January 26, 2012 - Passed Fingerprinting!

We passed!! Today we got our USCIS confirmation letter that we have passed our fingerprints.  We have been cleared to adopt a girl or boy under the age of 12 months at the time of placement.  They have sent that information to a place in New Hampshire to be processed and also to Taiwan. :)  I’m not really sure where we go from here other than to wait to hear we have made the waiting list.  I faxed our form to THOGL, Taiwan tonight so they would get it quicker.  I also called and talked with Ted to let him know that I had faxed it.  Things seem to be moving along!  

January 24, 2012 - A Breakthrough!

Are there ever days where you do something and then think…..did I really just do that?!! Tonight was one of those times.  After talking with Sherree for the past few days, she convinced me to call Taiwan and see what was going on with our adoption stuff.  I was soooo nervous because I didn’t want to seem pushy or annoying, but I felt like I needed to be re-assured of this whole process.  I have not lost faith, but just needed a little pick me up ~ even to hear Bev’s voice would be re-assuring. :)  so I decided to go ahead and call.  I prayed before making the call that God would lead my conversation and that I wouldn’t come across pushy or ungrateful for the work they are doing over in Taiwan.  So I called and spoke with Bev.  We talked about so many things and the conversation seemed to last forever, even though it was only about 5 minutes probably.  I had to laugh out loud when she said, “don’t be afraid to call us if you have questions – you’re not being pushy!”.  I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry while thinking “Thank you God!”.  So we talked and she informed me that we are not on the waiting list yet, but she would read our home study asap and let us know soon!  She said there are about 10 families who are on the list currently and they also have a lot of home studies to read, but she would look for ours :)  She asked a lot of questions about Matt and I, which she seemed to love the answers to (and of course I was honest).  She liked that we have been married for 5 years and said that would help us to move up on the list.  She also loved that I will be staying home with our baby, so that would bump us up on the list too!  I just feel sooooo much better!  She said to call anytime I had questions ~ I can’t wait to hear from them!!!

January 22, 2012 - Mark 9:37

"Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me."  Mark 9:37.

Today we are keeping the faith and waiting to be confirmed on the waiting list.

January 15, 2012 - Dresser Project Underway

We loved today!  We went to my mother-in-law, Kellie’s, house today and we began working on stripping down some old wooden dresser drawers that we found up in my Grandma & Grandpa’s house.  They will go in the baby’s room when we get done :)  Right now they are bright orange.  When we are done they will be a dark Brown.  We also got a really nice rocking chair, which was Matt’s Grandma’s.  I can’t wait to put it in the room.  

January 11, 2012 - He is Always Working

Feeling very content and blessed right where we are today in the process.  God is teaching me that even though nothing might have happened today, that doesn’t mean nothing is happening on the other side of the world.  He is always at work – even when we can’t see.  His timing will be perfect.

January 10, 2012 - Finishing up the Doily Project

Today I picked up the last frame for my doily project and finished putting the frames together :)  I love it!! They turned out perfect and I don’t even have the babies name in Chinese symbols yet, which will look even more awesome!

January 9, 2012 - Fingerprints Done at the Dept. of Homeland Security

Got up and drove to Indianapolis today to get our fingerprints done.  After arriving on the 4^th floor we were met by a very strict lady that would search us for weapons, etc.……..which was kind of freaky and someone probably should have warned us because we were totally caught off guard and so was everyone else that went in at the same time!  So we were searched and then filled out some paperwork and were called back within 5 minutes.  It all went fine and they got my prints without any problems this time!!  Well, except my pinky which took a few tries, but we got it! Another step closer :)

Read this today and it really made me think…..Stole this from a blog I read..."We are all orphans, if not for the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. You see, none of us is worthy of a loving, permanent family. None of us, by our own merit, has any value or sonship. But, because God has given us His redemptive grace, through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus, we are heirs. We have a forever family. We are a part. A part of a body of believers to which the Lord extends His grace and His peace."

January 8, 2012 - Doilies

It’s the small things in life that make all the difference.  We were so excited today because we bought 3 old fashioned picture frames that are really cool.  I had no intentions of putting pictures in them, but putting doilies instead! Yes, that’s right – doilies.  I got some of my Grandma Cooper’s doilies and wanted to frame them in the baby’s room.  My plan is to put the doilies in them which will represent my heritage and then have our babies name made in Chinese characters and vinyled on the front of the frame.  That way our baby will have part of their heritage and ours :)  Anyway, I got the frames the other night and put the doilies in them today and I LOVE THEM!!!! They turned out awesome!

January 4, 2012 - Be Still

My thoughts today:

Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; Psalm 37:7