Maybe he'll sign-off on our papers soon

...this post is taken directly from the CCAA's website - it rarely changes so it was nice to see some activity. Our friend Sheila and her husband just got back with their new daughter, Anna. They are doing great and give me hope that the wait does end in time. I pray that "Everything is indeed for the Children." New Year Greeting

Date of Post:December,31 2006　　Source:CCAA

As the light of springtime emerges gradually, it is a fresh start for all living things. With the advent of the New Year, I would like to, on behalf of the China Center of Adoption Affairs (CCAA), thank leaders of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, related departments and fellow institutes for the concern and care you have given to CCAA, thank all governments of receiving states and adoption organizations for the sincere trust and good cooperation we have received from you, thank all circles of society for your warm support and deep-felt care to the orphans and handicapped children in China. We wish you have a harmoniously life, good health, happy family and good luck in everything in the forthcoming year. Packing off 2006 which is full of achievements and fruits, we welcome 2007 which is full of hope. The CCAA will continue to follow the principle of “everything for the children”, develop the inter-country adoption work in China towards the direction of being more consistent with international convention, being more reasonable with the reality in China, working harder in accordance with law and regulations and making a better protection of the rights and interests of children and contribute more for the orphans and handicapped children to make sure that they can grow up healthily and happily in the same world and under the same blue sky! 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Director General of CCAA:Luying 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　December 31, 2006

What's another week?!

We celebrated Christmas with everyone of our family members! What a feat to get us all home at the same time. It was the first time ever to occur and it may never happen again. We cheered with joy at the announcement of my niece's pregnancy. It was understandable that everyone is still a bit hesitant to be excited over our adoption. This wait is incomprehensible even to me. My sister-in-law so thoughtfully brought our Mia a gift for Christmas too, a chinese baby-doll. So many are scared that this may end in failure, a miscarriage or sorts. How precious is life and the relationships we build.
It was so nice to begin the Holy Day with a Christmas Eve candlelight service at our church with the pew lined with our family. The next morning was wonderfully delayed as we all slept 'til 7 and leisurely admired each others gifts. Somehow I talked the whole bunch into going to see "The Nativity" movie and even Mike's mom went along. The biggest joy was when Ethan admitted that it was really good. He's quite the movie critic.
We are in the homestretch and we've completed 16 months of this wait. Our dossier went to China on September 26, 2005. It's kind of like the re-entry story of the Apollo 13 module. If you haven't heard from us by this time next week - well.....we're coasting in outer-space. Pray that we hear soon. Holidays have our agency shut down until Thursday & Friday. If we haven't heard before the 4th or 5th I'll be nuts! Another week? God be merciful.

Hark the Herald is quiet

No, I don't feel guilty for not sending out Christmas cards this year. Every year Mike begins to sift through the ever increasing display of the yule-tide greetings, photo's and newsletters and I know he's thinking, "When are our cards going out?" Well, I refuse to be bluffed this year. In fact, I am quite staunch in my resolve to hold out on cards until the news of our referral comes. I have visions of a grand announcement in the New Year.
The heavens were silent for some 300 years prior to the coming Messiah. But upon Jesus' birth heaven burst open and out flowed The Word. His arrival was heralded in majestically. Words alone were not enough. Only the serafs and angels could do justice to this miraculous event. I've spent my entire life trying to understand His impact upon my being.
How inadequate I feel to describe our wait for this child. How empty our world feels knowing that we cannot predict the timing. We mortals love to be in control, yet our dominion is an illusion. Peace is found knowing that His love is perfect and in the fullness of time His plan will be completed. Our family is blessed to have been given this opportunity. Another life to enrich our path. God's fullness is limitless. We can not begin to imagine the things He has planned for each of us. My prayer is that, like the serafs, we reflect at least some of His splendor.

Soon a plane will carry packages from the China Center of Adoption Affairs containing the dossiers of many children already matched with a family. Once they are delivered to the different agencies, it will take several days to deliver the bundles of joy. Some agencies are anticipating referrals to come right before Christmas, some right after and some the first week of the New Year. I can hardly think of this time now without having my chest tighten and I can't imagine how I will hold up when it actually happens. If I could blow a trumpet to proclaim our delight, I would! The phones will ring and the blog will post. Stay tuned......Whenever we get the news that we have a child, the heralding will begin!

Silent Night, Holy Night
All is calm, all is bright
'Round yon virgin, Mother and Child
Holy enfant, so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace