LOOK WHAT CAME IN THE MAIL TODAY ...

My new cyber-friend, Terri, sent a special package that arrived in the mail today. Terri is a fellow CHI waiting Momma that has the same LID, so we'll be traveling to China together to get our daughters. We've been emailing about slings and she offered to make one for us. I was excited to receive it today! I cannot wait to have pictures of me carrying Malia in this sling. (I really hope she likes sitting in it!) Okay, picture Malia sitting in the sling ...

(Terri, I don't know what fabric detergent you used, but it sure smells good!)

Also in our special package was a tabbie grabbie. It's a tiny version of a security blanket that is a new trend for little ones today. Isn't it adorable!?! I actually went "aawwee" outloud when I saw it. The butterfly fabric is so sweet ... and really soft, too.

Thanks again, Terri! I love them both and cannot wait to have pictures of Malia with both of these. I also can't wait to meet you in person! And when we do meet, we'll finally be on the long-awaited journey to our daughters!

HABAKKUK 2:3

But these things I plan won't happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, be patient! For it will surely take place. It will not be late by a single day.

JUST A POST

Well, I'm sure some are glad to have a new post to get the "dirty underwear" off the top of the page (hehehe). Just a side note, though, you can seriously purchase the "brief safe" for $11.00 by going to this website. Is that not hilarious?!? But seriously ... who would consider touching those things?!?

On a different subject ... we received the draft for our home study update today. It should be getting notarized tomorrow and then copies sent to us via mail. We'll then have to fill out the paperwork to reapply for our citizenship and immigration status (a.k.a. the I-600 A form) to send to the USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Service) with the update. We're so thankful right now that, although we have to pay for the home study update, we do not have to pay for the refiling of the I-600 A ... which is very costly ... because we are eligible to use the one-time free extension that we barely missed being able to use last time. Once we are approved (for the third time) this paper will be valid for yet another 18 months.

In the mean time, I have been following three blogs of families in China right now who are getting their daughters. One in particular has me laughing out loud almost every time I read it. And then there is the added bonus of a blogger friend who just received their referral from Vietnam just in the knick of time (as Vietnam will most likely be ceasing adoptions with the US next month). And then also a church friend who just told me tonight that she has a home study scheduled for next month for their domestic adoption. I'm so thankful (and so very excited!) for these distractions as we wait to see what next month's batch holds. We're still expecting an October referral. But you could say a prayer for a referral next month ... I wouldn't get mad at you for that :)

A TRAVEL MUST!

THE "BRIEF SAFE" ...

The "Brief Safe" is an innovative new diversion safe that can secure your cash, documents, and other small valuables from inquisitive eyes and thieving hands, both at home and when you're traveling. Items can be hidden right under their noses with these specially-designed briefs which contain a fly-accessed 4" x 10" secret compartment with Velcro(c) closure and "special markings" on the lower rear portion. Leave the "Brief Safe" in plain view in your laundry basket or washing machine at home, or in your suitcase in a hotel room. Even the most hardened burglar or most curious snoop will "skid" to a screeching halt as soon as they see them. (Wouldn't you?) Made in USA. One size. Color: white (and brown).

My Mom has suggested that we each purchase one of these "must-have's" for our trip to China. I'm thinkin' I may order me two!

INFORMATION ABOUT THIS MONTH'S REFERRAL BATCH

We received an email from our agency this morning stating the CCAA updated "the box" to show the offical cutoff of this month's referral batch as January 31, 2006. A dismal two-day batch considering the 2006 Chinese New Year began on January 28th - so the 26th and 27th were the only LIDs included in this batch.

There has been some talk on the Rumor Queen site that apparently some European countries had a lot of families logged in during those two days, so it's possible even though only two days were referred it was a big enough batch as far as number of referrals.

It's a little confusing as to why the CCAA chose the 31st as the offical cutoff since the 2006 CNY was January 28-Febraury 5th. I'm thinking the most likely reason is simply to close out the month of January. However, there are some who think there is a quota system in place at the CCAA (even though the CCAA continually denies this claim). To date the CCAA is averaging five days of LIDs in each batch of referrals. If they stay true to this, that means next months batch would only include through February 5th or 6th (and not really skip over the CNY dates like we were expecting them to). With an LID of February 9th, this would put us with a referral in October. So for now, since I'm rather disappointed and a little sad and out of energy to hope, I'll be expecting our referral to arrive in the October batch rather than next month. It's sad, really, because we are offically only 4 LID days away from our referral, but if feels like it's forever away.

I must say that I'm so thankful for my faith and the trust I have in God's timing. I know that He is ultimately in control, not the CCAA. So with that I take comfort in knowing that Malia just isn't ready to be matched with us yet. In His time...

However, it is very difficult to watch the Olympics, seeing all the Asian children all over the TV, and not miss my daughter.

THEY HAVE BEGUN!

THE STORK IS IN THE AIR ... I REPEAT, THE STORK IS IN THE AIR

Well, that's what the rumors are saying anyway. Still no word on the cutoff ... still NOT looking good for a big batch. Probably won't know anything for sure until next week.

EEEEEKK!!!

Oh boy, the rumors are not looking good!!! So far there are two agencies telling their February 6 LID families that they are not likely included in this next batch. That would make this month's batch only two days of LIDs. Pathetic!!! Still no word on when referrals might be mailed. Hopefully we'll know more throughout the week. The Olympics start Friday!!!

BYIC CONVENTION PICS

Spencer and I were blessed to attend the 2008 National BYIC Convention last week. BYIC stands for Brethren Youth In Christ and allows all the youth from the Brethren churches across the US to get together once a year for great speakers, great workshops, great fellowship and awesome worship. This year's convention was in Ridgecrest, North Carolina. The theme was REVEAL where we focused on what God is wanting to reveal to each of us at this time in our lives. It was an awesome week all the way around. Here are Spencer and myself in our REVEAL t-shirts waiting for worship to begin.

The picture below is of the band Flatfoot 56 that put on a concert Monday night. The band consists of three brothers from Chicago and a bagpipe player that looks Irish and wears a kilt. I'm not a big fan of hard rock music, but these guys were terrific and really quite funny. And even though you can't understand most of what they are singing, their lyrics are truly amazing (we got a look at them by reading the little booklet in their CD). I also want to add that the guy who played the bagpipe (and the mandolin as well) was incredible. He was jumping all over the stage and didn't seem to miss a note.

Wednesday night and Thursday morning our speakers were The Skit Guys. These two friends are absolutely hilarious and great witnesses for Jesus. Below they were doing a skit as two newscasters that had to act out the news they were reporting on because they didn't have video clips. They'd say, "We don't have a video clip, but if we did this is what it would look like." The news piece they were reporting on below was of a bank robbery. Sooooo funny!

Our worship band again this year was Attaboy. These four guys are amazing musicians and WOW can they lead worship! They have a great sense of humor and are so fun to hang out with. Below is a picture of the band along with Spencer and Rikki (one of our youth) after the Attaboy concert Thursday night.

This picture is during their concert...

And last, but most definitely not least is a picture of Spencer and me with Leslie Nease from Survivor China.

Leslie was our speaker Monday night and Spencer and I took the opportunity to talk with her. She is very friendly and passionate to share her experience in China and relate it to the many things God revealed to her before, during and after Survivor. Of course, we let her know we are in the process of adopting from China and she mentioned that after she was voted off the show she got to tour the country. Each day she ran into a family that was adopting a child and said she cried every time. I wish I'd had more time to talk with her!!

As usual, we are already excited for next year's convention!!! Rick should be able to go with us ... and Malia, too!!!

HOG ROAST PICS

Here are just a few pictures of the Hog & Corn Roast. Rick and I were thrilled that both our parents came early to help shuck corn. Here they are hard at work.

Gay's husband, Mike, built this corn crib. They are a pair of very creative people, aren't they?

In addition to our parents, there were so many other people that came early to shuck corn. From what I've been told, we shucked around 800 ears of corn in less than an hour!!! That can only happen with great team-work. And speaking of team-work, there were over 100 people from our church who helped in some way with the hog roast. To these people, we thank you so much for all your hard work, time and resources, and especially for the love you've shown us through it all. You have brought great joy and excitement to our long, frustrating wait.

As mentioned in a previous post, there was a pig kissing booth at the hog roast. People were able to pay to have someone kiss little Petunia. If that person chose not to kiss the pig, they had to pay double the amount. Rick had already kissed the pig in church a few Sunday's ago, but Spencer and I had to do our part. And let me just say that Petunia was none too happy to be nominated as the pig!

It's so hard to believe that this amazing event has come and gone. There was so much work and preparation that went into pulling off something so big. We are so very grateful to everyone who played a part. Gay, I hope it was all you dreamed it would be! Thank you for your vision and all you did to bring it to fruition. I pray the people of our community experienced the true love of Jesus as they came out to be part of our big event.

WE'RE BACK, BUT NO NEWS

No, Rick hasn't failed you. There just simply hasn't been any news to share. RQ is so dry on rumors that she's posting a review of a movie. We did receive an email from our agency letting us know that the CCAA will continue working throughout the month of August in response to rumors that they were closing down for the entire month because of the Olympics. At least that is good news. Hopefully this week will bring news of referrals.

Spencer and I had an awesome week at the 2008 BYIC Convention in North Carolina. I'll post pictures from our week as well as from the hog roast sometime this week. Right now I'm tired and since we still have dial-up internet it takes so long to post them.

Come on referrals!!!! Come on referrals!!!! (You're welcome to chant along with me!) Come on referrals!!!!