How quickly a month can pass by! I looked at our last post and it was from early April….how did we get to May already. As a family waiting to bring our little girl home we welcome this time passing. It’s strange, as we have become accustomed to wishing time would slow down with our 3 kids at home. Each time I look at old pictures, are reminded of things gone by or see them getting older right in front of our very eyes I wish to myself that time would just slow down. So, this wishing time would go quickly seems strange! As I was getting Ian to bed tonight we were talking about him being a “big brother” and all the things he couldn’t wait to do in this role. He just kept saying “I wish she was here already!” I could only respond with “me too.” I love hearing the kids talk about their desire to have her home and how their hearts are bursting to have her here with us. She is already a part of our family but the joy we will feel when she is in our home physically with us is immeasurable.
Our most exciting news is that after waiting for 5 weeks we received approval from US immigration to adopt from China! Now that we have this we can finalize our Dossier, which is a big packet of documents, and send it to China. This is what they require for review prior to giving us final approval (we already have preliminary approval) to adopt Ellie and begin planning travel. We have been told that once we submit our Dossier it typically takes about 3 months to get final approval. We are hopeful that will be by August.
Our fundraisers have been amazing. We have been blessed by so many! Between donations, our sock sales and our “Egg my yard” fundraiser we have received almost $6,000! Words can not express how thankful we are for each person that has stepped into this process with us through donations and prayer. Each of you are a part of this, a part of bringing our sweet little girl home. We cannot wait to tell her all about the amazing people that helped get her home.
Wondering what’s next??
* Our fundraising page is still open for donations. You can check it out at: https://adopttogether.org/families/?fundraiser=gard-family-adoption
* We are still selling socks! We have sold a total of 253 packs of socks…..crazy right! We do have a goal of 500. We have placed an order to have more socks on hand to sale, so if you live near us and still want socks, or want more socks, let us know and we will hook you up! Or you can still order them online, just visit this link: https://go.wehelptwo.com/campaign/?campaignid=1835
*We are also looking at future fundraising, including a bake sale (compliments of Addison!), spaghetti dinner, etc. We are meeting with AJ’s Family Fun Center this week to talk about an event there, so stay tuned!
*We are in process of completing grants also. We have been informed from Bethany Christian Services that we should get a $5000 grant through them once we get further into the process. We have also applied for a Show Hope Grant, but the review process is 90 days (minimum) so it takes time. We are in process of completing a matching grant through Life Song for Orphans and applying for a program through them called “Both Hands” which will allow us to build a team, complete service projects for a widow in our community and raise money for our adoption all at the same time!
This process has been nothing short of “interesting,” and I’m not even sure that’s the right word! Maintaining my focus on the processes and paperwork have caused me to often times push down my emotions (or at least drown them out) of not having her here with us now. I have moments where the sadness creeps in and my heart feels shattered into a million pieces knowing that she is ours but I cannot hug her, comfort her when she is sad or hear her giggle, see a smile or put her to bed each night. I have no control over these things, but I can keep filling out documents and fulfilling the requirements that are constantly placed in front of us. During these moments of sadness I often times feel frozen, which in turn slows my pace with all the other things. It’s such a delicate dance of allowing those emotions to come, experiencing them because they are real, and pushing through so we can keep taking steps forward to bringing her home. Trying to control all of these things but knowing that ultimately God has control. He had this story written long ago and it’s unfolding only as He perfectly created. Knowing this and REALLY knowing this are two different things. I pray each day my heart and mind can focus on his perfect plan and that in each phase I can take it in knowing that He is teaching us something with each step and guiding our way.
Thank you again to each of you that have supported us with either prayer, donations or both. We feel extremely blessed to have the “village” we have and we can’t wait for you to meet Ellie!
Gard Family Adoption Adventure 