Updates and Stuff

Our I-800 was approved by USCIS on Thursday, March 28 and we received the hard copy two days later on Saturday.  This allows us to classify Caylie as an immediate relative.  So thankful that there were no delays with that process, and I appreciate the kindness and helpful attitude of our officer both times we have dealt with USCIS.  Our file has been sent to the National Visa Center, and once we are approved by them, they will send our information to the U.S. Consulate in Guangzhou.  We are on the final steps, friends.  It will still be a few more weeks, but right now we are planning to meet our daughter toward the end of May!  And since it's finally April, I can say NEXT MONTH we will have our Caylie JiuChang with us!

Yesterday as we celebrated Easter and our Risen Savior, I couldn't help but think about NEXT year.  Next Easter Caylie will have been home close to a year and will know about Jesus!  I can't wait to begin to teach her how much He loves her and to share to joy of this day with my little girl.  God is orchestrating awesome things, and making all things new.  Adoption begins with loss and grief, but it is a story of REDEMPTION and HOPE.

Please pray for Jim and me, as we come closer to The Day.  We ask our Father every day to grow an uncommon love for Caylie in our hearts before we even meet her.  We know that by His Spirit, that love will grow, and IS growing!  How could we even do this without Him??  So grateful for His Spirit and His Word that work things that seem impossible to the world.  He is so good!  Please also pray that we will have wisdom in parenting and teaching our daughter who is coming from a hard place that we cannot understand.  We need Him to direct us at every turn and to give us compassion and understanding for our sweet girl.  Thank you, friends.

Please pray also that we would trust without wavering about the finances for our adoption and for our travel.  God has blessed us to very much already  - many thanks again to those who have helped us financially! -  and we know He will be faithful to the end!  We also need prayers for wisdom in finding the best flights and hotels.  We know our Father will guide us in all of these things.  This was HIS idea afterall!  I don't need to worry!