More Paperwork

Well, the last week has been exciting as we have been in a frenzy since getting word of traveling sooner than expected.  We sent our signed LOA back to Holt on Friday, August 30.  At the same time, we also sent all of our new paperwork (I-800) to USCIS for approval to adopt Jesse and bring him into the United States. We now wait 3-4 weeks to get approval from the USCIS before we get to make plans for obtaining visas and planning our travel.

In the meantime, we have been blessed with support of many friends and family through prayers and giving.  Our sweet friends sponsored a Noonday party at which our adoption fund received proceeds from that!  What a great company too... please check it out and support not only adoptions, but sustainable living opportunities from people around the world.  It is beautiful that God is glorified through this business.

We are grateful to the support of many as we go through this journey and continue to be amazed at God's orchestration of Jesse's adoption.  Every time we doubt or worry about how we will be prepared for a special needs child or how Jesse will be prepared for a major life change, God provides the right person at the right time to overcome that fear.  We continue to surrender our anxieties to Him, and He fills us with peace every time.

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7

Our children are counting down the days until they get their little brother home and each have their own ideas of how to welcome him into the world.  Whether is it learning Mandarin, making special heartfelt gifts, choosing books to read to him, or organizing his bed to be perfect for Jesse's homecoming.  Each child is earning money and saving wherever possible as it is our desire for our entire family to fly to China to meet Jesse at the same time.  As this adoption is one of the entire family, we continue to pray for God to provide and convict us as to whether He wants the children to go or not.  We truly believe that Jesse will adapt to our family if all of his siblings were there together.  As travel arangments will need to be made soon, we will have to decide quickly if we travel as a family or not.