That was a song from worship service this morning and guess what I immediately thought of?
I haven't posted in several days and I only have a few updates. We have our fingerprint appointment this week. After that, we will be waiting for our I171-H from the USCIS, which takes about 45 days. We are also waiting for our PA (pre-approval) from China. Hopefully our Letter of Intent has been sent or will be the first of this week. The PA usually takes around 40+ days from LOI, also.
We continue to receive word from our placing agency, Children's House International, and LWB that Cassi was loved by all who have provided care for her in the past. From the surgery techs, directors of the programs, foster family and doctors, Cassi is a very special little girl, loved by many. And she hasn't even come home to the forever family who will smother her with love. Everytime I see a picture of someone holding and loving her, I just want to do the same to them for all they have done for her.
We just started our Parents in Process Training Classes with our homestudy agency, Miriam's Promise, this past Thursday night. When we attended the classes 13 years ago, preparing to adopt Issac, most of the couples were about the same age with very similar circumstances. We were all adopting domestically and still have a strong bond with some of the couples we attended classes with. This class, however, has a very diverse group of individuals. Getting to know the different couples and their individual stories was so touching. We are all so excited and I enjoyed it so much. Issac asked why we were having to go to classes and I told him we had to learn how to be a Mommy and Daddy (just kidding). He thought we should be fine since we had almost 13 years experience. The classes are actually to prepare you for the adoption journey itself and internationally. Adoption is not just a one time experience, it's a life long process. Bonding issues will be different. I was in the delivery room when Issac was born, so we started the bonding process immediately. With Cassi, she will be over two years old, and we will have a lot of time to make up.
There will be other issues and questions she will have over time and Issac is right in the fact that we have some experience. We have shared Issac's adoption story with him since birth and have answered all questions openly and honestly. We plan to do the same with Cassi. Their stories will be different, but our answers will always be the same, honest. We will do everything to ensure them that adoption is a great sacrifice on the part of the birthparents and is usually done out of a great love for the child. Circumstances leave the birthparents feeling this is the best option for the child, and we, as adoptive parents, have a great respect for their decision. There are other options they could have chosen, but they gave them life and placed them where they could be cared for.
Please continue to pray for us. I know there are so many of you out there doing so and we really appreciate it. We are getting anxious, but we still have a time of wait we must endure. While God is preparing our hearts and home, I know he is also preparing Cassi.
I haven't posted in several days and I only have a few updates. We have our fingerprint appointment this week. After that, we will be waiting for our I171-H from the USCIS, which takes about 45 days. We are also waiting for our PA (pre-approval) from China. Hopefully our Letter of Intent has been sent or will be the first of this week. The PA usually takes around 40+ days from LOI, also.
We continue to receive word from our placing agency, Children's House International, and LWB that Cassi was loved by all who have provided care for her in the past. From the surgery techs, directors of the programs, foster family and doctors, Cassi is a very special little girl, loved by many. And she hasn't even come home to the forever family who will smother her with love. Everytime I see a picture of someone holding and loving her, I just want to do the same to them for all they have done for her.
We just started our Parents in Process Training Classes with our homestudy agency, Miriam's Promise, this past Thursday night. When we attended the classes 13 years ago, preparing to adopt Issac, most of the couples were about the same age with very similar circumstances. We were all adopting domestically and still have a strong bond with some of the couples we attended classes with. This class, however, has a very diverse group of individuals. Getting to know the different couples and their individual stories was so touching. We are all so excited and I enjoyed it so much. Issac asked why we were having to go to classes and I told him we had to learn how to be a Mommy and Daddy (just kidding). He thought we should be fine since we had almost 13 years experience. The classes are actually to prepare you for the adoption journey itself and internationally. Adoption is not just a one time experience, it's a life long process. Bonding issues will be different. I was in the delivery room when Issac was born, so we started the bonding process immediately. With Cassi, she will be over two years old, and we will have a lot of time to make up.
There will be other issues and questions she will have over time and Issac is right in the fact that we have some experience. We have shared Issac's adoption story with him since birth and have answered all questions openly and honestly. We plan to do the same with Cassi. Their stories will be different, but our answers will always be the same, honest. We will do everything to ensure them that adoption is a great sacrifice on the part of the birthparents and is usually done out of a great love for the child. Circumstances leave the birthparents feeling this is the best option for the child, and we, as adoptive parents, have a great respect for their decision. There are other options they could have chosen, but they gave them life and placed them where they could be cared for.
Please continue to pray for us. I know there are so many of you out there doing so and we really appreciate it. We are getting anxious, but we still have a time of wait we must endure. While God is preparing our hearts and home, I know he is also preparing Cassi.
