Same old, same old....

Dear Family and Friends,

Nothing more concrete to add... I am anxiously waiting to see what is coming in from china and hope to have better news for you by this time next week....

Pretty boring for you all, I'm sure! But, thanks for keeping me company!

Blessings,
Chinamom

Something to think about....

Dear Family and Friends,

I saw this video several months ago and it touched my heart. It spoke to me so strongly that it haunts me. I often wonder if this isn't how my own child's mother must have started that heartbreaking journey for her that will bring me such joy. It's strange how something so painful for one can be such an answer to prayer for someone else.

Please pray for those orphans who are left behind. May our Father in Heaven give them comfort.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=iC2rmCRQRKQ

(it somtimes takes a minute or two for the video to load, please be patient - it's worth the wait)

Blessings,
Chinamom


"A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy habitation. God sets the solitary in families..." Psalm 68:5-6

Nothing New

Dear Family and Friends,

Since I've emailed you all my blog address it occurs to me that one or two of you might actually be checking it from time to time for updates. I regret to say there are no new rumors worth reporting out there since my last update.

I've been keeping a close eye on the rumor boards and as soon as I get notice of how far along the CCAA got with matching babies, I'll report back in. My guess would be that by this time next week we will have a pretty firm idea how close they got to my December 5, 2005 LID.

Blessings,
Chinamom

The Rumor

Dear Family and Friends,

Here we are on the roller coaster for the month of August!

About 2 weeks before the China adoption community sees the next batch of referrals, there is a period of time when the rumors start to fly.

Yesterday I was rather distressed to see that the first rumor was that the CCAA was only through November 24, 2005 LIDs. This was upsetting because if true, that would mean there were only 3 days processed for the month! Fortunately, I've learned through months and months of experience that first rumors are usually not very accurate.

Today's news was a bit improved in that it appears some agencies are hearing their November 25 LID families will be included as well. With another week or so of matching to go before referrals are mailed out, this could well take us to close to the end of November!!

Now THAT scares me! After nearly two years of waiting, the thought that I may be part of the "next" group (after September) is almost frightening! You start having second thoughts about things...although I hear this is not unique to adoptive parents and that expecting moms also have moment of panic as their pregnancy comes to its end!

Please don't get your hopes up about an October referral. I really don't expect to hear anything until November. The last few days of November early December 2005 were very busy days for documents being logged in. It's doubtful they will have enough "paper ready" babies to process all those days......

Here's praying He gives me the strength to get through the next 20 years!!

Blessings,
Chinamom

"Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your descendants from the east, and gather you from the west" Isaiah 43:5

Getting Closer

Dear Family and Friends,

Just a quick note to update everyone on the latest news from China. Although not on the official website for the CCAA as of yet, it appears the referrals that came in this week take us through November 21, 2005! Two more weeks of paperwork to process and I will have news about my baby! If they keep up this pace, I could have my referral as soon as October, however the last week of November 2005 and my log in date, December 5, 2005, appear to have lots of families logged in on those dates. This could slow things down a bit so I'm not counting on a referral before November of this year. This way I might be very pleasantly surprised if they DO stay on track for and October referral!

This experience has become rather surreal. That expression "so close and yet so far" takes on a whole new meaning when you are adopting. Every day is a bit closer but is has been at such a snail's pace that you don't feel like you are any nearer to the goal no matter HOW many days they are able to process.

But, I do take comfort in knowing that everything that has happened in this journey has been orchestrated by Someone who knows what is best. He had a plan for my life and my child's life as well and He has been faithfully working out the details. I look forward to seeing how this all comes together in the end....I think my family will also be relieved to get this over with too!

Blessings,

Chinamom

To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven:... A time to weep, and a time to laugh: A time to mourn, and a time to dance. Ecclesiastes 3: 1, 4 NKJV