There are so many thing rattling around in mind I am not even sure I can get them down on paper. But I will certainly give it try.
We were DTC (dossier to China, which is 13 pieces of paper that says Jeff and I are fit to be parents) 2/13/15. Our SW, which is short for social worker, texted and told us we were LID (log in date, meaning China knows our dossier is there). One 3/11/15 we were notified that our dossier was in translation. On 4/9/15 we found out that our dossier was out of translation and in the process of the review (meaning that China was reviewing our paperwork to see if we could be matched with Mabel.) On 4/10/15 we found out we were matched with Mabel. That means that China has officially matched us with Mabel and is sending the paperwork to our adoption agency's office. The piece of paper that China is sending to our adoption agency is called LOA or letter of acceptance.
Of course we want nothing more than for Mabel to be home. I have shed tears over missing her and the time that we have missed with her. I am excited at movement and getting closer to bringing Mabel home! Honestly, the day we found out that we were out of translation and in the review process I literally had lost the will in the waiting. I knew I wasn't done but I was done with waiting! Then we got the news and I was so excited!!! But at the same time and I know this next part sounds crazy, I was scared. Scared because we are not ready, worried because we will likely be flying to China at high season which equates to expensive tickets, worried if Mabel will like us. She may want parents but she has no experience being with a family. So even though she dreams of parents she dreams of the good things. She isn't thinking about leaving everything she has ever known. Or having to listen to strangers or having limits. The process of redemption which is what adoption is; is messy, complicated, painful, and it takes a long time. I feel unready to start this again. I wanted to be further down the road. I wanted to have accomplished more in my own redemption process. So here I am excited and terrified and feeling super unprepared.
You can imagine how that might produce anxiousness in someone cant you? :) I was talking with a friend about how we are going to have an adoption garage sale as a fundraiser and I was stressed. Where should we have it? When? How can I make it the best and raise money? I literally said to my friend "Should I trust God or try to plan?" Um What???? I was letting my anxiousness take over and it invited PRIDE over. My PRIDE doesn't need to be asked twice so I let my PRIDE was take over. And my PRIDE LIED and said I can do this. UGH. :( Yet, the Lord was so kind to me. I so love that about Him. As I was reading 1 Peter 2:3 "now that you have tasted that the Lord is good." It struck me. I have tasted that the Lord is good, but I am living that? WOW! In the midst of all this God is good and in control. I am choosing to keep my eye on that. And I am sure I don't have to tell you all, it is Hard isnt it?!
So right now we are waiting for our LOA (letter of acceptance) to get to our agency. Once they get it they fed ex it to us to sign. We fed ex back to them. then we submit our I800 form with immigration. They say travel to China happens about 10 weeks from when you get your LOA. We still have about 9 "steps" to go until we get Mabel.
Our puzzle fundraiser has been awesome and we are so grateful and thankful to everyone who helped us to get Mabel home. All of our fees up until travel have been paid for!! The travel portion is the next big payment. To date we have sold 252 puzzle pieces and raised $2520. There are no words to describe how grateful and humbled we are to everyone who sacrificed to help us bring Mabel home! In addition to the puzzle pieces we had an awesome Tastefully Simple fundraiser. Coming up May 21, 22 and 23 we will have a garage sale fundraiser. If you were interested in helping or donating just let me know. Thankful for all of you who are a part of journey!
