PA Day... Hooray!!!

It is SO hard to not post every detail of what has been happening... definitely the hardest part about having a public blog... the restraints! But today was a VERY special day for our family... we received our PA (pre-approval) back from the CCAA!! This means that China has accepted our LOI (Letter of Intent) and our nurture plan, and allows us to move forward with the adoption. PTL!!! God is SO good! Without Him, NONE of this would have been possible. I continue to stand in AWE of everything He has done to make this happen when not all that long ago there were some moments of panic and doubt. And the timeline at which He has done this, is nothing short of miraculous in and of itself...I am VERY aware of that fact! I am continually reminded of this by other sources, but it is to God's glory...nothing we did or could have done. He has used the amazing people at our agency as a vessel He is working through to bring home our daughter. They have been wonderful, professional and extremely supportive every step of the way, and I couldn't be more grateful.

I know we have a long way to go yet before we can travel to China for her...but I am at peace with that, as I know the Lord will bring us to her in His perfect timing. In the meantime, there is a LOT to be done on our end. Since the first leg of our journey was extremely unusual and very, very time sensitive...it meant that a lot of things didn't happen in the "usual" way. But with that said...we are not able to just skip any steps either, so we have a lot of catching up to do. Paperwork, paperwork, and MORE paperwork! We have our next home visit next week, and are mostly completed with our 1800 forms. Unfortunately, we cannot expedite things with the USCIS, so the only way that will go faster than usual, is if we have some more "divine" favor! Please continue to lift us up in prayer... I KNOW HE HEARS EACH ONE! If things go at the usual rate from here on out, then it is my understanding that we likely won't travel until after the New Year. BUT, there has been nothing usual about our situation thus far, so I'm praying that God will make a way to have her home by Christmas (at the LATEST)...and even sooner would be better! If it's His will, then I trust that He will clear the way!! <><

I really hope to post one of "her" referral photos and announce the name we will give her sometime soon...but I have to check with our agency to make sure it is okay, or find out WHEN it is okay to post. I don't want to do anything prematurely that could cause troubles for us or anyone else in the process. It is important to me to respect our agency, the CCAA and other fellow-adoptive parents in the process. In the meantime, know that we are elated about this great news of our daughter...she is SO precious and beautiful, I just cannot wait to share!

This blog is also our main means of journaling, so that we are one day able to share with our daughter exactly when things happened; and also that she will know ALL that the Lord has done to bring her home! We are so blessed and will do our best to be the parents/family she deserves!! God is enabling us to raise her and I pray that we do Him justice in bringing her up in a happy, stable and healthy home! But right now, I am just anxious to bring her "HOME"!! :) I think I'm going to be learning alot about the word "patience" in the months ahead! In the meantime, I will just have to take things "one day at a time" ...and I might just hang out up here on "Cloud 9" for a little while longer, if that's okay?! :)

' As cold water to a weary soul, so is good news from a far country'
~Proverbs 25:25