DTC

We got an E-mail from Karla... I'm not sure when since we just got back, but I'll say a few days ago, saying we are DTC. Docier To China. This is fantastic news! Wonderful! And a week ago I would've been ecstatic beyond compare, but right now I'm confused! We are all set, but we don't have a child to adopt! This is where we look around and wait for God to call us. We have to trust that he will provide everything we need. Like I said, we're not giving up, we just have to wait. Adoption requires Patience, Patience requires Christ, Adoption requires Christ. Finally All those Logic classes apply haha. So here we go: READY. set. TRUST!

In Him,
Chelsey :)

Father's Day

It's Father's day and the same thoughts that I had on Mother's day are cycling through my brain. Once again, I can't help but imagine Xian on the other side of the world without a father. I wish she could have the same hope that we do in that her family and her father are on their way and will be there in God's timing. I do wish to tell my dad that he is truly appreciated. This time last year he and I were listening to an English/Chinese sermon in the local church (only for foreigners, passport required at door). I'll never forget that trip and how much we learned and I'm so thankful that he willingly went with me. THANK YOU DAD!

As far as updates from China- The orphanage tried to submit the girls to the CCAA, but it was "rejected" due to insufficient or inaccurate information. This all goes to show that God's plan is not our plan! Our Chinese contact, Lily, says this has been a recurring theme recently. The orphanage director seems distracted. Honestly, I am willing to bet that he is tired of us contacting him from so many different angles. He must think we have so many connections! (well, I guess we do...) Anyways- no REAL news.

Just a small update about Tigi- for those of you who were praying: We have reason to believe that she is safe, althoug the best way to know for sure is to hear from her, which has not happened. We are pretty sure that she is in Atlanta. However, because she is a legal adult and there was no "foul play" (in otherwords she disappeared of her own will), the police have discontinued their brief search and she is now one of the millions of illegal immigrants in America. I will continue to pray for her fervently until I know for sure that she is safe.

Thank you all for your prayers!

In Him,
Chelsey :)

FINALLY!!

While I was busily babysitting away last Monday, June 15, my mom texted me saying these exact words, "Just got a call from Karla- says we've been approved! We're off to China!" So, there you have it! Homeland Security fnally pulled through on our second attempt and approved us for international adoption... for two girls... (we're still waiting for guidance and wisdom about Meng).
Truthfully, we expected the approval to take longer. So, this is a blessing. My whole family- my mom especially (although her respectful persistance pays off!) was becoming discouraged. The Lord decided to give us even more H.O.P.E.!!! I'm revelling in God's love right now! Glory be to the King! :)
Our next step is an approximate 10-day process including 3 simple steps. Now, not meaning to be doubtful, but when we heard "just three simple steps", my immediate thought was, "Oh, great." In my mind that was equivalent to a mother leavingher child in the car in the parking-lot at Publix and saying, "I'll just be a minute!" However, I know God is in control and He's been more than wonderful so far... I just can't give up now!! HOPE! Oh, back to the steps- our docier (i think) must be sent to 3 different cities (Montgomery was one, and somewhere in TX). After that, we are off to China! Well, not us- NOT YET! Just our DOCIER. Which, I looked up in the dictionary... and couldn't find it. So it seems I will be forever pronouncing it wrong... or right... I have no idea!
So, its a beautiful day and there is joy in the air! (cliche', I know, sorry.) Thanks for your prayers! It's so wonderful knowing that someday soon I will have a new little sister!

In Him,
Chelsey :)

Not much of Nothing

I've been thinking a lot about my future. I have a heart for China, but also for Orphans. I love children, and I love the gospel. I would love to go into full time missions, but I also want to be well educated, hence my presence at a 0.1-A Classical school in B-ham, AL (Westminster School at Oak Mountain- great school by the way!). So I am a little confused as to where I should go after highschool... I've thought about ESL, Seminary, Christian, etc. I don't know, and frankly I don't have to know right now. I'm only a JUNIOR! haha sometimes that seems pretty scary. Ok, so as you can see- this has nothing to do with the adoption, and I have nothing to say about the adoption because nothing has happened. It's slow moving as it has been the whole time. (sigh).

As I'm talking about nothing, I might as well ask you to pay :) :) :)
1)For Xian- that she would hear and believe the Gospel
2) For Fontana- ditto
3) For patience on my family's part
4) AND HOPE

Prayer is a powerful thing, so I mean it when I ask you to pray. God hears our prayers and he always answers.

In Him,
Chelsey :)

Un-approved

Yesterday was a very hard day for my family. Tigist, our exchange student, went missing from where she was supposed to be in North Carolina, and was reported getting onto a bus to Atlanta on Monday morning. My family and I have felt very sad, confused, and even abandoned by what has happened. All the while, we know that God has everything under control and he knows exactly where she is and what she's doing. He will take care of her; all we can do is pray for safety and wisdom.

At some point during the day, my mom remembered that Tigist had told her on Saturday (over the phone) that she had sent us a letter. My sister ran out to the mailbox and returned with a letter from Homeland Security- our last US step in our adoption. My mom quickly opened the letter of disappointment. It read that we have not been approved due to a list of things, all of which my family has already completed. My mom immediately sent an e-mail to our wonderful social worker, Karla Thrasher, who said 1) she'd be right on it, 2) no news from China, but she'll ask again, and 3) Be thankful that we are being processed, we're not sitting, waiting, wishing. We're Moving Along. We're cimbing up the mountain, almost there... but we keep falling down a few feet.

Have Faith. Have Hope. Have Joy. Have Patience.

~Chelsey :)

P.S. Above is a picture of Tigist. If anyone sees her please let us know!! (205) 437-9973

Good or Not Bad?

Alas! In the sea of vast depression there be a glimpse of good news! ;)
Yes, good news. The fingerprints are done and the appointments were very quick! My mom went in with Carson and Tigi and it took them 5-10 minutes! Then my dad went in with Casey yesterday and it went just as smoothly. Now all we can do is wait for the results to be sent back and that will finish up our docier! Fromthere it will be shipped to China, where we must recieve adoption approval, child referral, and travel approval.
On the other side of the world, the orphanage has done their part in submitting the girls into the CCAA!! However, it has been sent back to the orphanage for updating, but the fact that they are taking us seriously is great! Our specific orphanage, JiangJin Welfare Institute, has never had a special needs child adopted. So this is a new experience for all of us!
We're very excited to see where this is going! Please continue praying!

In Him,
Chelsey :)

P.S. You have heard me refer to the girlS. I have just now reaized that I haven't explained that part. We originally began the adoption process for 2 little girls, Xian and Meng, a 2 year old girl. However, we have since discovered that Meng's issues may be more extreme than we thought. A team of doctors from our church went to JianJin and couldn't give us specifics, so we are awaiting further information before pursuing her. However, we are still listed as adopting 2 girls... so it'll be interesting to see how God works this out...

Destination Unknown

Alright, so last Friday, my brother, Casey, Tigist (our exchange student, who is leaving Friday), and my dad had their appointments to get their biometric fingerprints. However, when they arrived at the FBI department, they read the looming sign on the door: FBI agncy is closed today, May 22nd, due to technical difficulties and power outage. Seriously, how often does that happen? So right now I am resting (or attempting to rest) in the fact that God has predestined all of this, and there is a reason that they were not able to go in last Friday. However, that reason is unknown. Consequently, they will be going in with my mom, and other brother, Carson, this week. Busy Busy Busy Busy Busy...

Needless to say, this has been rather frustrating, and we need your prayers for patience and HOPE. Please continue to pray for our process, and that it would move along swiftly. Also, pray for financial provision. Our dream is to get the girl(s) by 2010, and bring my parents, and Carli and I. I plan on raising my own support, so please pray that the Lord would provide. Also, please pray that He'd provide money for the other 3 as well. This would be an amazing opprotunity, and I can't tell you how much it would mean to me to go back to China. Thank you for your prayers.

In Him,
Chelsey :)

p.s. As of now I do not appreciate fingerprints.

PROGRESS!!!!!!!!!

Ok! So our adoption process has moved along! Not much but it has! We currently have our appointments for the last set of finger prints and then we wait supposedly 2 weeks and the we can send our docier off to CHINA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Then we wait... for a looong time... please pray for patience and HOPE in that time!

In Him,
Chelsey

p.s. Holding On with Patient Expectation

Mother's Day... no mother...

Last Sunday was mother's day. Our day was busy. We took advantage of my mom and half of the day was lost in travel from Gulf Shores for our Track meet. My mom lovingly took my oldest brother back to UofA that night. They had dinner together, but she of course did not get the appreciation she deserved. Thinking back I have realized just how much I truly appreciate my mom and I can't help but think about the fact that Xian has no concept of a mother. She has never celebrated mother's day. Ever. I can't wait until we can welcome her into my family and she can finally be loved and appreciated by a beautiful and truly caring mother!!

In Him,
Chelsey :)

Why?

A lot of people have asked "Why would you make a blog?" So in case any of you are wondering, here is my answer:

I am writing this blog, not only to pen (or should I say type) out my thoughts, but to remember them. And if I ever doubt something along the way, I can look back at this, and hopefully be encouraged. Also, I feel like this blog will be used by God. Once here and adopted, Xian may want to see her story, the way she effected us, and maybe even how much we love her, even before we knew her as well as we eventually will. After all, my mom refers to this process as a pregnancy. I have seen pictures of me since the day I was born. She wont have that, but we have memories, and I can record those memories, and she can see those. It's like an online scrapbook, but without pictures. At this point, she's not "born" yet, she's in God's plans. (AND WE CANT WAIT TO SEE HER!) I am hoping and praying daily that God will reveal himself to her. Though she is young, she can be used. Also, my mom wants a blog. She as well, would love to be able to look back on the process, like a journal. In a sense this is my online journal. So, that is why I have started this blog.

In Him,
Chelsey :)