Wow! So much has happened since I last wrote. Our home study is officially complete and in my hands. We have certified our Kansas and Nebraska documents, and just have Missouri documents left (I hope to walk those in to the KC office this Wednesday). Once all those documents are certified, they will be sent to the Chinese Consulate and then on to China! Once our documents are in China, we hope to have a referral in 6 months or so. This Thursday, we have our CIS appointment, at which time we'll get fingerprinted and fill out the paperwork necessary to bring an orphan on to American soil. This is a huge step (the final piece of paper) and here is where we ask for your prayers. From speaking to many families, this process usually takes approximately 2-3 weeks (to receive your approval letter). However, it can take up to 90 days, which is a distinct possibility with the upcoming holiday season. Every week longer that it takes is another week we wait to get our documents to China, and another week later that we go pick up our daughter. We would ask you to pray for a speedy turnaround of this 171H document...and thank you in advance for praying specifically for this need.

Other than that, things are moving forward. We received our new passports, we are applying for financial assistance from many organizations (they all require a completed home study before letting you apply), and we are getting more and more excited for next summer! Thank you again for checking in---we love and appreciate you!

Jason and Alissa