God's Provision and a Little Bit About Ellie

It’s been a little while since we’ve blogged.  We’ve been chasing papers back and forth between here and China.  During this time, though, God has been providing in amazing ways, and I am so excited to announce that we are fully funded!!  J  That’s right, that huge number ($30,000) that sounded so daunting just eleven months ago, and God has provided every single penny of it!  We are so very thankful to our HUGE God, and to everyone who allowed themselves to be His instruments!  And to those of you who might be reading this and are considering adoption, but the cost seems so overwhelming that you feel like you wouldn’t even know where to start….please don’t let the finances hinder you!!  If God is calling you to it, He will provide what is needed!!

 

So many of you have asked where we are in the process and how much longer until we can go get Ellie.  Every step in the process bring us just a little closer to her, and thankfully these steps at the end are going pretty quickly.  We are currently waiting for our I-800 (the petition to classify Ellie as our daughter) to be approved.  We are hoping we get that approval at the end of this week, but it could be longer.  The next step will be getting the information to have our Article 5 put together and sent to the US Consulate in China (this is to ensure that she will qualify to obtain a visa so we can bring her home.)  A couple of weeks later this will be picked up from the consulate and then we’ll be waiting on TA (travel approval) – this step will hopefully take about a week – and then our Consulate Appt (CA) will be made, our travel dates set, and we will purchase our plane tickets and get on the plane about a week later!!  We are getting close, folks!!  We are looking to travel sometime in March at this point, but there are still many delays that could happen.  It’s just all in God’s timing.

 

In the meantime, I wanted to share a little bit about what we know about Ellie, which is not a lot.  Ellie is very small.  When she was found, she weighed 3 lbs, and she had a hard time getting nourishment and growing for many months at the beginning of her life.  You may know that many long-term difficulties can be associated with low birth-weight, so we will just take those as they come, knowing that she is exactly the little girl that God intended her to be!  Ellie just turned a year old and she is currently in foster care at night, and goes to the orphanage to be cared for during the day.  We found out that behind her orphanage there is a large apartment complex with retired folk, and they foster the babies.  So while we don’t know specifically about Ellie, it is likely that she lives with a “foster grandma.”  I love the idea of that, by the way, that Ellie may just be bringing joy to an elderly lady, while the lady is providing love and safety for our girl!  Just my mama mind wandering, though, we likely won’t know her situation until we get there. 

 

Ellie’s paperwork describes her as “a very pretty, active, and happy baby girl.”  She can roll, crawl, and sit alone for awhile and is very noisy when she is happy or upset.  She is not shy with strangers and loves to be held (YESSSSS!!!!!! J)  Her nannies feel that she is a very happy and easy-going baby.

 

Can’t wait to go get that sweet baby!!!

 

-allison

 

Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord! Psalm 27:14

A VERY Big Day!!

So, the next step of our journey has happened and we are one HUGE step closer to Ellie!!!  As some of you know, since we got matched with our Ellie the next thing we were waiting on from China was something called LOA (letter of acceptance.)  Basically, LOA is the official paper that the Chinese government issues to say we’re definitely going to let you adopt this child.  It’s usually one of the longest waiting periods during the process – some families wait more than 6 months for this step to happen.  Well, since we waited a few months to get matched, we were hoping that this step would be sped up a little, as some of the processing can actually occur before matching.  So, January 3 in China began around noon yesterday for Georgia, and January 3 is Ellie’s birthday!!  It was sad to think that she would spend her birthday without her family, but it’s such a happy thought to know that this is the last she will spend without us!  J  We sent a little party with a cake and a present and some candy for the kids and nannies to her orphanage, but I just wish I could hold her while she blows out the candles and laugh as she rubs cake all over her face like I did with Kate!  Anyway, Kris and I were talking about how much longer it might be before we get LOA, and we decided that I should just go ahead and email our social worker to find out if she had heard anything.  So, yesterday afternoon, I did that.  She immediately emailed back and said she’d spoken with China just a couple of days ago and our case wasn’t even out of translation yet…….  That was a crushing blow.  I was expecting to hear that she didn’t know anything, but hoped it would be soon, but to not even be out of translation???  Who knows how long it could take to be approved from that point!  So, I began redirecting my thoughts to how she might be celebrating her birthday.  A few hours later I got an email from our social worker again that said, “Call me.”  Ummmmm, ok. My heart dropped…..no smiley face?  No explanation mark? No hint of what she might say?  Well, I’ll just tell you that Kris and I haven’t been the family that is calling our social worker for updates every other day.  God has proven over and over again that this is in HIS timing, not ours, so we’ve really been resting in His sovereignty as our excitement builds.  So, the times we’ve actually talked to our social worker have pretty much been the couple of times that she’s given us really big news.  So, with a very heavy heart I called her.  And of course she didn’t answer…..  So, I left a message and then I emailed her back and then I called again.  Not that I’m OCD or anything….  The next 15 minutes was grueling….thoughts raced through my head….did they lose our LOA?  Did something get messed up and now we have to start all over with the paperwork?  Is there a chance we might lose Ellie before we even meet her???  Finally, FINALLY she calls back.  And then she wants to chat about Christmas for crying out loud!!  I’m all, “yea, yea, it was great, yea yea, happy new year and all……now WHASSUP??????”  And she says, “well, I just called to tell you that I’m sitting here with your LOA!!”  Whaaaaa??  And I’m standing there with the phone in my hand going, “did that really just happen????”  I’m crying and jumping up and down and I pretty much didn’t hear a word she said after that.  Then I’m in a hug with my sweet husband, who I’m not sure even knew exactly what was going on at that moment, but could tell something good had happened!  Then Kate is dancing around and singing a song about Ellie!  And that’s how it happened!!  That’s how WE GOT LOA ON ELLIE’S BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!  Whoooooo-hooooooo!!!!  We are going to China!!!  We’re coming as fast as we can sweet baby girl!!!!!  We are looking at about 10 weeks until we hop on the plane now.  :-D  GOD IS AWESOME!!!!!!!!  Here are some pictures of LOA arriving at our house and of us signing.  In full disclosure, the Fed Ex guy actually dropped it off at our door and was back in his truck and halfway through the neighborhood before we realized it, so don’t think I didn’t go running after him barefoot in the rain in my jammies to get him in the picture that marks a milestone in my baby girl’s life!!! 

Psalms 33:20-22 “Our soul waits for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name. Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us, even as we hope in you.”

Blessings!!

-allison

Lavished....

December 14, 2012 

Ephesians 1:7-10 “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.”

“A Clement Arts Christmas” was truly a beautiful and amazing experience. In a moment, I do want to take some time to thank everyone involved and mention how much they mean to us. But first, I must speak of our Holy Creator and how our family was held up by his right hand on this one day where three events spiraled towards each other in beautiful sorrow, glorious praise, and joyous thanksgiving. December 14, 2012 began with early morning whispers of “happy anniversary sweetheart” between Allison and me, each of us knowing the difficulty of the day ahead. At this point, as we spent the hour long trip to Thomaston speaking of the day to come, we both knew that my mom was on life support and this was going to be her last day on earth. After reaching Thomaston, making a few final decisions with my sister, and sitting with my mom while she passed from this life to the next, we saw our Redeemer’s glory through our hurt and sorrow, realizing that my mom now sees her King face to face. December 14, 2012 ending with a beautiful exaltation of our Great King and Savior Jesus Christ, as friends and family joined with us in celebration of who he is, how he has adopted those who trust in him, and how he plans to bring our little girl Ellie home to us. As my mom’s death, Allison and mine’s wedding anniversary, and my little girl’s adoption came together on this beautiful, sorrowful day, all that I can say is praise to my King. For from Him, and through Him, and to Him are all things. To Him be glory forever, amen. (Romans 11:36).

But now, about the concert, as I mentioned earlier, it was truly amazing! Clement Arts did an amazing job as a whole organizing, promoting, and putting the entire event together. Billy Holbrooke did an amazing job on our family video and added his own personal humor and touch as he moved the event on throughout the night. Jenny Hord did an amazing job putting everything together and reading the touching reflections Helen Brooks. Brad Griffith wrote and read a beautiful prose piece entitled “Lavish” that truly spoke to the heart of the event and the heart of the Gospel. The music by Elise Horne, Justin Belew, and the Newcomers was fantastic, especially the original pieces that they all shared with us. The art on display by Helen Brooks was beautiful as well. I would also like to thank Iron Bank Coffee and Kristian Ogden Photography, along with the event sponsors Gorilla Guitars and Superior Real Estate Services.

Also, to all those who wrote notes of encouragement to put on the tree, those notes will always be a treasure to our family and to Ellie.

Thank you so much to everyone who attended the event, and who is praying for our precious daughter’s journey home.

Through“A Clement Arts Christmas,” the love Jesus Christ truly has been lavished on our family.

Thank you all.

In Christ,

-Kris

Introducing.......

 

 

 

"Ellie Shiloh Yishan Maguire"

 

We love you sweet girl!!  We’re coming as fast as we can!! 

-Daddy, Mommy, and Kate

The Concert...

God is SO AMAZING! We are continually humbled by the way He has shown us how much He cares about our adoption through all the support we’ve received from family and friends. One such example of this is our upcoming adoption benefit concert put on by Clement Arts.

 

Allison and I got a call a few weeks ago from Jenny Horde, who said that we had been selected as the first “Celment Arts family”. Clement Arts is an organization run by Brad Griffith that encourages gospel-centered orphan care through the arts, enabling communities to support adoptive families in their midst. So, what does all of that mean exactly? Well, for us, it means that Clement Arts is hosting an event on December 14 at Crosspointe Church titled “A Clement Arts Christmas.” The concert is free and all proceeds raised (including cd sales and artwork by Helen Brooks) will go towards our adoption! The concert will feature music by Justin Belew, Elise Horn, and the Newcomers.

 

We realize that even though God calls everyone to care for orphans, not everyone is called to adopt. What an awesome and creative way the people at Clement Arts have gotten together to use the gifts and talents God has given them to care for orphans!!  We are so humbled to be selected as the first Clement Arts family and to be a part of an organization filled with individuals who have given their hearts to Christ and orhpan care. Clement Arts is an organzation that truly cares for the orhpan.  For more information about the Clement Arts and the concert, go here:  http://www.clement-arts.org/events/

 

Through this concert, God is using so many people to partner with us and support us through this adoption journey. It is clear to me that we have done nothing to deserve this support and love, but God did it all to display His glory.

 

Romans 11:36 “From from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory forever, amen.”

 

 

-Kris

The Call......

Well, it finally happened!  Our world changed in an instant.  This blog post has been a long time coming, and I can barely believe I’m sitting here typing it!  So, here’s how it went down….

 

We knew the big shared list was coming out this past Monday night, but having waited through three shared lists already, we didn’t have our hopes very high.  We also thought we would probably not hear anything until Tuesday morning, because China time is 12 hours off from ours, and so the children are matched to the families during our nighttime.  So, we were just having a normal Monday night.  Kris and Kate had spent the evening together having their daddy-daughter date and I had just gotten home from my Bible study.  We were just catching up on each other’s days, when we heard my phone ring in the other room.  It was our social worker, Karla.  We both instantly knew we had a referral!!  Sure enough, Karla said, “I have a file for you to look at if you think you might be interested.  It’s for an 11 month old little girl”……my stomach leaves my body at this point, and I can’t even remember the rest of the conversation…..Ummmm…YEA we were interested!!  J  We had talked about this moment a hundred times before, but there was so much more emotion than we had planned on!!  So we calmed down, took some deep breaths, and prayed for guidance and peace in navigating through the file.  The next thing we know, we were looking at a picture of a beautiful very tiny baby!!  I would love to tell so much more here, but we are not able to give specifics until the next step of the process has taken place in China, hopefully in about a week, at which point we can share pictures, etc.  Suffice it to say that over the next 24 hours, God caused both of us to fall in love with a tiny child we have never met!  It’s so crazy to think you can have such strong emotions when you are looking at a few pictures and some medical information, but God is so amazing!  I think it’s only fair to share the good parts, the bad parts, and the stressful parts of this journey, so I’ll have a moment of honesty with you here.  I have been both thrilled for and terrified of this moment from the beginning of our process.  When you carry a baby, you know that child is the one God intended for you.  Not to say it’s easy, but there’s no second-guessing involved – that is your baby!  With this process, some of it honestly just feels so unnatural.  We know that God is sovereign and had planned this specific child to be part of our family before the foundation of the world.  We trust that this has been in His hands the whole time.  The crazy part is, though, that the trust doesn’t bypass the decisions.  Even though God knew who our child was, we still had to go through the process, and there are tough parts of the process.  So, what I have been so excited about, and so terrified of was the referral.  If her special needs were more than we could financially handle, then we would know we couldn’t accept it.  If her needs were something that we already felt comfortable with, then we would just know.  But….what if we looked at her and didn’t know?  I mean, how do you know that the face you’re looking at is your daughter?  Well, I’ll tell you…..God makes you know.  Over the course of 24 hours, God brought our hearts to a place where there was absolutely no doubt that we were supposed to accept this referral.  The funniest part was, the latest information in the file was 5 months old, and the first thing Kris and I said to each other was that we would have to have updated information before we could make a decision.  We were very sure that we wouldn’t know for sure until we had more information to look at.  And God said….HAHAHAHAHA!!!!  Then He caused us to fall in love with her in a way that you fall in love with your child……a way that no new information could make you be less in love with her.  So, we said yes to her!!!!  Just a couple hours after we had accepted, we received updated information – new pictures and everything!!  What an awesome confirmation that was!!  We just looked at the pictures and cried!  What a precious little sweetheart!  God is so amazing!!!!  I look at our little Kate, and watch her looking at a picture of her little sister, and I am in awe at how God has chosen to put this family together.  I am so undeserving of His awesome love.  I look back now and think if one bit of paperwork had gotten signed a day sooner or later, I wouldn’t be sitting here gazing into the gorgeous big brown eyes of my sweet girl…..but God had this process right in the palm of His hand the whole time!  And He will continue to guide and direct us and take care of His baby girl in China, our daughter…..

 

Matthew 11:29-30 “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

God is Providing!!!

Well, we are patiently awaiting our referral, and are getting VERY excited!  Just wanted to give some good news in the meantime – All glory to God!!!….He showed yet again that He is going to provide for what He has led us into by fully funding our grant!!!  We want to thank our very precious friends and our sweet church from the bottom of our hearts for their generosity and desire to partner with us both prayerfully and financially in order to bring this sweet girl into our family!!  We are amazed yet again at the goodness of our Father, and feel so loved by the Body of Christ.  So, to everyone who is praying for our little girl and for us, and for all those who contributed – THANK YOU!!!!  J