Waiting

I really feel like shouting from the mountain tops...our dossier is complete!!! This last six months has been FILLED with paperwork, autobiographies, home study, mailings, appointments, fundraisers, etc. I feel like I can finally take a breath and focus on my family. It is absolutely mind boggling to think that this huge step is complete and next we wait...AGAIN!  We wait for the precious little girl that God has for us to be revealed. We wait for permission to go get her. We wait to meet her. Waiting is no fun! I recently re-read a post I wrote while I was waiting on Nick to say yes to adoption. I re-post here-

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

While I am Waiting

(This is a post I put on our totsites the day before Nick said "yes"...I wanted to put it here as well so it is all in one place)

So to most of you it is no surprise that I am desperate to adopt! I have so much I want to share about this it kind of overwhelms me! The Lord has laid so many cool things on my heart in the last months that I want to share. Mostly, so I don't forget and see Him working during this phase of our life, but also so our friends and family can share this incredible journey with us! More importantly, one day, I hope our sweet little girl will be able to look back at these posts and know how MUCH we loved and wanted her!
So, God has really done a number on me in these past months. To say that I have had a total heart makeover is an understatement.  I have prayed many prayers to have my heart burdened for what burdens His and he certainly did answer.
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:27
I can no longer turn over at night and pretend there aren't orphans...TONS of them around this world. I can no longer pretend that some aren't hungry, some aren't scared, some don't know LOVE of any kind, and some don't have incredible special needs. My heart aches! I recently came across this prayer on one of my favorite new blogs (No Hands But Ours). Man, did it speak to me!
Lord Christ,

You have no body on earth but ours,
No hands but ours,
No feet but ours.
Ours are the eyes through which your compassion must look out on the world.
Ours are the feet by which you may still go about doing good.
Ours are the hands with which You bless people now.
Bless our minds and bodies,
That we may be a blessing to others.

St. Theresa of Avila
So, I am completely burdened (thank you Lord) and I have no idea how this journey will end. I can say with confidence that I am learning the difficult lessons of patience and submission to the One who holds all power in His hands WHILE I WAIT!

One of my favorite songs at this point in our journey-
While I'm Waiting by John Waller

I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am hopeful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it is painful
But patiently, I will wait

I will move ahead, bold and confident
Taking every step in obedience
While I'm waiting
I will serve You
While I'm waiting
I will worship
While I'm waiting
I will not faint
I'll be running the race
Even while I wait

I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am peaceful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it's not easy
But faithfully, I will wait
Yes, I will wait
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve you while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting on You, Lord

 

Well, now today, Oct. 15,2012 we are still waiting and this post has more meaning than ever...it's no longer about a desperation to adopt....it is about a desperation to meet our daughter, to hold her, to love her, to provide for her. Yes, we are still waiting, waiting on you Lord, but we are hopeful, though it is painful, but patiently we will wait.

 

A purple girl car!

Gavin and I recently had a discussion about how we have so much...a home, toys, food, each other...while others like baby sister don't. Without missing a beat, he runs to the play room and brings back the only thing that resembles a girl in the entire room-a purple matchbox car (I am assuming he relates purple to girls). He says with the sweetest voice ever, "Oh I know baby sister can play with this purple girl car in China!" I seriously could have cried right then and there. Thank you God for my precious boy...thank you that we have the opportunity to teach him so much while on this adoption journey. Thank you God that the "giving" part seems to come natural for him. 

Almost DONE!

Yesterday, I sent off the bulk of our dossier to CCAI for critical review! Once I get the last two docs back from the Consulate in Houston we will be DONE!! Now, the excitement and anticipation can really begin! I have started daydreaming about what she will look like, her name (hopefully Nick will soon agree to the name I love-a combination of Gavin and Ethan's name), and what I want her room to look like. I daydream about our trip to pick her up and officially becoming "paper pregnant." I don't think I am the only one ready for the "little sister." We met a Chinese family at the pool a couple days ago and Gavin would not let their daughter out of his sight. They had such a wonderful time playing together and I had just as much fun talking to her mom. I cannot learn enough about China!!!! We love you "little sister!" We all are praying for you! Your family awaits!!

Adopt Speak and more

When we first began the adoption journey I read tons of blogs and easily became overwhelmed at all the acronyms and numbers used to describe various families points in their journey. Now, I speak the language. So many languages to learn...at this point one would think Mandarin would be important, but just to navigate your way through this crazy process you have to learn "adopt speak" as I now call it. I am now a fluent "adopt speaker" and very excited to say that we now have our I-797!!!!!! This is soooooo HUGE for all those familiar with this process. Basically, given our home study, fingerprints, and other application documents the United States has approved us to adopt a child from the P.R. of China:) This is the last major part of compiling our dossier. The incredible part of this is that from the time I was fingerprinted to the time we got our approval in the mail was five days!! From what I understand it can usually take several weeks once you attend your fingerprint appointment. So, here is the other HUGE part of this...this means almost positively that the little girl God has planned for us has already been born! Those who can relate know how bittersweet this can be...our daughter is waiting for us, but while she waits she is not in our care...she is living in an institution without a mommy and daddy. I recently read a book by Kay Bratt called Silent Tears: Life in a Chinese Orphanage which has impacted me greatly. At this point, I have a difficult time talking about my bittersweet feelings. Those who love me and even those who don't-I challenge you to read this book. First and foremost, because I believe it's important for us to be educated and not turn a blind eye to what is happening in this world.  Second, those who love me would understand some of the bittersweet feelings and why I am a bit emotional these days.

Most days, I have great intentions to sit and write a great blog post, but have a hard time gathering my thoughts...this certainly has been one of the most incredible growing experiences and we are not even holding our daughter yet. I want to do better at sharing...I will try!!

For now, baby sister, you brothers await:)

Two little books

Of all the documents we received in the mail for this adoption these two have had the MOST impact! Two little books that will take us across the world to meet our little girl...kind of crazy really! Most days, I really don't think much past the tasks at hand (mounds of paperwork, grant applications, etc). I chose not to let my mind wander to what those weeks in China will be like because wandering brings an overwhelming flood of emotions. But these two books were kind of like a wake up call! This is happening...we actually have passports...that will actually be used not for a trip to Fiji or Mexico, but to add a daughter to our family. I have dreamed of this since 1995 and it is ACTUALLY happening! Our daugher, based on the timeline given to us, has already made her debut into this world. Her mother has most likely already made the horrific decision to let her go and she is probably already living in an orphanage. Our daughter...in an orphanage and alone...without us!!! This is why I take it day by day...these thoughts would be enough to fill my day with tears. However, these passports are a LIGHT...a visual encouragement that we are one step closer to holding our baby girl. One step closer to China!

Update

I haven't posted in a while!!! This summer has been so busy. It's hard to believe BACK TO SCHOOL is right around the corner. We have made some great progress despite the craziness these last couple months. While we were in the mountains with my parents our Home Study was finalized and our USCIS filing was sent in. This week we received our receipt from USCIS and we are just waiting on our fingerprint invitation. Once our fingerprints are complete I have read it can take USCIS anywhere from 60-90 days to process our application and approve us as adoptive parents. We also applied for our passports this week and ordered the last of our dossier photos (which you can see here). It's ALL coming together. I hope that everything will be done and in China by October. Currently, we are working on our application for the Show Hope grant-deadline is Aug. 31st. Praying that we might receive some support from that incredible organization!

Not much to report on the fundraising front since our July Poker Tournament. We have been focused on grant applications (which are quite involved) and not feeling super guilty about taking the month off since my friend Celeste Carr has offered to match funds donated through Carpet One in Winter Park up to $1,000.00. Celeste really inspires me...she is one of the most giving and kind ladies...her support has meant so much to us!

If you wish to make a donation WHICH WILL BE MATCHED DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR to our fund please mail a check made out to Carpet One (memo-Peterman Adoption) to:

Carpet One
Attn: Celeste Carr
900 S. Orlando Ave.
Winter Park, FL 32789

You can also drop by that physical address as well if you live in the area.

We are just so thankful for the kindness of others...I will never be able to say that enough. There is no way we could do this on our own (despite our best saving $ efforts).

Next update will hopefully report that our dossier is on its way to CHINA!!

More poker pictures

 Another dossier shot! WAHOO no sleeveless shirts or hats!

 Amy (my favorite SIL) was such a wonderful help!

 My business partner (and friend) Ashley and her mom!

 Sisters and friends (and the worker bees)

 Charlie (my lil bro) and Amy



Fun times! Good friends! So thankful!