We're in Beijing

We made it and we're exhausted!! We ran to a grocery store and bought some water. Now, we're off to bed - may I add a HARD bed. Matters not, very thankful to have a bed to sleep in tonight! The boy's room is across the hall. Kim the walkie talkies are working great! Tomorrow we go sight seeing - it will be a long day, however, an exciting one!
Love
Detra

One more day and we're off!!

There are so many emotions roaming through this house; emotions from being really excited to fear. I don't see how the boys are able to focus on their TAKS tests. Slowly but surely, we are getting it together. The house won't be perfect, but it never is. Lydia's room is the only room ready :)
We are leaving for the airport at 3:00 Thursday morning (thank you Ryan and Jennifer). Wonder if we'll get any sleep tonight? Then, I remember that we'll have plenty of time to sleep on the airplane :)
We would really appreciate prayers for our trip and for Lydia. Please pray that the Lord prepares her to meet her forever family and that He draw her close to Him. She will be taken from the only world she knows, her foster family, her language, and her country. We will be meeting her on April 12th at 10:00 am which will be 9:00 pm April 11th here in Rockwall.
Jayne has sent me a Bible verse that I will carry with me - thank you Jayne!!
Love to all,
Detra
Fear not, for I am with you;be not dismayed, for I am your God;I will strengthen you, I will help you,I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isiah 41:10

Four More Days...

I can't believe that we leave in 4 days. The suitcases are on our floor and the only one packed is Lydia's. The weight limit has us all concerned. Fortunately, the hotels in which we are staying will wash our clothes. We've heard that it's really cheap. So, we'll have the same clothes on in all of our pictures :) Thanks to Brad P - we stocked up on peanut butter and crackers and yes, we'll make sure to pack them in our "checked in " luggage.

We found out that we will be traveling with a couple from Kansas. They are also traveling with their two children (7 & 9). Their little girl, Jade, and Lydia live in the same city. We were excited to hear that we would be traveling with another family and also excited to find out that they are both nurses.

We are very thankful for so many of our friends that have been encouraging throughout this process. We appreciate your prayers!!

I hope to be able to update this blog once we are in China!!

Much Love,
Detra

Travel Approval & Travel Date....

Yea, we have received our travel approval and travel date!!! We will be leaving April 8th and returning April 23rd. We will actually meet our daughter on April 11th. Please pray for this day!! We know that the Lord is faithful!!

"Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands."

Deuteronomy 7:9

Paperwork Located

Yea, we received word from our adoption agency that our paperwork has been accounted for - Praise God!! So, now instead of traveling this month, we are now looking at April or May. We are a little disappointed, however, know that once we get her, this will all be a blur!! Lydia (ZhenZhen) will turn 7 in July. We are praying that we have her before her 7th birthday!!

Once again at a standstill...

We were moving right along and the Chinese government made some changes right as our papers hit China. So, we are at a standstill once again!! We are thankful for our liaison at our adoption agency, she has been great! She is putting in a special request on our behalf today to see where everything stands with our paperwork.

We continue to walk by faith and trust in God's perfect plan for our family!

Waiting for an updated I-797

Since we will be traveling sometime this Spring and our I-797 expires in March, we had to file an extension. In addition, since we have been matched to a 6 yr old with special needs, we had to also submit Supplement 3 paperwork. This process all started in November and we thought that we were finally on the right track when an envelope appeared in our mailbox this past Saturday. Much to our disappointment, it was our updated I-797, however, not all the dates had been updated, ugh! (You see, as soon as one receives their updated I-797, one can send in their I-800.) Once we have submitted our I-800, the travel date is anywhere from 2.5-3 months. Fortunately I have our USCIS officer's email address, therefore, I shot her a short email after noticing the discrepancy. First thing Monday morning, she made the correction and sent out a corrected copy. We now wait to receive this copy so that we may submit our I-800. The paperwork involved is incredible, but will one day be a blurrrrr...
We also found out that our little girl goes by the name of ZhenZhen, so cute! I sent her the first care package with our picture book, a stuffed Rabbit with her name embroidered on her dress, and a disposable camera. We are not sure if she has been moved into the orphanage or not, however, we know that our Lord is mighty and her protector.