Biometrics Done!

We made it to the immigration office 2 minutes before our actual appointment time, even with the 635 North ramp closed. This doesn't happen often in the Scheele family. The immigration office is located in an older part of Dallas down by Bachman Lake. There are a lot of older & beautiful homes, however, the office we wandered into was a hole in the wall with no signage on the outside. There were a few words on their windows, but they were very small, or maybe it was just mine and Rob's eyes! Rob decided that they paid cheap rent.

Upon entering, the process ran rather smoothly, that was until it was my turn. We each filled out additional paperwork and were then given a number. We were directed to the next room to have a seat until it was our turn. Rob was taken right away by an older lady. You could tell she knew exactly what she was doing. I had a seat until they, the workers, decided whose turn it was to take the next person in line. I then heard one lady say to a timid girl sitting at a desk, "you are going to have to do it sometime, you might as well get this one." Oh great!!! She gets up from her desk and walks over to me, she takes my paperwork and mumbles for me to follow her. I became a little concerned, okay, a lot concerned when I realized that I had gotten a new employee. It was quite apparent that she was not welcomed in this office. My heart felt for her and I began talking to her, trying to make conversation. She would answer me, but with only one or two words. It took her awhile to get my prints, and she had to repeat some of the prints 3-4 times. This may be common. It did bother me that she never cleaned the glass where my fingers were placed, however, she did clean my fingers. After every print, it came up "Matched Warning" with a number such as "66". I think the highest number was "72". I wanted to ask her what this meant, but I wasn't sure that I would get a knowledgeable answer. After finishing, she told me that I could have a seat and she would have someone come over and check her work. I have to admit that I was still concerned at this point, but kept reminding myself that the Lord was in total control of this situation. She then yelled something like "CA" or "GA" and went to take a seat. The lady who took care of Rob walked over and looked over the computer screen and said, "OK" and walked off. She then got up and told me that I was finished.

Feeling relieved that this was behind us and we were one step closer; Rob began asking me how it went. After expressing my concerns, he continued with his questions. "Did you see your prints and were they clear?" "Yes", I replied. Then he asked if another screen popped up with reversed colors and show the word "Passed" on the screen. "No, I didn't see this!" I told him that mine only showed "Match Warning" with a numeral below. He didn't remember seeing this on his and my screen never changed color either. Oh great!!! I then again had to remind myself that the Lord was in total control!

We now have to wait up to 3 months for clearance by Immigration/Homeland Security before we can have everything translated, sent to China, and receive a LID (log in date).

What a long process...we'll keep you posted!

We've Received Our Appt Date!!!

We have received our letter from CIS and our appointment has been set for Saturday, Dec. 27th at 9:00 am. I didn't know that government offices were open on Saturdays. Works good for us! We are making progress slowly but surely...

I was shocked...

I couldn't believe it when Peter came home and told me that he had signed up to try out for basketball. Peter, the one that would never play basketball on the playground with the other boys, Peter the one that would not play on the "Y" team, and Peter the one that said "basketball is not for me."

I was not going to discourage him. I didn't think that he would make it and if he did, I am sure him being 5'9" had a lot to do with it. Well out of 80-100 boys, they chose 36 boys. Yep, Peter squeezed in there and of course he made the "C" team. Hey, I would much rather be on the bottom and move up!

Their first game was tonight. I stayed home to take Samuel to orchestra (he's my basketball player and he didn't try out). After the game was over, I received a text from my husband. "I think we have a football player". That bad...

On the adoption front, our home study has been approved, so we are on our way to getting our paperwork sent to the CIS for fingerprinting.

My prayer is that Peter does not get discouraged, nor I in the midst of this long wait for our child/children.

And so we wait...

I can't believe that is has been a month since I have last posted. We have since finished our fourth home study. We are now waiting on our adoption agency to approve our home study report. Upon receiving the approval, we will send it along with other pertinent papers to the CIS and wait for an appointment to get fingerprinted. This is where we are and it is good!


But as for me, I will look to the Lord;I will wait for the God of my salvation;my God will hear me. Micah 7:7

Adoption Update

Our third home study is over and went well. Our social worker spent almost 3 hours with us in our home. We had a really good visit and learned a lot of interesting yet sad information pertaining to the orphanages in China. We again appreciated her honesty and knowledge. We have so much to learn before we go to China to pick up our blessing(s). Yes, we have asked for twins, but have been told that it is very unlikely that we receive them. We have also not specified a sex, there are also boys available. We will leave this in the Lord's hands. She spent time talking with the boys, for she had not met them before. They really liked her too. Next step is filling out government paperwork and getting finger prints. Once the home study is written, it may take up to 3 months to get clearance from the government. However, we are praying it goes quickly. We are encouraged, it only took us one week to get our passports, we couldn't believe it!

Thank you to those who lifted us up in prayer. We have so much to be thankful for!

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15

Hurricane pictures from Aunt Sam's house

Here are a couple of pictures from Aunt Sam's house - the bottom floor is gone!
She is using the ladder in the picture to get to the second story.

http://www.mediafaxfoto.ro/photo_preview.php?photoId=3120597
http://www.mediafaxfoto.ro/photo_preview.php?photoId=3120596

"Fireproof"

This is very encouraging...

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/26853265#26853265

"Fireproof" is now showing in select theaters, looking forward to seeing it.

What a week...

Last week was a whirlwind. We had our second home study and last night we met for the first time other families who have either traveled with Great Wall (our adoption agency) to China or are in the process of waiting, like ourselves. There were a lot of little girls running around and one baby boy, 6 months old. It was a special night, everyone was very kind and helpful. We especially connected with one family. They have a 13 yr old daughter and their daughter, Rachel, whom they adopted from China will be 3 yrs old in December. They were so encouraging, however, also very honest. We know that it will be a drastic change to our family. Hearing and seeing how this family has adjusted to Rachel is a blessing to us. We are so thankful that the Lord drew us together last night!

This week, we will be preparing for our third home study. Our social worker, Beverley, will be coming to our home. Boy, do I have a lot of work to do...Please pray that I stay on task!

I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Psalm 121:1-2

All is well!

Thank the Lord, all is well for Aunt Sam. Her bottom floor, the garage, is all under water. Her pickup is gone. Yesterday morning, she was able to make it to her neighbor's house with her 2 dogs. At this time, she is not sure if the water went into the second floor, which is her living area. They have electricity due to the neighbor having 3 generators. They are only rescuing emergency victims, and she does not consider herself to be in an emergency situation. Thank you for your prayers.

Please Pray for our Aunt Sam

Rob's sister, Sam, was not able to leave Galveston Island. She did try, however Friday morning at 5:00, her road was already under water and she couldn't leave. She has lived there over 30 years and has been through many storms. She was able to leave before Hurricane Rita hit. However, when Rob spoke to her today, he heard a fear in her voice he has never heard before. He knew then that there was trouble. Please pray for all the people who chose to stay on the island. We have faith that the Lord is sovereign.

We're Praying

Okay, we're praying that we don't run the wrong way on the field or they don't tackle their own teammate - just joking! We are all a little nervous for tonight's game. Did I mention that Samuel has never played football before? He has played Madden 08. Does that count? I will let you know...

You better sit down before you read this one!

Of course, today was the day that we found out what football team we made. I was so busy at work today that I really didn't give it much thought, until I got off. Then, I had to go and sit in the pick up line and wait for them. I felt kind of silly for being so nervous, until I called my friend, Karen. She too was waiting to see what team her son had made and she too was just as nervous. All three of our boys made the "A" team - Yea! I am ashamed of my first response. I asked Samuel if he was serious? Samuel admitted that he was pretty surprised himself. They will have to continue to work hard to keep their positions. At any time they could be bumped down to the "B" team. I honestly would have rather had them make the "B" team. I feel that they would have had more playing time. Don't get me wrong, I am very proud of them. I know that they have been working really hard to get to this point. It will be fun to watch them play tomorrow night. Go Mustangs!

Very Thankful...

The second week of school ends today. Did I mention that the second week was a better week, for me that is. The boys are doing well! I think 3 out of 4 of us had a bug the first week of school. I still haven't figured out how Samuel seems to always escape our family illnesses. When I woke up Sunday morning, I felt better. Dad had gone onto church at 8:00 to practice music for the worship service. Peter, Samuel, and I got up and left early to join him for worship at 11:00. It had been a peaceful morning, very nice! However, on the way, at a red light in front of the First Baptist Church and Rockwall Post Office, a large RV bus ran the red light and hit me across the road onto the sidewalk of the post office. It was a pretty big jolt - definitely knocked me for a loop. We are all fine and very thankful, especially that there were no pedestrians on the sidewalk waiting to cross for church. Yesterday was the first day that I felt somewhat back to normal. Again, we are very thankful that no one was hurt. About the adoption, we have our next home study on the 16th. I am still getting all the paperwork together for our dossier. Every time that I think that I am about finished, I get an email telling me to obtain one more document. Some days it seems never ending, but I know the end result will bring us a beautiful child that the Lord has chosen for our family. It will be a long wait, but well worth every month/year! One more thing...the boys should find out today or Monday which football team they made. First game is Tuesday. I will let you know!

They're off...

Well ,today is the first day of Jr. High School. I do not know who was more nervous, me or them? (I didn't let them see that I was a little apprehensive) I actually thought Samuel had it all together this morning. He was acting pretty cool and collected, nothing out of the ordinary. He got up, got dressed, fixed hair, ate breakfast, brushed teeth, put his deodorant and cologne on, then played the piano until Peter was ready to go. We took our "first day picture" (how long does a mom get to do this?) and headed off to Cain. Then out of no where, I hear this frantic voice from the back seat, "Mom, where is my binder?" I look back and saw a look in Samuel's eyes that I rarely see, a look of despair. I think to myself, "Oh my, Samuel is nervous". I then reminded him that he left all his school supplies in his locker last Thursday when he picked up his schedule. A small sigh of relief made its way up to me. Peter of course had "Cold Play" blasting in the front seat. He is a lot like me - loving to listen to loud music to escape. I trust that they will have a wonderful day. Another chapter in their lives of becoming young men. I pray that they make wise choices. The Lord is faithful! I pray all your kids have a wonderful first day of school too.

One down - three to go!

Our meeting lasted 1 hour and 15 minutes. Beverley, our social worker, was very easy to talk with. I really enjoyed visiting with her and could have stayed longer. You know me, I could talk to a wall. She gave me a lot to think about and to discuss with Rob. The next meeting will be with Rob by himself, then the whole family. I can not go into detail, but Rob and I have some very important decisions to make and we would appreciate your prayers. Please pray that God would reveal where we should go from here...

A journey indeed! Rob and I have wanted to adopt for years. The Lord's timing is perfect and here we go... We began this process in July and are in the midst of filling out forms and collecting paperwork - there is a lot! My first meeting with our social worker is this weekend. Not really knowing what to expect, I am a little nervous.