I thought I needed to give an update as it has been way to long and my paperwork is now complete!! I finally got my immigration approval and used a service out of Chicago to get the approval, notarized, state certified and authenticated. It came back in less than a week! I then sent to my agency, but there were a few hiccups there and it took another 5 days to get sent to China. I was trying very hard not to be frustrated but to be honest it was hard! When you are counting days and trying to get my a goal EVERY day counts! :)

I was DTC (Dossier to China) on 5/1/17. Once it heads over - meaning the agency mailed it and China is waiting for hard copy to get them, you wait for it to be logged in to their system (LID). I received word this morning from my agency that I was LID today! Now I count up days till LOA (Letter of Acceptance) - this is China's final approval. The agency said it goes through several steps before getting to final approval. First it goes to "in translation", then "in review", then "in matching" (Yes I have already to matched but my paperwork will be officially matched to hers). then final approval comes. I can expect around 45 days of waiting (some recently have taken up to 60 ugg).

I am really hoping to travel the very end of August, beginning of September. I will know more if that is doable after getting LOA. I also need to work on raising more funds for the adoption. So far all fees are paid. However there is a $5200 orphanage donation fee, I must take in cash so I have started process to raise this. There are still some other agency fees, as well as visa for her and a medical exam in country. As well as travel expenses (plane tickets, guides, translators, hotels, etc). Travel expenses they say to estimate ($4000 per person for guide, plane/train tickets, hotels, and food). I have applied for 3 grants (haven't heard anything) and am working on two others. I am praying them will help with some of the travel expenses and the last of the agency fees.

I have a puzzle that has pictures of Evy Lu from her file and my trip to China. It has has the phrase "Love You to the Moon and Back" on it. I am asking for a $10 donation for a puzzle piece and then you can sign the back (or if you live away I will write your name). I will then frame this puzzle so either side can be seen. It will go in her room and I pray be a great conversation piece to talk about how much she was loved before everyone even met her! If you would like a puzzle piece or multiple just let me know.

Thank you for the continued prayers!! Others have said the wait for LOA is the hardest. I though I-800A wait was very hard (it was about the same time frame 44 days). I feel more at ease this time so hopefully I do well waiting.