LOA in hand!

Yes, we got our LOA last week. We kept it in our possession for about 12 hours, then mailed it on to USCIS. We anticipate traveling sometime in April!!!!!

LOA on the WAY!

We FINALLY got the call we've been waiting for! Our Letter of Acceptance (LOA) is the way to Iowa. It should be in hand tomorrow! We had been told the wait time could be 30-90 days to receive LOA from China. We waited 96 days and got the much-waited call on the Chinese New Year. We still have several hoops to jump through, but we anticipate traveling sometime in April 2012 to bring Mason home.

We had the opportunity to celebrate the Chinese New Year with lots of other families who have adopted children from China. It was so neat to look around the room and see how God used adoption to build so many beautiful families. Zach proudly wore his Chinese silk shirt, after I reassured him that it did not have buttons on it (remember, he wears nothing with buttons). We called them "fasteners"!

 

When asked what his favorite part of the New Year celebration was, he said "wrestling with Michael" (Michael is the big brother of Ethan, who was adopted from China about a year after Zachary). 

Here's Zach and new friend, Ruby. Ruby just came home to her forever family in December. Isn't she a doll???

I showed Zach the calendar so he could try to grasp that we still have many days until Mason comes home. He said "but I can't wait that long"!!!! He has many things he wants to teach Mason;) Mom & Dad can't wait til we get to squeeze that little guy and love on him in person!

Merry Christmas

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Happy Birthday, Mason!

Today is a bitter-sweet day. It's the day that Mason entered the world. For that, we rejoice. We thank God for making him! We also are thankful that we received some updated photos of Mason on Thanksgiving Day. These are his official 2 year pictures! Check them out!

 You made all the delicate inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb. Your workmanship is marvelous--and how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. Psalm 139:13-16

How we wish you were home with us on your special day, Mason. We've been thinking about you and praying for you. We even made you a cake. Zachary volunteered to blow out the candles since you weren't able to be here;)

Although you're not here for this birthday, we can rest assured that God has his hand on you. We trust that he is guiding you and supporting you. For that, we are truly thankful.

You both precede and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Psalm 139:5   

What We'd Say To You, Mason

No, we don't have any updates......still waiting for our LOA (letter of acceptance) from China. We can't really do much until that comes in. Once we get that document, we will have a better idea of when we may travel. We are guessing maybe Feb or March 2012??? What we do know is that Mason will soon be turning 2 years old. Nov 27 is his given birthdate. We are sad that we can't celebrate face-to-face, but we will be celebrating here! We'll be dreaming about those birthdays to come.
Until then we continue to pray for our Mason. Daily we thank God for providing for his needs through the orphanage staff. We pray that his physical and emotional needs are getting met. We pray that he would somehow, someway be getting 1:1 attention and love from the workers. We pray that he would have peace that surpasses all understanding.
This song plays on the radio a lot. It makes me think of the boys each time I listen to it. Although we can't tell Mason what we are thinking right now, we can pray for him. We can dream about all the things we WILL be telling him one day...

Sidewalk Prophets - The Words I Would Say 

Three in the morning,
And I'm still awake,
So I picked up a pen and a page,
And I started writing,
Just what I'd say,
If we were face to face,
I'd tell you just what you mean to me,
I'd tell you these simple truths.

Be strong in the Lord and,
Never give up hope,
You're going to do great things,
I already know,
God's got His hand on you so,
Don't live life in fear,
Forgive and forget,
But don't forget why you're here,
Take your time and pray,
Thank God for each day,
His love will find a way,
These are the words I would say..............