I have been so bad about coming on here to blog. I had good intentions to do so weekly. But have failed! It has been 48 days since I posted. I know the exact days to be 48 because it was been 48 days since I was LID (Logged in with China). I am currently waiting on my LOA (Letter of Approval also knows as LSC Letter Seeking Confirmation). The first 30ish days was an easy wait. Day 35 started to get harder.... Day 38 was torture! I belong to a Facebook group and other with my LID were posting that they received LOA. I wanted to get the news I had also gotten LOA. I tried to wait and be patience but my heart was longing for news. I emailed my case worker only to be told that LOA's come in batches by agency and my agency had not gotten any. Not the news I wanted. I was then expecting LOA this past Friday - which was day 45 and the average wait time.... again no news, except this time no one received any LOA's. I am praying it comes sometime this week, it past few months they come on Tuesday or Friday so........ any day.
God has used this time to draw me closer to Him. I am human and often fight His timing. The maintenance worker (who also prodded me to listen to God back in December) reminded me at the end of last week that God knew the perfect timing of when I would get EVY. He knew the date of each step before He even called me to go to China and serve Him! I didn't like hearing this, however it was the truth I needed to hear! I can't do anything to make the approval come. Yes, I have a date I would like to travel by. At first I thought it had to be a certain time in early September or wait until late October early November. My mom is traveling with me and her work has a big conference end of September she didn't think she could miss. When she explained to her boss (a new boss to her) what was going - she was told "family first - we are a team if you need to be in China getting your granddaughter then that is where you need to be." Again God continues to confirm His call and provide along the way.
So, how else is God working.... lets talk about cost a little. Adoption is not cheap in fact it is quite expensive. However, from that moment I knew God was telling me I was to be Evy's mom, but scared how that could be or would work. I felt such assurance He would provide. I announced on Facebook, I was adopting. The very next day at church I was handed a card with the exact money I needed to begin my Home Study without emptying my savings account. This has been true for each step of the journey so far. I got my tax return right when a payment was due that covered the payment. I needed an amount for USCIS (immigration) and again I was handed a check that was the exact amount again. God has once again provided. Once LOA is receive I owe $4000 to my agency (completing the fees to the agency). I will still owe fees while in China, as well as travel expenses. I have applied for several grants but had not heard from any of them. Two weeks ago one contacted me wanting more information... I filled the form out. Then last Wednesday they emailed again wanting more information and to say they were meeting Sunday and I had made it to the final step but they would be narrowing down from there and let me know is 72 hours (so by Wednesday I should hear). Well, today I got a letter from Show Hope (Steven and MaryBeth Chapman foundation) letting me know they had awarded me a $6000 grant. God paid for the last agency fees before I even began to worry since I don't have LOA yet. On Wednesday I hope to hear from "A Gift of Adoption Foundation" which will help cover the cost of the airline tickets! I have been working hard to raise the orphanage donation ($5,200) I will take it with me to China. There are a couple other fees for court costs for adoption in her providence as well as medical exam and visa in Guangzhou. Plus the cost of hotel, food, guide/translator. However, God has provided and shown me that if we are obedient to do what He asks us to do - even if it seems impossible he goes before us to make a way. It reminds me that Jesus did this for me. He provided for me by giving His life, that I could spend eternity with my heavenly father.
So what steps are left.. LOA :) then I send paperwork back to USCIS to grant Visa for Evy Lu (I have approval to adopt a child from China, but this is matching specific child). Then it goes through 3 or 4 steps in US and China making sure all paperwork is complete. Then China issues TA (Travel Approval). Mom and I will then leave about 2 weeks after TA. When I get TA a lot has to happen very quickly. I will need to get a VISA as well as mom. However, because I work at a church I have to go to the Chinese Consulate in Chicago in person to apply. Plane tickets will be booked and with adoption agency's travel person hotels will be booked. But as God has reminded me the last few weeks, He knows each of these steps and has it!
Thank you for continuing to pray for me. Evy Lu's birthday is July 11th - I have a feeling this will be a hard day. I will be sending a birthday cake to her in China! I also leave for children's camp that day so it will be a good distraction! I love kids camp so that is good as well! It was also at kids camp last year I got the first text asking me to pray about going to China in November.
