Another Stone For Our Pile

Such a cool thing happened today I had to share!!

Just as way as reminder we are going to name our daughter Mabel because it means "loved" and we want Mabel to know how much she is loved and how much she was loved. And what happened today is a living example of this. But I get ahead of myself.

It has been 10 days since we submitted our I800 application to immigration so I emailed our immigration officer to check on our I800 approval. Our office replied quickly (yay) and reminded me that it takes10 BUSINESS days (not yay) until our application gets to her desk. I am not going to lie I was grumbling and copped a bad attitude. I am so thankful for a friend in the midst of waiting who helped me to see the good in my officers responses. So not long after my email convo with my immigration officer I got a Facebook message from another family who is also adopting through Lifeline. A family I have never met I might add. She told me how she just figured out that knew my daughter! For over a year she stared at my precious daughters face.  She advocated (which means she made other people aware of Mabel and her need for a family) and prayed every day for a year for Mabel. At that time Mabel was listed with another agency. She lost track of her; agencies are only able to keep files for a certain amount of time and then they go to another agency or they go back on what they call the ‘shared list” of all the waiting children if they are not matched with a family. She was glad to see her as one of Lifeline’s waiting kids because her family, which is us, could find her. It is so precious and sweet that this person prayed for Mabel to find a family. Seriously?!?!?! What a testimony to how much God cares for orphan’s and of His faithfulness!!!! It makes me cry happy tears of how awesome God is and how big His love is.................. I always say you cant make up the awesome ways God works and knits our lives with others. Only God could have us both adopting from Lifeline and that this person would take the time to message me. How quickly and easily I forget or choose to not think how God cares about the littlest details of our lives!! Mabel by the world’s account was just an orphan. Yet, God stirred someone to be moved to advocate and pray for her. Lord forgive me that not moments earlier I was all caught up in not getting our I800 approval and doubting your perfect timing because it is not my timing!. You care more than I that Mabel comes home to her family!! I was so excited about this today I couldn't wait to share it with you all!

By the power of His Hand: Hokanson Family Fundraiser

More Waitng and an Opportunity

At Last I left you we knew our LOA (letter of acceptance) was coming. And arrive it did. We had to check the box that we accept Mabel or don’t accept her and list the reason why. Its surreal checking a box saying you want your child. I could not help thinking how the Lord chose me. He chose me even though I am just a hot mess. And we chose Mabel even though we don’t know all that caring for her will entail. It was a humbling moment for me to sign that paper.

We then complete more papers. Filling out forms is a hobby of mine, Not really. J We have submitted our I800 for to immigration and are awaiting their approval that we can adopt Mabel and bring her home with us to the US. So are awaiting our I800 approval so, you guessed it, we can fill out more forms and wait some more. :) Thus why I call it adoptwaiting.

As I was waiting, trying to not let the freak out thoughts take control of my mind. The Lord brought this amazing opportunity into our laps. A precious friend who is also adopting from China offered to assist families who still having fundraising left to do. Through her walk with the Lord, the Lord has shown her how trusting Him is like getting in a hot air balloon. You are leaving what you thought was solid ground to get in basket going you don’t know where but the Lord does!!! They have t-shirts for men women and kids, jewelry and onesies all reminding us of the truth that it is the Lord who lifts us up. So for the entire month of May this family will donate whatever sales we generate for the whole month of May to help us bring Mabel home!! Important things to keep in mind while doing this that 1) items must be purchased through this link see below or we won't receive credit. 2) items will not be shipped until June. So If you are able please, please check out the website and/or share the link with others. We are thankful to have others who are sharing the journey with us!! 

By the power of His Hand: Hokanson Family Fundraiser