Did you hear me SCREAM??

LOA...LOA...LOA...

It came!!

This is the Letter of Seeking Confirmation...this means that CCAA (China Center of Adoption Affairs) has reviewed our file and have approved us to adopt Solomon. We are now waiting for our travel approval...ahhh, did you hear that...we are waiting for our travel approval. Prayerfully we'll be in China in 2-3 months!!! Please join us in praying that these next steps go smoothly and quickly!!!!

So what happens now...it's pretty confusing to me but this is what to expect next:

~DS230 & LOA go to China while we are waiting for the i800 approval.

~Once the i800 approval comes, I email it to my china coordinator

~The USCIS sends the approval to the NVC...they scan and record it

~NVC then cables it to GZ

~We receive a cable note in the mail that we email to our china coordinator

~She emails the cable note to our contact in China

~Our china contact prepares the Article 5 and sends it to GZ on a Mon. or Thurs. only

~Art. 5 can be picked up 2 weeks later

~then TA

(I800 is immigration approval, NVC is National Visa Center, GZ is Guangzhou this is where the US Consulate is located, TA is travel approval)

We are getting closer sweet son...so close!!!

Shirt update...

They are coming I promise. The original sale was a pre-order. I placed that order a few weeks ago...there was a delay with the printer BUT I am expecting my shipment by Wed. next week. I will ship them to each of asap. Thank you for your patience!! HUGS!!

Jehovah-Jirah...

God our provider...

Our entire lives are grounded on the truth and promise of our eternal salvation for those who have given their life to the Lord. And with that salvation comes the promise that God and God alone is our provider...the sole provider of ALL our needs. Some needs we take for granted like our very next breath while other provision is more clearly recognized.

When we began the road to Solomon, we knew without a doubt...literally the instant we saw his face that he was our son. It's a crazy feeling, btw :) The concern of the funds needed to bring him home became real very quickly. But God, our provider, our Jehovah-Jirah, spoke to our hearts and told us He would provide. So, we took a scary step of faith outside our comfort zone...you know, the zone where all is nice & smooth...the zone where it's hard for us to let the Lord do something radical...yep, that zone & we committed to trust the Lord with our son.

Stepping out of 'that zone' has been the most amazing, crazy ride. We have been given the awesome privilege of watching God move in miraculous ways. Ways that cause you to sit back and weep and scream for joy! Ways that have continually confirme to us that THIS IS OUR SON and that He ALONE will provide to bring Him home!

Yesterday was another one of those crazy moments of provision. I have been praying a lot (and worrying a little ;) about the fact that we still need $12,000 more to bring Solomon home and the realization that we prayerfully will travel in September (that's only 3 months away). I found myself once again trying to figure it all out for the Lord...somehow I forget that He really doesn't need my help and that His plans are much greater than I could EVER imagine :)

I received an email from a very precious friend. A friend that God used MIGHTILY and MIRACULOUSLY to bring our Cana home. A friend that God once again is using in many ways to bring our Solomon home. A friend that will forever be a part of our children's story. Her love for the Lord is genuine and deep...her love for the orphan is absolutely beautiful. She has given us a precious gift...she is going to pay for Solomon's plane ticket home. Can you believe that...my baby's ticket home...how amazing is that??

So, God...our perfect provider...continuous to bless us in ways that bring us to our knees in awe of Him...it is so overwhelming!

Genesis 22:14 ~ And Abraham called the name of the place, The-LORD-Will-Provide; as it is said to this day, “In the Mount of the LORD it shall be provided.”

Matthew 6:32b ~ For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.

1 John 5: 14-15 ~ Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petition that we have asked of Him.

New pictures

Are we spoiled or what??? We received some more pictures of our boy!! Could someone please tell him to stop growing up so fast...his mama is missing all of it!!

We are holding tightly to the promise that there is a purpose for this wait. We love you sweet one!

This is for those who wait (by Fireflight)
Another day another waiting game
A little different but it’s still the same
I am here but wheres the One I’m longing for
I’m having troubles feeling all alone
When my heart find a home
I want to hope but sometimes I just don’t know
I know I’m not the only one

(Chorus)
So you sing a lullaby
To the lonely hearts tonight
Let it set Your heart on fire
Let it set You free
When you’re fighting to believe in a love that you can’t see
Just know there is a purpose
For those who wait

I want to open up my eyes
I know that I’m in need is time
I’m growing stronger every single day
God, I’m gonna lead them to You now
Letting go all of my fear and doubt
I can’t do this on my own so I’ll give You control
I know I’m not the only one

The pressure makes us stronger
The struggle makes us hunger
The hard lessons make the difference
The pressure makes us stronger
The struggle makes us hunger
The hard lessons make the difference
And the difference makes it worth it

Set your heart on fire
This is for those who wait

Dear Aunt Stacy...

Dear Aunt Stacy,

Here is $5 from Samuel who is 5. I am giving it to you to bring Solomon home. Love, Samuel

THIS is the note I found on my door last night with $5 tucked into it. My precious nephew just turned 5 on Saturday and received $10 as a gift. He woke up yesterday morning and insisted that they drove to our house so he could leave his note. Now let me tell you about this sweet nephew of mine...he is a sweet, loving little man and money is very important to him...it's something he likes to have and does not like to part with it ;) So you can imagine how blessed we were to find this sweet gift. Of course, I was instantly in tears...ohhhh, the heart of a child...a heart who hears the Lord and a heart that wants to please the Lord.

When I talked to him this morning he told me that now we could go and get Solomon. He can't wait to play with him!!!

My BIG boy Samuel, I love you very much! You have given us a very precious gift. Thank you sweet one...you cousin will be home soon and I know he will LOVE playing with you!!!

Name this picture...winner

Okay, you guys crack me up!!! We LOVED every single one...we had a tough time deciding on the winner so we picked TWO winners :)

Congratulations to..........

"And Jesus, I pray for my Sister..."

Andrea

AND Because we are die hard Buzz Lightyear fans....

"to infinite and beyond"

Karla