I'm so excited to announce that we have made it to the next stage in our adoption process. Since I last wrote, we received an official copy of our homestudy! (We had been waiting for this paperwork for several weeks!) With this paperwork, we then were able to send that off with several other important pieces of paperwork to Immigration last Friday. I was so thrilled, but let's just say it was quite a day!
First, we went to the post office to get a money order. I have found that they were cheaper than getting it at the bank, but of coarse they only take cash or debit card which I did not have. So, I jumped back in the car and headed to the bank to get cash out of Grace's account. Then, headed back to the post office to get the money order. The paperwork had to be sent UPS or FedEx so I then had to head to the next location to get it mailed off. I went to this place that mails for UPS. The man was really nice and helpful. He helped me get the correct label and then took the paperwork and I left. As soon as I got in the car, I didn't feel at rest because I did not put the paperwork in the envelope myself. (All of this paperwork is so important and you feel very protective over it as you invest so much time and energy into gathering it! It can make you feel a little crazy at times!) I called David and he assured me that it was fine but that I should go right back in the store to check on it if I needed too. I was already down the road at this point and God was telling me to not fear. I stopped and it was so cute because Robby asked me what was wrong. It was a perfect teaching time. I told Robby that I was being worried about Grace's paperwork. I explained that fear and worry were not from the Lord but that we need to trust in Him with all of our heart. (Prov. 3:5-6 - Love that verse!) He told me that I should trust the Lord! Love how it is so simple to them. I told the Lord that I trusted Him and He gave me His peace but also assured me that it was okay for me to go back and check. So that is what I did! I sure enough walked back into the store, feeling a little crazy, and explained how I just needed to see the envelope all ready to go. The man kindly smiled and acted like he totally understood. He showed me the envelope and I felt better. (I felt the best when I tracked it last night and realized that it had arrived at the correct place on Tuesday!)
Robby and Daniel have been such great helpers on all of our adoption errands. I am so thankful that they are such wonderful car riders and that they are excited about helping bring Grace home. We look forward to getting our official FBI fingerprint appointments in the next week or so. Immigration is taking 1 1/2 months - 2 months to process paperwork at this time. Once we receive their approval, we will then send all of our paperwork to a Chinese Consulate to get approved and then we will "officially" be waiting for Grace!
Other exciting news is that Wednesday we had a conference call with our adoption agency, America World. We were officially accepted into the Waiting Child program for China. With this acceptance, we can begin reviewing referrals (adoptable children). We will probably not be matched with a child though until all of our paperwork is processed but at least this step is behind us and we can begin to understand the referral process.
Adoption is such a process and I am so constantly reminded that it is a beautiful picture of what God has done for us! He desires us just as we desire sweet Grace. He pursues us and is willing to work on our behalf and he calls us His adopted children. All this work is so worth it as there will be a day when we will get to hold Grace and care for her as our daughter! I know He feels that way about us!
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