More adoption lingo....Update.

The next step after our LOA from China was to get our I-800 approval from USCIS.

We found out on LEAP DAY of all days that our I-800 was approved!!!


The next step after that was our approval from the NVC (National Visa Center). I was not so pretty when I found out that my name was misspelled on our I-800. Oh but praise the LORD, His grace abounds! It was fixed in a matter of 24 hours and I feel so foolish that I let my heart go THERE so quickly. As of today Selah's visa petition was approved and we have been "cabled" to the U.S. Embassy in China!!!



Our in-China contact will be walking over our paperwork tonight (Friday 3/9 China time) to the US consulate where we wait for our Article 5 letter. This step takes 2 weeks.


After this we only have 2 steps left!!!!!! Article 5 pick up and then the much anticipated Travel Approval....NEXT STEPS:




Article 5 pick up - 3/23



Travel Approval -can come any time after that - but they have been coming in an average of 2 weeks, with actual travel as soon as 2 weeks after TA. SOOOO.....earliest possible travel being April 20th.

PLEASE continue to pray over our process, our family (health), against the spiritual warfare as we get closer to our daughter, the battle increases.

"...because greater He who is in us then he who is in the world." 1 John 4:4

Both Hands Project Update

This weekend was our Both Hands project day weekend. It was a tremendous blessing seeing everyone come together to serve Cruz and her home repair needs, in return we had a day full of love, fellowship, smiles, tears and encouragement.

I want to answer the big question that everyone is asking.... "How did the fund raiser go?"
Right now we have raised approximately $663. These donations came in prior to the project day, what a blessing! We still need a lot of prayer as most of the donations for Both Hands projects come in after the project day. Our account will remain open until we are home with Selah, so it's not too late to donate :)

So what is our need now? We still need to raise approximately $15,000 to complete our adoption. Travel is estimated to be 6 weeks away!!! We were blessed yesterday with some amazing news from the Chosen Marathon that Nathan and a couple of our friends ran for in October. We were chosen to receive additional funds through the general fund and they are sending us a check that will cover exactly what we need for some up coming fees. God has been so gracious to our family during this process and has provided what we need just when we need it. We believe He who is faithful will complete it!

Thank you to all who have blessed our family during this journey. Video and Pictures from project day to come!

You can click HERE to visit our Both Hands family page.

A Valentine for Selah

(Oh dear me....the cheeeeks!)

Earlier this month we sent a care package to Selah with a couple gifts for her, her foster family and orphanage nannies. We wanted it to be an expression of love for those who are caring for her while we are separated. We were thrilled to find out through my dear friend that our children's orphanage is really receptive to care packages and totally invested in preparing the children for their families.

(Director opening our gifts and reading our letter of thanks!)


It had been a little before Thanksgiving since we had sent our last care package. IT. WAS. TIME .



This morning we were filled with joy to see precious pictures filled with excitement and smiling faces...



(She is listening to our voices for the first time as we read a recorded story.)




Sharing treats!







The face of a little girl who knows she is treasured!

I have studied every detail of these pictures. From her supreme cuteness and how much she has changed over the past 3 months. From the expressions of her foster mom (Which praise JESUS I have pictures of her known foster mom!) To the tender expressions between her and whom I will assume is her foster brother (which my heart longs to know his story...how old is he, does he have a family coming? Is he aged out? What does his future hold?) These are the things that keep me up at night. Once you have been touched by one orphan, the way you view the world never looks the same.

But soon... very soon...there will be one less.

Valentine's Day may have come and gone, but every day is an opportunity to show love, especially to the least of these.

"And the King will say, 'I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!' Matt 25:40

Thankful

How do I even begin to express our gratitude for the love that is being poured out for our daughter?

With every prayer, call, gift, talent used for His Kingdom, it's like a wave washing over my very soul. Restoring a hope that I did not realize had been so badly damaged along this broken road. Maybe one day I can get to a place of sharing the deep pain of the dark days of this wait, how I let the lies of the enemy shut me down. Then again, maybe none of that matters now...all that matters is there is a new horizon...He is creating new life in me as we prepare new life for our daughter.





Psalm 3

"O LORD, how my adversaries have increased!
Many are rising up against me.
Many are saying of my soul,
“There is no deliverance for him in God.”
Selah.


But You, O LORD, are a shield about me,
My glory, and the One who lifts my head.
I was crying to the LORD with my voice,
And He answered me from His holy mountain.
Selah.

I lay down and slept;
I awoke, for the LORD sustains me.
I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people
Who have set themselves against me round about.

Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God!
For You have smitten all my enemies on the cheek;
You have shattered the teeth of the wicked.
Salvation belongs to the LORD;
Your blessing be upon Your people!
Selah."




Thank you for standing shoulder to shoulder with us on this journey. For continuing to pray, donate and advocate until our daughter is home.

(Beautiful beach portrait taken by my sweet friend Mandy who also waits for her son at the same orphanage.)

L.O.AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

Hallelujah, it came!!!!!!! On February 10, 2012 at 2:10pm the sweet ring of a door bell sent thrill to our hearts and our feet running for the door!



Poor Madelynn was already in her nap and missed all the action. Noah however got to see it all go down and was right there with helping hands.



After 2 years ...of praying, waiting, stepping out in faith and waiting some more...



Mountains moved.


"You were shown these things so that you might know that the Lord is God; besides Him there is no other." Due 4:35







Upon receiving our LOA or LSC (letter seeking confirmation) we are asked one very important yet heart breaking question and to check one box.

[] We accept the adoptee mentioned above

[] We cannot accept the adoptee mentioned above



[X] We accept the adoptee mentioned above ..... with all our hearts!

Philippians 4:4-7

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything through prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.


If you have not had a chance yet, please check out our Both Hands project page to see how you can be apart of the miracle of bringing Selah home.

"Let the morning bring word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. " Psalm 143:8

On its way

This blog started our different just a couple of hours ago. Let me take you back a bit. Last week we got word that our dossier made it through review and was approved! Let me tell you, there was rejoicing! The kind that draw you to your knees, in deep cries of joy.

We would just need to wait for the CCAA (China) to send us our LOA (Letter of acceptance).

*You cannot proceed with your adoption until China sends the LOA, which is your official approval from the CCAA to adopt your child.

Yesterday, day 69 of our LOA wait... we got word, it was sent...and is now on U.S. soil.





Next stop... Texas! We will finally have it in our hands on day 70!!!!




To be continued...

Both Hands and an UPDATE!

We have been given an amazing opportunity to work with





on a project called



Both Hands Mission Statement:


The Both Hands mission is to bring comfort to widows in the form of home repairs and landscaping, while partnering with Lifesong for Orphans to bring aid to orphans and provide financial assistance to adoptive families.

There are 150 million orphans in the world and while we can’t change the world, we can make a world of difference to some. One of the main reasons people don’t proceed with the adoption process is because of the huge price tag, often times between $15,000-$30,000. Our vision is that there will be Both Hands projects happening every weekend, in every state in this country.


If you would like to know more about our Both Hands project, the wonderful woman we will be serving and how you can help please check out our family fundraising page.

http://bothhandsfoundation.org/nathan-and-alisa-coriell.aspx

They have also set up a facebook page for us so come on over and join:

www.facebook.com/events/299943943391741


ADOPTION UPDATE:

I talked with our agency last night and our dossier just made it out of translation (day 38 of our LOA wait) and now is "in process". Please be praying!