Chronology of Adoption July '07-Aug '08

Summer 2007- Trent and I started seriously praying and considering adopting a child from China. We began looking into our options and the process of adoption. This is something that we have felt we would do one day and were trying to discern if this was the time

July 29, 2007- We finally decided that this was probably the time. Trent and I had dinner at Zios and decided to pray all week and then make a final decision next Sunday

August 5, 2007- Trent informed me that he felt like we are supposed to follow through with this adoption. We went home and completed our paperwork that night. We also completed our paperwork for a special needs child

August 16, 2007- We received a call today from AWAA that they approved our application for Ruthie. I can use the name comfortably today because Trent called and said that it took on new meaning for him this morning when he was praying her. Ruth in the Bible was a foreigner who was taken in by Naomi. She became part of Naomi’s family and her culture. She eventually was the great grandmother of David. What a great name to pass on to my adopted daughter. I love it

August 31, 2007- We are in the process of filling out an incredible amount of paperwork for our home study. I received an email yesterday that they expect the time from file date to placement to increase. I am in prayer that God makes a way for this to happen more quickly. Ruthie- we can’t wait to meet you and bring you into our family

September 8, 2007 – We received the last piece of paperwork to complete our home study application packet. This has been an overwhelming process because they require so many documents. However, a major piece is now complete and we are one step closer to getting Ruthie. My plan is to copy the documents at church tomorrow and put them in the mail Monday. From there I will begin working on collecting the paperwork for our Dossier and sending it off for proofing. This is really coming together. I just watched Steven Curtis Chapman’s video “when love takes you home”. It helps me stay focused on our end goal and that is Ruthie. Oh yeah- it is also my birthday. I am 32 today.

December 24, 2007- I haven’t written in a while, but we have been working hard to complete our Dossier. We had finished our home study, filed it with immigration, were fingerprinted by the FBI, waited for our approval, drove all the documents to Austin to be authenticated and the got ready to take them to the consulate when we realized that we were supposed to have our birth certificates authenticated too. That was a little frustrating because it wasn’t in the original document. Anyway, we are waiting now on the authentication of our birth certificates so we can take everything to the Chinese Consulate. Wouldn’t it be great if we had Ruthie by next Christmas.

Feb 6, 2008- Your dossier is in china and is being translated. It should be turned in for us to have a “log in date” soon. Right now we just wait and pray for the day that we get to meet you. Jack is eager for us to get you soon. We know that God has a plan.

Feb 16, 2008- We received an email yesterday telling us that our Log in Date was January 31, 2008. That is the date that our paperwork was officially filed with the Chinese government. They say the wait right now is 27 months and growing. We are also on the special needs list. We are praying for you and cannot wait to meet you.

August 19, 2008- Since February we have just been waiting and trying to go on with life. We have watched the 2008 Olympic games in Beijing and wondered if you are in the world yet. Your brother, Jack, started kindergarten today. While I was at lunch with a friend, I got a call that indicated we are approaching the top of the Waiting Children list. I am overjoyed to think that we may get to bring you home soon.

August 29, 2008- I have been looking at decorations for your room this weekend. We are hoping to get a call next month when the next list of Waiting Children comes out. I am starting a blog to keep me busy while we wait.

September 29, 2008- So the September list came in and you weren't on it. I have to admit that I was pretty dissapointed. AWAA got the list while the boys and I were evacuated to Waco from hurricane Ike. I was standing in the living room of the apartment we were staying in feeling sorry for myself and my eye caught a verse across the room. It was Jeremiah 29:11 - 'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.' God knows when you will get to be a part of our family. In the meantime, we will wait and pray.

December 16, 2008- We have waited through the October and November lists with still no call. I bought some lettering for your room the other day and your Aunt Kelley sent you boxes of clothes. Everything is here waiting for you. We will continue to wait and pray for you as God prepares us all to be a family.