Update!

I cannot believe it has been nearly a year since I posted. I guess trying to keep up with Facebook has distracted me from blogging! I wanted to write about Ping's story since she should be home soon! I was thinking she would be here by now, but the process has taken much longer than I expected. It was either February or March 2012 that I saw her sweet face & also saw that folks had inquired about her. However, because of her special needs, a family had not committed to her. Her picture just stayed on my mind & after much prayer, I applied for pre-approval knowing what fate might befall her were she not adopted. In July, 2012, I received that pre-approval. It took several months for me to find an agency & then get started with the paperwork. I had my initial meeting with my agency & was working on paperwork & other documentation, as well as starting the fundraising process. In December 2012, I received video from the governmental authorities in her country showing her medical condition. It was clear that she had some difficulties feeding & that she was significantly developmentally delayed. The authorities wanted me to see this so that I would know fully how she was doing. I guess they thought I would change my mind. While seeing her that way was heartwrenching, it did not change my resolve, though I did put the adoption on hold for awhile to be sure she would survive. Within a week of me getting the video, she was moved to a mission-run institution for children with medical needs. My next official update on her was after my dossier had gone to her country & she was thriving & making developmental progress. It has continued to take more time than I ever thought it would. However, I am now just waiting on the travel approval so that I can go get her. The light is at the end of the tunnel! I know that Ping has no idea what being in a family means & just how much adoption will mean in her life. Had she not had an adoptive family in process, she most likely would not have survived. For most children, adoption gives them a future, for Ping, adoption is lifesaving. We are all excited about meeting her & getting her home. I know that God has orchestrated this & He has chosen our family for Ping. He has truly put my family together in an amazing way -- each of my children have a story that points directly to divine intervention. These next few weeks will be a roller-coaster ride.... we are buckling up!