to prevent adoptive families from traveling during the Olympics. LOAs were coming out every 10 to 14 days for a few months, and this Monday will mark one month since the last batch was received. So our best guess now would be that we would leave sometime after August 15. The sooner the better in our minds, but again we know God's timing is always perfect and so we find great peace in that promise!

In the mean time, we have started school and been staying very busy. My goal is to have 6 weeks of school completed before we head to China. When we get home with Ellie, I'm sure none of us will be in the mood for school. But doing school in summer is a little tough!

I have realized after receiving the updated measurements that Ellie will most likely not be able to wear Lilly's hand-me-downs so once we get LOA, I will have a good reason to do a little shopping. I have only purchased 2 outfits for Ellie, and I'm so glad I have waited. Since our travel date is still unknown and summer will be over before we know it, she may not be here in time to need any summer clothes. SO the wait continues, and we just admire her sweet face and long for the day that she will finally be with her forever family!