adoption update

Just a quick update on where we are at in the adoption process for Mr. Max. Our agency sent for an update on Max last week so we are (not so patiently) waiting for them to get back to us with some updated info and pictures. We haven't had an update since March. I can't wait to see how he has grown! This waiting is so hard knowing that he is growing and learning without us there with him. I want him in my arms so bad it hurts....

We sent our dossier (all of the paperwork that China requires of us) to China at the end of May. We are now waiting on the China officials to review all of our paperwork and issue us a LOA (letter of acceptance). We can't proceed until we receive this form that is basically China saying...."yes, you can in fact make Max your son." So for now we are in a holding pattern. This is the step that will determine when we will travel. It could take anywhere from 30-100+ days. We are hoping for a short wait. We had to wait 96 days for this step with Cora...we are hoping for much shorter this time around. This whole adoption process has gone so much faster than it did with Cora....so we hope that continues for every step of the process for Max. When we received our LOA, the typical time frame to travel is about 8-12 weeks....so we need to get this form sooner than later if we are going to make it to China in October like we are hoping.

We covet your prayers for our Max and our family during this process. Please pray that Max is receiving good care, that he is being loved, that he is safe, and receiving enough to eat. Pray that God begins to prepare his heart to join our family. This little guy has lots of changes coming his way. While joining a family is a good thing...it also means that he will be forced to give up everything that he knows and will lose everything familiar to him for that to happen. Please pray for our kiddos at home also....pray that their little hearts are prepared to have a new little sibling and all that a new sibling entails. Please pray that each step of this adoption process goes quickly and that we can have Max in our arms sooner than later.  Please pray for us financially and that we are able to pay for the fees and travel and that the financial part of this won't hold us up when it is time to go get him. We are pinching pennies, working extra, and giving up lots of activities that we would normally enjoy this time of year....we are saving every little bit that we can to reach the amount needed for our expenses. God called us to adopt again....we have faith that he will provide for us financially to get our Max home, and we know that will mean hard work on our part. We do not expect to just be given the funds, however we would also not turn you down if you felt led to donate to help cover our adoption expenses. ;-) We are more that willing to work hard to get our little Max home. Hopefully, the next time I update the blog I will have some new pictures of our little man!

Happy Tuesday friends!
-katie

p.s.- For those wondering....the ipad mini winner was Terri Brostrom, and the fitbit winner was Tiffany Mann. Thank you so much to everyone that helped support our adoption and entered the drawing.