Our Journey to Our Daughter: May 2011

Sunday, May 29, 2011

We are home

Unfortunately, I was unable to update our blog from China as they don't allow access. Over the next few days I will be updating with details and photos of our trip. Makalynne is doing very well and we are so fulfilled with the addition of her to our family!

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Time Ticks On

Well. Last week was definitely wild. After we got our travel approval on Monday, everything took an odd and scary turn on Wednesday. The agency called and said our travel was on hold because of a problem with the spelling of our daughters Chinese name! What? Ugh!!! We just couldn't take it! They told us they didn't know when we would be able to travel nor how much paperwork would be required to be redone. The issue was that she has a compound last name but there is no Chinese character to symbolize such. Therefore, no one knew it until they were verifying our consulate appointment. THEN... It comes out!!! Why now??? We were so distraught. We just knew we could not handle having to redo all of that paperwork... So, we called in all of our prayer warriors and they each called in theirs. We had people all over the U.S praying for us! Well, God heard and He answered!!! At 10:00 that night we were called by Jenny at GWCA and she said all was squared up and we were set to leave as scheduled! Whew, what a relief. We are so thankful to God for intervening in this for us! He knew we were just to weak to go on:) So, here we are.... We are leaving for China on May 11th! Just one week away!!! And the best part is that we will be traveling with our new friends the Jenkins!!! Again, just one of Gods mighty blessings... We are so blessed to have friends to share in this journey together! I know we will be friends for a lifetime and our daughters will have each other to support and love for equally as long! Again, what a mighty blessing! Glory be to God for all of His miraculous ways:-)
For the next few days I'll be running around like a chicken with my head cut off trying to finish getting ready! Lots to do and time just keeps ticking away.... We are almost there. Yippee!!!!!

Kisses In the Wind

I hold you in my heart and touch you in my dreams.

You are here each day with me, at least that's how it seems.

I know you wonder where we are... what's taking us so long.

But remember child, I love you so and God will keep you strong.

Now go outside and feel the breeze and let it touch your skin...

Because tonight, just as always, I blow you kisses in the wind.

May God hold you in His hand until I can be with you.

I promise you, my darling, I'm doing all that I can do.

Very soon, you'll have a family for real, not just for pretend.

But for tonight, just as always, I blow you kisses in the wind.

May God wrap you in His arms and hold you very tight.

And let the angels bring the kisses that I send to you each night.

~Unknown~

Our Timeline to Makalynne

July 2010- Researched Countries and Agencies
8/27/10- Signed on with Great Wall Adoption Agency
8/30/10- Signed on with Lifeline Children's Services for the Homestudy
9/8/10- First homestudy visit
9/13/10- Received Makalynne's File
9/16/10- Locked Makalynne's File
9/17/10- Second Homestudy Visit
9/24/10- Final Homestudy Visit
10/1/10- Received Pre- Approval from the CCAA for Makalynne
10/14/10- Received the final copy of the homestudy
10/18/10- Homestudy approved by Great Wall
11/16/10- USCIS fingerprinting appointment
12/10/10- Received clearance from USCIS
12/13/10- Sent Dossier packet to Chinese Consulate for authentication
12/17/10- Received Authenticated Dossier paperwork from chinese consulate
12/20/10- Great Wall Received Dossier
12/23/10- Dossier to China!
12/29/10- LID!!!
2/24/11- LSC arrived
3/11/11- Final Immigration Approval!!!
3/15/11- Received 1-797 approval letter from USCIS
3/22/11- Received NVC letter that file was sent to Guangzhou
3/25/11- Packet dropped off at the consulate in Guangzhou
4/12/11- Received Article 5
4/25/11- received travel approval