Patient in Waiting

"Be joyful in hope, patient in [waiting], faithful in prayer." Romans 12:12

Okay, I did change one word, I exchanged waiting for affliction. I think is is applicable. My affliction right now is waiting! We certainly are joyful right now. Anytime anyone asks me about how our adoption process is going and tells us how excited they are for us, I just beam! I know I do. I'm so excited I can't hardly stand it!

I'm also praying hard!! We're praying for Ted and Bev as they are caring for so many babies and making life changing decisions for parents and kids! We are praying for our little one that God will bless us with soon. We are praying for us in this process. Oh the prayers never stop!

The hard one is being patient. Patience has never been my strong suit. I'm persistent though, so does that count? Don't ever tell me I can't do something, cause I WILL prove you wrong. I tried out for colorguard 3 years in a row before I made it. My academic advisor in college told me I'd never get into nursing school at Auburn; 2 years later I was accepted. Trust me I've got others. Anyway, we're trying to be patient now--we've been persistant.

Good news though....We got word from Ted and Bev yesterday that they are having our home study translated into Chinese. They also told us that we definitely need to be working on our I600A. (We have already sent that in 2 weeks ago and have our fingerprinting appts now.) While that's not a referral, it sure sounds like steps in the right direction and certainly good news!

Blessings,
The Earharts

Are we there yet?

We are far from there yet....but still, I keep hoping. We sent our I-600A form off last week. I know, I know, what's that?! It's the petition you file for advance placement of a child. Basically it's the visa and a form that when it's approved makes the child a US citizen once he/she is on US soil. It takes a little while for that to be processed, probably upwards of at least 8 weeks. Good thing is you can file it before you get your referral (the call stating there is a child for us). But for now, we wait.

I must say it is very hard to concentrate knowing that any time we could get a call. Everytime the phone rings, I wonder (and quickly check the caller ID) "Is this the call?" Somehow I need to find a diversion. I pray a lot....but I still think about it. I read adoption books, I look at baby stuff online, I think about what Taiwan will be like, what it will be like when he/she is home. Anway, for now, I'll just have to wait and imagine.....

Patience Dear One

Hello all! As you can see from Chris's post, our home study is done!!!! Praise the Lord!!! Now it's just hurry up and wait. The hard part. But we know that the Lord is good and has been with us every step of this journey. We are trusting in his perfect timing! Oh how I long for the day we get our hands on that little one!!!! In the meantime I keep thinking of Aslan's quote from the movie Chronicals of Narnia, "Patience Dear One".

Pray for our peace and contentment in this time of waiting. Pray for our little one's peace as well until he/she gets to come home with us. Pray also, even now, for our little one's attachment and transition to our Forever Family. Pray for Ted and Bev as they are not only making big decisions but taking care of all those little babies! We have heard through THOGL's facebook page that several families have gotten their referrals and are in process of court dates in Taiwain, preparing to travel, etc. Pray for those families and that their final steps would go smoothly. And lastly, praise, praise, praise the Lord for all his blessings!

Love and Blessings,
Amy

Home Study is Done!!

Our Home Study is finally done, signed, and emailed to Ted and Bev. They emailed that they received it and said we should go ahead and send in our I600A paperwork. This goes to the government to approve us to adopt, to adopt from Taiwan, and to travel to Taiwan. We will also have to have our finger printing done a second time. We have everything put together to send our paperwork off, so we should be able to send it Monday.

We have no referral at this time and no indication how long the wait will be. Please pray that it will be soon.

God bless,
Chris