Is this the year?

We went to get refingerprinted in Indianapolis today. This is the 3rd time we've had to do this because it has to be redone every 15 months. It's hard to believe we've been in the process that long. We are really hoping and praying that our daughter will come home in 2010. I'm praying that many kids around the world will be matched with their forever families this year.

Bummer

We didn't get matched this month. I kept hoping we would see her face by Christmas. Our agency thought we would be matched within 6 months. Since it's been six months, I am really feeling bummed. This is so hard!!

Still waiting

Just a quick update-There should be shared list coming out at the end of this month. Of course we're hoping our daughter is in that batch! It would be great to see her precious face before Christmas. I am trying not to get my hopes up, but it's so hard not to. The verse that keeps coming to mind is: "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." Psalm 27:14 It's so hard to wait, but I know that God is faithful and His timing is perfect. There is a little girl somewhere in China who is waiting for a family. My comfort is that God is in control of this whole process, He knows her name, and He will bring her into our family in His perfect timing. May it be soon!

Waiting

I read this poem in a beautiful book I received the other day from Love Without Boundaries. It's full of Chinese adoption stories and poems. I've enjoyed reading other people's adoption stories and dreaming of our little girl.

Waiting
by Kelly Feichtinger

Wondering who,
Wondering where,
My child is waiting for me,
Somewhere out there.

I don't yet know your name.
I have not seen your face.
I only know that you were born to another,
In such a faraway place.

I long to enfold you in my arms
To hold you close and tight.
I yearn for the day when I can be the one,
To rock and kiss you goodnight.

My heart already loves you.
In my dreams, you are there.
You smile and call me "Mama."
Something I've been waiting to hear!

I pray that you are safe.
Please know that you are loved.
I've asked for Him to send his angels,
To watch over you from above.

Soon, I will hold you.
It's taking forever, it seems.
But for now, I'll be waiting,
And seeing you in my dreams.

DTC!!!

We are now DTC!!This means Dossier to China. Our agency mailed all of our documents today-the next stop is China! Now we just sit back and wait to be matched with our little girl. The closer we get, the harder the waiting becomes!

Dossier Complete

I heard from our dossier coordinator today, and she received my "employment letter" today from the Chinese Consulate. So she has everything and will be sending it off to China in the next few days. Now we are anxiously awaiting "the call!" It could be any day, it could still be a few months.

Bummer

I heard from our agency today, and I missed a document when putting together the dossier. Apparently I need a letter stating that I am a homemaker. When I looked at the checklist and saw Employment Letter, I assumed it just meant for Jason. Typing up the letter took me about two minutes, so it's no big deal. The big deal is that just like all of the other documents, it has to be notarized, certified, and authenticated. We are going to run to Springfield tomorrow on our way to St. Louis and get the letter certified, then it'll be sent to Chicago, then to our agency. Holt said everything else looked good. It's been really frustrating that I made this mistake, but I know that all things happen for a reason. The dossier will be on it's way to China in the timing God has planned.