Son,
This past month has been incredible. I feel every bit like we Daddy & I are training for another marathon, but this time it is not with the goal of proving something to ourselves it is to bring you home for surgery. Son, I have been so tired this week, your sisters and brother have been so strong...and behaved themselves...well mostly:)
There have been a few times this week that I've gotten scared or just felt overwhelmed by all that was required. I worry I am going to mess up a paper or just freak out and not make it through this process. I pray and God seems to bring a reminder that He has this adoption too. I have trouble trusting, Him too.
Radiant Hudson, You have been the most incredible surprise, we are so grateful. I have your picture on my iphone and when I get tired of making another long distance call or filling out another stack of forms or driving to pick up forms I look at your face and for a while I run again.
It is hard for me to hear about timelines and what is possible and the realities of your needed surgeries. I refuse to believe that God brought you to us and then left us to figure the rest out alone. Son, it is hard and I get scared and confused. Knowing that you are our son, even without the paperwork. Having a faith that really believes...when I can't see?
How is this possible? Traveling in December when our USCIS docs aren't even sent for processing yet?! Trying to figure out how to learn mandarin when I feel like english is my second language?! How is God going to supply for all of our needs to get you here, and the surgeries that you will need soon after? The strength to keep running when I am getting so tired?
The prayers and desire of my heart a prayer that began when I was about 12 is finally here on the verge of coming true and I am getting really scared. Will your vision be okay, will your eye be spared? Are we going to get to you as soon as I know you need us to for surgery? If we are late, will you blame me for not running harder?
My son, my precious and radiant blessing, you have been so prayed over from many that have known and loved you. You are God's and He will hold you while we race. I promise to pray hard and to try to obey faithfully while God moves the impossible mountains that stand between us.
I love you,
Mommy
Friday, July 29, 2011
The race takes a sharp incline and track is covered with mud...
Our homestudy is soon to be completed along with our final visit and necessary inspections and more forms. After that is approved and sent into our other agency we are then Well, not sure. I'm tired. Hopeful, but really, really tired.
The next leg of race is the immigration part. I don't understand all of these forms, and fees trying really hard to keep up way too fast pace. From what I've heard from others this part is more like a sharp incline on a muddy track. Trying to be positive, while remembering to relax my shoulders, breathe deeply and focus on making it through the next few miles.
The USCIS process is still a mystery to me and this site explains it very well. This is a great site!
www.china-adoption-online.com
So, we are currently looking at @ 3 weeks out from our I800a being received. Then we await approvals which are rumored to take about 60 days from notice of receipt at lockbox.
Notice of Receipt, case number from Texas
Docs are onto National Benefits Center (NBC)
Several weeks later we wait for our fingerprint appointment, then wait for approval
Wait for approval 60-80 days!!! YIKES!!! That is hoping that there is no problem with the paperwork...
This is the first part of the immigration process...To sum up:
I overnighted documents to my out of state agency and they will do some stuff...think it is called authenticate? then fedex most if not all of the docs to the USCIS lockbox..that is roughly a half of an hour drive from our house. This lockbox step takes about 2 weeks...and then I should get notice as well as the official time to await approval will begin.
PRAY HARD!!!
"God's work done in God's way will never lack God's supplies." Reminder from Hudson Taylor:)
The next leg of race is the immigration part. I don't understand all of these forms, and fees trying really hard to keep up way too fast pace. From what I've heard from others this part is more like a sharp incline on a muddy track. Trying to be positive, while remembering to relax my shoulders, breathe deeply and focus on making it through the next few miles.
The USCIS process is still a mystery to me and this site explains it very well. This is a great site!
www.china-adoption-online.com
So, we are currently looking at @ 3 weeks out from our I800a being received. Then we await approvals which are rumored to take about 60 days from notice of receipt at lockbox.
Notice of Receipt, case number from Texas
Docs are onto National Benefits Center (NBC)
Several weeks later we wait for our fingerprint appointment, then wait for approval
Wait for approval 60-80 days!!! YIKES!!! That is hoping that there is no problem with the paperwork...
This is the first part of the immigration process...To sum up:
I overnighted documents to my out of state agency and they will do some stuff...think it is called authenticate? then fedex most if not all of the docs to the USCIS lockbox..that is roughly a half of an hour drive from our house. This lockbox step takes about 2 weeks...and then I should get notice as well as the official time to await approval will begin.
PRAY HARD!!!
"God's work done in God's way will never lack God's supplies." Reminder from Hudson Taylor:)
Mailing our dossier
We went by the hospital to pick up our doctor letters for expediting and then on to the Dallas post office. We had raced and worked so hard to gather documents, get things notarized and certified copies of certain things, had them fedexed or overnighted to us, included checks for agency fees and USCIS fees. I was shaking so badly from excitement and adrenaline...a lot like midway in the marathon we ran last December.
Praying over the package one last time it was then on its way to our other agency in another state.We are missing our notarized medical exams and our notarized original copy of our homestudy. Then our docs can finally be mailed off from our agency in another state back to a lockbox in Lewisville...that is about a half of an hour drive away from our house. Not sure why it bugs me so much to know that the docs are being fedexed right back basically to my house, but it does.
Still, every fee every lengthy out of state phone call, every dollar that we've spent is part of what will bring us on our way to our son.
Next USCIS, that's right folks, we're begging God to expedite us through immigration. ONLY HE CAN!!!
Praying over the package one last time it was then on its way to our other agency in another state.We are missing our notarized medical exams and our notarized original copy of our homestudy. Then our docs can finally be mailed off from our agency in another state back to a lockbox in Lewisville...that is about a half of an hour drive away from our house. Not sure why it bugs me so much to know that the docs are being fedexed right back basically to my house, but it does.
Still, every fee every lengthy out of state phone call, every dollar that we've spent is part of what will bring us on our way to our son.
Next USCIS, that's right folks, we're begging God to expedite us through immigration. ONLY HE CAN!!!
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Sprinting through Homestudy & Necessary Road Trip
My muscles are definitely warmed up, but feeling the pain of not having stretched first before beginning this race.
Our Homestudy visits began Wednesday. It was about a 2 hour visit.
We took a road trip to get in two more visits totaling 3 out of 4 required visits. This process was a lot easier back in 2003 when we were getting licensed for foster/adopt. The questions are pretty much the same kind, but managing 4 very active bodies and trying to speak coherently can be a challenge!
We headed a few hours out of town to meet at our agency. The trip was pretty uneventful and the kiddos really enjoyed their lunch of potato chips, cookies, capri suns and an apple...I had packed yogurt for everyone...and decided that it was best to eat that while we were not in the van.
While at the agency, there was an awkward moment following an answer given by my youngest and soon to be big sister. "No. I don't want to adopt Hudson. I don't want a brother"
What?!
Soon it was time to go, but not before we made a lasting impression:
J smashed her finger due to playing bumper cars on the spinning office chairs with her younger sister, and whimpering quietly in my lap as I gave her magic mommy smootch on her boo boo and played with her hair.
Z decided that scooting around the room in similar office chair smashing into things and people, being sure to laugh loudly and scream crazily when redirected, was boring so he decided to use more force and flip the chair...soon two kiddos were whimpering...lasting impression and possible reason not to approve our homestudy...check!
After leaving the agency visit we went to to IHOP. The kiddos were in heaven. I was just glad to be halfway done with the visits and closer to bringing home our son. We did find out the reason for the change in heart about adopting from our youngest was "I just want a sister. I don't want to be alone in my room." Relieved
(and knowing that we were trying to be approved for two children either gender) I thanked her for explaining that to me and that right now God brought us Hudson. But she could begin to ask God if He wanted us to adopt a sister...one day. We headed to the hotel for a swim in their shallow pool to burn off pancake nirvana. It was good.
I also learned that there is truth in such phrases like, "pull out couch or inflatable air mattress", "silent drowning", "heart overflowing with thanks".
The next morning the kiddos had their individual interviews...and then we set on our way home.
Taking a necessary stop at one of my favorite landmarks, The Chek Stop...and getting some gingerbread boys and peanut brittle to reluctantly share with my family. Yumm-o!!!
Soon, we get to wait for USCIS approval...praying hard!
Our Homestudy visits began Wednesday. It was about a 2 hour visit.
We took a road trip to get in two more visits totaling 3 out of 4 required visits. This process was a lot easier back in 2003 when we were getting licensed for foster/adopt. The questions are pretty much the same kind, but managing 4 very active bodies and trying to speak coherently can be a challenge!
We headed a few hours out of town to meet at our agency. The trip was pretty uneventful and the kiddos really enjoyed their lunch of potato chips, cookies, capri suns and an apple...I had packed yogurt for everyone...and decided that it was best to eat that while we were not in the van.
While at the agency, there was an awkward moment following an answer given by my youngest and soon to be big sister. "No. I don't want to adopt Hudson. I don't want a brother"
What?!
Soon it was time to go, but not before we made a lasting impression:
J smashed her finger due to playing bumper cars on the spinning office chairs with her younger sister, and whimpering quietly in my lap as I gave her magic mommy smootch on her boo boo and played with her hair.
Z decided that scooting around the room in similar office chair smashing into things and people, being sure to laugh loudly and scream crazily when redirected, was boring so he decided to use more force and flip the chair...soon two kiddos were whimpering...lasting impression and possible reason not to approve our homestudy...check!
After leaving the agency visit we went to to IHOP. The kiddos were in heaven. I was just glad to be halfway done with the visits and closer to bringing home our son. We did find out the reason for the change in heart about adopting from our youngest was "I just want a sister. I don't want to be alone in my room." Relieved
(and knowing that we were trying to be approved for two children either gender) I thanked her for explaining that to me and that right now God brought us Hudson. But she could begin to ask God if He wanted us to adopt a sister...one day. We headed to the hotel for a swim in their shallow pool to burn off pancake nirvana. It was good.
I also learned that there is truth in such phrases like, "pull out couch or inflatable air mattress", "silent drowning", "heart overflowing with thanks".
The next morning the kiddos had their individual interviews...and then we set on our way home.
Taking a necessary stop at one of my favorite landmarks, The Chek Stop...and getting some gingerbread boys and peanut brittle to reluctantly share with my family. Yumm-o!!!
Soon, we get to wait for USCIS approval...praying hard!
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Goosebumps...yeah,it's God!
Learning names and meanings behind initials has quickly becoming an impossibility. For now it is skim emails and updates, pick out main ideas and fine print on forms to make sure that we will comply..and have not signed rights to our current children away. It is now obvious to me that the short time line that I thought we had is actually not the correct one at all.
This morning I attended a writer's conference. I had been excitedly looking forward to a few months ago, but I had trouble motivating myself to attend today. All I've been writing lately is poorly worded, jumbled letters to a foreign country to ask for permission to adopt,not using smiley faces or colloquialisms that may not translate or words like blessing, Bible or God. How do I let my heart show how much I love and value this beautiful child, that I've never met, that God brought to my inbox a little over two months ago, that needs not only a forever family but has been in need of necessary and complex surgery that can't be done in country but must be done ASAP and the whole process to adopt is estimated to take 10-14months...and we do not have MOST of the funds to pay for most of the remaining adoption expenses and we don't speak or understand our son's native language nor him ours?!
Quick shower later, brushed hair, clean dress and makeup on I raced downstairs to promptly race back up the stairs as the strange breeze reminded me I had forgotten to put on something far more than removing the rest of my chipped and fading toenail polish...a hard belly laugh from me and my husband a few minutes later and quick goodbyes to the kiddos, nervously rechecking to ensure I was wearing panties this time, I race out the door.
I have been thinking about the deadline all wrong and inserting me way too much in this process. The real time line is more like Gotcha Day in December for many reasons.
For that to happen...as with all of this process it will be God. Reflecting on the day, the goosebumps reactions from folks that I've shared some of this adventure coupled with goosebumps of my own...yeah, it's God!
This morning I attended a writer's conference. I had been excitedly looking forward to a few months ago, but I had trouble motivating myself to attend today. All I've been writing lately is poorly worded, jumbled letters to a foreign country to ask for permission to adopt,not using smiley faces or colloquialisms that may not translate or words like blessing, Bible or God. How do I let my heart show how much I love and value this beautiful child, that I've never met, that God brought to my inbox a little over two months ago, that needs not only a forever family but has been in need of necessary and complex surgery that can't be done in country but must be done ASAP and the whole process to adopt is estimated to take 10-14months...and we do not have MOST of the funds to pay for most of the remaining adoption expenses and we don't speak or understand our son's native language nor him ours?!
Quick shower later, brushed hair, clean dress and makeup on I raced downstairs to promptly race back up the stairs as the strange breeze reminded me I had forgotten to put on something far more than removing the rest of my chipped and fading toenail polish...a hard belly laugh from me and my husband a few minutes later and quick goodbyes to the kiddos, nervously rechecking to ensure I was wearing panties this time, I race out the door.
I have been thinking about the deadline all wrong and inserting me way too much in this process. The real time line is more like Gotcha Day in December for many reasons.
For that to happen...as with all of this process it will be God. Reflecting on the day, the goosebumps reactions from folks that I've shared some of this adventure coupled with goosebumps of my own...yeah, it's God!
Friday, July 22, 2011
First Few Miles...Initial Approval AKA LOI/PA
This is very confusing and time sensitive process. I am trying to understand the process and it is more complex with shorter deadlines for a waiting child.
Our agency sent us a stack of paperwork to read and complete and return within a week. We had to write a letter asking for permission to adopt as well as include plans for medical needs/nurture plans. That was hard to formulate my swirling thoughts into 250 words or less! How could I describe how incredible this child was and how my mommy heart ached for him almost immediately?
We prayed a lot as we raced to make and gather copies, fill out forms, have international doctor and plastic surgeon consult over medical file, photos and video, select and print copies of family photos, write the Letter Of Intent (LOI) that contained the Nurture Plan and pay the first round of fees...this was to be completed & mailed within one week. Oh yes, we also had to find a Hague homestudy/post placement provider in our state...and there were new requirements that were for this year
So far the first few miles timeline is:
May 17, 2011 First time I saw his face and found out about him. We began to pray for him as a family.
July 6, 2011 Decided to adopt!
July 7, 2011 Got paperwork from agency and without stretching first raced through the first few miles
July 8, 2011 Called to find Hague Home Study agency in my state...many, many phone calls and emails as well as adjust to newly increased post placement fees and requirements...mostly due upfront
July 11, 2011 Began process with H. S. Agency. Began required 10 hours of Hague training
July 13, 2011 Express Mailed pack of forms & fees to agency to await them to translate and enter our info for initial approval (found out later this is commonly known as Pre Approval)
July 15, 2011 Express Mailed pack of forms to H.S. agency
July 18, 2011 Called to get expedited & certified copy of my out of state birth certificate, completed required 8 hours of Hague training and printed certificate
July 19, 2011 Called my state again to get another certified & expedited copy of birth certificate
Got H.S. worker assigned, drove to get certified copy of marriage certificate
July 20, 2011 Called out of state lived in since 18 to get expedited criminal background check
July 21, 2011 Received both copies of expressed mailed certified birth certificate, H.S. worker overnight mailed request for expedited background clearances for out of state, as per their policy
July 27, 2011 Scheduled 1st Home Study visit with whole family
*there are 4 total visits needed...we will comply:)
August 5, 2011 Scheduled 2rd Home Study visit, must have all Hague training done by today
October 1, 2011 MUST HAVE ALL papers in country on or before today...this is going to be one of the most obvious miracles of this journey!
Our agency sent us a stack of paperwork to read and complete and return within a week. We had to write a letter asking for permission to adopt as well as include plans for medical needs/nurture plans. That was hard to formulate my swirling thoughts into 250 words or less! How could I describe how incredible this child was and how my mommy heart ached for him almost immediately?
We prayed a lot as we raced to make and gather copies, fill out forms, have international doctor and plastic surgeon consult over medical file, photos and video, select and print copies of family photos, write the Letter Of Intent (LOI) that contained the Nurture Plan and pay the first round of fees...this was to be completed & mailed within one week. Oh yes, we also had to find a Hague homestudy/post placement provider in our state...and there were new requirements that were for this year
So far the first few miles timeline is:
May 17, 2011 First time I saw his face and found out about him. We began to pray for him as a family.
July 6, 2011 Decided to adopt!
July 7, 2011 Got paperwork from agency and without stretching first raced through the first few miles
July 8, 2011 Called to find Hague Home Study agency in my state...many, many phone calls and emails as well as adjust to newly increased post placement fees and requirements...mostly due upfront
July 11, 2011 Began process with H. S. Agency. Began required 10 hours of Hague training
July 13, 2011 Express Mailed pack of forms & fees to agency to await them to translate and enter our info for initial approval (found out later this is commonly known as Pre Approval)
July 15, 2011 Express Mailed pack of forms to H.S. agency
July 18, 2011 Called to get expedited & certified copy of my out of state birth certificate, completed required 8 hours of Hague training and printed certificate
July 19, 2011 Called my state again to get another certified & expedited copy of birth certificate
Got H.S. worker assigned, drove to get certified copy of marriage certificate
July 20, 2011 Called out of state lived in since 18 to get expedited criminal background check
July 21, 2011 Received both copies of expressed mailed certified birth certificate, H.S. worker overnight mailed request for expedited background clearances for out of state, as per their policy
July 27, 2011 Scheduled 1st Home Study visit with whole family
*there are 4 total visits needed...we will comply:)
August 5, 2011 Scheduled 2rd Home Study visit, must have all Hague training done by today
October 1, 2011 MUST HAVE ALL papers in country on or before today...this is going to be one of the most obvious miracles of this journey!
Friday, July 8, 2011
Race is on!!!
We are now racing to our son. He is a waiting child so the timeliness are different. I am grateful that we've been Ransey-fied and saving for a while...but had no idea that we were saving for an adoption?! I thought we were saving so we could give and support others as they served God...and maybe helped to fund an adoption...had no idea it was ours!!!
The Paperchase begins!!
We get some docs from our agency and began to work right away.
This is the first step to getting initial approval to adopt.
This is the first step to getting initial approval to adopt.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
The Voicemail
FINALLY, tonight we made the call and left a voice mail with the agency to let them know that we were ready to begin the formal process to bring home our son!!!
GOD has been good!!!
REJOICE again I say REJOICE!!!
GOD has been good!!!
REJOICE again I say REJOICE!!!
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Road trip that began to unite our hearts
We went to Joplin MO with a group from our church this weekend. Really not sure what God is planning, but I am really looking forward to serving. Truly hope is alive in Joplin!
God amazed us not just by the hearts of those that were there with us, but by those that were from Joplin ministering to us as well.
There was a certain person who's story spoke to a certain other person's heart...let's just say that it's looking a lot more like a "Yes!" from God. Did I mention the billboard reading "Have you considered adoption?"
Just cracked up when I read that sign on the way down to Joplin.
God amazed us not just by the hearts of those that were there with us, but by those that were from Joplin ministering to us as well.
There was a certain person who's story spoke to a certain other person's heart...let's just say that it's looking a lot more like a "Yes!" from God. Did I mention the billboard reading "Have you considered adoption?"
Just cracked up when I read that sign on the way down to Joplin.
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