Waiting this time around, as I've mentioned before, has been very different. While we waited for JG, the anticipation wasn't as high since she was barely out of baby hood. Our newest "arrival" will be 13! Quite the difference indeed.
From the beginning of this second adoption there have only been 2 things we have been waiting with baited breath to hear; "yes, we have told your daughter about you" and all the feedback that comes with that.
It feels like its taken forever to get to that point but Wednesday night we finally got "the" call. We've been harassing them almost daily and had a moment here and there of frustration wondering what was taking so long.
Monday evening at approximately 6:30pm (Monday 6:30am our time) the case worker, Jane, took the photo book to our daughter. She recorded her for almost 2 minutes studying the pictures and her reactions were most amazing. At one point she got so excited and although I don't understand Chinese it sounded like she was saying "come here, come here, come here" to her foster mom and sister. They both indulged her and came running. They were all pointing to a specific picture and talking very excitedly. We looked and looked and went back and forth several times and figured out it was the picture we had taken of JG holding the framed picture of Joy. She was beaming. It was so precious. After watching the video several more times and looking at the 4 pictures that came with it I read the report Jane wrote after the visit. It made me laugh and cry. Here is a brief synopsis of that report.
Joy was surprised to see her picture on the cover of the photo book and kept repeating to herself "I am ugly, I am ugly". I was crushed. Jane quickly told her how pretty she was and she smiled. She asked why we all had blue eyes (Jared and Jack are the only ones with blue eyes). Jane then explained the adoption process to her and that we would be there very soon to bring her home. She asked Jane if she would be able to call her foster mom after she's adopted. She became very sad at this point in the discussion and began to cry. I can't personally imagine the heartbreak, fear of the unknown, not just leaving your foster family but the only country you've ever known for 13 years. A whole new language, new smells, new sights and sounds completely unfamiliar. WOW, it blows the mind. Joy seemed happy about sharing a room with JG and was happy there were Chinese paintings on the wall and was told she could hang her own paintings in the room also. Have I mentioned she's an artist? Oh, and it turns out she is learning English in school but it will be minimal at best.
We have begun room rearrangement. We found a loft bed on craigslist that also has shelves and a desk, we just need a mattress. With a little help from my friend Valerie we gutted JG's closet to make room for Joy. She has already been blessed with a plethora of clothes (thanks to my good friend Sandy) so we separated them into seasons and put a tote in the attic for future use. I feel like I am babbling.
We submitted 2 sets of questions back to the agency within the last week, one of which requested an estimated timeline for travel. As things stand now, we will most likely travel at the end of April. Obviously, we are hoping it is sooner but God's timing is the only one we are interested in so trusting in that is fine.
Here's where we are financially: any day now they will send us a bill for $13,500.00 which is our agency fee. $7,000 of that goes directly to the orphanage in her province. There is still a lot to get Joy since we have been told she might come with a small back pack but most likely just the clothes on her back.
UPDATE:
Last night our agency called to say we received our LOA which is our letter of acceptance. This is the official approval of the Chinese Gov for us to adopt our daughter. We were shocked! I told Brian at dinner time that I had checked my email a hundred times that day looking for it. Dinner was barely over when the call came in. I literally jumped for Joy. Pun intended. :)
Brian sprang into action as the next three steps are on our side. And the final two steps are China. All will happen very quickly and if things all go smoothly and without incident it is reasonable to believe we will travel in March.
My mind began going a hundred miles a minute thinking of all the things that still need to be done and all the money that still needs to come in. We still need $18,000 to finish this adoption. Truthfully, as daunting as that number is I know its not too big for God. This was His idea so His provision will be there. And He is never early and He is never late. Trusting HIM completely.
If you feel led to give, please see the side bar for our You Caring account. Also, if you would please consider sharing this with anyone you can think of. Every penny helps, no matter how small.
Thank you for being on our second journey of hope. We could never do it without your support.
Blessings.
