Do you want the bad news first or good news..just kidding (as if you really have a choice!) Weeeell, the bad news is that it appears we will NOT get our referral in May. The good news is that we are now first in line for the next batch of referrals that will hopefully come in June. We received this latest information through our agency's chat room which I have pasted below.
The other good news is that we have reached...actually gone BEYOND the money we needed for our referral fee!! YEEEEAAA!!!! We have a little extra time now to raise the remaining $11,500 in fees and expenses so we are still fundraising away. We are incredibly grateful for your support. There are not enough words to say "THANKS!!" We also are still waiting for Don's passport to come back (we had to renew it) so maybe God is just buying us a little extra time for things to line up. I feel like kid waiting for summer to come. A month is not very long but seems like an eternity!!
Until next time, -don & denise (LID 11/02/05)
LATEST NEWS FROM CCAA (China Center of Adoption Affairs)
The CCAA updated the CCAA/Agency Information System on 4/29/07 in the
evening with the following document processing news:
"Document Processing
The CCAA has finished the review of the adoption application documents
registered with our office before March 31, 2006.
The CCAA has finished the placement of children for the families whose
adoption application documents were registered with our office before
November 1, 2005."
So, it appears the CCAA has mailed/is mailing out the next group of
referrals which will include the 10/27/05 through 11/1/05 log in
dates. Children's Hope has 15 families with a 10/27/05 log in date.
Congratulations to these families!
Children's Hope also has 17 families with a 11/2/05 log in date.
These families are now first in line for the next group of referrals!
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Thursday, April 26, 2007
What to Say...What NOT to Say to Someone Adopting
Over the past 2 years, we've had numerous conversations with people about our adoption process. Not everyone knows someone personally who is or has adopted and during this time, we've had a lot of encouragement and also a lot of well-meaning but not so encouraging comments. You know the old saying...."until you've walked a mile in someone else's shoes..." Well it's true. I didn't know what to say either until having gone through the process. So here's a little Adoption Comments 101 info to help you lift up instead of pull down those you know who are going through the adoption process.
First off, the wait is short for some, long for others. For us, it has been a long wait and I know of other people who have waited many YEARS to receive a baby...it's all a matter of perspective. When you're pregnant, you can feel that baby inside of you. You know it's there and you know approximately when you'll expect to hold that baby. But when you're adopting, you have nothing to feel, nothing to know that you'll get that baby..except the day you see their photo in the mail. And that photo...for us....has not been visible in over 2 years. When you adopt, you have only one thing to reassure you that you're getting a baby...hope. That's a difficult thing to deal with, especially when that hope is constantly getting delayed month after month. Suddenly the timeline you thought you knew in the beginning is now totally unknown. When we were forced to accept that, we went totally numb...put our emotions on hold...put the adoption in the back of our minds. To constantly think about it, to plan, to hope was too much to deal with. We would be emotional wrecks by now if we let ourselves dwell on it too much.
Yes, we are getting closer, of course we are...but still...when you think you'll see that photo in one month, and then 2 months go by and you think "ok, it'll be next month", and then next month comes and you think, "well maybe NEXT month"...ARGH!!!! Can you understand our frustration? We've been thinking "maybe it will be next month" for nearly A YEAR now. And when people ask, "When will you hear something?" and we say "I don't know, maybe next month" and they say "Oh! That's not very long at all"...in the back of my mind I'm thinking...well, it's been a "year long" for us. ha! Ironically it's a bit humorous and sad at the same time.
So, I decided to make a list of things to say and don't say to adopting couples. Please note, that these are suggestions related to me (Denise). I do not mean to offend anyone, I'm being very honest about my feelings. I know that many of these comments were meant with good intentions by people who truly care about us and I hope you forgive me if I reacted negatively to a comment. I only wish I'd known these things years earlier so I that I could've been more encouraging to couples adopting.
AVOID SAYING
1. "You don't have very long to wait now!" or "Oh! You're getting closer" (based on our story above, couples know they are getting closer but it doesn't FEEL that way when you experience month after month of delays. Saying this just reminds them of that disappointment.)
2. "I don't know why it's taking so long for you. So & So got their baby pretty quickly" or "Why do these celebrities get their babies so fast?" (Adopting couples do NOT want to hear how everyone else got their baby so fast. It just reminds them of how they DON'T have their baby yet.)
3. "Maybe you should go with another agency" (We were already over a year into the process with our paperwork buried in China. To try and get it back would've been a long and frustrating process. Plus we were still hopeful that we were closer).
4. "Have you heard anything yet?" (If we did, we'd tell you. When the same people ask you this every week, it is a constant reminder that you HAVEN'T heard anything. I finally stopped trying to give explanations and resorted to short, dry answers, i.e. "No & I don't know.")
5. "When WILL you hear something?" or "Why haven't you heard anything?" (If we knew that, we'd tell you! The major part of this frustration is not knowing and it's exhausting to constantly have to explain to every person who asks WHY you haven't heard anything.)
6. (After we explained the constant delays or vented our frustration..."God has the right child for you and his timing is perfect"....yes, we are very aware of that but sometimes, couples just need to vent and have someone LISTEN. Just let them vent, don't try to say anything wise, just an "I'm sorry it's taking so long and I'm hear to listen", and a big HUG is all that's needed and very much appreciated.)
7. This next one was sent to me from another adopting couple: "To an adopting family (that already has a child in the home) please don't tell them "well at least you have your little one to hold." My anxiety is much stronger this time around. :) I love my daughter dearly, but I'm paper pregnant for what seems like an eternity!" (Regardless of how many children you already have, your heart still aches for the one you are waiting for).
HELPFUL THINGS TO SAY
1. "We're praying for you, your child and your family" (I like knowing that people are praying for us and believe in the power of prayer)
2. (Refer to #6 above) Being available to listen when they need to vent and give hugs.
3. Another adoptive mom gave me this helpful advice: "This might be a good time to spend some time pampering yourself, taking a mini vacation (can anyone say Glacier Park, Montana?), or go to a romantic dinner with your hubby. I was so preoccupied with the stress involved in the whole adoption saga, that I didn't take time for me prior to everything happening all at once." This is true. You forget to enjoy the remaining time with your spouse before the baby comes.
4. Give couples contact info of other couples who have adopted. Although we haven't taken up every offer we received, we have talked to a few couples and their encouragement has been invaluable.
5. Ask indirect questions about their adoption: Ask them questions about their agency, how did they hear about them, ask about the country their adopting from, have they ever traveled overseas or to the country they're going to. (People rarely asked these questions but I would've loved to share this info with them. It's a part of my future child).
6. Give them little baby gifts to let them know you support them or offer them baby stuff you don't need. (People gave us a little blanket, a little prayer book, some offered extra baby clothes they had or tips on where to find deals on baby items.)
7. Write an encouraging note telling them you know they will be great parents, how parenthood was rewarding for you, how you are praying for them etc. (we kept every note and card that people gave us to one day show our child)
8. Do your own research about adoption and the country they're adopting from. Show them you are interested in what they're doing. Tell them about adoption programs on tv or books that are helpful.
9. Encourage them to start a blog on www.blogger.com and give the link out to everyone they know. This way everyone will be updated on their adoption process and they won't have to type so many emails. I wish I'd done this a long time ago.
10. Thank them for keeping you in the loop about their adoption. (we appreciated knowing that others cared)
First off, the wait is short for some, long for others. For us, it has been a long wait and I know of other people who have waited many YEARS to receive a baby...it's all a matter of perspective. When you're pregnant, you can feel that baby inside of you. You know it's there and you know approximately when you'll expect to hold that baby. But when you're adopting, you have nothing to feel, nothing to know that you'll get that baby..except the day you see their photo in the mail. And that photo...for us....has not been visible in over 2 years. When you adopt, you have only one thing to reassure you that you're getting a baby...hope. That's a difficult thing to deal with, especially when that hope is constantly getting delayed month after month. Suddenly the timeline you thought you knew in the beginning is now totally unknown. When we were forced to accept that, we went totally numb...put our emotions on hold...put the adoption in the back of our minds. To constantly think about it, to plan, to hope was too much to deal with. We would be emotional wrecks by now if we let ourselves dwell on it too much.
Yes, we are getting closer, of course we are...but still...when you think you'll see that photo in one month, and then 2 months go by and you think "ok, it'll be next month", and then next month comes and you think, "well maybe NEXT month"...ARGH!!!! Can you understand our frustration? We've been thinking "maybe it will be next month" for nearly A YEAR now. And when people ask, "When will you hear something?" and we say "I don't know, maybe next month" and they say "Oh! That's not very long at all"...in the back of my mind I'm thinking...well, it's been a "year long" for us. ha! Ironically it's a bit humorous and sad at the same time.
So, I decided to make a list of things to say and don't say to adopting couples. Please note, that these are suggestions related to me (Denise). I do not mean to offend anyone, I'm being very honest about my feelings. I know that many of these comments were meant with good intentions by people who truly care about us and I hope you forgive me if I reacted negatively to a comment. I only wish I'd known these things years earlier so I that I could've been more encouraging to couples adopting.
AVOID SAYING
1. "You don't have very long to wait now!" or "Oh! You're getting closer" (based on our story above, couples know they are getting closer but it doesn't FEEL that way when you experience month after month of delays. Saying this just reminds them of that disappointment.)
2. "I don't know why it's taking so long for you. So & So got their baby pretty quickly" or "Why do these celebrities get their babies so fast?" (Adopting couples do NOT want to hear how everyone else got their baby so fast. It just reminds them of how they DON'T have their baby yet.)
3. "Maybe you should go with another agency" (We were already over a year into the process with our paperwork buried in China. To try and get it back would've been a long and frustrating process. Plus we were still hopeful that we were closer).
4. "Have you heard anything yet?" (If we did, we'd tell you. When the same people ask you this every week, it is a constant reminder that you HAVEN'T heard anything. I finally stopped trying to give explanations and resorted to short, dry answers, i.e. "No & I don't know.")
5. "When WILL you hear something?" or "Why haven't you heard anything?" (If we knew that, we'd tell you! The major part of this frustration is not knowing and it's exhausting to constantly have to explain to every person who asks WHY you haven't heard anything.)
6. (After we explained the constant delays or vented our frustration..."God has the right child for you and his timing is perfect"....yes, we are very aware of that but sometimes, couples just need to vent and have someone LISTEN. Just let them vent, don't try to say anything wise, just an "I'm sorry it's taking so long and I'm hear to listen", and a big HUG is all that's needed and very much appreciated.)
7. This next one was sent to me from another adopting couple: "To an adopting family (that already has a child in the home) please don't tell them "well at least you have your little one to hold." My anxiety is much stronger this time around. :) I love my daughter dearly, but I'm paper pregnant for what seems like an eternity!" (Regardless of how many children you already have, your heart still aches for the one you are waiting for).
HELPFUL THINGS TO SAY
1. "We're praying for you, your child and your family" (I like knowing that people are praying for us and believe in the power of prayer)
2. (Refer to #6 above) Being available to listen when they need to vent and give hugs.
3. Another adoptive mom gave me this helpful advice: "This might be a good time to spend some time pampering yourself, taking a mini vacation (can anyone say Glacier Park, Montana?), or go to a romantic dinner with your hubby. I was so preoccupied with the stress involved in the whole adoption saga, that I didn't take time for me prior to everything happening all at once." This is true. You forget to enjoy the remaining time with your spouse before the baby comes.
4. Give couples contact info of other couples who have adopted. Although we haven't taken up every offer we received, we have talked to a few couples and their encouragement has been invaluable.
5. Ask indirect questions about their adoption: Ask them questions about their agency, how did they hear about them, ask about the country their adopting from, have they ever traveled overseas or to the country they're going to. (People rarely asked these questions but I would've loved to share this info with them. It's a part of my future child).
6. Give them little baby gifts to let them know you support them or offer them baby stuff you don't need. (People gave us a little blanket, a little prayer book, some offered extra baby clothes they had or tips on where to find deals on baby items.)
7. Write an encouraging note telling them you know they will be great parents, how parenthood was rewarding for you, how you are praying for them etc. (we kept every note and card that people gave us to one day show our child)
8. Do your own research about adoption and the country they're adopting from. Show them you are interested in what they're doing. Tell them about adoption programs on tv or books that are helpful.
9. Encourage them to start a blog on www.blogger.com and give the link out to everyone they know. This way everyone will be updated on their adoption process and they won't have to type so many emails. I wish I'd done this a long time ago.
10. Thank them for keeping you in the loop about their adoption. (we appreciated knowing that others cared)
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
DaKnees Duds
Well we are still trying figure out ways to raise the remaining $13,000 (the number's going down!) so I created a new one....my own little retail store called "DaKnees Duds". I was surfing the web looking for t-shirts that would let everyone know we were adopting. There are some clever ideas out there but couldn't find what I wanted...so I figured I would create my own art! I opened a Cafe Press store and put my art on t-shirts, onesies, toddler shirts, framed prints, etc. All of us adoptive parents don't have a growing belly to show off our "pregnancy" so we have to think of other ways to show that we're "pregnant on paper". Our adoptive kids are as important to us as our bio kids and we want the world to know that we love them and are anxiously waiting for their arrival. Check out my store at: http://www.cafepress.com/dakneesduds
Right now the shirts are for China adoption, but I'm putting another section with the same art that says "adopted with love" and another section that says "adoption supporter" (or something like that) for people who have generously supported and encouraged families going through the long adoption process.
Slowly but surely, we're getting there. Well back to work!
Love D&D
Showered with Blessings
I should've joined an adoption chat room sooner. We've had tremendous support from the other couples adopting through our agency. People giving us tips on travel in China AND with a child in tow (you have to understand..this is ALL new to us!) People giving us tips on car seats and strollers....Chinese food recipes. Standing up for each other and offering comfort when one of us is struggling. It's like a "big, small group".
We're having fun with our Sponsor a Mile fundraiser and have nearly reached our first goal! We're up to almost 2100 miles!! Whoo Hooooooo!! More importantly, I wanted to share some of the encouraging messages we've received from people. These are just of few of the MANY...and some from people we haven't even met!! We plan on printing out all the messages and frame them or do something special to give to our daughter/son. These mean the world to us. Love Don & Denise
LETTERS OF LOVE....
Denise and Don I wanted you to know that this Money ($80) is from the kids I teach and other children in our church, they are so excited about the your baby and want to help. Love You Both!!!
–Susan Nattier
I received your story from Joy Hicks; I was her babysitter growing up and remember her mom bringing her home after adopting her. I was also able to be present when Joy and Jim had their boy declared their son by the judge. I have a tender heart for those who get to experience of grafting in their own children as Christ did for us. I pray the Lord and you grow more deeply aquainted through your obedience to His high calling of paying the price and sacrificing your freedom for a greater purpose. -Shaney
It is my pleasure! I only wish I could do more. It is a blessing to have people like you and Don in the world who are so eager to help a child grow up with a real family. I hope you reach your goal. Please let me know if there is any other help I can give you guys to make this dream come true. ~ E
Hi Folks~
Just tho't I'd pass along this email, in the event any of you would like to participate and contribute $1 or more to this young couple who could use our help. Don and Denise have been tenants with Anderson Realty for about 2 yrs and we can vouch for their dedication, desire, and committment to making a difference in the life of a child who needs them. They're both lovely people who've endured many setbacks and disappointments in this process, yet have remained strong in their hope and faith to see things thru. Please join us in participating in this joyful event if you're able to do so. Your contribution and passing on this email to friends & family will make it happen! Thanks to each of you,
Adella Anderson
ANDERSON REALTY & MGMT SVCS, LLC
We're having fun with our Sponsor a Mile fundraiser and have nearly reached our first goal! We're up to almost 2100 miles!! Whoo Hooooooo!! More importantly, I wanted to share some of the encouraging messages we've received from people. These are just of few of the MANY...and some from people we haven't even met!! We plan on printing out all the messages and frame them or do something special to give to our daughter/son. These mean the world to us. Love Don & Denise
LETTERS OF LOVE....
Denise and Don I wanted you to know that this Money ($80) is from the kids I teach and other children in our church, they are so excited about the your baby and want to help. Love You Both!!!
–Susan Nattier
I received your story from Joy Hicks; I was her babysitter growing up and remember her mom bringing her home after adopting her. I was also able to be present when Joy and Jim had their boy declared their son by the judge. I have a tender heart for those who get to experience of grafting in their own children as Christ did for us. I pray the Lord and you grow more deeply aquainted through your obedience to His high calling of paying the price and sacrificing your freedom for a greater purpose. -Shaney
It is my pleasure! I only wish I could do more. It is a blessing to have people like you and Don in the world who are so eager to help a child grow up with a real family. I hope you reach your goal. Please let me know if there is any other help I can give you guys to make this dream come true. ~ E
Hi Folks~
Just tho't I'd pass along this email, in the event any of you would like to participate and contribute $1 or more to this young couple who could use our help. Don and Denise have been tenants with Anderson Realty for about 2 yrs and we can vouch for their dedication, desire, and committment to making a difference in the life of a child who needs them. They're both lovely people who've endured many setbacks and disappointments in this process, yet have remained strong in their hope and faith to see things thru. Please join us in participating in this joyful event if you're able to do so. Your contribution and passing on this email to friends & family will make it happen! Thanks to each of you,
Adella Anderson
ANDERSON REALTY & MGMT SVCS, LLC
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Chinese Adoption Legends..What do YOU believe?
During the last week, I've discovered several chinese legends and traditions in the adoption world. One is called the 100 Wishes Quilt. Apparently it's a tradition in northern China that friends and family give the couple a square of fabric with their blessing on it. The squares are made into a quilt that will welcome the new baby into the world. Adopting couples do the same thing and some of the quilts I've seen are amazing! As for me, I would end up collecting squares and they'd sit stuffed in a drawer begging to become a quilt (they'd keep my existing quilt squares company). One more "good intentions" project.
Another legend is the Red Thread Legend. It says: "An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet regardless of time, place or circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle but it will never break." Adopting couples will make Red Thread bracelets or have this heart-felt, saying written in calligraphy and framed...although I recently found out it was intended for lovers and not kids. Who knows? Maybe someone decided to make up a mushy sentiment and it's actually American-made instead of Chinese (sort of like fortune cookies?!)
I mentioned the ladybug legend in a last post. Ladybugs are like the good luck charm for adopting couples. If you see one, you'll be getting a referral soon. I saw one over a week ago. Then my husband saw one yesterday...hmmmm.....could it be twins??!! Or maybe spring and the blooming flowers are the real culprit. I've always had a big imagination..even as a kid..so I don't mind believing that maaaaybe it could be true.
I just hope I don't see 4 or 5 ladybugs! Doh!
Another legend is the Red Thread Legend. It says: "An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet regardless of time, place or circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle but it will never break." Adopting couples will make Red Thread bracelets or have this heart-felt, saying written in calligraphy and framed...although I recently found out it was intended for lovers and not kids. Who knows? Maybe someone decided to make up a mushy sentiment and it's actually American-made instead of Chinese (sort of like fortune cookies?!)
I mentioned the ladybug legend in a last post. Ladybugs are like the good luck charm for adopting couples. If you see one, you'll be getting a referral soon. I saw one over a week ago. Then my husband saw one yesterday...hmmmm.....could it be twins??!! Or maybe spring and the blooming flowers are the real culprit. I've always had a big imagination..even as a kid..so I don't mind believing that maaaaybe it could be true.
I just hope I don't see 4 or 5 ladybugs! Doh!
Feeling unprepared
Now that we seem to be getting closer to a referral, we've kick-started ourselves to begin thinking about the actual process of adopting. I've been reading other adopting couples blogs and websites and talking to waiting couples, like ourselves, in our adoption chat room. I have to say I feel a little behind schedule. Many of these moms have done a ton of research on China, chinese culture, decorating their nursery, and researching what to take to China. Several moms have been tracking their adoption timeline, logging in dates of when they received and sent out certain paperwork items for their dossier. As I mentioned before, we settled in for the long wait and didn't give it much thought until our agent told us to start preparing for the last remaining months. So I'm now in the official "cramming" stage because of our procrastination! However, I'm not one to go into detail tracking every single incident with our adoption timeline.....mainly because it's kind of boring...I mean who's really interested in hearing what date we went to get our physicals and what date the lab tests came back and when we received our birth certificates and sent them off, etc. etc....? My thought is...what in the world would I pack for a trip like this? I'm more concerned with remembering to bring the mosquito repellent and stuff to keep the child entertained while we're filling out the remaining paperwork in China! Ha! Now we realize we have to think about things like car seats and high chairs, diapers and....well all the stuff that a child requires. Things you knew about but it didn't really seem REAL...until now! I know it will all work out somehow. I tend to be a worry-wart and like to have SOME things planned...but what's that saying...even the best laid plans...yeah, you know the one. Maybe I'll just buy the book. :D
Friday, April 20, 2007
The Ladybug Myth
There's a story with Chinese adoption that if you see a ladybug, it means you'll be getting your referral soon (the info about your child). I noticed something buzzing around our sliding glass door over a week ago...and to my surprise, it was a little ladybug! Could this mean.........??? It was the only ladybug I've seen so far. Well, I don't believe in fairy tales, old wives tales or luck but it's fun to think about. I know God's timing is the real key...but who's to say that maybe this lucky ladybug was a messenger from Him for us!?!
It's been a week since we started our "Sponsor a Mile" fundraiser and we are amazed and humbled by the response we've received. We're almost up to 1,000 miles in just a week!!! God has connected us with long lost friends and people we've never met. It's so awesome! We still need your help so keep referring your friends, family and co-workers to our website and with everyone's support, our baby will be coming home. Several people at our church are dreaming and planning a cool fun festival with silent auctions and arts & crafts for sale. They're "going to town" putting this together and we are overwhelmed with their support and generosity.
We're trying to learn some Chinese from a language cd that our agency sent us. It's pretty entertaining to hear my mid-western hubby trying to pronounce Chinese words with a mid-west accent thrown in! I can't say I do much better. Maybe we better leave the speaking up to the interpreter. I also found an interesting article on Chinese toilets. After reading it, I think WE'RE the ones who will need to be "potty trained"! Here's the article if you want a good chuckle: http://www.talesofasia.com/toilets.htm
I joined an adoption chat room that's sponsored by our agency on Yahoo. It's specifically for couples adopting from China through our agency and has really helped lift my spirits and realize we're not alone in our long wait. Everyone is very encouraging and we've connected with a few couples who will be on the plane with us and getting our babies at the same time.
Well it's late and I'm going to get to bed. Sweet dreams about our little "ladybug" waiting for us thousands of miles away.
It's been a week since we started our "Sponsor a Mile" fundraiser and we are amazed and humbled by the response we've received. We're almost up to 1,000 miles in just a week!!! God has connected us with long lost friends and people we've never met. It's so awesome! We still need your help so keep referring your friends, family and co-workers to our website and with everyone's support, our baby will be coming home. Several people at our church are dreaming and planning a cool fun festival with silent auctions and arts & crafts for sale. They're "going to town" putting this together and we are overwhelmed with their support and generosity.
We're trying to learn some Chinese from a language cd that our agency sent us. It's pretty entertaining to hear my mid-western hubby trying to pronounce Chinese words with a mid-west accent thrown in! I can't say I do much better. Maybe we better leave the speaking up to the interpreter. I also found an interesting article on Chinese toilets. After reading it, I think WE'RE the ones who will need to be "potty trained"! Here's the article if you want a good chuckle: http://www.talesofasia.com/toilets.htm
I joined an adoption chat room that's sponsored by our agency on Yahoo. It's specifically for couples adopting from China through our agency and has really helped lift my spirits and realize we're not alone in our long wait. Everyone is very encouraging and we've connected with a few couples who will be on the plane with us and getting our babies at the same time.
Well it's late and I'm going to get to bed. Sweet dreams about our little "ladybug" waiting for us thousands of miles away.
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Journey to Adoption - Sponsor a Mile
After 17 years of marriage, this summer might hold a lot of firsts....first child, first time overseas, first time in a totally different culture with people whose language I don't speak! I've never blogged before but figured this would be the best way to give updates to our family, friends and encouragement to anyone who is planning on adopting.
My husband and I are adopting a child from China. We started this process back in January 2005...yeah, that's right...nearly 2-1/2 years ago! Who knew the year we applied there would be more couples adopting than babies allowed to be adopted outside of China? Talk about a back log. We're just in line, waiting our turn. But the end seems to be getting closer. We're hoping to hear something in May. It could be an infant, a toddler, a boy or a girl. We can't even decorate the room because we don't know if we need a crib or a bed, girly stuff or boy stuff. In fact, all we have is a really cool Jeep stroller that's been sitting folded up against the bedroom wall for 2 years. Better start dusting it off!
We pretty much just put the whole thing out of our minds, knowing we were in for a long wait. Now though, reality is setting in and our adoption agent informed us of the $15,000 we need to have in the next month, in case we get "the call". *GULP*! So we are scrambling to figure out a way to raise that kind of cash so quickly. Fortunately, we are blessed with a huge supportive group of people who have been praying for us during this long wait. A few people are planning huge fundraisers for us and we started a "Sponsor a Mile" website to raise donations as well. You can check it out at: http://www.dsullivandesigns.com/ADOPT.html. The idea is that every $1 = 1 mile from our home to China and back. Since that's roughly 15,000 miles, our goal is to raise $1 a mile until we reach our $15,000. People are coming out of the woodwork to donate to our cause. I think they're just as anxious as we are to get this adoption wrapped up!
I'm going to keep updating our progress on this blog including our adventures in China so you all will know what our status is. This has been a hard 2+ year wait but we know God has the right child waiting for us and we have developed many relationships with people during this time that we wouldn't have otherwise. In a way, this unknown child has brought many people to us. Several of you are wondering what the deal is with all the delays. I've included an explanation below that our adoption agent sent us. Keep those prayers coming!
Anxious in AZ,
Don & Denise
WHY ALL THE CHINA DELAYS?
Rumor is they had between 1000-1200 LID's for just those 2 days they covered. We have not been told specific numbers, or if that is a fact or not, but makes sense since they only assign approx 1000-1200 kids per month. They assign approx 13,000 kids per year to the 100 U.S. agencies and the other 17 foreign countries. About half of those go to the U.S. and the other half to the other 17 foreign countries. The other 40,000-50,000 (annually) kids get adopted domestically in China. The slowing up is the same reason I have been telling everyone for the past year--13,000 kids-- and 25,000 dossiers.
What CCAA always says is they only have XX amount of kids paper ready. The reason that is because the kids get advertised in the newspaper paper for 3 months as being abandoned, then they go to the domestic side to be adopted for 3 months, then we get what is left over that did not get adopted domestically--which is 1000-1200 kids per month.
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