Mighty To Save

Not much to update on the adoption front, except that we are working on getting everything together for our home study.  It mostly consists of getting forms filled out, blood tests, fingerprinting, notarizing, and what other forms only Ohio requires.  We joked last week that Noel and I had a mini date, and it consisted of getting fingerprinted and our social security card verifications (since we couldn't find our cards).  We had fun getting it done, and making fun of what was going on in the social security office. 
Today during my quiet time the song "Mighty to Save" was running thru my mind.  We had practiced the song last night for Sunday AM service, but part of that song has just a strong meaning to me today.

"So take me as you find me, all my fears and failures."

That is how God will take us into his family, and how we will take our daughter into ours.  We will accept her and love her no matter her background or where she came from.  She will have all the rights and privileges as a member of the Dear family.  We are longing for the day when we will know who she is.



Lucky Ladybug

While surfing on the internet, I ran across something interesting.  I found out in the China adoption community ladybugs are considered lucky. Since we do not believe in luck but the divine providence of God - I found it fascinating.  Why? The girl's bathroom is decorated in ladybugs.  This was just one more confirmation for me that we are following God's will for our family. Here is an excerpt from a website that I found why this is:

Perhaps you've wondered why ladybugs are considered lucky in the China adoption community. We have too, and found out that though ladybugs are red, (the good luck color in China), the root of this belief is not found in Chinese culture.



In the late 1990's in southern China, international adoption programs began growing rapidly as people learned of the many benefits of Chinese adoption. One Fall the ladybug (Chinese beetle) population grew unusually large in Guangzhou, China. Guangzhou is a necessary stop for all Americans, Brits, Australians and Canadians adopting from China. (The city houses many Consulate-General offices.) This large ladybug population explosion was thought to be lucky  for the many adopting families flowing into China.

God is truly amazing how He can further confirm His Will.

Donna

Home Study Time

This week we have our first visit with our home study coordinator in Findley.  We will be prioritizing more of what forms need to be done.  We will get our fingerprints done this week, and then they will be sent to BCI and FBI.  Nice to know these fingerprints get us closer to "Allison" and not the "pokey".

Hannah asked us last week if she had to get shots to go to China, as many of you know she it not a big fan of them.  We had to tell her yes, a TB test, and that we all have to get one.

On a another note, Worthy of the Prize is having an auction in November for adoptive families they are supporting.  Check it out and you can get a jump on your Christmas shopping.

The Paperwork Elephant

This past week we were assigned to our adoption coordinator and home study coordinator. We are excited to work with Amy and Teresse. We received several emails from each with all the forms we need to start filling out. It was a little overwhelming when I started printing them out and reading everything. Thankfully Noel has the gift of paper organization and filing, and has agreed to get it together, and put it in order of what needs to be done. In addition to all these forms, we have grant forms to fill out as well. Noel's goal is to set a land speed record of forms completed. Some of these forms require 2-4 pages typed out of like our life story.

So if you do not hear from us, we have drowned in paperwork. It is so worth it.

Our daughter is constantly on our minds, and we are looking forward to seeing her. We have given her a name for now, since we do not know who she is yet. The name we will lift up in prayer is "Allison".

Keep praying and pray for "Allison".

Donna

Why a girl?

Several have ask - why a girl? Why not? I know we have 2 girls - 3's a crowd.  We have prayed about it, and we feel God is calling us to adopt another girl.  Girls that are not adopted often have a great chance of being sold into a slave industry that is very prevalent in our society today in America and worldwide. Here is just one example of what can happen - http://nataliegrant.com/category/news/.  In following Natalie Grant and her mission to end human trafficking is another reason why it is important to help girls from ending up in situations as these. It is even happening in Ohio - http://www.gracehavenhouse.org/.

Keep Praying!!

Donna

WE'RE APPROVED!

We have just received word that our application has been approved! Next step - more paperwork and homestudy. 

Our adoption agency is America World Adoption - http://www.awaa.org/.

Keep Praying!!

Application is Sent

Last night we completed our first set of paper work - the application.  It was exciting hitting the submit button.  We checked and double checked all of our info.  We survived taking our family picture.  Now we wait for them to approve our application, and then we start the home study.  We did find out that there is an International Adoption Clinic at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus.  It was one of the first kind started in the U.S.  When you get your referral, they will set up an appointment with a doctor where they will go over the information you have received about the child.  After you bring your child home they will also help you with all the tests and other things your child will need to bring all immunizations up to date.  I did find out that our pediatrician requires this before she will see them.

Keep praying!

Donna